Nest Thermostat Review: Is the Thermostat E Really Better Than the Rest?

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Nest Thermostat Review - Front of unit
Best Nest Thermostat Review:

Did you know that your home’s HVAC system accounts for 40% of your total energy use at home? That means leaving the heating on all day – even when you’re not home – costs you dearly. But what are you supposed to do? Go home to a cold house after work or worse, let your pipes freeze during extreme temperatures?

No, you shouldn’t. And you don’t have to.

Modern thermostats began to allow homeowners to set timed heating schedules in the past few years. While these schedules are great, they don’t solve the problems present by inclement weather or our increasingly busy lives. You can’t change the schedule if you’re not there to physically reset the thermostat.

Nest aimed to fix this issue with its smart wi-fi thermostats. These products, part of their wider smart home range, allow you to view and change your temperature settings from the mobile app on your phone or computer via any wi-fi connection or wi-fi network, or through a cellular internet connection wherever you are in the world. The first model, the Thermostat Learning, was renowned for being a best in class product. Today, the Thermostat E has all but taken over the market including Nest’s own product range.

Is the Nest Thermostat E everything it’s said to be? We think so. Let us tell you why in our Nest Thermostat E review:

Nest Thermostat Review: What Is the Nest Thermostat E and How Does It Work?

What is the Nest Thermostat E? The Nest Thermostat E Is a smart thermostat and the second of Nest’s offerings in the category. Smart thermostats save you both money and worry because it turns itself off when you’re out of the house and allows you to control the settings right from your mobile device.

All you need is the Thermostat E and the Nest app to control the temperature of your house wherever you are – in the house or out of it.

Nest’s product offers a few primary functions:
  • Remote control of your HVAC system
  • Detailed stats about filters and other system parts
  • Knowledge of your home’s energy history
  • Ability for anyone in your house to safely work your temperature control systems

Ultimately, Nest promises that the Thermostat E will save you energy and money: up to 15% on cooling and 10 to 12% on heating for a total of $131 to $145 each year.

Using the app and device, you’ll be able to:
  • Turn down heating/cooling automatically via the mobile app when you leave the house through the use of the phone’s GPS
  • Set up a heating and cooling schedule with the app, multi-stage heating scheduling
  • Save money on energy usage while enjoying a more temperate home using eco mode
Here are the specs for product:
  • Height: 1.14 in
  • Diameter: 3.19 in
  • Color: White
  • Screen: 24-bit color LCD; 1.76 diameter
  • Available Languages: English, French, Spanish, Dutch, Italian
  • Sensors: Ambient light, Humidity, Occupancy, Proximity, Temperature
  • Battery: Built-in rechargable lithium-ion battery
  • Warranty: 1 year

Additionally, the Nest Thermostat E is compatible with 85% of 24v heating and cooling systems. It works with electric, gas, heat pump, radiant, forced air, solar, hot water, and geothermal HVAC systems.

You can use the Nest Thermostat E with or without a common wire, but you may find that installing a common wire is required for operation.

Nest offers a compatibility checking app, so you can see if your home is a good fit before you try it out.

How to Use a Nest Thermostat E

How to use a Nest E Thermostat: Like most smart thermostats on the market, the Nest Thermostat E requires two essential parts: the thermostat itself and the mobile app.

Using the app on your mobile device or computer, you’ll find yourself entirely in control of your home’s HVAC system. The remote control allows you to check the temperature of the room or set or reset the schedule on your HVAC system. It also provides you with an overview of your Energy History to see not only how much your schedule is saving you but ways to optimize your energy use and save more using multi-stage heating and eco mode.

The app also has a setting that provides data about your system. It lets you know about problems with your system and when your filters get old. This is important because while a smart thermostat will help you save, it won’t offset the costs of an inefficient HVAC system. Reminders to clean or switch filters are helpful because they actually help you achieve an all-in-one truly smart system.

