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 ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium is cheaper at $259.99. Every spec and price links to its source.
ecobee
ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium
$259.99Cheaper
Released 2022
Which is better: the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) or ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium is the cheaper at $259.99.
See Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) on Amazon See ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium on Amazon
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) | ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $279.99 | $259.99 |
| Brand | Google Nest | ecobee |
| Released | 2024-08 | 2022 |
| Display | 2.68-inch circular stainless-steel framed display with Farsight (activates when motion detected), 3.9-inch diameter body | 4-inch full-color LCD touchscreen, 540x540 pixels |
| Sensors included | Temperature, humidity, occupancy (60 GHz Soli radar), ambient light; up to 6 additional Nest temperature sensors supported | Built-in temperature, humidity, occupancy (radar), proximity; includes one SmartSensor (temperature + occupancy) in box; up to 20 additional sensors supported |
| 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 | Most 24VAC systems: conventional 2H/2C, heat pumps 2H/2C + 2 stage AUX, boilers, PTACs, fan coil units (up to 3 fan speeds); Power Extender Kit included |
| C wire required | No | No |
| Voice assistants | Google Assistant (built-in via Google Home app), Amazon Alexa, Matter | Amazon Alexa (built-in), Apple Siri (via HomePod/HomePod mini), Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings, IFTTT |
| Energy reports | Yes | Yes |
| Release | 2024-08 | 2022 |
Sources — Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen): en.wikipedia.org (verified 2026-06-15). ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium: ecobee.com (verified 2026-06-15).
What's the difference between the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) and ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium?
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 ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium 4-inch full-color LCD touchscreen, 540x540 pixels
- 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 ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium Built-in temperature, humidity, occupancy (radar), proximity; includes one SmartSensor (temperature + occupancy) in box; up to 20 additional sensors supported
- 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 ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium Most 24VAC systems: conventional 2H/2C, heat pumps 2H/2C + 2 stage AUX, boilers, PTACs, fan coil units (up to 3 fan speeds); Power Extender Kit included
- Voice assistants: Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) Google Assistant (built-in via Google Home app), Amazon Alexa, Matter vs ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium Amazon Alexa (built-in), Apple Siri (via HomePod/HomePod mini), Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings, IFTTT
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.
ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium
Three whitelisted testers (Tom's Guide, TechHive, Reviewed) rate the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium a top-tier smart thermostat. Reviewed lab-tested temperature accuracy against a NIST-certified thermometer; Tom's Guide and TechHive evaluated it hands-on qualitatively. All praise the premium redesign, easy app-guided install, broad smart-home compatibility, and the included occupancy-sensing SmartSensor. Shared gripes: a weak built-in speaker, a limited air-quality sensor, and a high price. (3 sourced reviews, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Premium redesign — zinc body, glass display, responsive larger touchscreen; Broad smart-home compatibility (Alexa, Siri/HomeKit, Google, SmartThings, IFTTT); App-guided installation is quick and easy.
Flagged: Built-in speaker sounds weak/tinny; Air-quality sensor is limited — no particulate readings, cannot trigger HVAC fan; Expensive / premium price.