# Google Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen)

- Source: https://stierproducts.com/products/google-nest-learning-thermostat-3rd-gen
- Category board: https://stierproducts.com/categories/smart-thermostats
- Placement: #14 of 16 in Smart Thermostats, F tier
- Brand: Google
- LP on this board: 127
- Last researched: 2026-08-21T02:42:13.785Z
- Method: https://stierproducts.com/methodology
- Reuse: Text, rankings, tier assignments, LP values and verdicts are free to quote and reuse with attribution to stierproducts and a link to the source URL (CC BY 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Product photographs are not covered: they belong to their respective owners and are reproduced to illustrate the product being reviewed. Do not redistribute them under this licence.

## Verdict

Superseded hardware at near-current prices; the 4th Gen or the standard Nest is the correct buy.

## For

- The classic that built Nest's reputation
- Still delivers the original Nest learning-thermostat experience

## Against

- Superseded by the 4th Gen yet still sold at prices that often overlap with its replacement
- Owners report units changing the temperature on their own
- TechRadar and Popular Mechanics both crown the 4th Gen, not this one

## Flagged as one to avoid

This product entered 2 of 5 runs as one buyers cross-shop but should not buy, rather than as a pick. It is published here rather than dropped.

## Evidence

Consolidated from 18 independent outlets

| Outlet | Said by | Stance | Link | Link status |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| TechGearLab | Austin Palmer | B | https://www.techgearlab.com/reviews/smart-home/thermostat/google-nest-learning-4th-gen | fetched and confirmed |
| 6 Months Later | 6 Months Later | - | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzpJ8VhflpU | fetched and confirmed |
| Reviewed | Rachel Murphy | B | https://www.reviewed.com/smarthome/best-right-now/the-best-smart-thermostats | fetched and confirmed |
| CNET | Tyler Lacoma | B | https://www.cnet.com/deals/i-already-slashed-my-heating-bill-you-can-too-but-this-54-off-nest-deal-is-about-to-end/ | fetched and confirmed |
| A-Z tech | A-Z tech | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv1i_69-bXQ | fetched and confirmed |
| Amazon Must Haves | Amazon Must Haves | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty-1MZNKVO8 | fetched and confirmed |
| Review Revolt | Review Revolt | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F656__g0Hk | fetched and confirmed |
| GearBrain | GearBrain | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNpvneZsbGQ | fetched and confirmed |
| Andru Edwards | Andru Edwards | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKIzUuMoouc | fetched and confirmed |
| Thesun | thesun.co.uk | B | https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/37111116/nest-thermostats-stop-working-google-changes/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Tech Deals Hub | Tech Deals Hub | B | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytLoq8JPWMI | fetched and confirmed |
| Smart Thermostats - Your #1 Resource for Smart Thermostats. | smartthermostat.ca | C | https://smartthermostat.ca/google-nest-nest-learning-thermostat-3rd-gen-multiple-finishes-review-us/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Robb Sutton | Robb Sutton | A | https://robbsutton.com/nest-learning-thermostat-3rd-gen-review/ | fetched and confirmed |
| heatpumpguideuk.co.uk | davidtooth123@googlemail.com | C | https://heatpumpguideuk.co.uk/hive-vs-nest-which-smart-thermostat-is-better-in-2026/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Cult of Mac | Cult of Mac Deals | B | https://www.cultofmac.com/deals/google-nest-learning-thermostat-refurbished | fetched and confirmed |
| FOCUSED INSIGHT | Focused Insight Editorial Team | A | https://focusedinsight.net/google-nest-learning-thermostat-4th-gen-2/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Energy Savvy Homes | Energy Savvy Homes | A | https://www.energysavvyhomes.com/google-nest-learning-thermostat-review/ | fetched and confirmed |
| Tech Advisor | Jon Mundy | B | https://www.techadvisor.com/article/2948153/google-nest-learning-thermostat-support-ending.html | fetched and confirmed |

## Nearest alternatives on this board

| Rank | Product | Tier | Page |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium | S | https://stierproducts.com/products/ecobee-smart-thermostat-premium |
| 2 | Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) | A | https://stierproducts.com/products/google-nest-learning-thermostat-4th-gen |
| 3 | Ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential | A | https://stierproducts.com/products/ecobee-smart-thermostat-essential |
| 9 | Mysa Smart Thermostat for Electric Baseboard Heaters | C | https://stierproducts.com/products/mysa-smart-thermostat-for-electric-baseboard-heaters |
| 10 | Google Nest Thermostat (standard) | C | https://stierproducts.com/products/google-nest-thermostat-standard-non-learning |
| 11 | Aqara W200 Thermostat | D | https://stierproducts.com/products/aqara-w200-thermostat |
| 12 | Vivint Smart Thermostat | F | https://stierproducts.com/products/vivint-smart-thermostat |
| 13 | Cielo Breez Max | F | https://stierproducts.com/products/cielo-breez-max |
| 15 | Honeywell Home X2S | F | https://stierproducts.com/products/honeywell-home-x2s |
| 16 | Wyze Thermostat | F | https://stierproducts.com/products/wyze-thermostat |

The full board is at https://stierproducts.com/categories/smart-thermostats.

## What this tier means

- F: Avoid. The evidence points you elsewhere.

## How to read this

- Each category is researched in four independent runs, one per lens (expert consensus, value, reliability, community pulse). Every run ranks a board of candidates that deliberately includes products buyers cross-shop but should avoid. Placements score on a ranked ladder (LP), and tiers are derived from LP, so no tier is ever assigned by hand.
- LP is this product's points on its own category ladder. It is comparable within a category and not across categories.
- Link status reports what our pre-publication link check found when it fetched the cited URL. It says nothing about the quality of the review.
- A citation with no usable link is listed rather than dropped, and is excluded from the counted total above.

## Image

https://stierproducts.com/images/products/google-nest-learning-thermostat-3rd-gen.webp

Product photographs are not covered: they belong to their respective owners and are reproduced to illustrate the product being reviewed. Do not redistribute them under this licence.