Smart Thermostats / Amazon Smart Thermostat vs Google Nest Thermostat (2020)
Amazon Smart Thermostat vs Google Nest Thermostat (2020)
Google Nest Thermostat (2020)
Matter-certified and usually C-wire-free, but it does not learn and takes no sensors.
Wins overall by 2.1 points
Quick Verdict
The Google Nest Thermostat (2020) is the stronger all-round pick, ahead by 2.1 points. Matter-certified and usually C-wire-free, but it does not learn and takes no sensors.
The Amazon Smart Thermostat and Google Nest Thermostat (2020) are both closely matched smart Thermostat models, and the Amazon Smart Thermostat is $50 cheaper than the Google Nest Thermostat (2020) ($79.99 vs $129.99). On C-Wire Freedom, the Google Nest Thermostat (2020) leads (8.0 vs 1.5/10) — how likely this thermostat is to run on the wiring you already have — whether it needs a common wire, and whether the workaround is in the box, sold separately, or an electrician's visit. The single biggest cause of returns in this category.. On Smart Home Integration, the Google Nest Thermostat (2020) leads (8.5 vs 3.0/10) — matter, Apple Home, Alexa and Google support — and how much each one actually exposes. On Display & On-Device Control, the Google Nest Thermostat (2020) leads (6.5 vs 3.5/10) — screen quality and how much you can do at the wall instead of in the phone app. Overall, the Google Nest Thermostat (2020) scores 6.6/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 4.5/10 for the Amazon Smart Thermostat. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Amazon Smart Thermostat | Google Nest Thermostat (2020) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 | $129.99 |
| Release Year | 2021 | 2020 |
| System Voltage | Low voltage 24V — Amazon lists conventional forced air, heat pump and radiant boiler. It does not work with 110-240V systems | Low voltage 24V only — furnaces, air conditioners, boilers and heat pumps. Not for 120/240V line-voltage heat |
| C-Wire Required | Yes, hard requirement. Every Amazon, Best Buy and utility-store listing is titled 'C-wire required' | Not in most homes, but Google's own store page states heating-only, cooling-only, zone-controlled and heat pump systems need the Nest Power Connector or a C wire |
| Adapter / Power Kit Included | No — the C-Wire Power Adapter is a separate purchase, or you buy the bundle SKU instead of this one | No — Nest Power Connector is a separate $24.99 accessory |
| Heating & Cooling Stages | Not published by Amazon. The listings say only 'most 24V heating and cooling systems (conventional forced air, heat pump, radiant boiler)' with no stage count anywhere — run Amazon's compatibility checker before buying | Google's tech-spec page lists conventional single-stage systems and heat pumps with auxiliary or emergency heat. Unlike the Learning Thermostat, it does not publish multi-stage conventional support |
| Heat Pump & Aux Heat | Listed as compatible with heat pumps. Amazon does not publish how it handles auxiliary or emergency heat | Yes, with auxiliary and emergency heat |
| Humidifier / Ventilator Terminals | None published, and no humidifier, dehumidifier or ventilator control is advertised anywhere in the listing | Not published for this model. Google lists humidifier, dehumidifier and ventilator support only on the Learning Thermostat |
| Remote Sensors | No dedicated remote sensor exists for this thermostat. Best Buy's listing states comfort zones can use select Echo devices or the Amazon Smart Air Quality Monitor as temperature inputs instead | None. Google states explicitly that the Nest Thermostat is not compatible with the Nest Temperature Sensor |
| Occupancy Detection | None at the thermostat. Away behaviour comes entirely from Alexa Hunches | Built-in motion sensor at the thermostat plus phone-location Home/Away. No remote occupancy sensing of any kind |
| Matter Support | No | Matter-certified — works with Google Home, Alexa and Apple Home |
| Voice & Smart Home Platforms | Amazon Alexa only. No Google Home, no Apple Home, no HomeKit, no SmartThings. The Alexa app is mandatory and most settings are not reachable on the thermostat screen at all | Google Home app (required), Amazon Alexa, Apple Home via Matter |
| Utility Rebates & Demand Response | ENERGY STAR certified and one of the most heavily rebated thermostats in US utility marketplaces; several utilities bundle it into demand-response enrolment | Rush Hour Rewards and Nest Renew. Google's help page also notes Seasonal Savings currently supports the Nest Thermostat (2020) and Thermostat E, nudging setpoints up to 2°F over three weeks |
| Account or Subscription Needed | No subscription, but an Amazon account and the Alexa app are required and there is no web dashboard | No subscription, but a Google account and the Google Home app are required |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | White | Snow, Charcoal, Sand, Fog |
Category Scores
C-Wire Freedom
The Google Nest Thermostat (2020) leads clearly here, 8.0 against 1.5 — a 6.5-point margin on how likely this thermostat is to run on the wiring you already have — whether it needs a common wire, and whether the workaround is in the box, sold separately, or an electrician's visit. The single biggest cause of returns in this category.. If that is what you are buying for, the Amazon Smart Thermostat does not close the gap elsewhere.
