Nest Thermostat Showdown: Learning vs E

I’m comparing the Nest Learning vs E today.

If you’re considering getting a smart thermostat for your home or updating an older model, you’re probably wondering which one to choose. Both models have unique features and benefits, so let’s explore their differences to help you decide.

The Nest E is the newer model and offers an almost comparable experience with fewer wires for setup.

On the other hand, the third-generation Nest has a premium feel with extra accessories, the Farsight feature, and more advanced self-learning. This allows it to sense your presence and display various information from a distance.

While both are easy to install and use through the Nest app, their designs and functionalities set them apart.

Quick Verdict: Nest Learning vs E

The Nest Learning Thermostat and the Nest Thermostat E have key differences that make each unique. They are designed to improve the convenience and efficiency of home heating and cooling.

Design: The Nest sports a high-end look with a metallic finish, while the Thermostat E offers a simpler design with a polycarbonate ceramic-feel finish.
Display: The text is crisp, clear, and easy to read. In contrast, the Nest E looks like it has a frosted glass screen, which can cause the text to appear blurred, as if your eyes are out of focus.
Compatibility: Nest is compatible with around 95% of heating and cooling system types, whereas Nest E is compatible with 85%.
Self-Learning & Features: Both devices learn your schedule, but the Nest 3rd Gen has more advanced features than the Thermostat E that don’t change your schedule.
Price: As the more budget-friendly option, Nest E is the go-to for those seeking quality at a lower price point.
Performance: Both maintain strong performance in regulating home temperature effectively.

Both high-quality smart thermostats will do the job, mainly due to personal preference and budget. If you like more display options or find the frosted glass of the Nest E hard to read, the Nest Third Gen might be better for you.

Design and Build Quality

Display Quality

The Nest Third Gen’s display looks like a piece of modern art on the wall. The text is crisp and clear, making it easy to read. On the other hand, the Nest E has a frosted glass screen. This design can make the text look blurry as if your eyes are out of focus. If you have a modern home with white walls, the Nest E’s design might fit in well.

Materials and Weight

The Nest Third Gen features a metal ring, which gives it a heavier feel. The Nest E, however, has a plastic ring and is noticeably lighter. Both devices are about the same size, but the difference in weight is pretty apparent when you hold them.

Key Features Comparison

User Interface and Navigation

Nest and Nest E thermostats provide a consistent user experience through the same Nest app. This gives users full thermostat control, including setting schedules, monitoring temperature, and receiving alerts.

However, using each thermostat involves different menu layouts. Switching between the two might take some time, but it’s not too complicated. The Nest E comes with a preset schedule, while the Nest Third Gen does not, though both will eventually learn your schedule.

The Nest App works with both devices but looks slightly different on each. The app for the Nest E has a white interface that matches the device.

One cool feature exclusive to the Nest Third Gen is Farsight. This feature detects when you’re near the thermostat and can display the target temperature, current temperature, analog clock, digital clock, or weather. The Nest E doesn’t offer Farsight but will show the set and current temperatures in a smaller text when you approach it.

The shared feature of Family Accounts allows multiple individuals to manage the thermostat settings. This ensures that temperature adjustments can be made according to who is at home, enhancing comfort and efficiency.

Physical Design and Interaction

The Nest and Nest E’s iconic circular design is instantly recognizable and maintains a consistent footprint on the wall, regardless of choice.

Intuitive control is facilitated by a clear outer ring, which, when rotated, adjusts the temperature effortlessly.

Installation is user-friendly as both models come equipped with an easy mounting system that includes an integrated level. This ensures that the process is simplified whether a DIY enthusiast or a professional makes the installation.

A proximity sensor activates the display as someone approaches, providing a quick view of the temperature without any physical interaction.

However, unlike some competitors, these thermostats do not include external sensors for readings in different rooms.

Users wanting room-to-room temperature control might need additional sensors and smart radiator valves or may need to consider different options.

Pre-Set and Learning Schedules on Nest Learning Thermostat

The Nest E comes with a pre-set schedule right out of the box.

It’s ready to go with a default setting, which is handy if you don’t want to set up your schedule immediately. Once you install it, it starts managing your home’s temperature immediately.

The Nest 3rd Gen, on the other hand, doesn’t come with a pre-set schedule. You’ll need to set it up manually or wait for it to learn your habits over time.

Both thermostats learn your schedule automatically. They remember your preferences as you adjust the temperature and create a custom schedule. This smart feature means you won’t have to keep fiddling with the settings once they’ve learned your routine. It just makes things easy and hands-off for the user.

The Nest app allows you to manage and modify your schedules for both thermostats easily. The app displays information differently depending on the model.

