Smart Thermostats / Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) vs Honeywell Home X8S (X8VMC8B/U)
Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) vs Honeywell Home X8S (X8VMC8B/U)
Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen)
The only one that really learns your schedule, and it usually needs no C wire.
Wins overall by 1.1 points
Quick Verdict
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) is the stronger all-round pick, ahead by 1.1 points. The only one that really learns your schedule, and it usually needs no C wire.
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) and Honeywell Home X8S (X8VMC8B/U) are both closely matched smart Thermostat models, and the Honeywell Home X8S (X8VMC8B/U) is $20 cheaper than the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) ($219.99 vs $239.99). On C-Wire Freedom, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) leads (8.5 vs 4.5/10) — 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 Learning Thermostat (4th gen) leads (8.5 vs 6.5/10) — matter, Apple Home, Alexa and Google support — and how much each one actually exposes. On Scheduling & Learning, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) leads (9.5 vs 7.5/10) — learning, geofencing, away detection and how much of it works without babysitting the app. Overall, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) scores 8.4/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 7.3/10 for the Honeywell Home X8S (X8VMC8B/U). Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) | Honeywell Home X8S (X8VMC8B/U) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $239.99 | $219.99 |
| Release Year | 2024 | 2025 |
| System Voltage | Low voltage 24V only — gas, electric, oil, forced air, heat pump and radiant. Will not run 120/240V baseboard or radiant electric heat | Low voltage 24V. Home Depot's listing states plainly that it does not work with 120-240V electric baseboard heat |
| C-Wire Required | Not in most homes. Google's patented Power Sharing borrows power from the other wires, and the store page claims roughly 85% system compatibility — but it also states heating-only, cooling-only, zone-controlled and heat pump systems need a Nest Power Connector or a C wire | Yes — Resideo states the X8S needs a constant 24V supply through a common wire |
| Adapter / Power Kit Included | No — the Nest Power Connector is a separate $24.99 accessory, not in the box | Not in the box, but Home Depot's listing says the package contains a voucher for a free mail-in Honeywell Home C-Wire Adapter |
| Heating & Cooling Stages | Up to 3 stages of heating and cooling, plus fan speed control | Sources conflict: Resideo's own product page says up to 4 Heat/2 Cool on heat pumps or 3 Heat/4 Cool conventional, while Home Depot's listing for the same product says up to 3 Heat/2 Cool heat pump or 2 Heat/2 Cool conventional |
| Heat Pump & Aux Heat | Yes, including auxiliary and emergency heat | Yes, heat pump with electric backup |
| Humidifier / Ventilator Terminals | Humidifier, dehumidifier and ventilation (HRV/ERV) systems all supported — the widest accessory coverage of the Nest line | Resideo advertises 'advanced indoor air quality control' but notes additional HVAC equipment may be required, and publishes no plain humidifier/dehumidifier/ventilator terminal list |
| Remote Sensors | One Nest Temperature Sensor (2nd gen) included; up to 6 more. Google states all generations of the sensor work with this model | One wireless room sensor is included with the X8VMC9W and X8VWF10B SKUs only — not with this one. Up to 20 sensors per home, 200ft range, $44.99 each |
| Occupancy Detection | Soli radar senses presence and proximity at the thermostat itself, plus phone-location Home/Away. The Nest Temperature Sensor reads temperature only — it does not detect occupancy | Yes — onboard radar in the thermostat plus occupancy and presence detection in the room sensors |
| Matter Support | Matter-certified, so it appears in any Matter app including Apple Home. Google does not publish a Thread radio for this model | Matter certified, but shallow. Matter Alpha's review found the air quality readings the thermostat measures are not exposed over Matter at all, and scheduling still has to happen on the thermostat or in the First Alert app |
| Voice & Smart Home Platforms | Google Home app (required for setup and control — the standalone Nest app is retired), Amazon Alexa, Apple Home via Matter | First Alert app by Resideo (required — you cannot generate the Matter pairing code without it), Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Home via Matter |
| Utility Rebates & Demand Response | Rush Hour Rewards, run by Renew Home with your energy provider, plus Nest Renew Energy Shift. Google's own help page says Rush Hour Rewards makes adjustments 'typically up to 4°F' for 3-4 hours during demand events; enrolment is through the Google Home app | ENERGY STAR certified and rebate-eligible; Resideo pitches enrolment in utility energy-management programs |
| Account or Subscription Needed | No subscription. Learning, Savings Finder and Eco when Away are free, but a Google account and the Google Home app are mandatory | No subscription for thermostat features. A First Alert account is required, and Resideo ships several different apps which reviewers found confusing |
| Warranty | 24 months | 24 months |
| Colors | Polished Silver, Polished Obsidian, Polished Gold | Black, White |
Category Scores
C-Wire Freedom
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 4.5 — a 4.0-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 Honeywell Home X8S (X8VMC8B/U) does not close the gap elsewhere.