Finally, there’s a setting for family accounts. One family member isn’t in charge of the thermostat; each member of the family can get involved.

While the Nest Thermostat E does a lot of good on its own, there’s a new feature that comes separately: the Nest Temperature Sensor. This is similar to the remote sensor offered by Ecobee and it allows you to solely target one room of the house more effectively rather than adjusting your system as a whole.

What Makes the Nest Thermostat E Unique?

What are the benefits of the Nest E Thermostat? The Thermostat E is unique to both other Nest products and other available smart thermostats in both looks and operation.

First, let’s talk about the differences between the Nest Thermostat E and the flagship model the Nest Learning Thermostat.

As the budget product, the Nest Thermostat E comes with fewer options and a few downgrades. It’s available only in a white, polycarbonate ceramic-feel finish whereas the Learning model comes in white, black, copper, and stainless steel with a polished metal finish, which provides a more high-end look.

Additionally, Nest swapped out the high-resolution color display for a frosted display in the E, but some people enjoy the frosted display more because it’s more likely to blend into the wall. The E is also slightly smaller in diameter.

Here’s where the differences begin to impact functionality. The E doesn’t include the Farsight feature, which shows you the weather, time, or room temperature from across the room. More importantly, while the Learning thermostat works with 95% of HVAC systems, the E only works with 85% of air conditioner systems currently in homes. You’ll need to use Nests’ compatibility check to see if it’s the right option for you.

Still, both the Learning and the E work with Google Assistant and Alexa and both use the same Nest app controlled from a proprietary Nest account, so the use of the actual system isn’t deeply impacted by these changes.

How It Differs From Competitors

Nest is different from its competitors because it has greater functionality and offers a higher value proposition. Added features like family accounts, the remote sensor, and monitoring of the health of your HVAC system are all features that aren’t found in many other products.

Additionally, Nest differs from its competitors in that it can be integrated within the wider Nest ecosystem of products. For example, the Nest Thermostat E will communicate with the Nest Protect if smoke is detected. The Protect alerts the Thermostat, and the Thermostat turns off the HVAC system to prevent heat or fire from spreading throughout your home.

Nest is also different from its competition because it offers simple installation across 85% of home HVAC systems. Other competitors, like Ecobee, haven’t mastered the DIY installation yet and while they offer kits with wires and instructions, competing products still struggle to match the easy installation offered by Nest.

Pricing

Price is the biggest differentiator between the Nest Thermostat E and other products. Nest offers a full retail price of $169 for the E, which is significantly less expensive than the $249 price point for the Nest Learning Thermostat, which has a few additional cosmetic features.

The Nest Thermostat E is also priced lower while offering more features than other products like the Emerson Sensi Touch, which has far less functionality and the Ecobee 4, one of the few other thermostats offering Alexa compatibility.

Public Perception

Gadget lovers and general consumers alike have made Nest their darling, and it is one of the most recognizable brand names in smart home electronics. While the public loved the Nest Thermostat, Nest Thermostat E reviews often ask the same question: who would buy a more expensive system when you get so much with the E model?

Nest introduced the E at a lower price point as part of an attempt at improving sales and shipping as many as three times as many units over the next few years. With a lower price point, the E should have helped them accomplish this. Instead, the Thermostat E could potentially cannibalize the original, more expensive product because it offers so many of the same features, and most importantly, saves money, without making major sacrifices.

In fact, some publications say that the original Nest thermostat isn’t the best product that Nest offers: it’s the Thermostat E.

What We Think

We agree with the consensus: if you’re not particularly attached to the look of the original Nest thermostat, then there’s no reason not to save a bundle and choose the Nest Thermostat E. It offers the same functionality as the original for half the price. Of course, if the Thermostat E doesn’t fit your HVAC system and the original version does, then your choice is already made.

But in most cases, we agree with the consensus. Why not spend the money you save on a few more remote sensors?

Coupons and Deals

Head over to Nest’s website and enter your zip code to find out whether there is a rebate or reward program available in your state to walk away with a Nest product for less.

