The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th-gen) stands out in the crowded smart thermostat market as a premium option that prioritizes intelligence and aesthetics. While numerous cheaper alternatives exist, including Google’s own Nest Thermostat, the Learning Thermostat justifies its higher price tag with its unparalleled learning capabilities and stunning design. This fourth-generation model refines the iconic design of its predecessors with a larger screen, slimmer profile, and a more integrated dial, creating an elegant, almost floating appearance on the wall. The available gold finish, combined with the crystal LCD screen, elevates the thermostat from a functional device to a stylish home accent.
The enhanced screen real estate of the 4th-gen Nest significantly improves user interaction. The Farsight dynamic display utilizes Soli radar technology to adapt the information presented based on proximity. From afar, the display shows simplified information like time, weather, or temperature. Up close, it reveals more detailed data, including customizable “complications” displaying metrics such as humidity, air quality index (outdoor only), and a more comprehensive weather forecast with subtle animations. This dynamic display maximizes the utility of the larger screen, offering both at-a-glance information and detailed insights on demand.
A key advancement of this Nest model is its native Matter support, enabling seamless integration with various smart home platforms, including Apple Home and Amazon Alexa. This eliminates the previous reliance on platform-specific bridges and streamlines control. However, the initial setup still requires the Google Home app, and the baffling omission of Thread, a core Matter protocol previously present in Nest Learning Thermostats, raises questions about Google’s strategic choices. Despite this, Matter integration significantly broadens the thermostat’s compatibility and simplifies its incorporation into existing smart home ecosystems.
Beyond its aesthetic and connectivity enhancements, the 4th-gen Nest Learning Thermostat boasts improved performance and functionality. It supports a wider range of HVAC systems than its predecessor, including up to three heating and two cooling stages, along with compatibility for humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and ventilation equipment. The enhanced software features prioritize energy efficiency and user comfort. While the initial cost is higher than budget alternatives, potential rebates from energy providers can mitigate the investment, and the long-term energy savings contribute to its value proposition.
The signature feature of the Nest Learning Thermostat remains its Smart Schedules. Utilizing eco, sleep, and comfort modes, the thermostat learns user preferences over time and automatically adjusts the heating and cooling schedule accordingly. This hands-off approach simplifies climate control and optimizes energy usage. Improvements in the fourth-generation model address previous issues with Smart Schedules, particularly during seasonal transitions, by providing transparent notifications about adjustments and allowing users to override changes. This increased transparency and control enhance the user experience and build trust in the thermostat’s automated decision-making.
The 4th-gen Nest also introduces several new features designed to further optimize comfort and energy efficiency. Adaptive eco mode prevents the temperature from dropping excessively when the home is empty, ensuring a quicker return to a comfortable temperature upon arrival. Natural heating and cooling leverages outside temperatures to pause the system when environmental conditions can naturally maintain the desired indoor climate. A smart ventilation feature, if applicable to the user’s HVAC system, automatically activates ventilation based on outdoor air quality and temperature. While not all features will be applicable to every user’s setup, the breadth of these enhancements underscores Google’s commitment to continuous improvement and user-centric design.
The included Nest Temperature Sensor, redesigned to match the thermostat’s aesthetic, allows for temperature targeting based on occupied rooms rather than solely relying on the thermostat’s location. The ability to average temperatures across multiple sensors enhances efficiency, although the lack of occupancy detection in the sensors, a feature present in competitors like Ecobee, necessitates manual adjustments when moving between rooms. Furthermore, the sensors’ reliance on Bluetooth limits their integration with Matter, restricting their use to the Google Home app. These limitations highlight areas where the Nest could further improve its functionality and interoperability.
Comparing the Nest Learning Thermostat (4th-gen) to its closest competitor, the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium, reveals distinct strengths and weaknesses. While the Ecobee offers a wider range of features, including integrated smart speaker functionality and home security capabilities, the Nest excels in simplicity and ease of use. The Ecobee’s more complex setup and feature set may overwhelm some users, while the Nest’s streamlined approach prioritizes effortless climate control. The Nest’s Matter compatibility simplifies integration with existing smart home systems, while Ecobee’s lack of Matter support (at the time of this review) limits its interoperability. Ultimately, the best choice depends on individual priorities and preferences: the Nest for simplicity and style, the Ecobee for a more feature-rich, albeit complex, experience.
Finally, addressing privacy concerns, Google emphasizes its commitment to data security and transparency. Sensor data is used solely for device functionality and is not shared with advertisers. Google provides detailed information about data collection practices and offers users control over their data. The company’s commitment to security updates for at least five years from the launch date provides further assurance to users about the long-term viability and security of the product. While the required agreements and terms of service remain a standard practice in the smart home industry, Google’s transparency about data usage and security practices helps build trust with consumers.
