It’s a thermostat.
How pretty can it be?
I’ll admit: It’s a nice-looking thermostat.
But it’s not on my wall to look cool.
I have thrift store art for that, which comes with a much lower price tag than $280.
(Google did provide me with a unit to review.)
The real test of a thermostat isn’t in what you see, but what you feel.
And this latest model is keeping me pretty comfortable.
This inclusion turns your thermostat into a whole-home climate-control system.
It’s a compelling equipment, but it’s also the most expensive model on the market.
Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd Gen vs. 4th Gen: What’s new?
The newer model has quite a few new things.
This isn’t just a minor update, it’s an entirely new gadget.
Here are some of the bigger differences.
I found it really simple and easy to use, and I got really comfortable with it.
The 4th Gen model has me stepping outside the comfort zone of the Nest app.
It still gets the job done though.
Dynamic home screen
The face of a smart thermostat is a great place to display information.
The thermostat can sense how far away you are and change its display accordingly.
The closer you get, the more it’ll show.
That could be the current temperature, the temperature outside, what the thermostat is set to and more.
It’s also customizable, allowing you to decide what information is most important.
Smart scheduling
Some smart thermostats will adjust temperatures automatically and learn from your behavior.
But the scheduling works well, especially when you combine it with the external sensors for other rooms.
This push may be what people need to embrace the idea of a whole-home thermostat.
I’ve mentioned that my apartment has vastly different comfort levels depending on whether you’re upstairs or downstairs.
I installed the sensor in the bedroom and immediately got a better idea of just how stuffy it was.
At times, it was several degrees warmer than the living room immediately below.
But it doesn’t stop there.
Google sells itssecond generation sensorsfor $40 apiece or three for $100.
If all thermostats were free, the latest Nest would be hard to beat.
As a high-end thermostat, the 4th Gen Nest Smart Thermostat reigns supreme.
But it’s also the most expensive model I’ve tested, retailing for $280.
If your goal is saving money, there are better options out there.
Not so with smart thermostats.
