Google nest thermostat review

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Google nest thermostat review

Smart thermostats are the gateway to smart-home life. The problem with many smart-home devices is that the learning curve is difficult, so you never really get the most out of them. Nest smart thermostats make it easy. For as long as we've been reviewing smart thermostats , a Nest device has always ranked among our favorites. Both current Nest models install just like any other thermostat and even come with the screwdriver , but unlike other models, which tend to have confusing menus and complicated programming, a Nest thermostat programs itself. The flagship Nest Learning Thermostat learns your temperature preferences based on your usage, and then it creates a schedule for you. To adjust that, you can turn the outer dial as on an old-fashioned thermostat , tap the smartphone app, or ask your smart speaker to turn up the heat. It even sends you a monthly report of your energy use. Two versions of the Nest are currently available: the Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd generation and the Nest Thermostat. Both also monitor your HVAC system for problems. A couple of former Apple engineers started Nest as an independent company in , and they launched their first Nest thermostat a year later, making thermostats cool for the first time.

This is the first Nest-branded thermostat to ship without support for the Nest app that existed before Google acquired Nest in

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement. Google borrowed the basics from its previous thermostats for this new, more affordable model , but added in some notable improvements. It also features a side touch interface that streamlines the hardware into slide-and-tap controls so you no longer have to turn the entire thermostat ring to browse through the settings -- or press down on the entire device to make your selection.

Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission. Learn more. If you ask me, a refresh to the lineup was long overdue. The housing is made of plastic, and it has a nice mirror-like finish on the front. I love the way it looks. Previous Nest models had you rotate the housing to adjust temperature and scroll through menus, while a push-in would act as your select button. The new Nest Thermostat only has a touch-sensitive panel on the right side to adjust the temperature.

Google nest thermostat review

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement. Google borrowed the basics from its previous thermostats for this new, more affordable model , but added in some notable improvements. It also features a side touch interface that streamlines the hardware into slide-and-tap controls so you no longer have to turn the entire thermostat ring to browse through the settings -- or press down on the entire device to make your selection. The new thermostat's use of the Google Home app is notable. This is the first Nest-branded thermostat to ship without support for the Nest app that existed before Google acquired Nest in The Nest app still works for legacy Nest devices, but Google essentially "retired" the Nest app for new products when Google aligned its Nest and Google Home brands in -- more on this below. I strongly recommend the Nest Thermostat, especially as my favorite affordable smart model.

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You can also add custom time blocks for more granular controls. Slide your finger to scroll through your options and tap to make a selection. Most Popular. Even though this is the first Nest thermostat to require you to use the Google Home app out of the box, the experience is still largely the same as before. The new thermostat's use of the Google Home app is notable. That said, I've run into scattered reports of Nest owners having issues with this actually providing enough power, while others complain of the annoyance of having their systems go on and off for no reason. Although the installation process wasn't without the occasional bit of confusion, it was surprising in many, almost universally, positive ways. It comes with the same tiny, but functional screwdriver and built-in level as well as a basic rectangular baseplate for covering up any unsightly holes or patchy paintwork from previous installs and a steel plate for mounting your thermostat to an electrical box. Tom's Guide Verdict. The Verge homepage. You can now choose from among four different dial finishes, all for the same price -- stainless steel, black, white or copper. Make it better. Advertiser Content From. You add the thermostat by selecting the plus sign on the top-left corner of the app's home screen and then selecting "Set up device," to walk through the steps to get your Nest Thermostat up and running.

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Better yet, the tendencies that you show the Nest you'd prefer over the course of using it are integrated into its self-programing measures, which attempt to balance your comfort with energy savings that can lower your utility bills and help reduce your home's carbon footprint. ZDNet's long-term review of Google's 3rd-gen smart thermostat includes information on how to install it and what to expect when you put it to use. Another area where the Nest Thermostat is inferior to other models is in support for remote sensors. The Nest Thermostat is an affordable, but less magical, smart thermostat. Luckily, I already had holes from previous thermostat tests that lined up with this thermostat, which made things move along more quickly, and the baseplate does still have a built-in level to help keep things straight as you install it. Reviews ethics statement. Skip to main content The Verge The Verge logo. We'll talk about these in more depth later. While I noticed the updated display size and resolution instantly, the "thinner" depth was much less obvious. The other matter I've run into has specifically to do with the Nest Temperature Sensors. Even though this is the first Nest thermostat to require you to use the Google Home app out of the box, the experience is still largely the same as before.