Best Nest Thermostat Review: Did you know that your home’s HVAC system accounts for 40% of your total energy use at home? That means leaving the heating on all day – even when you’re not home – costs you dearly. But what are you supposed to do? Go home to a cold house after work or worse, let your pipes freeze during extreme temperatures?

No, you shouldn’t. And you don’t have to.

Modern thermostats began to allow homeowners to set timed heating schedules in the past few years. While these schedules are great, they don’t solve the problems present by inclement weather or our increasingly busy lives. You can’t change the schedule if you’re not there to physically reset the thermostat.

Nest aimed to fix this issue with its smart wi-fi thermostats. These products, part of their wider smart home range, allow you to view and change your temperature settings from the mobile app on your phone or computer via any wi-fi connection or wi-fi network, or through a cellular internet connection wherever you are in the world. The first model, the Thermostat Learning, was renowned for being a best in class product. Today, the Thermostat E has all but taken over the market including Nest’s own product range.

Is the Nest Thermostat E everything it’s said to be? We think so. Let us tell you why in our Nest Thermostat E review:

Nest Thermostat Review: What Is the Nest Thermostat E and How Does It Work?

What is the Nest Thermostat E? The Nest Thermostat E Is a smart thermostat and the second of Nest’s offerings in the category. Smart thermostats save you both money and worry because it turns itself off when you’re out of the house and allows you to control the settings right from your mobile device.

All you need is the Thermostat E and the Nest app to control the temperature of your house wherever you are – in the house or out of it.

Nest’s product offers a few primary functions:

  • Remote control of your HVAC system
  • Detailed stats about filters and other system parts
  • Knowledge of your home’s energy history
  • Ability for anyone in your house to safely work your temperature control systems

Ultimately, Nest promises that the Thermostat E will save you energy and money: up to 15% on cooling and 10 to 12% on heating for a total of $131 to $145 each year.

Using the app and device, you’ll be able to:

  • Turn down heating/cooling automatically via the mobile app when you leave the house through the use of the phone’s GPS
  • Set up a heating and cooling schedule with the app, multi-stage heating scheduling
  • Save money on energy usage while enjoying a more temperate home using eco mode

Here are the specs for product:

  • Height: 1.14 in
  • Diameter: 3.19 in
  • Color: White
  • Screen: 24-bit color LCD; 1.76 diameter
  • Available Languages: English, French, Spanish, Dutch, Italian
  • Sensors: Ambient light, Humidity, Occupancy, Proximity, Temperature
  • Battery: Built-in rechargable lithium-ion battery
  • Warranty: 1 year

Additionally, the Nest Thermostat E is compatible with 85% of 24v heating and cooling systems. It works with electric, gas, heat pump, radiant, forced air, solar, hot water, and geothermal HVAC systems.

You can use the Nest Thermostat E with or without a common wire, but you may find that installing a common wire is required for operation.

Nest offers a compatibility checking app, so you can see if your home is a good fit before you try it out.

How to Use a Nest Thermostat E

How to use a Nest E Thermostat: Like most smart thermostats on the market, the Nest Thermostat E requires two essential parts: the thermostat itself and the mobile app.

Using the app on your mobile device or computer, you’ll find yourself entirely in control of your home’s HVAC system. The remote control allows you to check the temperature of the room or set or reset the schedule on your HVAC system. It also provides you with an overview of your Energy History to see not only how much your schedule is saving you but ways to optimize your energy use and save more using multi-stage heating and eco mode.

The app also has a setting that provides data about your system. It lets you know about problems with your system and when your filters get old. This is important because while a smart thermostat will help you save, it won’t offset the costs of an inefficient HVAC system. Reminders to clean or switch filters are helpful because they actually help you achieve an all-in-one truly smart system.

Finally, there’s a setting for family accounts. One family member isn’t in charge of the thermostat; each member of the family can get involved.

