What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.

Yes—but these are two separate integrations. The Honeywell Home X8S is Matter-certified and can connect to compatible Matter smart-home platforms. Honeywell and Resideo also say it can work with compatible Ring streaming video doorbells, showing live video and enabling two-way conversation from its 5-inch touchscreen.

Matter connects the thermostat to a smart-home controller. Ring video setup is handled separately through the First Alert by Resideo app. The Ring doorbell is sold separately, and Honeywell’s public information does not provide a complete model-by-model compatibility list.

What Matter does on the X8S

Honeywell identifies the Honeywell Home X8S as Matter-certified. Its listed smart-home compatibility also includes Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Home.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Matter is the cross-platform connection for the thermostat. The X8S quick guide specifically documents Matter control for:

#1 Best Overall
Honeywell Home X8S Premium Smart Programmable Wi-Fi Thermostat with Sensor, Video Doorbell Access, Humidity Control, 5" Customizable Touchscreen, Energy Star, Works with Alexa, Matter, Apple, Google
  • "Doorbell Camera View & Intercom: See and speak to visitors at your door directly from the thermostat – compatible with First Alert VX1 and Ring streaming doorbells (not included)"
  • Customizable Display: A sleek 5” display delivers enhanced visibility with the option to choose the color and style to match your home
  • "Precision Comfort & Air Quality: Comfort is more than just the perfect temperature, maintain optimal indoor air quality (IAQ) with humidity and ventilation control to keep air fresh (additional HVAC equipment or accessories may be required)"
  • Advanced Occupancy & Presence Detection: Smart thermostat senses and adjusts settings to maximize comfort when home and save energy when you’re away. Thermostat comes with wireless Room Sensor for more targeting comfort control, allowing users to prioritize living areas by day and bedrooms by night. Sensor have an extended range of up to 200ft and are self-standing or can be adhered to a wall for maximum placement flexibility.
  • Control Remotely: Control from anywhere using the First Alert app - Matter certified for ease of interoperability and also compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Home
  • Thermostat setpoints
  • System-mode changes
  • Automations supported by the Matter platform

That does not guarantee that every X8S feature will appear in every Matter ecosystem. Advanced functions such as schedules, air-quality controls, occupancy behavior, reports and HVAC alerts may depend on the platform and should be verified before purchase.

How to pair the X8S with Matter

  1. On the thermostat, touch Menu.
  2. Scroll down and select Matter.
  3. Follow the onscreen instructions.
  4. Use the intended Matter controller to scan the QR code shown on the thermostat, or enter the displayed pairing code.
  5. Confirm that the thermostat appears in your chosen smart-home platform.
  6. Test a temperature setpoint change and a system-mode change.

A compatible Matter controller or hub may be required, depending on the platform and hardware already in your home. If pairing fails, return to Menu → Matter and generate or display the code again if the thermostat offers that option. A failed or duplicate Matter connection may also need to be removed from the smart-home platform before retrying.

The X8S quick guide is the best source for the thermostat-side pairing process.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

What Ring integration does

Honeywell’s product information says the X8S can work with compatible Ring streaming doorbells. Resideo describes the experience as live video viewing and two-way communication: you can see a visitor and speak through the thermostat.

In practical terms, the X8S can act as a small doorbell viewer and intercom. The documented functions are:

  • Viewing a live doorbell stream
  • Speaking to visitors through the thermostat
  • Using the touchscreen as an additional place to answer the door

The product page also names the First Alert VX1 alongside compatible Ring streaming doorbells. However, the reviewed public material does not provide a complete Ring compatibility matrix. “Compatible Ring streaming doorbells” should not be read as “every Ring doorbell,” and it does not establish support for all Ring cameras, Ring Chime devices, Ring Alarm features or other Ring equipment.

