It’s been almost 10 years since the first Nest Learning thermostat was released. If you ask me, a refresh of the product line was long overdue. The 2020 Nest Thermostat is by no means revolutionary, but the new design and affordable price make it an altogether more accessible smart home device, especially for those who don’t have experience with smart thermostats.
The main differences between the new and the old model are in the design and Google’s cost-cutting measures. To be clear, the Nest Thermostat does not replace the learning thermostat. Instead, it’s the affordable option, as Google now only offers the Thermostat E for professional installations.
[content-egg-block template=offers_logo hide=price]Although it is made of traditionally “cheaper” materials. The casing is made of plastic and has a nice reflective surface on the front. Behind this “mirror glass lens” is a 2.4-inch color LCD with a resolution of 240 x 320. From certain angles you can see the square section of the display, but when you look at it frontally, you only see the mirror surface.
Remember the Soli radar technology Google used in the Pixel 4 for gesture and presence detection? It’s not in the Pixel 5 or Pixel 6, but the company has integrated it into the new Nest Thermostat. It uses its low-power radar technology to detect when you’re near it. It shows the display when you’re nearby and turns it off when you’re not. This is similar to the Farsight feature of older Nest thermostats, which lit up the display when they detected you entering the room.
One of the bigger changes to Google’s thermostat is its companion app. It’s now connected to the Google Home app, rather than the Nest app. We knew this change was coming. Google’s smart home products are controlled through the Home app anyway, so it makes sense that the thermostat would be controlled there as well. You no longer need to connect your Nest account through the Google Home app.
The installation process really couldn’t be easier. According to Google, the installation takes about 30 minutes, but there is also the option of hiring a professional to install it for $99.99. The easiest way to set up the thermostat is through the Google Home app. Press the + button, select “Set up device” and then the “Thermostat” option. After scanning a QR code on the back of your thermostat, you’re ready to install. The Google Home app will guide you through the process step by step.