Google Nest thermostats look similar, and share similar software, but there are some important differences that you’ll need to know for troubleshooting, installation and more. You can look at the display, the base, or in the Nest app to find out which Nest thermostat you have.
| Nest Thermostat |
Nest Thermostat E |
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Nest Learning Thermostat 4th gen |
Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd gen |
Nest Learning Thermostat 2nd gen |
Nest Learning Thermostat 1st gen |
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Differences in the ring and display
| Nest Thermostat |
Nest Thermostat E |
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| Mirrored screen | Translucent white screen |
| 3.19 in (8.1 cm) diameter around display | 3.19 in (8.1 cm) diameter around display |
| Touch bar on the right side of the ring: comes in different colors (Refer to the colors below). | White plastic ring |
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Nest Learning Thermostat 4th gen |
Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd gen |
Nest Learning Thermostat 2nd gen |
Nest Learning Thermostat 1st gen |
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Large screen 2.68 in (6.81 cm) 600x600 24-bit color 60 fps illuminated screen diameter |
Large screen 3.25 in (8.26 cm) illuminated screen diameter |
Small screen 1.8 in (4.57 cm) illuminated screen diameter |
Small screen 1.8 in(4.57 cm) illuminated screen diameter |
| 2.68 in (6.81 cm) | 3.3 in (8.4 cm) | 3.27 in (8.3 cm) | |
| A rotating bangle & push button |
Stainless steel ring: also comes in different colors (Refer to the colors below). |
Stainless steel ring | Seam on stainless steel ring |
The Nest Thermostat comes in different colors. If you have a thermostat that looks like one of the thermostats below, you have a Nest Thermostat.
The Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) and the Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd gen) stainless steel ring can also be in different colors.
The Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) is available in the colors below.
| Polished Silver | Polished Gold | Polished Obsidian |
The Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd gen) is available in the colors below.
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Copper |
White |
Black |
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| Brass | Polished steel | Mirror black |
Differences in the thermostat base
If looking at the display isn’t enough to tell you which thermostat you have, you can also pull off the display and look at the base. You should be able to tell right away. Refer to the table below for key differences between the different Nest thermostat bases.
| Nest Thermostat | Nest Thermostat E |
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| 6 wire connectors | 6 wire connectors |
| Blue bubble level on top | Blue bubble level on top |
| Screw holes at the top and bottom | Screw holes at the top and bottom |
| Rectangular display connectors on the left and right sides | Oval display connector at bottom |
| Oval wire hole | Circular wire hole |
| Color of base will match color of display |
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Nest Learning Thermostat 4th gen |
Nest Learning 3rd gen |
Nest Learning 2nd gen |
Nest Learning 1st gen |
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| 12 wire connectors | 10 wire connectors | 10 wire connectors | 8 wire connectors in straight rows |
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Green bubble level on top |
Blue bubble level on top |
Yellow bubble level on bottom |
Yellow bubble level on top |
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Screw holes at top and bottom |
Screw holes at top and bottom |
Screw holes at top and bottom |
Screw holes on left and right sides |
| Oval display connector at bottom | Oval display connector at bottom |
Rectangular display connector at bottom |
Rectangular display connector at bottom |
| Circular wire hole | Circular wire hole | Circular wire hole | Rectangular wire hole |
Different thermostat model parts are not interchangeable
- As long as the thermostat base is from the same model, generation, and country or region as the thermostat display, you can swap bases and displays.
- The displays and bases of various thermostat models are not interchangeable, even though they may look similar.
- WARNING: If you attempt to connect parts from different thermostat models, it may damage your thermostat and your system.
- The display connector on the thermostat base is different for all 3 generations of the Nest Learning Thermostat. In addition, the connectors for the system wires are different between thermostat models.
High voltage and low voltage parts are incompatible
Some countries (such as the UK, France, and The Netherlands) use high voltage wiring for thermostats while others (such as the US and Canada) use low voltage wiring. High voltage and low voltage thermostat parts are not compatible with each other, and should not be used together.
WARNING: Any attempt to connect low and high voltage thermostat parts may damage them and your system. Do not mix and match these bases and displays, even if the thermostats are the same model and generation.
You can tell which type of base you have by looking at the wire connectors:
- Low voltage wiring: 6 or 8 connectors, labeled with letters like Y1, W1 and C.
- High voltage wiring: 2 connectors, labeled with T1 and T2, or not labeled at all.
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Low voltage wiring (example) |
High voltage wiring (example) |
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