Google smart thermostat, 4th Gen

What to know

A larger, borderless display is the standout feature of this Google Nest Learning Thermostat: its 60% larger screen and Dynamic Farsight are designed to make information easier to see from across the room. You can choose to show details such as the temperature, weather or a clock, while Smart Schedule learns the temperatures and times you prefer and can suggest adjustments in the Google Home app.

The package includes a Nest Temperature Sensor (2nd gen), which can help address hot or cold spots by measuring conditions in another room. The thermostat is designed for most 24V heating and cooling systems, including gas, electric, oil, forced air, heat pump and radiant setups. A C wire is not required for installation in most homes, but compatibility depends on your system, so this is a detail to sort out before choosing it.

Google says the thermostat can help save an average of 12% on heating bills and 15% on cooling bills. Those are stated averages, not a guarantee for every home. Adaptive Eco and natural heating and cooling are intended to adjust operation in response to conditions, but the actual result will depend on your home and how you use heating and cooling.

Best use cases

This model makes the most sense if you want more than a basic thermostat’s manual temperature controls. For example, the included sensor could be placed in a room that tends to feel colder than the rest of the house, with the Google Home app used to set the temperature you want there at a particular time of day. It also suits households that want schedule learning and energy-saving suggestions rather than setting every change themselves.

It suits you if you’re looking for a connected thermostat with a room sensor included and use the Google Home app or Alexa. It may not suit you if you want a simple, non-connected control or your heating and cooling setup is outside the listed 24V system types. Keep in mind that the sensor is there to help manage room-to-room differences, it doesn’t mean every temperature variation will disappear.

Tips for day-to-day use

Start by placing the included sensor in a room where temperature is a recurring concern, rather than somewhere that already feels comfortable. Set the target temperature and time in the app, then use Smart Schedule suggestions as a starting point: accept the changes that fit your routine and leave the rest. That gives you a way to balance comfort with energy-saving settings without treating every recommendation as a must.

Adaptive Eco can select an energy-saving temperature based on outdoor conditions, while natural heating and cooling can pause the system to help save energy. If you prefer direct control, the display can show the temperature or another available design instead of relying on a glance at the app. Before installation, use Google’s compatibility checker for your specific system, the no-C-wire detail applies to most homes, not necessarily all of them.

Before you decide

Does the package include a temperature sensor? Yes. It includes a Nest Temperature Sensor (2nd gen), and the thermostat also works with any Nest Temperature Sensor.

Will it work with every heating system? The stated compatibility covers most 24V systems, including gas, electric, oil, forced air, heat pump and radiant. Check your system’s compatibility before buying.

Can it be controlled with Alexa? The product information says it works with Alexa and the Google Home app. It also describes scheduling and temperature settings through the app.

Is it worth it?

Consider this Nest if you’ll make use of its room sensor, adaptive scheduling and connected controls, especially where one room’s temperature differs from the rest of the home. The display and automation offer a more hands-off approach than a basic thermostat, and the included sensor adds a practical way to target a particular room. Skip it if your priority is straightforward manual control, or if your system’s compatibility hasn’t been confirmed. Its energy-saving figures are averages stated by Google, so they’re useful context—not a promise of what your household will save.