Our Honeywell RTH6580WF WiFi 7-Day Programmable thermostat rating:
Honeywell RTH6580WF at a glance
The Honeywell RTH6580WF is a good, simple, affordable WiFi thermostat.
It’s for those not ready or not willing to pay $200+ for a fully featured smart thermostat, but still want the convenience of controlling their home’s temperature through their phone.
The screen is basic, but that’s okay – your phone is already an excellent touch screen. The thermostat’s physical design harkens back to the 90’s, but that’s okay, too – this thermostat is probably similar in size and shape to the one already on your wall, so you may not have to repaint or repair anything after upgrading.
RTH6580WF PROS
- Easy on the wallet – check Amazon.com’s current prices
- Free highly rated app for Apple and Android devices
- Keeps running your schedule even if the WiFi goes out
- Looks and operates like a traditional programmable thermostat
- Backlit display
- Installs in about an hour or less
- 1° accuracy
- Simple, straightforward – no need to mess with any learning algorithms or geofencing
- Honeywell offers help with wiring via their support line, even on weekends
- Amazon Echo integration just added August 2016!
RTH6580WF CONS
- Press-on touch screen might feel dated if you’re used to just touching your touch screens
- Needs a C-wire. Well, you can also use the fan wire in place of it, but then you can’t independently control your fan
- Much easier to program via computer or app than the thermostat itself
Honeywell RTH6580WF review
Keep your expectations reasonable and you won’t be disappointed. The Honeywell RTH6580WF isn’t a high end thermostat, but it earns its 4 stars out of 5 for its robust feature set while still being one of the cheapest WiFi thermostats on the market.
It’s easy on the budget, the app has come a long way since the the thermostat’s introduction a few years ago, and it’s got all the basic stuff you’d expect from a thermostat. There’s no need to worry if your power goes out – it’ll remember your settings. If your WiFi goes out, that’s okay, too – it’ll keep chugging along on the schedule you gave it.
The only people who would be disappointed in this thermostat would be those who wanted something flashier like a Nest. For those who just want a smart thermostat that you can “set and forget”, the Honeywell RTH6580WF’s got you covered.
Schedule with ease through the website or app
The on-unit controls are about as clunky as those found on old school programmable thermostats, but the free iPhone/Android app is pretty sweet and the desktop portal is just as good. The app is called “Total Comfort Connect” and it’s available for free (just search your device’s app store).
Set up schedules, override the current schedule, get alerts, control the temperature from far away – it’s all here. You also get a weather report and a list of locations, in case you have multiple homes/locations with Honeywell thermostats installed.
The Total Connect Comfort app does all of the following:
- Monitor and control your heating/cooling system over the internet using a computer, smartphone or tablet
- View and change heating/cooling system settings
- View and set temperature
- View indoor humidity
- View outdoor temperature and humidity
- Access multiple thermostats — if system is zoned
- Access multiple locations — if more than one system is connected
- Receive alerts via email
- Professional installation
(List taken from Honeywell’s own support site)
You’ll need a C-wire… unless you don’t care about your fan
Alas, this is yet another thermostat that requires a C-wire.
If the comments on this site indication, a lot of homes lack the so-called “common wire”. The common wire is like a “ground” wire. The thermostat gets its power from the 24V wire (usually red), and the presence of the C-wire keeps that power continuous.
There are, however, two things you can do about a missing C-wire:
- Install a C-wire or adapter designed to compensate for a missing C-wire (here’s our guide)
- Repurpose the G-wire, assuming you have one, to supply power instead of controlling your system’s fan
Choosing the “Fan option” means you lose independent control over your HVAC system’s fan, which is kind of a janky fix to this problem, but Honeywell has a video on the process and it does get the job done. I don’t think this is the best fix, though, even if Honeywell suggests it, because it’s taking away a feature your HVAC system is supposed to have and probably confusing all future users.
Honeywell RTH6580WF wiring compatibility guide
Before you buy, make sure the thermostat will work with your home’s wiring.
Honeywell’s website has a step-by-step assessment you can do yourself to determine if the RTH6580WF is compatible with your home’s HVAC system. Pop your current thermostat off the wall and answer each question.
- Does your current thermostat have 110V or higher written on it?
- Yes: not compatible 🙁
- No: go to the next question
- Do you have thick wires that are connected using wire nuts?
- Yes: not compatible 🙁
- No: go to the next question
- Do you have a wire connected to terminal labeled “C”?
- Yes: Congratulations, the RTH6580 thermostat will work with your system.
- No: go to the next question
- Do you have an extra wire that is not connected to any terminal on the thermostat wall plate?
- Yes: watch this video to see how to repurpose this wire as a C-wire
- No: go to the next question
- Do you have a wire connected to terminal labeled “G”?
- Yes: watch this video to see how to repurpose the “G” wire
- No: Sorry, this WiFi thermostat won’t work with your system 🙁
Honeywell’s own version of this questionnaire includes photos and instructions on how to contact them if you need additional help.
The on-unit controls are basic but get the job done
The on-unit display shows the current temperature and WiFi status. Press the buttons to apply an override, adjust the temperature, set the clock/day/schedule, select fan settings, and adjust other settings. If you’ve used a programmable thermostat, then you know what to expect out of this thermostat.
Default schedule makes it easy to get started
By default, the Honeywell RTH6580WF comes with a built-in schedule to get you started. You can toss this schedule and make your own, or tweak it to meet your needs. The temperatures in this default schedule are pretty generous, so if you aren’t sure where to start, go with this one and see how you like it.
Honeywell RTH6580WF vs. Honeywell RTH8580WF (touch screen)
The RTH8580 (note the first digit has changed from a 6 to an 8) is basically the same thing except with a touch screen and a higher price tag.
