CN
“Reviewers praise the Nest Learning Thermostat for design and ease of use, but note its auto-scheduling and setback behavior can clash with heat-pump systems that prefer steady setpoints.”
Is the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen) worth it?
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen) ($214.89) is worth considering with a 7.4/10 consensus score across 5 expert reviews. Experts highlight wires to a 2-stage heat pump with aux and emergency heat and self-installs in about 30 minutes, the easiest setup of any pick here. and heat pump balance lets you bias the system toward comfort or savings, and the farsight display and auto-scheduling are still the most polished in the category.. cnet says: "Reviewers praise the Nest Learning Thermostat for design and ease of use, but no..." Best for: Geo owners who prioritize ease of use over fine aux control, Households already invested in the Google Home ecosystem.
Good Value5 Expert Reviews
Price Range
Check Price on Amazon →$214.89
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Google Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen)
NM
Nicholas Miles · Editor-in-Chief & Methodology Owner
Climate Control
SHE ScoreAverage
SmartHomeExplorer proprietary rating
5.7/10
5 expert sources
Compatibility Breadth5/10
Setup Ease5.2/10
Reliability5.5/10
Value Rating7.6/10
Future-Proofing5/10
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen) earns a SHE Score of 5.7/10, driven by strong value (7.6/10) with room to improve in future-proofing (5/10). Based on 5 expert sources and SmartHomeExplorer compatibility analysis.
How we calculate the SHE Score →Expert Consensus: 7.4/10 across 5 sources
Updated this week“Reviewers praise the Nest Learning Thermostat for design and ease of use, but note its auto-scheduling and setback behavior can clash with heat-pump systems that prefer steady setpoints.”
Key Features
- ✓ 2-stage heat-pump support with aux and emergency heat wiring
- ✓ Heat Pump Balance comfort-versus-savings bias control
- ✓ Built-in compressor short-cycle lockout
- ✓ Auto-scheduling, Farsight display, and Home/Away Assist
- ✓ Stainless steel display with Alexa and Google Home control
- ✓ ~30-minute DIY install
Best For
Geo owners who prioritize ease of use over fine aux controlHouseholds already invested in the Google Home ecosystem
What Experts Agree On
What Experts Love
- ✓ Wires to a 2-stage heat pump with aux and emergency heat and self-installs in about 30 minutes, the easiest setup of any pick here.
- ✓ Heat Pump Balance lets you bias the system toward comfort or savings, and the Farsight display and auto-scheduling are still the most polished in the category.
- ✓ Built-in compressor lockout protects against rapid cycling, and the stainless display works with Alexa and Google Home for voice control.
- ✓ At about $220 it is widely available and the most recognizable smart thermostat, with strong resale and ecosystem support.
Common Criticisms
- ✗ Its setback-and-learning philosophy actively fights geothermal: HVAC pros widely report it triggers expensive resistive aux heat on geo systems that run best with no setback, wiping out efficiency savings.
- ✗ Aux engagement is tuned more by Nest's algorithm than by a clean outdoor-temperature lockout, so geo owners lose the fine aux-control granularity the Sensi, ecobee, and Honeywell stats give them.
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What The Experts Say
EN
“Expert coverage frames the Nest as the most approachable smart thermostat, while cautioning that its energy-saving logic is built around conventional systems more than multi-stage heat pumps.”
Ready to buy the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen)?
Check Price on Amazon$214.89 · 5 expert sources · 7.4/10 consensus
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen) worth it?
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen) earns a 7.4/10 consensus score across 5 expert sources and is rated "Good Value". At $214.89, it is best for Geo owners who prioritize ease of use over fine aux control. cnet notes: "Reviewers praise the Nest Learning Thermostat for design and ease of use, but note its auto-scheduling and setback behavior can cl..."
How much does the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen) cost?
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen) is priced at $214.89. With a 7.4/10 score from 5 expert reviews and a "Good Value" rating, that price represents a premium ask relative to the ~7.5/10 average for Climate products. Prices shift often, so check the live figure before buying.
Who is the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen) best for?
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen) is best for Geo owners who prioritize ease of use over fine aux control, Households already invested in the Google Home ecosystem. Experts rate it "Good Value" with a 7.4/10 consensus across 5 sources.
How does the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen) compare to other Climate options?
Among the Climate products we have aggregated, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen) ranks below average with a 7.4/10 score. engadget adds: "Expert coverage frames the Nest as the most approachable smart thermostat, while cautioning that its energy-saving logic is built ..."
What smart home systems does the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen) work with?
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen) works with Google Home, Amazon Alexa. Check the compatibility notes above for any hub dependencies or setup requirements before you buy.
What are the best alternatives to the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen)?
If the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen) ($214.89, 7.4/10) is not the right fit, the closest alternatives in Climate are Emerson Sensi Touch 2 (ST76), Honeywell Home T6 Pro Smart (TH6320WF2003). Compare them on price, ecosystem support, and expert consensus to find your match.
What are the pros and cons of the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen)?
The main strengths of the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen) are wires to a 2-stage heat pump with aux and emergency heat and self-installs in about 30 minutes, the easiest setup of any pick here. and heat pump balance lets you bias the system toward comfort or savings, and the farsight display and auto-scheduling are still the most polished in the category.. The most-cited downside is its setback-and-learning philosophy actively fights geothermal: hvac pros widely report it triggers expensive resistive aux heat on geo systems that run best with no setback, wiping out efficiency savings.. Overall, 5 expert sources rate it "Good Value" with a 7.4/10 consensus score.
Sources & Methodology
This review aggregates 2 independent expert reviews into a single consensus score. See how we build consensus scores and the SHE Score methodology.
Expert review sources cited on this page:
- cnet
- engadget
Affiliate disclosure: SmartHomeExplorer.com participates in the Amazon Associates program. We earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. This consensus review is based on 5 independent expert reviews — we did not test this product ourselves. Always verify current prices and availability before purchasing.
Independence notice: Smart Home Explorer is an independent publication. Google and other product names, logos, and brands referenced on this page are the property of their respective owners and are used for identification purposes only. This review is not sponsored by, affiliated with, or endorsed by Google or any other manufacturer named in this article.