We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.
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When it comes to keeping your home as comfortable as possible, getting the temperature right is critical. After all, few things are as unbearable as a house that's too warm in the summer or too cold in the winter. That's why a good thermostat makes all the difference — and it's not just about how your house feels, either. The right thermostat can actually help lower your energy costs, too.
In recent years, smart thermostats have become extremely popular because they can save energy, lower heating and cooling costs, and eliminate the guesswork involved in maintaining a comfortable home temperature. When it comes to smart thermostat brands, Nest is the leader of the pack. Their thermostats are as high-tech as they come and provide a wide range of helpful features that make them incredibly user-friendly.
Nest offers several different models, so it can be difficult to figure out which option is the best fit for your home. However, if we have to narrow it down, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Generation) is the best of the bunch. It's an energy-saving smart thermostat that can save you up to 15% on cooling and 12% on heating bills by continuously learning how the temperature outside affects indoor temperatures and adjusting accordingly. It's also one of the most feature-packed and easy-to-install thermostats.
Best of the Best
Controller Type: Google Home, Alexa, Google Assistant | Geofencing Technology: Yes | Self-install: Yes | Motion Activation: Yes
The user-friendly Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Generation) features advanced technology that helps you regulate your home’s temperature even while you’re away. It doesn’t require a C wire for installation and is compatible with most 24-volt systems, making it easy to install yourself.
Its display is 60% larger than that of the Google Nest 3rd Generation and features Dynamic Farsight, which lets you read information from farther away. You can choose whether it displays the time or the current weather, and the unit will automatically adjust the screen brightness based on the environment. Settings and preferences can be managed through the Google Home app, where you’ll also receive maintenance alerts.
The bundle includes a Nest Temperature Sensor for managing cold and hot spots in any room in your home. The innovative Adaptive Eco mode helps you save energy while you’re away and ensures the temperature is ideal when you return home. Also, although it’s optimized to work with Google Home and Google Assistant, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Generation) also works with Alexa.
Best Bang for the Buck
Controller Type: Google Home, Alexa, Google Assistant | Geofencing Technology: Yes | Self-install: Yes | Motion Activation: Yes
Some smart thermostats are pretty expensive, but if you want something affordable that offers several premium features, the Google Nest Smart Thermostat is an excellent bargain pick. This thermostat is Energy Star-certified and automatically turns down power consumption when you’re not home, helping you save on your electric bill.
You can create energy-efficient heating and cooling schedules through the Google Home app, and HVAC monitoring sends alerts to your smartphone if the unit detects any issues with your system. Savings Finder is a neat feature that offers tips on how to reduce power consumption to maximize savings, and the mirrored display blends in with walls for an unassuming look.
This model has geofencing technology that adjusts the temperature based on your phone’s location, which helps reduce energy usage when you’re away from home. It can be installed in most homes with a C wire, but some systems require one. If you’re not sure what kind of system you have, you can use the Nest Compatibility Checker feature or consult a professional for advice.
Easy to Use
Controller Type: Nest app, Google Assistant, Alexa | Geofencing Technology: Yes | Self-install: Yes | Motion Activation: No
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Generation) isn’t the latest model in the series, but it offers similar features and functionality to the most recent 4th Generation version. It was a hit in our Testing Lab because of its straightforward setup process, user-friendly interface and energy-saving performance.
Our testing team was impressed with its sleek design and how easy it was to sync with Alexa. Eco mode is excellent for saving on power consumption and can help decrease electricity costs significantly. HVAC monitoring of your system can detect issues and provide maintenance alerts, while the Savings Finder feature offers tips for how to save more money in the long run.
We were also impressed with its mirrored display, polished metal finish and bright display, which makes it easy to see from afar and read information effortlessly. Energy History provides a detailed report of how much energy you’ve used and what causes spikes in energy consumption. Overall, it’s a terrific smart thermostat that’s easy to use and is more affordable than the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Generation).
Most Stylish
Controller Type: Nest app, Alexa, Google Assistant] | Geofencing Technology: Yes | Self-install: Yes | Motion Activation: Yes
The Google Nest Thermostat E doesn’t offer as many features as some of our other favorite picks. However, it's more than enough to satisfy those who want a cheap smart thermostat for managing their home temperature while away.
It’s compatible with various smart home systems, and you can sync it with Google Assistant or Alexa to execute hands-free commands. Geofencing technology takes into account your phone’s location to adjust the temperature accordingly. For example, the closer you are to home, the unit will aim to maintain your preferred room temperature setting so that you’re in a comfortable environment when you return home.
When Eco mode is activated, the Nest Leaf icon is displayed on the screen, indicating that the unit is operating in an energy-saving setting. According to customer reviews and product claims, this unit can help you save up to 15% on electric bills annually, making it an excellent option for those who want to maximize energy savings.
Simple Yet Solid
Controller Type: Nest app, Google Assistant | Geofencing Technology: No | Self-install: Yes | Motion Activation: No
It can be challenging to maintain the ideal temperature in every room of your home. However, the Google Nest Temperature Sensor (2nd Generation) can make it much more manageable to do so. It connects to your primary thermostat and sends an alert of the current temperature of the room where it’s set up. With that information, the primary unit adjusts the HVAC system to get that room to your desired temperature,
It’s battery-powered and connects to your home network via Wi-Fi. Once the Nest app detects the sensor, you can adjust settings in the same app to set your preferred temperature for the room the sensor is placed in.
Its small and compact design allows you to set it up virtually anywhere in your home without hassle. The batteries last about three years, and you can hook up to six sensors to your primary unit for whole-home coverage.
