The communicating and smart thermostat market has garnered greater attention and seen an increase in activity since the last iteration of this Navigant Research Leaderboard Report in 2015. More value is being realized from smart thermostats because of their ability to enable consumers to save money on energy bills and help utilities meet energy efficiency and demand-side management (DSM) requirements. These thermostats also play a significant part in connected home solutions. Different distribution channels have emerged for these devices, as well. Telecommunications and broadband service providers, home security companies, and heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) installers are racing to incorporate advanced thermostats into their solutions. Meanwhile, software and services?especially those that are cloud-based?have become a vital part of these more intelligent thermostats, providing data-based insights and opportunities that increase the value of the devices. These developments and the surge in activity surrounding this market have resulted in a changing landscape for the competition. Several new players have been introduced since 2015, and existing players have shifted in ranking and position. This Navigant Research Leaderboard Report examines the strategy and execution of 17 manufacturers and software and services providers that are active in the global communicating and smart thermostat market. The vendors are rated on 12 criteria: vision; go-to-market strategy; partners; production strategy and roadmap; technology; geographic reach; sales, marketing, and distribution; product performance; product quality and reliability; product portfolio; pricing; and staying power. Using Navigant Research?s proprietary Leaderboard methodology, vendors are profiled, rated, and ranked with the goal of providing industry participants with an objective assessment of these companies? relative strengths and weaknesses in the global smart thermostat market.