HVAC Coverage
The Google Nest Thermostat (2020) leads clearly here, 5.5 against 4.5 — a 1.0-point margin on stages of heating and cooling, heat pump and auxiliary heat handling, and humidifier / dehumidifier / ventilator terminals. If that is what you are buying for, the Amazon Smart Thermostat does not close the gap elsewhere.
Multi-Room Sensing
The Amazon Smart Thermostat leads clearly here, 2.5 against 1.5 — a 1.0-point margin on remote sensors: included or extra, how many pair, and whether they read occupancy or only temperature. If that is what you are buying for, the Google Nest Thermostat (2020) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Smart Home Integration
The Google Nest Thermostat (2020) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 3.0 — a 5.5-point margin on matter, Apple Home, Alexa and Google support — and how much each one actually exposes. If that is what you are buying for, the Amazon Smart Thermostat does not close the gap elsewhere.
Scheduling & Learning
The Google Nest Thermostat (2020) leads clearly here, 6.5 against 6.0 — a 0.5-point margin on learning, geofencing, away detection and how much of it works without babysitting the app. If that is what you are buying for, the Amazon Smart Thermostat does not close the gap elsewhere.
Display & On-Device Control
The Google Nest Thermostat (2020) leads clearly here, 6.5 against 3.5 — a 3.0-point margin on screen quality and how much you can do at the wall instead of in the phone app. If that is what you are buying for, the Amazon Smart Thermostat does not close the gap elsewhere.
Installation
The Google Nest Thermostat (2020) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 6.5 — a 2.0-point margin on wiring complexity, guided setup, and how likely a DIY install is to end in a service call. If that is what you are buying for, the Amazon Smart Thermostat does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The Amazon Smart Thermostat leads clearly here, 8.5 against 8.0 — a 0.5-point margin on what the money buys once accessories, adapters and sensors are added in. If that is what you are buying for, the Google Nest Thermostat (2020) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Amazon Smart Thermostat if…
- • You want to spend less — it's $50 cheaper.
- • Your main use case is budget.
Choose the Google Nest Thermostat (2020) if…
- • C-Wire Freedom matters most to you — the Google Nest Thermostat (2020) scores 8.0/10 here (how likely this thermostat is to run on the wiring you already have — whether it needs a common wire, and whether the workaround is in the box, sold separately, or an electrician's visit. The single biggest cause of returns in this category.).
- • Smart Home Integration matters most to you — the Google Nest Thermostat (2020) scores 8.5/10 here (matter, Apple Home, Alexa and Google support — and how much each one actually exposes).
- • Display & On-Device Control matters most to you — the Google Nest Thermostat (2020) scores 6.5/10 here (screen quality and how much you can do at the wall instead of in the phone app).
- • Installation matters most to you — the Google Nest Thermostat (2020) scores 8.5/10 here (wiring complexity, guided setup, and how likely a DIY install is to end in a service call).
- • HVAC Coverage matters most to you — the Google Nest Thermostat (2020) scores 5.5/10 here (stages of heating and cooling, heat pump and auxiliary heat handling, and humidifier / dehumidifier / ventilator terminals).
