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The Google Nest Learning thermostat was one of the first smart - home thermoregulator on the grocery store , having launched its first looping in 2012 . With a forward-looking unstained steel top , attractive full - color video display , vim - saving mechanization , and loads of features , it ’s one of the most telling home thermostats money can buy . The Google Nest is also one of the high-priced family thermostat available today , which begs the interrogative : Is it worth the investment ?
I spent several week test the Google Nest Learning thermostat — along withnine other menage thermostats — to reply that interrogative sentence . Read on to pick up why thissmart - household thermostatrose to the top .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
Google Nest Learning Thermostat: At a Glance
Rating:8.6/10
SPECS
PROS
CONS
Get the Google Nest Learning thermostat at :
What is the Google Nest Learning thermostat?
TheGoogle Nest Learning thermostatis a smart - home base thermostat that features a sleek designing and full - color display . Users can moderate the thermostat in several way : manually by turn the thermoregulator ’s caparison , which functions as a telephone dial ; via an app ; or through voice control when paired with a digital supporter like Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa .
Via the thermostat presentation or the app , users can coiffe the temperature and mode , create agenda , and tailor-make its numerous other setting . With its geofencing role , the Google Nest will also change the temperature mechanically when you — and your smartphone — leave the home . Additionally , through its automobile - learn feature , the thermostat will see your temperature preferences throughout the twenty-four hours and night and make adjustments consequently .
The Google Nest thermostat also tracks energy usage , which users can survey via Energy History reports on the app or directly on the thermostat ’s show .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
Installation Is Easy
instal the Google Nest Learning thermostat is n’t complicated ; I completed the installation in less than an hour . The Google Nest app walk me through the cognitive operation , including how to attach the mount bracket to the wall , connect the wiring , and add up the twist to my Wi - Fi web . The app also showed me a short tutorial once I had the thermostat up and running .
The included mounting bracket had a establish - in bubble level to help me align it properly . No limited tools are required for installation ; however , I commend using a power drill to sequester the mounting bracket to the paries .
Since thermoregulator only use a 24 - V power supply , there ’s no risk of galvanic stupor during installation . However , user will still desire to close off power to the thermostat at the electric panel to avoid potentially blowing a fuse inside the gas furnace , a object lesson I learned the arduous way during my testing .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
While the Google Nest is designed to work out without a snow - wire in most habitation , some HVAC system may require one to operate the thermostat properly . If you do n’t already have a C - telegram , you’re able to purchase theGoogle Nest Power Connectorto fend off having to run one through your rampart .
Simple to Operate Through the Controls or App
One of the thing I like most about theGoogle Nest Learning thermostatis the intuitiveness of the controls . Though this model is one of the most modern thermostats on the market place , it apply an old - school design for temperature change . To increase or decrease the temperature via the thermoregulator , I only needed to turn the metal caparison to the right or the left .
I voyage the Google Nest ’s many configurations and features by simply pressing the bottom of the thermoregulator exhibit and rotate the dial . Since the display is so large , it was promiscuous to determine schedule , access weather report , and even review energy usage via the thermostat itself .
Of of course , all of this functionality is also uncommitted through the Google Nest app . Setting temperature and changing between heat and cooling modes with the app is dewy-eyed . I make weekly schedules , critique muscularity usage reports , inputted energy - saving preferences , and tailored the display preferences with relative ease .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
The Google Nest Learning thermostat features an abundance of Department of Energy - relieve choice . For representative , you could choose whether to have the thermostat start heat or cool before arrive home or wait until you walk in the room access to save energy . There ’s also a context that keep to start the fan after turning off the AC to maximise the use of insensate air it produce .
While the sheer abundance of options on the Google Nest is impressive , it can also be overpowering . fortunately , the app provides a abbreviated explanation for each setting when you tap on it .
Great Performance, but Learning Functionality Could Be Improved
The Google Nest Learning thermostat is one of the most visibly attractive and easy - to - translate thermostats I essay . The round physical body and stainless brand housing give it a sleek New look . A gravid and vivid color - coded presentation do it easy to record the current temperature from across the elbow room and determine at a glance if the thermostat is heating , cooling , or idle . The app is believably the soft direction to control the Google Nest , but I found myself want to apply the thermoregulator itself to access its features because of this full - color display and bland passage invigoration from card to menu .
A leaf icon appears on the display when the thermostat is using an energy - saving fashion . The temperature display also wrick off to save up free energy until it sense movement in the room .
The geofencing routine did an excellent occupation of curb the thermostat found on whether I was at home or away . My family and I were away from home for 4 daytime in December , and the thermostat trim the heat to 60 degrees Fahrenheit for the entire time without me get to do anything .
While there was a deal to love about the Google Nest Learning thermostat , I was disappointed in its see functionality . After using the thermoregulator for several weeks , I expected it to find fault up on my morning and eve routines . unluckily , the Google Nest never seemed to learn my radiation diagram : I still ground myself turning down the warmth manually at bedtime and then waking up to a frigid firm in the morning , even though I had been turning up the heat sacredly at 7 a.m. every Clarence Shepard Day Jr. .
Is the Google Nest Learning thermostat worth the money?
With a cost ticket of well over $ 200 , theGoogle Nest Learning thermostatis one of the most expensive smart thermostat uncommitted today , especially since it does n’t derive with detector like other saucy thermostats at similar price points . However , there are sure as shooting several feature of speech that set this thermostat apart from competitors . Modern stainless steel trapping , high - definition and full - color display , and an impressive inclination of customization and energy - saving options all add to its entreaty .
alas , one of the Google Nest ’s major selling item is its learning feature , which was n’t particularly accurate during my examination . Still , this model is one of the more comprehensive thermoregulator I tested in terms of functionality . It ’s programmable , works with digital assistants , uses geofencing to spare energy , and offers features that will serve you track energy use and make your HVAC system of rules more effective . These energy - relieve features help to justify its price tag by recuperate some of the initial cost over meter .
Should you buy the Google Nest Learning thermostat?
Deciding to buy the Google Nest depend on the features you desire in a home thermostat . This thermoregulator ’s selling spot are the chic capabilities that allow you to moderate it remotely via an app . It ’s also dilute with features to help you cut heating and cooling costs , include geofencing that automatically adjusts the thermoregulator whether you ’re home or off , energy - saving setting , and Energy Department - utilization tracking .
Of course , you ’ll need to be prosperous navigating the Google Nest app to make the most usance of these features and options . In light , for users count for a thermoregulator to reduce energy monetary value who are n’t intimidate by bright technology , the Google Nest is a great steal .
That aver , the Google Nest Learning thermoregulator is one of the most expensive home thermostat on the marketplace today . Unless you take vantage of all this manakin has to offer , it ’s difficult to justify the cost when you could buy a canonic programmable thermostat or even a thermoregulator with some smart functionality at a more budget - friendly price .
Where to Buy the Google Nest Learning Thermostat
Meet the Tester
Tony Carrick is a independent author specialise in home improvement , landscaping , engineering , dwelling house security measure , and conception . His articles have been feature on such website as Popular Mechanics , Futurism , Field & Stream , 360 Reviews by U.S. News & World Report , Pro Tool Reviews , and more . Carrick has deport rigorous product testing on everything from might peter to home security systems to backyard grille . With each review , his goal is to help readers determine whether a product fill their needs and if it is or is n’t deserving its cost tag .
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