Google’s Nest Learning Thermostat practically invented the smart thermostat category, and the 4th generation is its biggest redesign yet. Reviewers at Tom’s Guide, TechHive and TechGearLab agree it is a meaningful upgrade — with one recurring complaint: the price.
Design and display
The new model is slimmer, with a 60% larger crystal LCD display (2.7-inch, 600 x 600 pixels) behind polished glass. It comes in polished silver, obsidian and gold, and looks more like a piece of jewellery than an HVAC control. A built-in Soli radar sensor detects when you approach and wakes the display with useful info.
Features
The headline is still learning: the thermostat builds a schedule around your routines and can save up to 31% on heating and cooling bills. It works with most 24V systems (gas, electric, oil, forced air, heat pump, radiant), and a Nest Temperature Sensor (2nd gen) is included in the box to even out hot and cold rooms.
Crucially for 2026, it is Matter-certified: you can control it from Google Home, Apple Home, Alexa or any Matter-compatible app — a first for the Learning Thermostat line.
Price
$279 on its own, or around $435 with professional installation. That is firmly premium territory.
Verdict
8.5/10. The best-looking, smartest thermostat you can buy, with real energy savings and — finally — Matter support that frees it from the Google ecosystem. If your budget is tighter, previous-generation Nest models still work brilliantly for far less.
Buy it if: you want top-tier design, learning schedules and multi-ecosystem support.
Skip it if: a $100 thermostat already covers your needs — the savings math takes years at $279.