Pros & Cons
Amazon Smart Thermostat
Pros
- +$79.99 list, frequently discounted to $50-60, and rebated by more US utilities than almost anything else here
- +Honeywell Home hardware underneath, so the relay and wiring side is Resideo-grade rather than a no-name design
- +Alexa Hunches away-control works without you configuring a schedule at all
- +Trim plate included in the box, which Copeland charges extra for on the Sensi Touch 2
Cons
- −A C wire is a hard requirement and the adapter is not in the box — the real cost in a four-wire home is the thermostat plus an adapter
- −Alexa only. There is no Google Home, no Apple Home, no HomeKit and no Matter, so it is a dead end outside Amazon's ecosystem
- −Most settings are not on the thermostat itself; without a phone and the Alexa app you can barely configure it
- −No remote sensors of any kind — the Echo comfort-zone workaround is not the same as a real room sensor
- −Amazon publishes no stage count, no accessory terminals and no wiring detail, so multi-stage and heat-pump owners are buying blind
Google Nest Thermostat (2020)
Pros
- +Matter certification at $129.99 puts it in Apple Home, which no ecobee, Sensi or Amazon model here manages
- +Same Power Sharing wiring trick as the Learning Thermostat, so it usually installs without a C wire
- +Battery backup on two AAA cells — the Amazon, X2S and Sensi Touch 2 all go dark if 24V power drops
- +Cheapest way into the Google ecosystem with a real touch UI, at less than half the Learning Thermostat's list price
Cons
- −No remote sensor support at all — Google says outright it is not compatible with the Nest Temperature Sensor, so this is a one-room thermostat
- −It does not learn. Google gives it guided schedule setup instead, which is the single feature people think they are buying when they buy 'a Nest'
- −Google's spec page only claims single-stage conventional support; two-stage furnace owners should check compatibility before buying
- −No published humidifier, dehumidifier or ventilator terminals
- −1-year warranty, against 2 on the Learning Thermostat and 3 on every ecobee here
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Amazon Smart Thermostat or Google Nest Thermostat (2020) better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Google Nest Thermostat (2020) comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for C-Wire Freedom, the Amazon Smart Thermostat or the Google Nest Thermostat (2020)?+
The Google Nest Thermostat (2020) scores higher on C-Wire Freedom (8.0/10 vs 1.5/10) — how likely this thermostat is to run on the wiring you already have — whether it needs a common wire, and whether the workaround is in the box, sold separately, or an electrician's visit. The single biggest cause of returns in this category..
Which is better for Smart Home Integration, the Amazon Smart Thermostat or the Google Nest Thermostat (2020)?+
The Google Nest Thermostat (2020) scores higher on Smart Home Integration (8.5/10 vs 3.0/10) — matter, Apple Home, Alexa and Google support — and how much each one actually exposes.
Which is better for Display & On-Device Control, the Amazon Smart Thermostat or the Google Nest Thermostat (2020)?+
The Google Nest Thermostat (2020) scores higher on Display & On-Device Control (6.5/10 vs 3.5/10) — screen quality and how much you can do at the wall instead of in the phone app.
Which is better for Installation, the Amazon Smart Thermostat or the Google Nest Thermostat (2020)?+
The Google Nest Thermostat (2020) scores higher on Installation (8.5/10 vs 6.5/10) — wiring complexity, guided setup, and how likely a DIY install is to end in a service call.
Is the Amazon Smart Thermostat worth the price difference over the Google Nest Thermostat (2020)?+
The Amazon Smart Thermostat is the cheaper option at $79.99 versus $129.99. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in C-Wire Freedom.
Which is better suited to my use case?+
The Amazon Smart Thermostat is the better fit if you mainly care about budget. The Google Nest Thermostat (2020) is the better fit for matter or no-c-wire.
What's the warranty on the Amazon Smart Thermostat vs the Google Nest Thermostat (2020)?+
The Amazon Smart Thermostat ships with a 12-month warranty; the Google Nest Thermostat (2020) ships with a 12-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Cheaper Option
Sensi Lite (ST25) — $79.00
Premium Option
ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential — $139.99
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.