Google Nest
Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen)
$279.99
Released 2024-08
Best Smart Thermostats · head-to-head
Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) vs Amazon Smart Thermostat
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Amazon Smart Thermostat is cheaper at $59.99. Every spec and price links to its source.
Amazon
Amazon Smart Thermostat
$59.99Cheaper
Released 2021
Which is better: the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) or Amazon Smart Thermostat?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Amazon Smart Thermostat is the cheaper at $59.99.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices verified at capture; live price may differ.
Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| 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 |
| Release | 2024-08 | 2021 |
Sources — Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen): en.wikipedia.org (verified 2026-06-15). Amazon Smart Thermostat: safewise.com (verified 2026-06-15).
What's the difference between the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) and Amazon Smart Thermostat?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (4 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.
- 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
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
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, 3 lab-tested.)
Praised: Stunning, art-like redesign with a larger, near-borderless display; Quick, easy installation (Tom's Guide notes no C-wire needed for power); Smarter, weather-aware AI learning with accept/decline schedule suggestions.
Flagged: Premium price (~$280), among the priciest in its class; Remote sensor measures temperature only, not room occupancy (unlike Ecobee); Upgrading from an older Nest isn't plug-and-play; needs a new install.
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, 2 lab-tested.)
Praised: Outstanding value at ~$60, undercutting Nest and Ecobee; Clean, minimalist design; includes a faceplate in the box; Intuitive Alexa Hunches automation for energy savings.
Flagged: Works only with Alexa — no Google Home or Apple HomeKit; No support for remote temperature sensors; Requires a C-wire (adapter needed for older homes).