Google Nest Learning (4th Gen)
VERDICT
This is the iPhone of thermostats. It is stunning to look at, incredibly intuitive to use, and genuinely smart. It takes the hassle out of programming schedules by doing it for you. While expensive, the energy savings it generates often pay for the device within two years.
The Big Picture
Most thermostats are ugly plastic boxes with confusing buttons. The Nest Learning Thermostat is a piece of jewelry for your wall, featuring a polished metal ring and a crisp glass display. But its real power is invisible: it learns your habits. You don't program it; you live your life, and it adapts to you.
🧠 It Programs Itself
The Learning Phase: For the first week, just change the temperature when you wake up, leave for work, and go to bed.
The Result: Nest memorizes these inputs. By week two, it automatically adjusts the AC/Heat before you even reach for the dial. It also uses your phone's location to turn on "Eco Mode" when you leave the house, saving money instantly.
🌡️ Farsight & Sensors
Farsight: It uses radar (Soli) to detect when you walk into the room from far away, lighting up the screen to show you the time, weather, or temperature.
Remote Sensors: You can place a small "Temperature Sensor" (sold separately) in the baby's room. You can tell Nest to prioritize that room at night, ensuring the nursery is perfect even if the hallway is cold.
✅ The Pros
- Beautiful, premium metal design.
- Proven energy savings (Energy Star certified).
- "HVAC Monitoring" alerts you if your furnace is acting weird.
- Supports Matter (works with Apple HomeKit now).
❌ The Cons
- Pricey ($249+).
- The "Learning" feature can get confused if you have an erratic schedule.
- Remote sensors are expensive add-ons ($39 each).
🤔 Should you buy it?
YES if you want a "set it and forget it" experience and value aesthetics.
NO if you are a data nerd who wants granular control over humidity and run-times (get the Ecobee Premium instead).
See the showdown: Google Nest Learning vs. Ecobee Premium Comparison