Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) vs Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen): What’s the difference?

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The first Nest Learning Thermostat launched 13 years ago back in 2011, followed by the 2nd generation in 2012. Google then acquired Nest Labs in 2014 and the third generation of the popular thermostat was released around 18 months later towards the end of 2015. The Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen) held its position for nearly a decade, though Google announced the 4th generation model in August 2024, bringing a new design and new features.

If you’re in the UK, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) isn’t available yet, but if you’re in the US, it’s ready and waiting to be bought or upgraded to. The question is, should you? We’ve compared the Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen) and the Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) to help you figure out what the differences are and what improvements the new Nest thermostat makes.

Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) vs Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen): Price

The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) launched on August 20, 2024 in the US and it costs $279.99. It is not available in the UK so we haven’t included UK pricing. Colour options are Polished Silver, Polished Obsidian and Polished Gold and you’ll find a separate Nest Temperature Sensor in the box along with the thermostat itself. You can also buy these temperature sensors separately should you wish to add more. They cost $39.99 or $99.99 for a 3-pack.

The Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen) originally launched at $249.99 in the US and £219.99 in the UK. It comes in Copper, Stainless Steel, White and Black. For those in the US, you should be able to find a deal on the 3rd Gen model now that the 4th Gen model has arrived. For those in the UK, the 3rd Gen model is full price on Google but you’ll often find it for below £200 at a number of retailers, including B&Q and Curry’s.

Winner: The Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen) is cheaper than the new model, you would expect.

Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) vs Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen): Design

The Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) ushers in a new design compared to its predecessor. It has a slimmer profile, it’s sleeker and it looks like it’s floating on the wall. A stainless steel border clicks as you rotate it, while the domed crystal LCD display measures 2.7-inches, which makes it 60% bigger than the 3rd Generation model. The display has a 600 x 600 pixel resolution for sharp detail, and it gets rid of the bezels.

Overall, it’s more modern in its appearance compared to the lovely – but now aging – 3rd Generation model. Speaking of the 3rd Generation model, this still set the standard for smart thermostats when it arrived back in 2011. We still have one on the wall and it still looks good, despite being over a decade old and there’s a lot to be said for that. 

There are several finishes – we have the Copper – and there’s a large display on the front, just not as large or sharp as the 4th Gen model, with a 2-inch diameter and 480 x 480 pixel resolution. Control takes place by twisting the outer bezel, just like the new model, but there is quite a large bezel between the display and the stainless steel border, and as we mentioned, the 4th Gen model ditches this allowing for a more seamless look.

The 4th Gen model also comes with a separate temperature sensor in the box as we mentioned, which you can put somewhere else in your home. It means you aren’t just relying on the Nest Thermostat itself to determine the temperature in your home.

In terms of dimensions, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) measures 3.9 x 1.1-inches, while the Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd Gen measures 3.3 x 1.1-inches.

Winner: The Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) has a sleeker design.

Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) vs Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen): Features

The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen) was actually quite significantly ahead of its time when it first launched in terms of features, though other systems have now caught up. 

It still offers plenty however, including adjusting the temperature in your home based on whether you are at home or away, as well as learning your routine and adjusting the temperature accordingly. It also learns how long it takes to heat up your home, and you can do the basics you would expect from a smart heating system, like set a schedule.

As you might expect, the 4th Gen model expands on the features offered, taking advantage of artificial intelligence (AI) to make small adjustments to your patterns. The Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) will also analyze weather outdoors and how that impacts the temperature of your home inside, and it comes with a the pebble-shaped discreet Nest Temperature Sensor in the box as mentioned, which will manage hot and cold spots in the home. You can add up to six temperature sensors around your home, whilst also choosing which are active at different times. 

A new Dynamic Farsight feature allows you to customize the home screen of the Nest Thermostat (4th Gen) to show time, temperature, weather or outdoor air quality, and it will change as you get closer, whilst also getting larger when you’re at a distance so you can see what is being shown from across the room. There are also weather animations, all of which expands on the 3rd Gen’s Farsight feature that will simply light up the display to show information as someone approaches. 

A feature called Smart Schedule on the 4th Gen model sees AI create personalized energy-saving temperature schedules based on changes in behavior and motion detected in your home too, which you can choose to accept or reject in the Google Home app. 

There’s also a System Health Monitor feature on the new Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) that tracks your HVAC performance over time, sending you alerts if something doesn’t seem right. Elsewhere, a Smart Ventilation feature automatically ensures your ventilation system brings in fresh air when outdoor air quality is healthy and pauses it automatically if outdoor air quality deteriorates.

Winner: The Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) has smarter features.

Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) vs Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen): Compatibility

The biggest difference between the Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) and the Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen) when it comes to smart home compatibility, is that the new model features Matter support. It means that the new Nest Thermostat can work with other systems so you could connect it to Apple’s HomeKit for example, or Amazon’s Alexa. 

We have a separate feature that covers Matter and everything it means for the smart home, but if you have different devices from different manufacturers, then investing in the 4th Gen model of the Nest Learning Thermostat is a good idea if you want everything to play nicely together. If you’re considering the 3rd Gen model, make sure anything else you buy is compatible with Google Home so you can control everything through the Google system instead.

Winner: The Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) is Matter compatible.

Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) vs Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen): Which should you buy?

It’s a bit of a no brainer as to which Nest Learning Thermostat you should buy between the 4th Gen and there 3rd Gen model, that is if the 4th Gen model is available in your region. It costs a little bit more but you get a nicer design, Matter compatibility and a host of new features that use AI to make micro-adjustments and help you save money and energy. 

The 3rd Gen model is still great, and for those outside of the US, it remains the only option. But, it is nearly 10 years old now, it doesn’t play all that nice with other smart home systems and the newer model is much smarter when it comes to features.

You’ll save some cash opting for the Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen) but if your budget can stretch and you’re in the US, buy the Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) and take advantage of all those extra features and the sleek design.

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