Does Amazon have a smart thermostat? If you’ve been using Amazon-branded smart devices, then you’d probably think the company is limited to video doorbells, smart hubs, and security cameras. Last November 2021, however, the online shopping giant finally launched the Amazon Smart Thermostat — and people are paying attention.
Designed with Resideo, Amazon’s thermostat can efficiently manage your home’s heating and cooling system. It’s a solid purchase at an entry-level price that competes with another budget option, the Google Nest Thermostat. Nonetheless, the Nest thermostat has a few hardware advantages over Amazon. Will these be enough for you to choose it over its new rival?
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Amazon Smart Thermostat vs Nest Comparison Chart
| Model | Amazon Smart Thermostat | Google Nest Thermostat |
 |  | |
| Price | View at Amazon | View at Amazon |
| Works With | 24V HVAC systems | 24V HVAC systems |
| Mobile App | Alexa App for iOS and Android | Nest for iOS and Android |
| Display | Color LED screen | 2.4-inch LCD |
| Installation | Requires C-wire | C-wire not required except for certain home heating and cooling systems |
| Sensors | Temperature, humidity | Motion, temperature, humidity |
| Amazon Alexa Compatible | Yes | Yes |
| Google Assistant Compatible | No | Yes |
| Apple HomeKit Compatible | No | Yes, but required HomeBridge device |
| ENERGY STAR® Certified | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 3.56 x 3.56 x 0.84 in | 3.3 inches in diameter |
Design and Hardware
Amazon and Google Nest’s thermostats sport attractive designs that belie their price tags.
Despite being entry-level models, the Amazon Smart Thermostat and Google Nest Thermostat still feature premium-looking designs. Amazon’s thermostat sports a rectangular form with rounded edges typical of modern smart home gadgets. In contrast, Google has opted for a circular profile that evokes the shape of traditional thermostat dials.
On the Amazon device, you’ll find a minimalist digital display. Although it isn’t touchscreen, the three buttons below it are touch capacitive. Meanwhile, Google’s Nest makes full use of its round shape by adding a swipe touch bar on the device’s side. This makes it easy to adjust temperature settings. The Nest’s LCD looks and feels sleeker, too, thanks to a mirrored glass lens.
Enclosed on the back of these devices are the sensors, components, and wirings for installation. They’re lightweight thermostats as well, with Amazon’s weighing just 3.86 oz and Google Nest’s coming in at 4.9 oz.
For users who want their thermostat to fit their home’s interior, you’ll probably have better luck with the Nest. Unlike the Amazon thermostat, the Nest comes in four different colors.
Installation
The Amazon and Nest thermostats can be installed DIY or with the help of a professional.
The Amazon and Nest thermostats are easy to install. Both devices come with mounting plates and installation tools out of the box. Amazon’s thermostat takes only about 15 minutes to set up and configure. However, the device requires a C-wire. If you don’t have an adapter, Amazon sells a thermostat + adapter kit bundle.
On the other hand, Google’s Nest Thermostat works even without a C-wire. However, certain cooling or heating systems may still require connecting to a common wire. Like Amazon, Nest offers an optional power supply accessory called the Nest Power Connector for compatibility.
For both devices, users can follow the step-by-step installation guide from the Alexa app and Nest app. If you don’t want to install these thermostats yourself, Amazon and Google offer professional installation services as well.
Click here to read our Amazon Smart Thermostat vs Ecobee comparison.
Key Features
The Amazon Smart Thermostat and Nest Thermostat allow for at-home and remote monitoring and management of your cooling and heating systems.
Part of the appeal of smart thermostats is the ability to control your home’s heating and cooling system conveniently. Both Amazon and Nest’s thermostats do this through a combination of on-device, mobile app, and voice control platforms.
While setting temperature and schedule on the device itself is easy, remotely controlling them is arguably the core of what these smart products do. Through the Alexa app, users can adjust device settings at home or outside. They can also check reports and energy savings. Amazon’s thermostat boast of Hunches, too. The feature allows the device to automatically adjust the temperature based on a user’s location derived from their phone.
Google Nest’s thermostat has similar capabilities. Through the Nest app, homeowners can manage and monitor their HVAC systems. Maintenance reminders and alerts are also sent through the platform. Thanks to a motion sensor, the Nest can even detect your presence, so it automatically illuminates when you’re near it. Geofencing also means the thermostat can determine if you’re away from home and adjust heating and cooling accordingly.
Compatibility and Integrations
Google’s Nest Thermostat has a few more integrations over the Amazon Smart Thermostat.
Google shares that its Nest Thermostat works with 85% of 24V HVAC systems. If you have an electric baseboard at home, the Nest will only work if there’s an existing 24V thermostat. The same applies to Amazon’s Smart Thermostat.
When it comes to voice controls, both the Amazon and Nest devices support Alexa. However, neither of the two have built-in speakers. To use voice command, you’ll need an Alexa-enabled device like the Echo Show or Dot. As expected, the Amazon Smart Thermostat feels more integrated with this ecosystem. But the Nest is no pushover, thanks to an existing Google Nest skill for Amazon Alexa.
Outside of Alexa, the Google Nest product has the edge. The most obvious compatibility is with Google Home and Google Assitant. Google adds that the Nest Thermostat also works with Apple’s HomeKit. Still, it’s not a native integration, so homeowners will need the Homebridge platform to connect the two systems.
Verdict
The Google Nest Thermostat has more features than its competition. However, Amazon’s Smart Thermostat offers more bang for your buck.
If you’re in the market for a budget thermostat, then Amazon and Google Nest’s respective offerings are excellent choices. The Google Nest Thermostat is an affordable alternative to its smarter sibling, the Nest Learning Thermostat. While it misses out on learning your behavior, you still get the staple monitoring and management features. It also integrates with all three smart home platforms: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit.
In contrast, the Amazon Smart Thermostat is limited to its own Alexa platform. However, given its price, you’re more or less getting the same capabilities present on the Google Nest. Apart from managing your HVAC at home, you can control your heating and cooling systems remotely. Unlike the Nest, Amazon’s thermostat can learn your behavior, too. So if you’re looking for the true budget option, Amazon’s Smart Thermostat is the best to get.
FAQs
Amazon’s Smart Thermostat is arguably the best budget model in its device category. While it’s limited to an Alexa integration, you get the same HVAC managing features as most smart thermostats. It can even learn your behavior through the Thermostat Hunches feature.
No, it doesn’t. To use the Amazon Smart Themorstat Alexa voice controls, you’ll need an Alexa-enabled device at home, like the Echo Dot or Show.
Google’s Nest Thermostat is not a touchscreen. However, its side is touch capacitive and is used for adjusting the temperature.
The Google Nest Thermostat does not have machine learning capabilities. Unlike its sibling, the Nest Learning Thermostat, the standard Nest does not learn a user’s behavior to adjust temperature settings automatically.