re: What's the go-to wifi connected thermostat these days?

Handful of things to consider

1) function. These are replacing $20 pieces of equipment that are about as simple as you can get. Their performance is well above standard thermostats
2)app environment. Just make sure that if you use Alexa, Google, or Siri that what you want is supported. You’ll probably use an app to set a schedule and tweak it for a month or two and never touch it again. Most of them will learn just by your tweaking of the thermostat itself and not even really require the app
3) peripheral sensors. Is a room you often use too hot/cold? You want to grab this and tune the thermostat to that room.
4) aesthetics. This is actually probably the #1 reason to go with one brand over another. Like a large touchscreen that looks super modern? Honeywell makes some attractive models. Have a neutral colored drywall and want something to blend in? The Nest E is very dull looking against it.
But also: what was there before? Something with two large screw holes that will need to be filled? Will a backplate look attractive or be unpreferred?
I think Nest makes the most finishes and actually has a market for 3rd party back plates that match, if this is desired.
Performance seems to be so similar that most of the rest doesn’t really matter unless the Mrs likes it. So I have Nest with the black finish in one room, and the “E” model in my two other rooms with thermostats. They work great. They integrate with my Logitech Harmony remote and app. They can be controlled by Lutron.
My father, on the other hand, has an Ecobee with Alexa built in and loves that. It works fine
Father in law has one of the Honeywell models and has zero complaints as well.