Rank #2
Honeywell Home X8S Premium Smart Wi-Fi Thermostat with Sensor, Black
  • "Doorbell Camera View & Intercom: See and speak to visitors at your door directly from the thermostat – compatible with First Alert VX1 and Ring streaming doorbells (not included)"
  • Customizable Display: A sleek 5” display delivers enhanced visibility with the option to choose the color and style to match your home
  • "Precision Comfort & Air Quality: Comfort is more than just the perfect temperature, maintain optimal indoor air quality (IAQ) with humidity and ventilation control to keep air fresh (additional HVAC equipment or accessories may be required)"
  • Advanced Occupancy & Presence Detection: Smart thermostat senses and adjusts settings to maximize comfort when home and save energy when you’re away. Thermostat comes with wireless Room Sensor for more targeting comfort control, allowing users to prioritize living areas by day and bedrooms by night. Sensor have an extended range of up to 200ft and are self-standing or can be adhered to a wall for maximum placement flexibility.
  • Control Remotely: Control from anywhere using the First Alert app - Matter certified for ease of interoperability and also compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Home

The doorbell is not included with the X8S. Before buying, verify your exact Ring doorbell model and current compatibility information with Honeywell, Resideo or Ring.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Is Ring integration handled through Matter?

No—not according to the available X8S documentation. The Matter connection and Ring video connection use different setup paths:

Function Connection method
Thermostat control in a smart-home platform Matter pairing through the thermostat’s Matter menu
Ring doorbell video and two-way audio Video-doorbell pairing through the First Alert by Resideo app

This distinction matters because Matter certification does not automatically bring a Ring doorbell onto the X8S screen. Matter connects the thermostat to a compatible smart-home controller; the video viewer is a separate X8S and First Alert by Resideo integration.

How to connect a Ring doorbell

The official quick guide gives this general setup path:

  1. Install or open the First Alert by Resideo app.
  2. Add or configure the X8S thermostat in that app.
  3. Use the app’s video-doorbell connection flow.
  4. Pair a compatible First Alert VX1 or Ring doorbell.
  5. Confirm that live video appears on the X8S touchscreen.
  6. Test two-way audio by speaking through the thermostat.

The guide does not expose every app label or screen, so button names may differ from the wording above. You may also need a First Alert by Resideo account and a Ring account. The available documentation does not establish that a particular Ring subscription is required for the thermostat’s live view, so that requirement should not be assumed.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

If the Ring doorbell does not appear

  1. Confirm that the device is a supported Ring streaming doorbell, rather than a Ring camera or another Ring product.
  2. Check that the doorbell is online and viewable in the Ring app.
  3. Confirm that the X8S is configured in the First Alert by Resideo app.
  4. Update the First Alert and Ring apps.
  5. Restart the thermostat and doorbell.
  6. Run the video-doorbell pairing flow again in the First Alert app.
  7. Check Wi-Fi reliability at both the thermostat and the doorbell.
  8. Contact Honeywell or Resideo support if the advertised model still will not pair.

Do not try to fix a video-doorbell pairing problem through Matter. The official guide treats the two integrations independently.

Rank #3
Honeywell Home X8S Premium Smart Wi-Fi Thermostat, White
  • "Doorbell Camera View & Intercom: See and speak to visitors at your door directly from the thermostat – compatible with First Alert VX1 and Ring streaming doorbells (not included)"
  • Customizable Display: A sleek 5” display delivers enhanced visibility with the option to choose the color and style to match your home
  • "Precision Comfort & Air Quality: Comfort is more than just the perfect temperature, maintain optimal indoor air quality (IAQ) with humidity and ventilation control to keep air fresh (additional HVAC equipment or accessories may be required)"
  • Advanced Occupancy & Presence Detection: Smart thermostat senses and adjusts settings to maximize comfort when home and save energy when you’re away
  • Control Remotely: Control from anywhere using the First Alert app - Matter certified for ease of interoperability and also compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Home
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Installation requirements that can change the buying decision

A C-wire is required

The X8S is hardwired and requires a C-wire for continuous 24-volt power. That power supports its touchscreen, Wi-Fi and connected functions. Honeywell’s product information also explains the C-wire requirement.

Check the existing thermostat wiring before purchasing. An unused wire behind the wall is not enough by itself: it must also be connected at the furnace or air handler. A C-wire adapter may be possible in some installations, but wiring changes should follow the thermostat and HVAC instructions.

