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 Sensi Touch 2 Smart Thermostat
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Sensi Touch 2 Smart Thermostat is cheaper at $209.99. Every spec and price links to its source.
Emerson Sensi
Sensi Touch 2 Smart Thermostat
$209.99Cheaper
Released 2023
Which is better: the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) or Sensi Touch 2 Smart Thermostat?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Sensi Touch 2 Smart Thermostat is the cheaper at $209.99.
See Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) on Amazon See Sensi Touch 2 Smart Thermostat 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) | Sensi Touch 2 Smart Thermostat |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $279.99 | $209.99 |
| Brand | Google Nest | Emerson Sensi |
| Released | 2024-08 | 2023 |
| Display | 2.68-inch circular stainless-steel framed display with Farsight (activates when motion detected), 3.9-inch diameter body | Color touchscreen (size not specified on product page); Sensi app control available |
| Sensors included | Temperature, humidity, occupancy (60 GHz Soli radar), ambient light; up to 6 additional Nest temperature sensors supported | Built-in temperature; compatible with Sensi Room Sensors and Outdoor Sensors (sold separately) for temperature and humidity monitoring |
| 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 | Universal: single-stage 1H/1C, multi-stage 2H/2C, heat pump 4H/2C; 24V low-voltage systems |
| C wire required | No | No |
| Voice assistants | Google Assistant (built-in via Google Home app), Amazon Alexa, Matter | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings (no Apple HomeKit) |
| Energy reports | Yes | Yes |
| Release | 2024-08 | 2023 |
Sources — Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen): en.wikipedia.org (verified 2026-06-15). Sensi Touch 2 Smart Thermostat: sensi.copeland.com (verified 2026-06-15).
What's the difference between the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) and Sensi Touch 2 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 Sensi Touch 2 Smart Thermostat Color touchscreen (size not specified on product page); Sensi app control available
- 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 Sensi Touch 2 Smart Thermostat Built-in temperature; compatible with Sensi Room Sensors and Outdoor Sensors (sold separately) for temperature and humidity monitoring
- 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 Sensi Touch 2 Smart Thermostat Universal: single-stage 1H/1C, multi-stage 2H/2C, heat pump 4H/2C; 24V low-voltage systems
- Voice assistants: Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) Google Assistant (built-in via Google Home app), Amazon Alexa, Matter vs Sensi Touch 2 Smart Thermostat Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings (no Apple HomeKit)
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.
Sensi Touch 2 Smart Thermostat
Three whitelisted testers (TechHive, Pro Tool Reviews, Reviewed) rate the Sensi Touch 2 among the best simple smart thermostats, praising its responsive touchscreen, easy app-guided installation (Pro Tool Reviews clocked ~10 minutes), and support for remote room sensors that average temperatures across the home. All three note it requires a C-wire. Reviewed lab-tested it on a simulated HVAC system with a NIST-calibrated thermometer but published no accuracy figure; its main criticism is the lack of machine learning at a premium price. (3 sourced reviews, 2 lab-tested.)
Praised: Intuitive, responsive touchscreen and easy-to-use app/interface; Fast, DIY-friendly installation guided by the app; Supports remote room sensors for whole-home temperature averaging.
Flagged: C-wire required; Remote room sensors not included (~$40 each); No Apple HomeKit support.