Google is finally launching a new Nest Learning Thermostat (4th generation), nine years after its predecessor launched. This third-generation model has proven itself as one of the best smart thermostats thanks to its premium design and adaptive learning. It automatically maintains comfortable temperatures when you're home and adjusts them to energy-saving levels when you're away.
So what can Google's new Nest Learning Thermostat add to the formula to finally justify a new model? Between a larger, borderless display, gorgeous animations, and advanced AI features, the new Nest Learning Thermostat is a major upgrade over its predecessor. But at nearly $300, should you leave your existing Nest Learning Thermostat (or buy a newer model at a steep discount)? Read on for a breakdown of what's new and what's cost to decide if the new Nest Learning Thermostat is right for your home.
Nest Learning Thermostat 4th Gen vs 3rd Gen: Pricing and Options
Google's new Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) will cost $279.99 when it launches on August 20. That's $30 more than the original $249.99 price of the 3rd-gen model. However, the new thermostat includes a separate Nest temperature sensor in the box. This device lets you set a target temperature for a specific room rather than relying on the main sensor built into the thermostat itself. It's also available in other finishes, including polished silver, polished obsidian, and polished gold.
With the older Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd generation), you're limited to a basic black or white design. That said, the latest generation Nest is currently on sale for just $169.
Nest Learning Thermostat 4th Gen vs 3rd Gen: Features Comparison
| Line 0 – Cell 0 | Gen 3 | Generation 4 |
| Price | $249.99 / AU$385 | $279.99 / AU$430 |
| Diameter and depth | 3.3 x 1.1 inches | 3.9 x 1.1 inches |
| Colors | Black White | Polished silver, polished obsidian and polished gold |
| AI Features | Learns preferred temperatures | Takes into account external conditions, intelligent programming and system status |
| Connectivity of matter | No | Yes |
| Includes temperature sensor | No | Yes |
Nest Learning Thermostat 4th Gen vs 3rd Gen: Design
The original Nest Learning Thermostat set the standard for all smart thermostats. It features a modern, rounded shape and a compact digital display to serve as a stylish yet smart home device. Its rotating dial, flat screen, and helpful app controls are still fresh, but they’re starting to show their age.
The new Nest Learning Thermostat features a larger, rounded 2.7-inch curved LCD display that flips open. In addition to looking much sleeker, the frameless design offers 60% more screen real estate to view information from more angles. Its 600 x 600 pixel resolution delivers crisp text with new weather animations like rain, lightning, and snowfall to mimic outdoor conditions. Its display is much wider than the section that attaches to your wall, giving it a slightly mushroom-shaped appearance when viewed from the side.
Both versions allow you to rotate a stainless steel band surrounding the thermostat to make adjustments and set your temperatures.
A new 12-terminal backplate greatly expands the 4th-gen thermostat's compatibility to work with most HVAC systems, though Google claims the 3rd-gen model works with 95% of all systems.
Nest Learning Thermostat 4th Gen vs 3rd Gen: New Features
The original Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd generation) focuses on your comfort when you’re home and automatically switches to an energy-efficient temperature when you’re away. The 4th generation model has much more sophisticated AI features that make micro-adjustments on the fly. It’s also much more aware, monitoring conditions inside and outside your home and adjusting your HVAC system settings accordingly.
Smart program
Google's new thermostat learns the temperatures you choose most often or changes in behavior based on motion detected in your home (like coming home early on certain days) and automatically adjusts your temperature schedule accordingly. Energy-saving suggestions can be implemented automatically, or you can accept or reject them in the Google Home app for full control.
Outdoor surveillance
The Nest Thermostat (4th generation) is smart enough to understand how the weather outside affects your indoor temperature. For example, it can turn off the heat on a sunny winter day to let your home warm up on its own. When humidity is high, it can anticipate warmer indoor temperatures and adjust accordingly.
System Status Monitoring
This feature helps track the performance of your HVAC system over time. The new thermostat can detect issues such as the inability to cool or heat a space in a timely manner and send you urgent recommendations or alerts for issues that may require immediate attention.
Dynamic distant vision
The new Nest Learning Thermostat’s Dynamic Farsight feature lets you personalize the home screen with helpful information to easily see the time, temperature, weather or outdoor air quality. This view changes up close and zooms in from a distance so you can see it at a glance from across the room. Plus, the new Nest features weather animations.
Smart ventilation
Bring in fresh air when outdoor air quality is good and automatically turn it off if pollutants are detected. This is useful for homes located near frequent wildfires or cities.
Nest Learning Thermostat 4th Gen vs 3rd Gen: Smart Home Compatibility
While the Google Home app gives you a similar experience between the old and new thermostats, the all-new Nest Learning Thermostat can be used from other smart home apps. With built-in Matter support, you can connect the new thermostat to all Matter-enabled smart home platforms, like Alexa and HomeKit. The ability to control and automate a Google product from anywhere is a major differentiator that opens the door to more possibilities and communication with even more devices.
Nest Learning Thermostat 4th Gen vs 3rd Gen: Should You Upgrade?
Both versions of the Nest Learning Thermostat are stylish and automate your climate controls to help you save money. But should you upgrade to the newer model or stick with the older version?
If you're only investing in the Google Home ecosystem and just want a thermostat that automatically adjusts when you come home or leave, then the older 3rd-gen Nest is a solid value at its reduced price of $169. Stick with this model if budget is your biggest concern.
If you want a sexy-looking gadget with the latest features, then the $279 price tag is worth it. You get a more context-aware smart thermostat that can detect and account for more subtle changes, the ability to control it from other smart home platforms, and a more personalized display that brings the experience in line with a smart display on your wall. While it costs more up front, these major upgrades should keep the thermostat going for many more years to come.