Personally, I think your phone is enough touch screen, so you can save a few bucks and just get the RTH6580WF instead of spending more for a touch screen.
See the Honeywell WiFi 7-Day Touch Screen Smart Thermostat on Amazon.com
Honeywell RTH6580WF vs. Emerson Sensi
This is where things get more competitive. Honeywell’s RTH6580WF and the Emerson Sensi are both good choices in the “budget WiFi thermostat” category. They both have easy to use apps, can be controlled through a web portal, are integrated with Amazon’s Alexa, and are similarly compatible with a variety of systems.
The real differences boil down to:
- The Sensi can work without a C-wire – if you have both heating and cooling in your home (or have a good budget for batteries)
- How the units look – this one’s just personal preference, they both look like standard thermostats to us
Read our full Emerson Sensi review here and decide for yourself.
If you don’t have a C-wire but you do have heating and cooling, go with the Sensi for the least amount of installation hassle. If you have a C-wire, pick the one that better fits your budget or that you like the look of more.
See the Emerson Sensi on Amazon.com
RTH6580WF Tech Specs
Model Number
- RTH6580WF1001
Dimensions
- Main unit: 5.8″ wide x 3.5″ tall x 1.5″ thick
Power
- Voltage: 24V
- Battery power: 1 lithium ion battery
In the box
- RTH6580WF thermostat and backplate
- Mounting hardware
- Paper instructions booklet (click here for a pdf)
RTH6580WF System Compatibility
From the manufacturer:
- Heat/cool: Gas, oil, or electric heating with central air conditioning
- Heat pump without backup or auxiliary heat
- Heat only with fan: Gas, oil, or electric heat without central air conditioning
- Heat only (no fan): Gas, oil, or hot water heat without central air conditioning
- Cool only: Central air conditioning only
- Heat pump: Heat pump with backup or auxiliary heating
- Heat/Cool Multiple stages: 2 heat stages, 2 cooling stages
- Heat/Cool Multiple stages: 2 heat stages, 1 cooling stage
- Heat/Cool Multiple stages: 1 heat stage, 2 cooling stages
The bottom line
It’s a solid budget smart thermostat. If you’re not in the mood to spend upwards of $250 but you still want those sweet WiFi features, the RTH6580 is a great choice.
At this price point it’s not gonna “learn” your schedule or track your location, but it’s from Honeywell, one of the oldest names in thermostats, and it’s got all the conveniences and features you do want in a smart thermostat. Just make sure your wiring is compatible and you’ll be good to go.
Check current Honeywell RTH6580WF stock and prices on Amazon.com
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13 replies on “Review: Honeywell RTH6580WF WiFi 7-Day Programmable thermostat”
How low (temperature) can I program or use the permanent over-ride button?
I believe the lowest is about 40 degrees.
does the RTH 6580 WF thermostate lose its settings if the power goes out??
I purchased two of these and both ended up being defective. They both turn off the air handler during HP defrost which is about 12 minutes then the fan comes on for about 5 min then the HP restarts and eh fan resets. This all takes about 20 – 25 minutes which causes the house to loose heat. This happens every hour so I loose 35 min of heat every hour so my house drops 1 degree every hour or so. This only happens when the outside temp is below 32 degrees. Honeywell has been no help and they won’t warranty they stats as I’m over the 12 months by one month. Also it does not get below 32 but this year it has been for three days now. So the problem never showed up before.
The unit is satisfactory for our needs…programmable and wifi…the price is appropriate.
The instructions were extremely lacking when it came to connecting the unit to our wifi network. Ended up calling Wifi Thermostat Customer Service (855-733-5465) to get it connected, and could find nothing in the User Guide or Quick Reference that was even close to what Customer Service had us do. Customer Service was awesome and walked through all steps.
Will it provide an alert to my phone if the temperature drops below a certain setting to warn me?
How do I remove “Temporary” from the top?
This thermostat is a piece of junk. The display intermittently dies on me and does not allow you to turn the A/C on or off. I called Honeywell, and asked if they could send me a replacement since I am under a stay at home order in South Florida and the answer was a resolute NO. I am almost 65 years old, but yet, they suggested I go out and buy a voltage meter to check the voltage and then call them back when it happens. So I will do that at midnight when this happens and who will answer the phone. So in the meantime, until I can order a replacement and install it I am without A/C. Way to go Honeywell.
I have 4 of these running in my home. They are simple and straightforward to install once I got past my issue of not having a C wire. Ended up running new thermostat wires from my boiler which was the hardest part of the installation. The 1 deg accuracy and the heat recovery feature of my boiler work together to save me a bunch of money on my utility bill. I love the way I can change the temperature settings from anywhere on my phone now. Also have taught Alexa to turn the temperature down, turn night lights on and shut TV off by telling her I’m going to bed. Now don’t have to run around the entire house to push buttons on all of my thermostats before going to bed each night.
Function 2 to control the reverse valve doesn’t show up.
Works okay and is simple. Support from Honeywell is horrible, instructions are useless nd incomplete and it is very frustrating to setup and god-forbid change your internet with.
Would recommend going to a more sophisticated product.
What they don’t tell you in the directions is that the c wire must come the AC unit. It won’t work with the c wire from the heating unit unless the R and RC are jumpered. With both R and RC wires and no jumper, the C has to come from the cooling system. It would be nice if they told you this in the directions.
Sunday Jan. 2,2022… just hung up phone … on hold for over an hour… Pathetic customer service… Can’t get wi fi to hook up.. followed all directions… Thanks fir the great customer service Honeywell….