Google Nest Thermostat EFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 37 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment24%
PROS 24%
CONS 76%

Rank based on 37 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a budget-friendly smart thermostat with a minimal, blend-in look
  • Your HVAC system has a common (C) wire or you're willing to add one
  • You want the remote sensor feature to balance temperature between rooms

What users love

Skip this if...

  • Your system lacks a C-wire and you don't want to deal with charging/power errors
  • You prefer the sharper display and premium look of the stainless steel Learning Thermostat
  • You need humidifier control, which the E does not support

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Honeywell Home T9
Helpful installation videosRoom sensor priority switchingHome automation integrationSensor pairing failuresNo Apple HomeKit supportHardware and display defects
Honeywell Home T9
Helpful installation videos
Room sensor priority switching
Home automation integration
Sensor pairing failures
No Apple HomeKit support
Hardware and display defects
2Mid
Honeywell RTH8580WF
Fixable Connector IssuesCommunity Setup Guidance HelpfulAdjustable Temperature GraphsFrequent WiFi Connection Lost ErrorsLoose Internal HardwareConfusing Initial Setup
Honeywell RTH8580WF
Fixable Connector Issues
Community Setup Guidance Helpful
Adjustable Temperature Graphs
Frequent WiFi Connection Lost Errors
Loose Internal Hardware
Confusing Initial Setup
3Budget
Sonoff TRVZB
Strong Home Assistant / Zigbee integrationAffordable price and valueQuiet operation for some usersOnly on/off valve control, no position modulationNoise complaints from many unitsNo external sensor pairing or temperature offset
Sonoff TRVZB
Strong Home Assistant / Zigbee integration
Affordable price and value
Quiet operation for some users
Only on/off valve control, no position modulation
Noise complaints from many units
No external sensor pairing or temperature offset
4Mid
Honeywell RTH9585WF
Easy DIY installation with video guidanceGood value at discount pricingConvenient WiFi and app controlConfusing wiring for non-standard setupsC-wire dependency causes installation headachesFan won't shut off properly
Honeywell RTH9585WF
Easy DIY installation with video guidance
Good value at discount pricing
Convenient WiFi and app control
Confusing wiring for non-standard setups
C-wire dependency causes installation headaches
Fan won't shut off properly
5Mid
Honeywell Lyric T5
Straightforward Wi-Fi thermostat installationApp-based remote temperature controlAutomatic heat/cool changeover availableDifficulty setting up Wi-Fi and finding CRC codeInconsistent HVAC controlWi-Fi connectivity and 'offline' issues
Honeywell Lyric T5
Straightforward Wi-Fi thermostat installation
App-based remote temperature control
Automatic heat/cool changeover available
Difficulty setting up Wi-Fi and finding CRC code
Inconsistent HVAC control
Wi-Fi connectivity and 'offline' issues
6
Honeywell RTH6580WF
Factory reset recovers stuck unitsHelps catch tampering or misconfigurationSimple once configured correctlyLockout and other settings hard to locateConfusing system-type configurationWi-Fi and screen reliability issues
Honeywell RTH6580WF
Factory reset recovers stuck units
Helps catch tampering or misconfiguration
Simple once configured correctly
Lockout and other settings hard to locate
Confusing system-type configuration
Wi-Fi and screen reliability issues
7Mid
Honeywell Home T4 Pro
Effective once properly configuredAdjustable via ISU advanced settings7-day programmable schedulingConfusing setup and poor manualCycling and fan running issuesTemperature control and sensor problems
Honeywell Home T4 Pro
Effective once properly configured
Adjustable via ISU advanced settings
7-day programmable scheduling
Confusing setup and poor manual
Cycling and fan running issues
Temperature control and sensor problems
8Premium
Google Nest Learning Thermostat
Easy InstallationGood Value with DiscountsAttractive, Well-Built DesignWiring and Compatibility ConfusionUnreliable Software and SchedulingDiscontinued Support for Older Generations
Google Nest Learning Thermostat
Easy Installation
Good Value with Discounts
Attractive, Well-Built Design
Wiring and Compatibility Confusion
Unreliable Software and Scheduling
Discontinued Support for Older Generations
9Budget
Sonoff TRV
Affordable priceEasy Home Assistant/Zigbee integrationAdaptive mode improves quiet operation and efficiencyOn/off-only valve controlMotor noise during operationConnectivity and pairing issues
Sonoff TRV
Affordable price
Easy Home Assistant/Zigbee integration
Adaptive mode improves quiet operation and efficiency
On/off-only valve control
Motor noise during operation
Connectivity and pairing issues
10Mid
Honeywell Home T3
Helpful once understoodFlexible scheduling conceptReset resolves some display/mode glitchesConfusing wiring for heat pump/aux systemsConfusing programming/schedule logicShort-cycling behavior
Honeywell Home T3
Helpful once understood
Flexible scheduling concept
Reset resolves some display/mode glitches
Confusing wiring for heat pump/aux systems
Confusing programming/schedule logic
Short-cycling behavior
You are here
15Mid
Google Nest Thermostat E
Works well once installed correctlyBudget-friendly smart thermostatMinimal, blend-in designConfusing wiring compatibilityDisliked new designPost-install HVAC malfunctions
Google Nest Thermostat E
Works well once installed correctly
Budget-friendly smart thermostat
Minimal, blend-in design
Confusing wiring compatibility
Disliked new design
Post-install HVAC malfunctions

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Installation is the biggest hurdle for many buyers. Comments describe confusion mapping old wiring (R, RC, RH, Y, G, W, O/B) to the Nest's terminals, conflicting answers between the online and in-app compatibility checkers, and unclear wiring diagrams. Several users needed tech support, some waited over an hour, and outcomes varied from smooth installs to units that wouldn't power the AC, heater, or fan at all afterward.

The unit often needs a hidden charging period before it works. Multiple commenters found their new thermostat displaying a 'shutting down' message out of the box, only later realizing it needed 15 to 60 minutes charging via USB or from HVAC power before setup could proceed. Users felt Google's manual and setup video failed to mention this, causing needless troubleshooting and frustration during initial installation.

Design opinions on the frosted display are sharply divided. Some commenters called the minimal, blended-into-the-wall look 'flawless' and appreciated it not looking like a bright, tablet-like gadget. Others strongly disliked the change from the steel Learning Thermostat's crisp display, describing the E as cheap, plastic, Ikea-like, or resembling a toy, feeling it signaled a budget compromise rather than genuine design improvement.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?