Smart Thermostats / Google Nest Thermostat (2020) vs Honeywell Home X2S (RTH2CWF)
Google Nest Thermostat (2020) vs Honeywell Home X2S (RTH2CWF)
Google Nest Thermostat (2020)
Matter-certified and usually C-wire-free, but it does not learn and takes no sensors.
Wins overall by 1.5 points
Quick Verdict
A 1.5-point gap makes the Google Nest Thermostat (2020) the straightforward choice here. Matter-certified and usually C-wire-free, but it does not learn and takes no sensors.
The Google Nest Thermostat (2020) and Honeywell Home X2S (RTH2CWF) are both closely matched smart Thermostat models, and the Honeywell Home X2S (RTH2CWF) 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 1.0/10) — 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 6.5/10) — 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 5.0/10) — 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 5.1/10 for the Honeywell Home X2S (RTH2CWF). 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 Thermostat (2020) | Honeywell Home X2S (RTH2CWF) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129.99 | $79.99 |
| Release Year | 2020 | 2025 |
| System Voltage | Low voltage 24V only — furnaces, air conditioners, boilers and heat pumps. Not for 120/240V line-voltage heat | Low voltage 24V. Resideo states it does not work with electric baseboard heat at 120-240V |
| 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 | Yes, hard requirement. Resideo states a constant 24V C-wire supply is needed and the X2S is not battery powered |
| Adapter / Power Kit Included | No — Nest Power Connector is a separate $24.99 accessory | No adapter of any kind is included |
| Heating & Cooling Stages | 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 | Up to 2 Heat/2 Cool conventional |
| Heat Pump & Aux Heat | Yes, with auxiliary and emergency heat | Yes — up to 2 Heat/1 Cool heat pump with electric backup |
| Humidifier / Ventilator Terminals | Not published for this model. Google lists humidifier, dehumidifier and ventilator support only on the Learning Thermostat | None published. Humidity is monitored and displayed, not controlled |
| Remote Sensors | None. Google states explicitly that the Nest Thermostat is not compatible with the Nest Temperature Sensor | None. There is no room sensor option for this model |
| Occupancy Detection | Built-in motion sensor at the thermostat plus phone-location Home/Away. No remote occupancy sensing of any kind | None. Away behaviour comes from geofencing in the First Alert app |
| Matter Support | Matter-certified — works with Google Home, Alexa and Apple Home | Matter certified — but Matter Alpha's reviewer could see temperature, humidity and mode in SmartThings and could not get setpoint changes to take effect, which breaks the automations Matter is meant to enable |
| Voice & Smart Home Platforms | Google Home app (required), Amazon Alexa, Apple Home via Matter | First Alert app by Resideo (required for setup and to generate the Matter code), Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Home via Matter |
| Utility Rebates & Demand Response | 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 | ENERGY STAR certified. Resideo's launch materials specifically call out enabling enrolment in utility energy-management programs |
| Account or Subscription Needed | No subscription, but a Google account and the Google Home app are required | No subscription. A First Alert account is required |
| Warranty | 12 months | 24 months |
| Colors | Snow, Charcoal, Sand, Fog | Gray, White |
Category Scores
C-Wire Freedom
The Google Nest Thermostat (2020) leads clearly here, 8.0 against 1.0 — a 7.0-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 X2S (RTH2CWF) does not close the gap elsewhere.
HVAC Coverage
The Honeywell Home X2S (RTH2CWF) leads clearly here, 6.0 against 5.5 — a 0.5-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 Google Nest Thermostat (2020) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Multi-Room Sensing
The Google Nest Thermostat (2020) leads clearly here, 1.5 against 1.0 — a 0.5-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 Honeywell Home X2S (RTH2CWF) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Smart Home Integration
The Google Nest Thermostat (2020) 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 X2S (RTH2CWF) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Scheduling & Learning
The Google Nest Thermostat (2020) leads clearly here, 6.5 against 5.5 — a 1.0-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 X2S (RTH2CWF) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Display & On-Device Control
The Google Nest Thermostat (2020) leads clearly here, 6.5 against 5.0 — a 1.5-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 Honeywell Home X2S (RTH2CWF) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Installation
The Google Nest Thermostat (2020) leads clearly here, 8.5 against 7.0 — a 1.5-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 X2S (RTH2CWF) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The Honeywell Home X2S (RTH2CWF) 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 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).
- • Scheduling & Learning matters most to you — the Google Nest Thermostat (2020) scores 6.5/10 here (learning, geofencing, away detection and how much of it works without babysitting the app).
Choose the Honeywell Home X2S (RTH2CWF) if…
- • You want to spend less — it's $50 cheaper.
- • Your main use case is budget.
Pros & Cons
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
Honeywell Home X2S (RTH2CWF)
Pros
- +Matter certified, ENERGY STAR certified and dual-band Wi-Fi for $79.99 — nothing else here does all three that cheaply
- +2H/2C conventional staging is more than the similarly priced Sensi Lite or the Nest Thermostat publish
- +Mounts on Resideo's UWP plate, the same system professional installers use, which makes wiring tidy
- +2-year warranty at $80, double what Amazon and Google give at this price
Cons
- −A C wire is mandatory and no adapter is included — in a four-wire house this $80 thermostat becomes an electrician's callout
- −Matter works only for reading state in at least one reviewer's testing: setpoint changes sent over Matter did not stick
- −You have to install the First Alert app to get a Matter pairing code, so Matter does not free you from the vendor app
- −No room sensors and no occupancy sensing at all — this is strictly a one-room thermostat
- −No humidifier, dehumidifier or ventilator control
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Google Nest Thermostat (2020) or Honeywell Home X2S (RTH2CWF) 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 Google Nest Thermostat (2020) or the Honeywell Home X2S (RTH2CWF)?+
The Google Nest Thermostat (2020) scores higher on C-Wire Freedom (8.0/10 vs 1.0/10) — 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 Thermostat (2020) or the Honeywell Home X2S (RTH2CWF)?+
The Google Nest Thermostat (2020) 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 Display & On-Device Control, the Google Nest Thermostat (2020) or the Honeywell Home X2S (RTH2CWF)?+
The Google Nest Thermostat (2020) scores higher on Display & On-Device Control (6.5/10 vs 5.0/10) — screen quality and how much you can do at the wall instead of in the phone app.
Which is better for Installation, the Google Nest Thermostat (2020) or the Honeywell Home X2S (RTH2CWF)?+
The Google Nest Thermostat (2020) scores higher on Installation (8.5/10 vs 7.0/10) — wiring complexity, guided setup, and how likely a DIY install is to end in a service call.
Is the Google Nest Thermostat (2020) worth the price difference over the Honeywell Home X2S (RTH2CWF)?+
The Honeywell Home X2S (RTH2CWF) 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 Google Nest Thermostat (2020) is the better fit if you mainly care about no-c-wire. The Honeywell Home X2S (RTH2CWF) is the better fit for budget.
What's the warranty on the Google Nest Thermostat (2020) vs the Honeywell Home X2S (RTH2CWF)?+
The Google Nest Thermostat (2020) ships with a 12-month warranty; the Honeywell Home X2S (RTH2CWF) 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 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.