Nest Thermostat vs Nest Learning Thermostat: Differences and which should you buy?

While the Nest Learning Thermostat has a few advantages over the cheaper Nest Thermostat, the base Nest Thermostat is likely the right choice for most people. Both options are some of the best smart thermostats on the market. Each offers convenient app controls, voice commands through Alexa and the Google Assistant, and is incredibly easy to install. As with anything you're going to wire directly into your home, you'll want to check the compatibility of both thermostats to make sure they'll work with your heating and cooling system.

Nest Thermostat vs. Nest Learning Thermostat: The breakdown

In many ways, some would say the most important ways, the Nest Learning Thermostat and the Nest Thermostat are the same thermostats. All things being equal (they both work with your HVAC system, you like the style of either), the most significant difference between the two is the price. The Nest Thermostat is around $100 less than the Learning Thermostat's base price while delivering most of the same features, and with various sales throughout the year, that gap could be much broader.

Source: Google

Honestly, the single most significant advantage that the Nest Learning Thermostat has over the Nest Thermostat is HVAC system compatibility. Spending less money on the Nest Thermostat won't do you any good if it doesn't work with your system, so you should check compatibility beforehand. But there's a good chance that both thermostats will be compatible. Unless you need Farsight, which lights up the Nest Learning Thermostat's display to show you information when the thermostat detects that you're nearby, or Nest Temperature Sensor support, I'd be hard-pressed to recommend the Learning Thermostat over the Nest Thermostat.

	Nest Learning Thermostat	Nest Thermostat
Price	$249	$130
Finishes	6 (metal)	4 (plastic)
Power	Wired	Wired
Backup Battery	Yes (internal rechargeable)	Yes (replaceable AAA)
Trim Kit	Yes (included)	Yes (not included)
Screen Size	2-inches	2.4-inches
Wi-Fi	Yes	Yes
Warranty (years)	2	1
iOS App	Yes	Yes
Android App	Yes	Yes
Web Access	Yes	Yes
Humidity sensor	Yes	Yes
Accessory control	Yes	Yes
Farsight	Yes	No
Annual fees	No	No
Temperature Sensor support	Yes	No
Learns habits over time	Yes (automatic adjustments)	Yes (suggestions only)
Works with Amazon Alexa	Yes	Yes
Google Assistant support	Yes	Yes
HomeKit-enabled	No	No
Amazon Alexa built-in	No	No

Given the similarities, unless you need Farsight or a thermostat with a metal casing, assuming that it's compatible with your HVAC system, get the Nest Thermostat. It's less expensive while providing most of the same features as the Learning Thermostat. And honestly, it'll likely blend into the rest of your home better, assuming that's something you want.

If you like the styling and color options available for the Learning Thermostat, want full-blown learning functionality, or the Nest Thermostat doesn't work with your system, then, by all means, get the Learning Thermostat. But unless you need to take advantage of one of the capabilities that it possesses and need the extra year of warranty, pick up the base Nest Thermostat.