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Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) vs ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) ranks higher (#2 vs #4 of 8) and scores better on scheduling & savings features, easy install & compatibility, display & controls.
The biggest complaint about the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) is ai overrides your settings; for the ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential it's some units fail or drop wi-fi. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) | ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in smart thermostats | #2 | #4 |
| Price tier | $$$ | $$ |
| Type | Learning | Smart (sensor-based) |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 10% | 15% |
| Overall score | 4.2 | 3.7 |
| Scheduling & savings features | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| App & smart home | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Easy install & compatibility | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| Display & controls | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| Reliability | 3.5 | 3.5 |
Price tiers: $ under $100 · $$ $100–200 · $$$ over $200. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen)
- AI overrides your settings
Wirecutter says the AI sometimes went haywire in long-term testing, forcing manual corrections several times a day, and that other owners report the same. Amazon owners are mixed on temperature control, with some reporting it randomly set itself to 80F.
- Expensive
PCMag, Tom's Guide and CNET all list the price as a con. PCMag gives a $279.99 list price. Some Amazon owners call it a waste of $300.
- Long-term support worries
Google ended support for the 1st- and 2nd-gen Nest Learning Thermostats (2011, 2012, and 2014 Europe) on Oct. 25, 2025: app control, remote access and updates stopped, though on-device schedules keep running. Tom's Guide calls this a reason it's hard to be fully behind Nest and advises not expecting more than about 10 years from a smart thermostat. Some Amazon owners also report it won't connect to the app.
ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential
- Some units fail or drop Wi-Fi
Amazon's review summary says reliability is mixed: some owners say it works better than Nest, while others say it stopped working after a month or could no longer connect to Wi-Fi. Some also say it doesn't keep the requested temperature.
- Stripped down; sensors and wall plate cost extra
Wirecutter says it lacks an occupancy sensor, air-quality sensor and microphone, and has no mounting plate ($15 extra). Sensors come only in pairs and add about $100. Tom's Guide lists 'limited advanced features' and 'design feels a bit cheap' as cons.
- Needs a C wire; setup asks technical questions
PCMag says installation requires a C wire, with a $24.99 Power Extender Kit as the workaround. Wirecutter says setup asks obscure technical questions, though the app now suggests likely answers, and support took a couple of tries plus a callback.
Source: PCMag review, Wirecutter
Who should pick which
Pick the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) if
Google Home and Nest households
People who want the thermostat to build its own schedule
Homes without a C wire (per Tom's Guide and CNET)
Skip it if: You want full manual control without the AI second-guessing you; You want room sensors that detect presence; You worry about Google ending support early
Pick the ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential if
Homes with fairly even temperatures
Apple Home, Google and Alexa users on a budget
People who may add room sensors later
Skip it if: Your wiring has no C wire and you don't want to fit an adapter; You need room sensors now (a pair adds about $100); Your Wi-Fi is 5GHz only (it uses 2.4GHz)
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