Excellent Value
Controller Type: Nest app, Google Assistant | Geofencing Technology: No | Self-install: Yes | Motion Activation: No
The Google Nest Temperature Sensor isn’t exactly a smart thermostat; it’s more of a peripheral unit that works in tandem with a primary unit. It’s perfect for eliminating cold or hot spots in your home and maintaining specific rooms at a preferred temperature.
The way it works is that the sensor alerts the smart thermostat of the temperature in the room it’s set up in, and it uses that reading to maintain the appropriate room temperature. It has a 50-foot range and is compatible with various Nest thermostats, including the Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Generation) and Nest Thermostat E.
The unit is easy to set up, as it doesn’t require any wiring. You can hang it on a wall or place it on a shelf or nightstand. It runs on batteries, which can power it for up to two years, and you can sync up to six sensors to your primary unit simultaneously.
Most Comprehensive
Controller Type: Nest app | Geofencing Technology: No | Self-install: Yes | Motion Activation: Yes
The primary benefit of the Google Nest Learning Thermostat with Sensor is that it learns your usage patterns and memorizes your preferred temperature settings, helping you maintain a comfortable environment at all times. It also helps you save on your cooling and heating costs by reducing power output when you’re not home.
It has a sleek design, a bright, easy-to-read screen and an auto-schedule feature that lets you program your preferred temperature settings at specific times of day. It’s Energy Star certified, meaning you can save up to 15% annually on electricity costs. The motion-detection feature brightens the display when it detects your presence across the room, allowing you to read it from afar more easily.
As with some other Google Nest thermostats, this model has an Energy History feature that provides information on your past energy consumption, which can provide insights on how to maximize savings in the future.
Nest thermostats are compatible with most 24-volt systems and even many older systems. However, there are some, such as zone-controlled, heating-only and cooling-only systems, that may require a Nest Power Connector or C wire. Here is a general list of HVAC systems that aren't compatible with Nest thermostats:
Systems that use wired remote sensors.
Highly proprietary or custom systems.
Micro-controller-based systems without a standard wire.
High impedance systems.
Nest may not be compatible with certain types of hardware, such as zone relay panels or control panels, if they lack a standard wire. Systems with gas valves may also require a standard wire.
The best way to determine what type of HVAC system you have is to remove the cover from your current thermostat and examine the wiring. Your system probably won't work with a Nest model if your current thermostat uses thick, stranded wires connected by wire nuts — these probably indicate that the system is wired for 110 or 120 volts, which Nest does not support.
If you're still unsure, it's best to contact an HVAC professional to evaluate your system. However, you can also use the Nest Thermostat compatibility checker or follow the steps during the setup process. Also, keep in mind that if you have different heating and cooling systems, you may require a separate Nest thermostat for each one.
Nest thermostats require an HVAC system with a standard wire or C-wire. A standard wire is a low-voltage wire that provides constant power to HVAC equipment. It's usually blue or black, but if you don't see one when you examine your wiring or aren't sure whether you have one, consult with an HVAC professional to examine your system and install one if necessary.
A Nest thermostat's appearance isn't nearly as important as its performance, but you'll still probably want a model that coordinates with your home's decor. The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Generation), for example, has ring housings available in silver, gold and jet-black, and the Google Nest Smart Thermostat is available in a charcoal, snow, fog or sand finish.
However, other models, such as the Google Nest Thermostat E Programmable Smart Thermostat and Google Nest Temperature Sensors, are only available in a single color.
While all Nest thermostats have easy-to-read displays, there are several options to consider. Some models, like the Google Nest Thermostat E, have a frosted display that blends in with its ring for a seamless look. Our top pick, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Generation), has a high-resolution color display that provides the time, exterior temperature and weather in addition to information about your home's interior temperature. The Google Nest Thermostat has a mirrored display that's motion-sensitive and wakes when you walk in front of it.
Ultimately, the display type of your Google Nest thermostat is largely a matter of preference.
All current Nest thermostats are Energy Star-certified and can help you save energy and money. An Energy Star-certified device meets the standard for energy efficiency, which not only saves consumers money but also protects the environment. The Google Nest Learning Thermostat, Google Nest Smart Thermostat and Google Nest E Thermostat are all Energy-Star-certified. In fact, when we tested the Google Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd Generation for a few weeks, our tester could see the difference in their energy bill. "We've been saving the most energy by using the Eco mode," our tester said.
Nest thermostats are designed to automatically turn themselves down when you leave your home to save energy. The best Google Nest thermostats, such as the Google Nest Smart Learning Thermostat (4th and 3rd Generation models), have learning capabilities that allow them to learn what temperature you prefer and your schedule. This feature helps the thermostat maintain a comfortable temperature for your home without you manually making adjustments.
These "learning" models can even detect changes in your routine and automatically adjust the heating and cooling schedules based on your new habits. Our tester of the Google Nest Smart Learning Thermostat (3rd Generation) said, "The learning feature did an impressive job understanding my behaviors regarding how I like the room temperature to be set."
A. Nest thermostats are designed to be relatively easy to set up. Google claims it should take about 20 to 30 minutes to install your Nest thermostat. One of our testers, however, said that "[the setup and installation] took me about two to three hours." If you're not comfortable with DIY projects, you can find HVAC professionals trained to install Nest products.
A. Because Nest thermostats automatically adjust themselves, they can save a considerable amount of energy, which translates to savings on your heating and cooling costs. According to two independent studies, on average, a Nest thermostat saves between 10% and 12% on heating costs and 15% on cooling costs.
A. Through the Nest app, a Nest thermostat can alert you when your furnace or other HVAC equipment is experiencing issues so you can correct the problem before the entire system fails. It also reminds you when to change your forced air system filters so they don't get clogged and affect the system's performance.