While the Nest Thermostat E does a lot of good on its own, there’s a new feature that comes separately: the Nest Temperature Sensor. This is similar to the remote sensor offered by Ecobee and it allows you to solely target one room of the house more effectively rather than adjusting your system as a whole.

glasses thermostat

What Makes the Nest Thermostat E Unique?

What are the benefits of the Nest E Thermostat? The Thermostat E is unique to both other Nest products and other available smart thermostats in both looks and operation.

First, let’s talk about the differences between the Nest Thermostat E and the flagship model the Nest Learning Thermostat.

As the budget product, the Nest Thermostat E comes with fewer options and a few downgrades. It’s available only in a white, polycarbonate ceramic-feel finish whereas the Learning model comes in white, black, copper, and stainless steel with a polished metal finish, which provides a more high-end look.

Additionally, Nest swapped out the high-resolution color display for a frosted display in the E, but some people enjoy the frosted display more because it’s more likely to blend into the wall. The E is also slightly smaller in diameter.

Here’s where the differences begin to impact functionality. The E doesn’t include the Farsight feature, which shows you the weather, time, or room temperature from across the room. More importantly, while the Learning thermostat works with 95% of HVAC systems, the E only works with 85% of air conditioner systems currently in homes. You’ll need to use Nests’ compatibility check to see if it’s the right option for you.

Still, both the Learning and the E work with Google Assistant and Alexa and both use the same Nest app controlled from a proprietary Nest account, so the use of the actual system isn’t deeply impacted by these changes.

How It Differs From Competitors

Nest is different from its competitors because it has greater functionality and offers a higher value proposition. Added features like family accounts, the remote sensor, and monitoring of the health of your HVAC system are all features that aren’t found in many other products.

Additionally, Nest differs from its competitors in that it can be integrated within the wider Nest ecosystem of products. For example, the Nest Thermostat E will communicate with the Nest Protect if smoke is detected. The Protect alerts the Thermostat, and the Thermostat turns off the HVAC system to prevent heat or fire from spreading throughout your home.

Nest is also different from its competition because it offers simple installation across 85% of home HVAC systems. Other competitors, like Ecobee, haven’t mastered the DIY installation yet and while they offer kits with wires and instructions, competing products still struggle to match the easy installation offered by Nest.

Pricing

Price is the biggest differentiator between the Nest Thermostat E and other products. Nest offers a full retail price of $169 for the E, which is significantly less expensive than the $249 price point for the Nest Learning Thermostat, which has a few additional cosmetic features.

The Nest Thermostat E is also priced lower while offering more features than other products like the Emerson Sensi Touch, which has far less functionality and the Ecobee 4, one of the few other thermostats offering Alexa compatibility.

Public Perception

Gadget lovers and general consumers alike have made Nest their darling, and it is one of the most recognizable brand names in smart home electronics. While the public loved the Nest Thermostat, Nest Thermostat E reviews often ask the same question: who would buy a more expensive system when you get so much with the E model?

Nest introduced the E at a lower price point as part of an attempt at improving sales and shipping as many as three times as many units over the next few years. With a lower price point, the E should have helped them accomplish this. Instead, the Thermostat E could potentially cannibalize the original, more expensive product because it offers so many of the same features, and most importantly, saves money, without making major sacrifices.

In fact, some publications say that the original Nest thermostat isn’t the best product that Nest offers: it’s the Thermostat E.

What We Think

We agree with the consensus: if you’re not particularly attached to the look of the original Nest thermostat, then there’s no reason not to save a bundle and choose the Nest Thermostat E. It offers the same functionality as the original for half the price. Of course, if the Thermostat E doesn’t fit your HVAC system and the original version does, then your choice is already made.

But in most cases, we agree with the consensus. Why not spend the money you save on a few more remote sensors?

wall thermostat temperature

Coupons and Deals

Head over to Nest’s website and enter your zip code to find out whether there is a rebate or reward program available in your state to walk away with a Nest product for less.