Google Nest Thermostat 4th Generation vs 3rd Generation: What's the Difference?

Google replaced its flagship smart thermostat in 2024, so the Nest thermostat 4th generation vs 3rd generation comparison is worth understanding before you spend anything. 

The 4th gen brings a bigger display, Matter support, and a redesigned look, but it also costs more and keeps the same “learning” approach that countless customers complain about. It’s also more expensive. So, is it worth the upgrade?

You can learn more about the Nest 3rd Gen vs 4th Gen comparison below, including how Mysa’s smart thermostat skips the guesswork and just runs the schedule you set for way less. Just $159 with Matter and ENERGY STAR certification built in. See how it stacks up below:

Nest Thermostat 4th Generation vs 3rd Generation (Fast Facts With Mysa)

Google Nest Thermostat 3rd vs 4th Generation: What Changed?

Nine years passed between the two releases, so you can expect some serious changes. Here's what actually moved between the Google Nest thermostat 3rd vs 4th generation.

Design

The 3rd gen's stainless steel ring and rotating dial defined what a smart thermostat looked like for the better part of a decade. But that all changed in the latest iteration.

The 4th gen features a borderless, edge-to-edge display that sits flatter against the wall. The screen is 60% bigger, with customizable clock faces that turn the thermostat into a small ambient display. Google redesigned the trim plate to cover old thermostat marks. 

The Google Nest thermostat 3rd vs 4th generation couldn't look more different next to each other on a wall.

Features

Both generations run Nest's learning algorithm - for better or worse. This technology watches your temperature adjustments and tries to build a schedule on its own based on what it assumes you want.

The 4th gen claims to have improved the machine learning element, but the core concept hasn't changed. The thermostat makes its best guess about what comfort means to you at a given time. That’s a sticking point on both models if you prefer setting your own schedule. You can learn more about the Nest Learning Thermostat vs Nest Thermostat in our blog.

The 4th gen also swaps the 3rd gen's basic activity sensor for Soli radar. It actually reads presence rather than just interpreting based on motion. Google also bundles a temperature sensor so you can monitor a second room out of the box. The 3rd gen sold that separately. This alone adds real value when comparing features across the Nest thermostat 4th generation vs 3rd generation.

Smart Home Compatibility

This is where the generational gap is widest between the Nest 3rd gen vs 4th gen. The 3rd gen works with Google Home and Alexa - and that's it. No Apple HomeKit or Matter protocol. The 3rd gen is a dead end if you're in an Apple household or building around the Matter standard.

In contrast, the 4th gen adds Matter and Thread support, opening the door to HomeKit and any future Matter smart thermostat ecosystem. That's a massive upgrade for cross-platform households. It's also the bare minimum for a premium thermostat in 2026 and beyond. 

Cost

The 3rd gen originally retailed at $249 and is now discontinued. You can find remaining stock or refurbished units at lower prices, but availability is unpredictable and warranty coverage may be limited. 

So what are you going to pay for the latest and greatest Google Nest? The 4th gen lists at $279.99 - a $30 increase. It’s honestly a small price to pay for a larger display, included sensor, and Matter support.

But if we’re being totally honest, $279.99 puts the Nest 4th gen at the top of the market for consumer smart thermostats. It’s pretty expensive. Alternatives like the Mysa Smart Thermostat deliver Matter certification, ENERGY STAR compliance, and straightforward scheduling for $120 less!

This is to say that the Nest thermostat 4th generation vs 3rd generation price jump is just one piece of the puzzle if you're deciding where to spend your budget. The real question is whether either Nest justifies the price against what else is available.

Is it Worth Upgrading?

Probably not if you're on a 3rd gen Nest and it's still working well. Your heating and cooling won't improve just because the display got bigger. The case for upgrading comes down to two things: 

1. Matter support 
2. The included sensor

If you've been locked out of HomeKit or want to integrate with a Matter-based smart home, the 4th gen solves that. If you've wanted room sensors but never bought the add-on, the 4th gen bundles one in.

But what if the learning behavior is what's bothered you about the 3rd gen? The frustration that comes with the thermostat changing your schedule, making decisions you didn't ask for, or running heating cycles at odd hours won’t get fixed by the 4th gen. It doubles down on it. 

That's a design philosophy difference, and no amount of hardware upgrades changes it. The Google Nest thermostat 3rd vs 4th generation share the same fundamental approach: the thermostat thinks it knows better than you do. 

What Makes Mysa a Better Smart Thermostat Than Any Generation Nest?

Mysa’s wifi smart thermostat was built around a different idea: you set the schedule, and it runs exactly that schedule. No learning algorithms overriding your preferences. No mystery adjustments at 2 AM. No more feeling like your thermostat was fighting you instead of helping you.

Mysa is Matter certified, ENERGY STAR certified, and works with Google Home, Alexa, and Apple HomeKit. It comes with a built-in humidity sensor, 30-minute runtime tracking with two full years of history (Nest only shows the last two weeks), and geofencing that adjusts temperature based on when you leave and return. All of that at $159, with no subscription required.

It’s the Nest thermostat alternative that gives you full control without the learning behavior. And if you're comparing Nest vs Ecobee, Nest thermostat vs Honeywell thermostat, or Amazon smart thermostat vs Nest, this Energy Star smart thermostat outperforms them all. 

Don’t just take our word for it, though. See what Mysa can do for your home and energy bill!

Wrapping Up Our Nest 3rd Gen vs 4th Gen Comparison

The Nest thermostat 4th generation vs 3rd generation comes down to a bigger screen, Matter support, an included room sensor, and better presence detection - at a $30 premium over the original price. 

The 4th gen is a clear upgrade if you're already invested in Google Home and you like the learning approach. But the Mysa Smart Thermostat is a simpler, less expensive path to the same smart home integration without the learning behavior if you're not sold on the Google Nest philosophy. 

The Nest 3rd gen vs 4th gen comparison matters, but so does asking whether Nest is the right answer in the first place. Learn more about Mysa today before you make any decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a 3rd and 4th generation Nest Thermostat?

The 4th gen has a 60% larger borderless display, Soli radar for presence detection, Matter and HomeKit support, an included temperature sensor. The 3rd gen uses a stainless steel rotating ring design, lacks Matter and HomeKit, and uses a basic motion sensor instead of radar. The Nest thermostat 4th generation vs 3rd generation gap is clearest in smart homes.

Is Nest 3rd gen discontinued?

Yes. Google discontinued the Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd generation when the 4th gen launched in 2024. You can still find the old version from some retailers and refurbished units online, but official production has ended and warranty support may be limited. The 4th gen is your only new option if you're weighing the Nest 3rd gen vs 4th gen.

Is it worth upgrading to Nest Gen 4?

Only if you need Matter support, HomeKit integration, or a room sensor. There's no performance difference in actual heating and cooling if your 3rd gen works fine and you don't need those features. The Nest thermostat 4th generation vs 3rd generation upgrade is about future-proofing and ecosystem compatibility more than anything else.

What thermostat should I upgrade to if I still have a 1st or 2nd generation Nest Thermostat?

You're making a bigger jump if you're upgrading from a 1st or 2nd gen Nest, and it's a good time to consider whether you want to stick with Nest's learning approach or try something different. Mysa’s Smart Thermostat is $159, supports Matter, HomeKit, Google Home, and Alexa, and lets you set schedules that stay exactly where you put them. It's the move if the “smart” in your old Nest always felt like it was working against you.