Best Smart Thermostats · head-to-head

Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) vs Honeywell Home T9 Smart Thermostat

A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Honeywell Home T9 Smart Thermostat is cheaper at $209.99. Every spec and price links to its source.

Which is better: the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) or Honeywell Home T9 Smart Thermostat?

On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Honeywell Home T9 Smart Thermostat is the cheaper at $209.99.

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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) Honeywell Home T9 Smart Thermostat
US price $279.99 $209.99
BrandGoogle NestHoneywell Home
Released2024-082019
Display 2.68-inch circular stainless-steel framed display with Farsight (activates when motion detected), 3.9-inch diameter body Graphical color touchscreen, 4.92 in H x 3.7 in W
Sensors included Temperature, humidity, occupancy (60 GHz Soli radar), ambient light; up to 6 additional Nest temperature sensors supported Includes one wireless SmartRoom sensor (temperature + humidity); up to 20 additional SmartRoom 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 Up to 2H/2C conventional systems; up to 3H/2C heat pump systems; 24V low-voltage
C wire required No No
Voice assistants Google Assistant (built-in via Google Home app), Amazon Alexa, Matter Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Microsoft Cortana, Samsung SmartThings, IFTTT, Ring
Energy reports Yes Yes
Release 2024-08 2019

Sources — Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen): en.wikipedia.org (verified 2026-06-15). Honeywell Home T9 Smart Thermostat: honeywellhome.com (verified 2026-06-15).

What's the difference between the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) and Honeywell Home T9 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 Honeywell Home T9 Smart Thermostat Graphical color touchscreen, 4.92 in H x 3.7 in W
  • 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 Honeywell Home T9 Smart Thermostat Includes one wireless SmartRoom sensor (temperature + humidity); up to 20 additional SmartRoom 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 Honeywell Home T9 Smart Thermostat Up to 2H/2C conventional systems; up to 3H/2C heat pump systems; 24V low-voltage
  • Voice assistants: Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) Google Assistant (built-in via Google Home app), Amazon Alexa, Matter vs Honeywell Home T9 Smart Thermostat Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Microsoft Cortana, Samsung SmartThings, IFTTT, Ring

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.

Honeywell Home T9 Smart Thermostat

Two whitelisted testers (TechHive, Tom's Guide) reviewed the T9 hands-on in 2019 and rate it a strong, sensor-focused smart thermostat, though neither ran lab benchmarks. Both praise best-in-class remote sensors and easy setup; both flag the missing onboard motion sensor and a less-intuitive app. All six quoted lines verified verbatim against the source text. (2 sourced reviews.)

Praised: Best-in-class remote sensors with long range and quick responsiveness; Easy setup and a bright, responsive touchscreen.

Flagged: The thermostat unit itself has no built-in motion sensor; No auto-away/occupancy triggering and no built-in Alexa speaker or behavior learning; Companion app is less intuitive than Ecobee's and has minor glitches.

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