Is a Thermostat a hidden camera?
Usually not. Here's the specific thing that separates an innocent one from one worth a second look.
Why it's usually nothing
Standard in almost every rental, mounted centrally on a wall at a height that gives it a room-wide view.
The tell that actually matters
Smart thermostats do sometimes have sensors, but a functioning display that responds when you touch it is a strong sign it’s exactly what it looks like. A "thermostat" with no responsive display, or one mounted somewhere thermostats don’t normally go (facing a bed rather than in a hallway or living area), is the anomaly.
The power check
Always wired — not a useful signal here; check function and placement instead.
Want the full room-by-room walkthrough, not just one object? The complete system — every check on this site plus the ten-minute walkthrough, audio devices, your legal rights, and what to do if you find something. 47 printable pages, instant download, keep it on any device.