Professional installation is the safer choice when the wiring is unclear, the system uses multiple stages or accessories, or the existing thermostat is communicating or proprietary.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Supported HVAC configurations

Honeywell lists support for:

  • Up to 4 heat and 2 cool stages on heat-pump systems
  • Up to 3 heat and 4 cool stages on conventional systems
  • Heat, Off, Cool, Auto and Emergency Heat modes

Those headline limits do not replace a wiring and HVAC compatibility check. Staging, heat-pump behavior and accessory support depend on the actual equipment and installation. Use Honeywell’s compatibility resources or consult a qualified installer before replacing the thermostat.

Wi-Fi and app requirements

The listed wireless support includes 2.4- and 5-GHz Wi-Fi, with 802.11ax/ac/a/b/g/n standards shown in the product specifications. Live video and two-way audio still depend on the doorbell being online and on reliable network connectivity.

Remote thermostat and doorbell-related functions are described through the First Alert by Resideo app. Honeywell Home is a licensed brand used by Resideo, while the X8S documentation refers to the First Alert by Resideo app for setup and control.

Rank #4
Sale
Honeywell Home X7S Smart Wi-Fi Programmable Thermostat, Black
  • Customizable Display: A sleek 4.3” display delivers enhanced visibility with the option to choose the color and style to match your home
  • Advanced Occupancy & Presence Detection: Smart thermostat senses and adjusts settings to maximize comfort when home and save energy when you’re away (Requires enablement of Auto Away feature)
  • Precision Comfort & Air Quality: Comfort is more than just the perfect temperature, maintain optimal indoor air quality (IAQ) with humidity monitoring to keep air fresh (additional HVAC equipment or accessories may be required)
  • Control Remotely: Control from anywhere using the First Alert app - Matter certified for ease of interoperability and also compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Home
  • Save Energy: ENERGY STAR certified, the X7S helps reduce energy use and is for energy program participation and rebate opportunities

What you should not assume

  • Not universal Ring support: Honeywell refers to compatible Ring streaming doorbells, not every Ring device or model.
  • Not full Ring ecosystem control: The documented feature is live viewing and two-way conversation. Do not assume the X8S can unlock a smart lock, arm or disarm Ring Alarm, change camera settings, review recordings, replace a Ring Chime or trigger arbitrary Ring routines.
  • Not full Matter feature parity: The quick guide specifically identifies setpoint and system-mode control. Schedules, air-quality functions, alerts and other features may remain app-specific or platform-dependent.
  • Not a single unified setup: Matter pairing and Ring video pairing are separate processes and may involve separate accounts.

When the X8S is a good fit

The X8S makes the most sense if you want a large thermostat display that can also answer the front door, have or can install a C-wire, and want Matter-based thermostat control alongside the First Alert by Resideo app.

Free tools Windows power users keep installed

One-click scans. No signup required.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

It is especially useful when the thermostat is positioned somewhere people naturally are—such as a hallway, kitchen or living area. Its doorbell function is less valuable if the thermostat is far from the front door or if household members will always answer visitors from their phones.

Consider another thermostat if your priority is broad Ring ecosystem control rather than a live video and intercom view, if you need a guaranteed model-by-model Ring compatibility list before buying, or if you want a simple battery-powered or DIY installation without a C-wire.

Price and warranty

Resideo announced the X8S on December 3, 2025, with a U.S. MSRP of $219.99. The Honeywell Home product page also showed $219.99 when reviewed; prices can change. Honeywell lists a two-year limited warranty.

The central purchase question is not simply whether the X8S supports Matter or Ring. It is whether your HVAC wiring, exact Ring doorbell and preferred smart-home platform fit the product’s documented limits.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Verdict

The Honeywell Home X8S is a strong fit for a homeowner who wants Matter thermostat connectivity and a built-in way to view and speak with visitors from the thermostat. Its biggest caveats are equally important: Ring video is a separate First Alert by Resideo app integration, support is limited to compatible Ring streaming doorbells, and a C-wire is required.

Verify the exact Ring model, HVAC wiring and Matter controller before purchase. If those checks pass, the X8S offers a distinctive combination that ordinary Matter thermostats do not necessarily provide.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.