# Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) vs Amazon Smart Thermostat: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) (Google Nest) and Amazon Smart Thermostat (Amazon) among smart thermostats. Amazon Smart Thermostat is the cheaper of the two at $59.99.

## Side by side

| Spec | Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) | Amazon Smart Thermostat |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $279.99 | $59.99 |
| Brand | Google Nest | Amazon |
| Released | 2024-08 | 2021 |
| Display | 2.68-inch circular stainless-steel framed display with Farsight (activates when motion detected), 3.9-inch diameter body | Basic segmented LED/LCD display; no color touchscreen |
| Sensors included | Temperature, humidity, occupancy (60 GHz Soli radar), ambient light; up to 6 additional Nest temperature sensors supported | Temperature plus indoor humidity sensor (humidity reported in Alexa app, not shown on the on-unit display); no occupancy sensor, no remote sensor support |
| Geofencing | Yes | Yes |
| Hvac compatibility | Most 24V systems: single- and multi-stage forced air (gas/oil/electric), heat pumps (1-3 stage heating, 1-2 stage cooling), radiant, hydronic, boilers; not compatible with communicating HVAC systems | Low-voltage 24V systems (forced air gas/oil/electric, heat pumps); single-stage systems; does not support ACC-/ACC+ terminals, dual-band Wi-Fi only on 2.4 GHz |
| C wire required | No | No |
| Voice assistants | Google Assistant (built-in via Google Home app), Amazon Alexa, Matter | Amazon Alexa only (requires separate Echo device) |
| Energy reports | Yes | Yes |

## Key differences

- Display: Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) 2.68-inch circular stainless-steel framed display with Farsight (activates when motion detected), 3.9-inch diameter body vs Amazon Smart Thermostat Basic segmented LED/LCD display; no color touchscreen
- Sensors included: Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) Temperature, humidity, occupancy (60 GHz Soli radar), ambient light; up to 6 additional Nest temperature sensors supported vs Amazon Smart Thermostat Temperature plus indoor humidity sensor (humidity reported in Alexa app, not shown on the on-unit display); no occupancy sensor, no remote sensor support
- Hvac compatibility: Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) Most 24V systems: single- and multi-stage forced air (gas/oil/electric), heat pumps (1-3 stage heating, 1-2 stage cooling), radiant, hydronic, boilers; not compatible with communicating HVAC systems vs Amazon Smart Thermostat Low-voltage 24V systems (forced air gas/oil/electric, heat pumps); single-stage systems; does not support ACC-/ACC+ terminals, dual-band Wi-Fi only on 2.4 GHz
- Voice assistants: Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) Google Assistant (built-in via Google Home app), Amazon Alexa, Matter vs Amazon Smart Thermostat Amazon Alexa only (requires separate Echo device)

## What reviewers say

**Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen)** — Three whitelisted hands-on reviewers—TechHive, Tom's Guide and TechRadar—tested this exact 4th-gen model and all recommend it. They praise the stunning, art-like redesign with a larger near-borderless display, the smarter weather-aware AI learning with accept/decline schedule suggestions, the glanceable Dynamic Farsight display, and Matter support (Apple Home, Alexa, SmartThings). All three flag the premium ~$280 price. Reviews are largely qualitative—only TechRadar put a number on anything, timing his install at about 15-20 minutes. TechHive still prefers the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium. (3 sourced reviews.)

**Amazon Smart Thermostat** — Three whitelisted outlets reviewed the ~$60 Amazon Smart Thermostat in 2021-2022 and all rate it the best-value smart thermostat. Tom's Guide and Reviewed/USA Today are hands-on reviews (Reviewed wired it to a test rig); TechRadar is a 'should I buy' buying-advice piece with no hands-on testing. None report any lab-measured numbers (all measured arrays empty). The one universal caveat is that the thermostat is Alexa-only. All nine quotes were verified as literal substrings of the fetched pages. (3 sourced reviews.)

## Sources

- Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nest_Learning_Thermostat (en.wikipedia.org, verified 2026-06-15)
- Amazon Smart Thermostat: https://www.safewise.com/blog/best-smart-thermostats/ (safewise.com, verified 2026-06-15)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/smart-thermostats/google-nest-learning-thermostat-4th-gen-vs-amazon-smart-thermostat/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) ($279.99) vs Amazon Smart Thermostat ($59.99) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/smart-thermostats/google-nest-learning-thermostat-4th-gen-vs-amazon-smart-thermostat/
License: CC BY 4.0.