Smart Features Comparison with Google Home App

The Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen) and Nest Thermostat E share many common smart features, but there are some distinct differences between the two:

Self-Learning & Auto-Schedule: Both thermostats learn your temperature preferences and create a custom schedule based on your habits. They automatically adjust the temperature when you’re away or asleep to save energy. Both thermostats are compatible with most HVAC systems, including various heating and cooling systems, ensuring efficient temperature control.
Home/Away Assist: Using built-in sensors and your phone’s location, both thermostats can automatically switch to Eco mode when you’re away to save energy. They also turn back on when you’re heading home.
Energy History and Reports: The Nest app provides detailed energy history and monthly reports, showing how much energy you’ve used and suggesting ways to save more.
Farsight: The Nest Learning Thermostat has a feature called Farsight, which uses a far-field sensor to detect when you’re across the room. It then lights up to show you the time, temperature, or weather. The Nest Thermostat E lacks this feature.
Voice Control: Both thermostats work with popular voice assistants like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, allowing you to control the temperature hands-free.
Safety Alerts: Both devices monitor your HVAC system and send alerts if something isn’t working correctly, such as if your furnace is acting up or your filter needs to be replaced.
Sunblock: The Nest Learning Thermostat has a Sunblock feature that detects direct sunlight and adjusts the temperature reading accordingly to ensure accuracy. The Nest Thermostat E doesn’t have this feature.
OpenTherm: the Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen) is compatible with OpenTherm to modulate the boiler’s heating power more efficiently. The Nest Thermostat E does not support OpenTherm.
Heat Pump Balance: When used with heat pumps, Heat Pump Balance is available on Nest Learning Thermostat and Nest Thermostat E. It allows users to optimize the balance between energy efficiency and comfort by adjusting how quickly the heat pump reaches the desired temperature. Depending on their preferences, users can choose between “Max Savings,” “Balanced,” and “Comfort” modes.

Farsight Feature on Nest Third Gen

One cool thing about the Nest Third Gen is the Farsight feature. It can detect when you’re far away and show different displays. You can choose to see your target temperature, current temperature, an analog clock, a digital clock, or even the weather.

If you want to see the temperature or clock, you must walk up and press or turn the thermostat, which can be annoying. I find the current temperature display the most useful. As I approach the device, it lets me know the temperature inside my house.

The Nest E doesn’t have Farsight, but it does light up when you get close. It shows the set temperature, and right above it, in small font, the current temperature in the house.

Is Farsight Essential?

The distinct advantage of Farsight lies in its ability to display the house’s current temperature in a large, easily readable font as you pass by.

This contrasts with the Nest E, which prominently shows the target temperature and relegates the current temperature to a smaller font at the top of the screen.

The Nest E’s display is also static, so there is no room for personal preference adjustments. Despite its enhanced visual display, Farsight does have a limitation.

If the display is set to show the clock or weather forecast, the temperature fades into the background, accessible only with a button press or a dial turn. This may cause a minor inconvenience for those who prefer constant temperature visibility.

Therefore, when deciding whether to enable Farsight, users must consider which display options best suit their preferences and needs.

Final Verdict – Which Nest Should I Pick?

Upon evaluating the Nest E and the Nest 3rd Gen, both thermostats give off a premium vibe when interacting with their respective control rings.

The Nest 3rd Gen stands out with its superior display, which is sharp and easy to read. Users appreciate the customizable display options, which enhance personalization and ease of use. Its premium feel is attributed to its high-quality construction.

On the other hand, the Nest Thermostat E champions simplicity and unobtrusive design.

It is cost-effective, stylish, and an excellent introduction to smart thermostat technology without overwhelming the user. It’s well-suited for those who desire smart home technology but are also budget-conscious.

The key differences between the Nest E and the Nest 3rd Gen include design, display quality, and advanced features like Farsight and Sunblock. The main differences lie in their aesthetics and the absence of some advanced features like Farsight or Sunblock in the Nest E.

The decision between the two may boil down to whether a consumer prefers the design and can forego the features—opting for the Nest E could mean savings.

As for what’s in the box, the Nest E and the 3rd Gen share many similarities in their unboxing experience. The notable differences include that the 3rd Gen has a screwdriver and a metal backplate.

However, these extras tend not to be dealbreakers, as installing a Nest typically doesn’t require a special screwdriver, and the metal plate is unnecessary for most setups.

Compatibility and Wiring

The Nest E supports six wires, making it suitable for about 85% of homes. The Nest Third Gen supports ten wires, covering a wider range of systems. Pull off your current thermostat and check the wiring to know which works. You can also visit the Nest website for more details on compatibility.

Adding an Extra Thermostat

If you are considering an additional thermostat for your home and already own a Nest, the Nest E is an economical alternative. The Nest E is cost-effective and functions well as a secondary thermostat alongside your primary Nest device.

Google Nest Device Ecosystem

In addition to Nest thermostats, these additional intelligent Nest products can be combined for the ultimate smart home experience:

The Nest Temperature Sensor is a smaller device that measures heat and moisture levels in different house sections. When paired with a Nest thermostat, it allows you to adjust each room’s temperature separately.

 The Nest Protect smart detector will alert you immediately about carbon monoxide or smoke. When paired with a Nest thermostat, it can also shut off the HVAC system upon detecting smoke or carbon monoxide.

The Nest Hello is a smart video doorbell that lets you see and communicate with visitors from anywhere. When connected to Google Home’s “Home/Away Assist,” the Nest Learning Thermostat can adjust its temperature settings based on whether someone is home or not, using data from the Nest Hello to detect when someone enters the house.

Finally, Google has a Google Home app portal for managing all smart-home appliances.

It provides an easy display, allowing easy access to options on your thermostat and connected devices. It also allows scheduling ahead of time and tracking daily energy usage, aligning with your daily activities and preferences.