Google Nest Thermostat Review

The Google Nest Thermostat incorporates key features found in more premium smart thermostats and has the design panache to match. Its minimalistic round design houses a thermostat that outperforms some premium competitors in certain aspects despite its more accessible pricing. It also comes with excellent installation guidance and was one of the easiest models to learn how to use.

Performance Comparison

Ease of Use

The Nest Thermostat was one of the highest scorers in our ease of use metric. During testing, we examined the method for switching between different settings and modes and evaluated interactions with the thermostat's temperature adjustment, fan control, hold control, temperature accuracy, and, lastly, the clarity and quality of information on the built-in display.

Given the circular shape of this thermostat and our familiarity with the original Nest Learning Thermostat, we were surprised that it didn't have the same rotating ring mechanism for controlling the temperature. Rather, this version of the Nest is fully operated via touch screen; temperature changes are made from a touch-responsive portion of the right side of the unit. Because we were accustomed to the ring, we had to make a mental adjustment not to rotate the casing, but we had no trouble working with the touchscreen once we got used to it. Aside from that, the interface is largely the same as the Nest Learning Thermostat. For mode selection, you go into the menu options, select Mode, and navigate to the one you want to select. Again, like the Nest Learning Thermostat, attempting to adjust the temperature when the thermostat is off prompts users to activate heating or cooling.

The Google Home App that pairs with the Nest Thermostat is excellent, and is another reason this model scored so highly for ease of use. It can do anything the thermostat can do without limitations, and the streamlined interface of the app makes setting modes even easier than on the thermostat itself, in our opinion. Fan controls for this Nest can be controlled either automatically or by the thermostat. There is no continuous “Fan On” mode, but you can set a timer from 15 minutes to 12 hours using the quick options menu. The variety of temperature hold options is also excellent on this thermostat. You have the option to choose between a timer-based hold, an Eco mode, or you can set the current temperature to a permanent hold similar to a traditional thermostat.

Overall, the clarity of displayed information is good on the Nest Thermostat, with a few caveats. The screen is very reflective, almost mirror-like, and can create a strong glare that completely obscures the display info if you're trying to take a look from the wrong angle. However, we love that Nest thermostats have a “Farsight” feature that displays useful information like the time, weather, or temperature in large text that is easy to read from a distance. It worked well for the most part, but we had trouble seeing the indoor temperature from far away, as the text was not as large as other information on the screen. Like other premium thermostats, the Nest uses motion detection to wake the display as you approach it, which is a nice touch that kept us from squinting at a dim screen too much.

When it comes to temperature accuracy, the Nest is proudly right on the nose. We placed a temperature-sensing data logger near the thermostat and compared the average temperature reported by the Nest with the temp reported by our own device. The reading on the Nest thermostat was consistently within 1.022 degrees Fahrenheit, usually on the cool side.

DIY Installation

The Nest Thermostat landed a perfect 10/10 score in this metric, a feat rarely accomplished. This was mainly thanks to an excellent step-by-step video and superb app-guided installation, as described by our lead tester: “I appreciate that the app has helpful gifs that show you what to do.” There was even a screwdriver included, which was necessary for some of the installation.

The Nest uses the preferred push-in type wire connectors instead of screw-in wire terminals, and we appreciated that the instructions reminded us to snap a photo of the outgoing thermostat's wiring before mounting the device so we could look back at it for later reference. This Nest also includes a built-in level and wall plate for a clean fit on the wall, which is really impressive for a thermostat at this price point. While not absolutely essential, we find that these features improve the overall install experience and are usually only found in premium thermostats.

Connecting to WiFi, pairing with the Google Home app, and registration were all very streamlined and as easy as you might expect from a Google product.

Scheduling

The Nest Thermostat has superb scheduling capability -— again, it is one of the best in our lineup in this metric. It uses Comfort, Eco, and Sleep modes to program schedules, but you can also set custom temperatures manually and override the mode settings to fit your preferences, making this one of the most customizable thermostats in this regard. You can schedule a nearly unlimited number of events all seven days of the week to perfectly fit your habits.

It is worth noting, however, that all of this is done in the app, not on the thermostat itself. App-based scheduling is our preferred method because the interface is less tedious, and we can do it from the comfort of our couch. As a bonus, the Nest's schedules can be copied between days to make the process less repetitive and tedious. While we think that the ease and functionality offered by your smartphone greatly outweigh the simplicity of being able to set a schedule directly on the thermostat, we recognize that some people might like to have both.

Smart Capabilities

Here, we evaluated the quality of each thermostat's associated app, geofencing, maintenance reminders, safety features, schedule learning, and compatibility with smart home ecosystems. The Nest Thermostat scores respectably in our smart capabilities evaluation; however, it falls a bit short when compared to the most premium units.

Google Home is the app that accompanies this thermostat, and we think the interface is excellent; it allows complete and intuitive control of the thermostat and its many features. Geofencing works well, allowing the thermostat to detect your presence in and away from the home and run routines accordingly.

Maintenance reminders are great, too, to help you stay on top of filter changes. Safety mode is a bit confusing and only seems to work with heat pump systems. However, you can use eco mode or a temperature hold to keep the temperature where you want it if you're worried about it dropping too low.

Where the Nest Thermostat starts to fall behind in this metric is its inability to learn schedules autonomously and its more limited compatibility with home ecosystems. It isn't natively compatible with anything besides Google Assistant. However, it is a Matter (IP-based connectivity protocol for smart homes) capable device, a feature which theoretically opens it up to other major home ecosystems like Amazon Alexa, Apple Homekit, and Samsung Smart Things, but we did not verify this during our testing.

Energy Saving

This metric focuses on energy-saving features and environmental considerations associated with the manufacture and shipping of the company's thermostats. The Nest Thermostat stood out amongst the rest, with one of the top scores in our energy-saving evaluation.

We appreciated this thermostat's eco-mode and its capability to customize the range of eco-mode temperatures. When Eco is engaged, a leaf icon pops up on the thermostat to let you know it's active. This unit also has the Nest Renew features. As we understand it, this service optimizes your energy usage based on demand from the power grid, shifting consumption to times when power is in lower demand and/or costs less. In addition, Nest sends monthly email updates containing helpful insights into your energy consumption.

Google lists various efforts it makes to reduce environmental impacts, one of which is using fewer parts and recycled materials in product design. The Nest Thermostat, in particular, requires 36% fewer parts to manufacture than earlier versions. Additionally, Google emphasizes its goal of achieving carbon neutrality for its shipping operations and promoting sustainable living through its products and services.

Should You Buy the Google Nest Thermostat?

Budget-minded thermostats have come a long way. You can now find models a few steps up from your basic twistable wall dial, and the Google Nest is one of them. It provides impressive smart features, and it performs so well overall that we highly recommend it if you're in the market for a smart thermostat, even if you don't need to stick to a budget. Its solid feature set, attractive design, and great value make it nearly impossible to beat without spending significantly more money.

What Other Thermostat Should You Consider?