Google launches new Nest Thermostat that looks like a giant Pixel Watch

Of the many devices that line your smart home, the thermostat is one of the easiest to forget. While you may not put too much thought behind it, Google clearly has done so with its redesigned Nest Learning Thermostat that promises to save energy and more.

Today, the Mountain View-based firm unveiled its 4th-generation Nest Learning Thermostat, which supports English, French, and Spanish. This latest addition to the Nest line comes complete with a new second-generation Nest Temperature Sensor to help manage hot and cold spots around the home.

Design

As mentioned earlier, the company’s thermostat has gone through a redesign, which has a more elegant design that seems to be inspired by the Pixel Watch. Specifically, it features a borderless 2.68-inch LCD that’s 60% larger than the screen on the 3rd-generation model. Google says the thought behind the redesign was to make the device look like art on the wall, testing 100s of form factors before landing on this one.

While the bezels are no longer visible, there is a metal bangle that can be rotated to manually adjust the temperature. Finally, the thermostat comes in three colors: Polished Obsidian, Polished Silver, and Polished Gold.

Features

The larger display brings with it some new features, such as Dynamic Farsight. This new and improved version of the Farsight feature provides richer and more detailed content — like weather animations — and information that can be customized to show what you want to see. The sensor that activates this feature when you approach it has also received an upgrade for more accurate detection.

Like many of Google’s other products, the thermostat is powered by on-device AI. This time around, the software has been revamped so it can more quickly and accurately create a personalized temperature schedule. This feature, known as Smart Schedule, learns your temperature preferences throughout the day and automatically adjusts the thermostat accordingly.

Smart Schedule can change the temperature automatically and send a notification that it happened, or you can have it send you a suggestion that you can accept or deny. This balances the needs of users who want more seamless automation and those who want more control. Additionally, you can push down on the thermostat to see what it’s doing. For example, the device will tell you something like it’s still learning what temperatures you like.

For humid days, the new Nest Learning Thermostat has a humidity helper feature. This allows the system to work with certain equipment to keep the humidity in your home under control.

Energy saving features

Besides new and improved AI, the other big selling point is its energy-saving capabilities. One such way the thermostat helps save energy is by adapting to how your home reacts to outside temperatures. For example, the device won’t drop your home’s temperature while you’re away if it’s going to be a cold day because it will take a lot of heat to bring up when you come back.

On top of that, the 4th-gen model works with Nest Renew just as older versions do. This feature shifts your thermostat use to cleaner and cheaper times of the day.

Speaking of which, another handy new feature is the introduction of smart ventilation. Typically, ventilation systems run on an on/off schedule, which could bring in super cold air from outside that the furnace has to heat up. On the other hand, smart ventilation optimizes when to ventilate based on the weather and when it’s healthiest (e.g., it can pause ventilation when there are wildfires or smoke).

Google says the new Nest Learning Thermostat is Energy Star certified, and it can save you 12% and 15% on heating and cooling bills, respectively.

All of these features can be controlled in the Google Home panel. That means you can monitor your home’s temperature from your phone, Pixel Tablet, Pixel Watch, and even your Google TV, like on the new Google TV Streamer. Just like the hardware, the thermostat controls in the Google Home app were redesigned with a new widget in the favorites tab, more control buttons for schedule, and more.

Extra details

HVACs require routine maintenance to keep them operating smoothly, and it appears Google has made a feature to help remind you. Its System Health Monitor can send seasonal maintenance reminders and alert you to big issues so you can catch them early. On a related note, the new Nest Learning Thermostat is compatible with most HVACs, offering a 12-wire backplate that allows it to work with humidifiers, dehumidifiers, ventilation, and so on.

You also won’t have to worry about how the thermostat will work with your other smart home devices. Google’s latest model is Matter-certified, so it should play friendly with anything else that meets the Matter standard.

A few other details you should know include it has a replaceable battery (up to three years), you can have the thermostat shift from its built-in sensor to a separate sensor, you can choose which sensors are active, and it’s backwards compatible with the 3rd-generation model.

It should work without a C wire, so one is not included in the box. However, if a power test says power is needed, Google will send a Nest power connector accessory at no additional cost.

Price and availability

The Nest Learning Thermostat (4th-gen) will be available on August 20 for $279.99 ($379 CAD). You’ll be able to pick one up from the Google Store or from retail partners like Best Buy and Home Depot. In addition to the display and one temperature sensor, the box also includes a base, trim plate, steel plate, mounting screws, and wiring labels.

If you want more than one temperature sensor, it will set you back $39.99 or $99.99 for a pack of three. Keep in mind, however, that this new thermostat is compatible with older sensors, so you may not need to buy more.