Is the Emerson Sensi Touch 2 (ST76) worth it?
The Emerson Sensi Touch 2 (ST76) is a top pick with a 9.2/10 consensus score. Experts highlight stages a ground-source heat pump correctly with full 4h/2c support, so a 2-stage geothermal compressor plus 2 stages of resistive aux all wire and fire in the right order instead of jumping straight to backup heat. and balance point aux lockout ties electric backup to a configurable outdoor-temperature cutoff, the single setting geothermal owners need to stop the expensive resistive coil from running above its breakeven temp.. Best for: Geothermal owners who want correct multi-stage compressor + aux staging, DIY installers replacing a basic stat on a WaterFurnace or ClimateMaster geo unit.
Affiliate link — we earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Emerson Sensi Touch 2 (ST76)
Climate Control
Expert consensus
How we scoreKey Features
- ✓ 4H/2C staging for 2-stage geothermal compressor plus 2-stage auxiliary heat
- ✓ Balance Point outdoor-temperature aux-heat lockout
- ✓ Compressor minimum off-time short-cycle protection
- ✓ Selectable O/B reversing-valve orientation for any ground-source unit
- ✓ C-wire-powered color touchscreen with Sensi app and keypad lockout
- ✓ Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and SmartThings
Best For
Emerson Sensi Touch 2 (ST76) vs. the alternatives
How the Emerson Sensi Touch 2 (ST76) stacks up against other Climate options on price, expert consensus, and ecosystem support.
| Product | Price | Consensus | Works With | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emerson Sensi Touch 2 (ST76)This page | — | 9.2/10 | Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings | Must Buy |
| Dyson Purifier Cool TP07 | — | 9.1/10 | Amazon Alexa | Must Buy |
| Dreo Pilot Pro S | $99.98 | 8.9/10 | Google Home, Amazon Alexa | Must Buy |
| Levoit Smart 42-Inch Tower Fan | $129.99 | 8.6/10 | Amazon Alexa | Recommended |
The Emerson Sensi Touch 2 (ST76) earns a 9.2/10 expert consensus, versus the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium at $259.99 list (8.8/10 consensus). It works with Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings.
What Experts Agree On
What Experts Love
- ✓ Stages a ground-source heat pump correctly with full 4H/2C support, so a 2-stage geothermal compressor plus 2 stages of resistive aux all wire and fire in the right order instead of jumping straight to backup heat.
- ✓ Balance Point aux lockout ties electric backup to a configurable outdoor-temperature cutoff, the single setting geothermal owners need to stop the expensive resistive coil from running above its breakeven temp.
- ✓ Built-in compressor protection holds a minimum off-time between cycles, which protects a ground-loop compressor from the short-cycling that voids many geothermal warranties.
- ✓ Configurable O/B reversing-valve setting and the broadest 24VAC HVAC compatibility at this price mean it drops onto WaterFurnace, ClimateMaster, and Bosch geo units without an adapter, at roughly $151.
Common Criticisms
- ✗ Requires a C-wire with no battery fallback, so a few older geo installs need a Power Extender Kit run from the air handler before it will power on.
- ✗ Caps at 2 stages of cool and 4 of heat, so the rare residential geo system with a 3-stage compressor will not see its top stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Emerson Sensi Touch 2 (ST76) worth it?
The Emerson Sensi Touch 2 (ST76) earns a 9.2/10 consensus score and is rated "Must Buy". It is best for Geothermal owners who want correct multi-stage compressor + aux staging. It ranks among the top picks in its category.
How much does the Emerson Sensi Touch 2 (ST76) cost?
We do not have a verified current price for the Emerson Sensi Touch 2 (ST76). It earns a 9.2/10 consensus score with a "Must Buy" rating, which is strong value relative to the ~7.5/10 average for Climate products. Check the live figure at the retailer before buying.
Who is the Emerson Sensi Touch 2 (ST76) best for?
The Emerson Sensi Touch 2 (ST76) is best for Geothermal owners who want correct multi-stage compressor + aux staging, DIY installers replacing a basic stat on a WaterFurnace or ClimateMaster geo unit. Experts rate it "Must Buy" with a 9.2/10 consensus.
How does the Emerson Sensi Touch 2 (ST76) compare to other Climate options?
Among the Climate products we have aggregated, the Emerson Sensi Touch 2 (ST76) ranks above average with a 9.2/10 score. See our full category comparison for head-to-head details.
What smart home systems does the Emerson Sensi Touch 2 (ST76) work with?
The Emerson Sensi Touch 2 (ST76) works with Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings. Check the compatibility notes above for any hub dependencies or setup requirements before you buy.
What are the best alternatives to the Emerson Sensi Touch 2 (ST76)?
If the Emerson Sensi Touch 2 (ST76) (, 9.2/10) is not the right fit, the closest alternatives in Climate are Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium, Honeywell Home T6 Pro Smart (TH6320WF2003). Compare them on price, ecosystem support, and expert consensus to find your match.
What are the pros and cons of the Emerson Sensi Touch 2 (ST76)?
The main strengths of the Emerson Sensi Touch 2 (ST76) are stages a ground-source heat pump correctly with full 4h/2c support, so a 2-stage geothermal compressor plus 2 stages of resistive aux all wire and fire in the right order instead of jumping straight to backup heat. and balance point aux lockout ties electric backup to a configurable outdoor-temperature cutoff, the single setting geothermal owners need to stop the expensive resistive coil from running above its breakeven temp.. The most-cited downside is requires a c-wire with no battery fallback, so a few older geo installs need a power extender kit run from the air handler before it will power on.. Overall, experts rate it "Must Buy" with a 9.2/10 consensus score.
Decided on the Emerson Sensi Touch 2 (ST76)?
Affiliate link — we earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Big Ass Fans Haiku L 52-Inch Smart Ceiling Fan
Check price
AlorAir Sentinel HDi90 Basement/Crawlspace Dehumidifier with Pump
$917.69Check price
AC Infinity CLOUDWAY T12 Whole House Fan
Check price
LG Dual Inverter Smart WiFi Window AC (10,000 BTU)
Check price
Midea U Smart Inverter Window AC (12,000 BTU)
Check price
OJ Microline UWG4-4999 WiFi Floor Heating Thermostat
Check price
Featured in these buying guides
See how the Emerson Sensi Touch 2 (ST76) ranks against the full field in our Climate buying guides.
Shop similar on Amazon
Comparable Climate picks you can buy today — each link goes straight to its current Amazon listing.
Sources & Methodology
Consensus score based on available data. See how we build consensus scores.
Affiliate disclosure: SmartHomeExplorer.com participates in the Amazon Associates program. We earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.This is a consensus review — we did not test this product ourselves. Always verify current prices and availability before purchasing.
Independence notice: Smart Home Explorer is an independent publication. Emerson and other product names, logos, and brands referenced on this page are the property of their respective owners and are used for identification purposes only. This review is not sponsored by, affiliated with, or endorsed by Emerson or any other manufacturer named in this article.