HVAC Coverage
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) leads clearly here, 9.5 against 8.0 — a 1.5-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 Honeywell Home X8S (X8VMC8B/U) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Multi-Room Sensing
The Honeywell Home X8S (X8VMC8B/U) leads clearly here, 9.0 against 7.5 — a 1.5-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 Learning Thermostat (4th gen) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Smart Home Integration
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 6.5 — a 2.0-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 Honeywell Home X8S (X8VMC8B/U) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Scheduling & Learning
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) leads clearly here, 9.5 against 7.5 — a 2.0-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 Honeywell Home X8S (X8VMC8B/U) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Display & On-Device Control
The Honeywell Home X8S (X8VMC8B/U) leads clearly here, 9.5 against 9.0 — a 0.5-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 Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Installation
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) leads clearly here, 8.0 against 6.0 — 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 Honeywell Home X8S (X8VMC8B/U) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The Honeywell Home X8S (X8VMC8B/U) leads clearly here, 7.0 against 6.5 — 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 Learning Thermostat (4th gen) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) if…
- • C-Wire Freedom matters most to you — the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) scores 8.5/10 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 Learning Thermostat (4th gen) scores 8.5/10 here (matter, Apple Home, Alexa and Google support — and how much each one actually exposes).
- • Scheduling & Learning matters most to you — the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) scores 9.5/10 here (learning, geofencing, away detection and how much of it works without babysitting the app).
- • Installation matters most to you — the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) scores 8.0/10 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 Learning Thermostat (4th gen) scores 9.5/10 here (stages of heating and cooling, heat pump and auxiliary heat handling, and humidifier / dehumidifier / ventilator terminals).
Choose the Honeywell Home X8S (X8VMC8B/U) if…
- • You want to spend less — it's $20 cheaper.
Pros & Cons
Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen)
Pros
- +The only thermostat here that genuinely writes its own schedule — install it and you can never open the app again
- +Runs without a C wire in most homes, which no ecobee, Sensi Touch 2, Amazon or Honeywell X-series model here can claim
- +Three stages plus humidifier, dehumidifier and ventilator terminals — the broadest HVAC coverage in this set alongside the ecobee Premium
- +Bundles a temperature sensor at a price where the $199.99 ecobee Enhanced bundles none
Cons
- −'No C wire required' carries a long asterisk: Google's own page lists heating-only, cooling-only, zone-controlled and heat pump systems as needing the $24.99 Nest Power Connector, which covers a large share of US homes
- −The bundled Nest Temperature Sensor is temperature-only — it cannot tell whether a room is occupied, which every ecobee SmartSensor can
- −Setup and control are locked to a Google account and the Google Home app; the old Nest app and Works with Nest are gone
- −Rush Hour Rewards pays you to let the utility push your setpoint by up to about 4°F for three to four hours at a time
- −Highest list price here at $279.99, on a 2-year warranty that both ecobee and Mysa beat
Honeywell Home X8S (X8VMC8B/U)
Pros
- +Up to 20 room sensors at 200ft range — more sensor coverage than any other thermostat in this comparison bar the ecobees
- +5in colour touchscreen with a customisable idle screen, and it can display a Ring or First Alert doorbell feed
- +Radar occupancy in the thermostat plus presence detection in each sensor, at $40 under the ecobee Premium
- +The C-Wire Adapter is free — by mail-in voucher — where Amazon, Copeland and ecobee's Essential all charge for theirs
Cons
- −Matter support is thin: air quality data is not exposed over Matter at all and you still cannot schedule through it
- −You must install the First Alert app just to generate the Matter code, which defeats much of the point of Matter
- −Resideo's own page and Home Depot's listing give different stage counts for the same thermostat — verify against your system before buying
- −The free C-wire adapter is a mail-in voucher, not a part in the box, so a C-wire-less install stalls until it arrives
- −Reviewers hit setup failures at launch and found the doorbell integration buried and limited to Ring and First Alert VX1
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) or Honeywell Home X8S (X8VMC8B/U) better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) 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 Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) or the Honeywell Home X8S (X8VMC8B/U)?+
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) scores higher on C-Wire Freedom (8.5/10 vs 4.5/10) — 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 Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) or the Honeywell Home X8S (X8VMC8B/U)?+
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) scores higher on Smart Home Integration (8.5/10 vs 6.5/10) — matter, Apple Home, Alexa and Google support — and how much each one actually exposes.
Which is better for Scheduling & Learning, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) or the Honeywell Home X8S (X8VMC8B/U)?+
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) scores higher on Scheduling & Learning (9.5/10 vs 7.5/10) — learning, geofencing, away detection and how much of it works without babysitting the app.
Which is better for Installation, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) or the Honeywell Home X8S (X8VMC8B/U)?+
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) scores higher on Installation (8.0/10 vs 6.0/10) — wiring complexity, guided setup, and how likely a DIY install is to end in a service call.
Is the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) worth the price difference over the Honeywell Home X8S (X8VMC8B/U)?+
The Honeywell Home X8S (X8VMC8B/U) is the cheaper option at $219.99 versus $239.99. 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 Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) is the better fit if you mainly care about no-c-wire. The Honeywell Home X8S (X8VMC8B/U) is the better fit for multi-room or matter.
What's the warranty on the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) vs the Honeywell Home X8S (X8VMC8B/U)?+
The Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) ships with a 24-month warranty; the Honeywell Home X8S (X8VMC8B/U) ships with a 24-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 Touch 2 (ST76) — $189.00
Premium Option
ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium (EB-STATE6-01) — $259.99
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.