Google Home was developed as a smart speaker in direct competition with Amazon Echo speakers. Paired with its voice assistant companion, Google Assistant, Google Home speakers have become some of the best smart home products for voice control.
I will compare the best smart thermostats that work with Google Home here. Not all are compatible thermostats, so you’ll want to be sure that you look for ones that allow for remote temperature control through Google Home.
If you’re in a hurry, here’re the Top 3 Best Smart Thermostats for Google Home.
Keep reading for the details and other options, along with a short guide of things to keep in mind when looking at different thermostat manufacturers.
1. Best Overall – Google Nest Learning Thermostat
Nest Learning Thermostat Features and Benefits
The Nest Learning Thermostat is the latest generation from Nest and is the smartest one yet. Being part of the same company as Google makes the setup painless and integrates easy with the Google Home System and other Nest devices.
Nest Learning Thermostats have a built-in 802.15.4 radio, which is the wireless protocol used by Zigbee. However, Nest uses its own proprietary weave protocol. It also supports: 2.4ghz and 5ghz Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.
Unlike many other thermostats, the Nest systems work with HVAC systems that don’t have a C-Wire. There is no extra wiring needed to make this happen.
In most cases the setup and installation can be completed in under an hour.
The thermostat is housed in a circular case with a ‘far visibility’ screen. Menu functions and temperature adjustments are accomplished using a rotating adjustment ring. You turn the ring to cycle through settings options, adjust temperature, etc. Then you press the ring to select.
One unique feature is the Nest’s smart learning system that starts with a standard heating schedule, then adjusts as it learns and accounts for your habits and preferences.
What Could Be Better
While most smart thermostats have opted for touchscreen, the Nest interface with its dial and switch takes a little getting used to. One quick turn and it could jump many degrees.
Motion sensors must be purchased separately, an included one would have been nice.
It also only keeps records eleven days of energy usage. Would be nice to be able to see further back in time.
2. Best Value – ecobee SmartThermostat with Voice Control
ecobee SmartThermostat Features and Benefits
ecobee is one the biggest names in the thermostat business. The SmartThermostat is the newest model from them and the most feature packed.
Even though ecobee is a major competitor to Nest, it’s still works well with Google. The price point of the ecobee is similar to the Nest Learning Thermostat, but there’re more features and functions with the ecobee, including coming with a motion sensor.
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The ecobee SmartThermostat with Voice Control is the first in the ecobee product range to feature support for Bluetooth. It also supports 2.4ghz and 5ghz WiFi networks.
The thermostat is a touchscreen operated, modern-designed device that is easy to set up. The touchscreen interface is identical on both the mobile app and the thermostat itself. That makes it easy to control the temperature settings as you’re not learning two different ways to control the thermostat.
Although it can be used on HVAC systems that do not use a C-Wire, it isn’t as simple as with the Nest. An adapter that requires installation in your boiler is required. It’s still a straightforward operation though and can be completed in a few minutes. Overall, the installation and setup can usually be completed within an hour.
The ecobee SmartThermostat has Amazon Alexa built-in, however it still offers full functionality and compatibility with Home.
This model is shipped complete with a SmartSensor motion sensor which is useful if you want to set up a separate Zone within the home. The SmartSensor can detect motion which ecobee have used in their ‘follow me’ feature, which allows the heating to follow your movement and adjust the temperature.
The ecobee SmartThermostat has a speaker built-in to fully utilize its Alexa feature and play music if you want. While size limitations mean it’s not the beefiest sound around, it is still a decent sounding speaker (for a thermostat!).
What Could Be Better
While this is an all-round good guy, it does have a couple of minor annoyances. A lack of support for any of the low-power wireless protocols like Zigbee or Z-wave is disappointing. Depending on the smart home systems in your homes, this could be a moot point.
Some users might not be comfortable installing the wiring for the required adapter if you don’t have a C-Wire. You can find a professional to install.
3. Best Budget Friendly – Nest Thermostat E
Nest Thermostat E Features and Benefits
The Nest Thermostat E is the older generation of the Nest Learning Thermostat. While it has most of the features of the Learning Thermostat, it is a slightly smaller size, and the screen isn’t as big or clear.
It also lacks the far-sight function meaning you need to be within three feet of the unit before it lights up. On later models this is ten feet.
The Nest Thermostat E supports the following 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and low-energy Bluetooth.
Set up is identical on both models, as well as their ability to function without a C-Wire. It integrates easily into the Google Home ecosystem.
The Nest E is a cheaper option than the Nest Learning Thermostat and still packs a host of useful features, this model is worth consideration.
What Could Be Better
The lack of support for multi-stage heating systems could be a problem for some people. It also lacks support for wireless protocols like ZIgbee.
4. ecobee3 Lite Smart Thermostat
ecobee3 Lite Smart Thermostat Features and Benefits
This is ecobee’s entry level model, and like the SmartThermostat is still a fully featured thermostat. The setup, app and interface are identical to the SmartThermostat. The ecobee3 will also require an adapter for systems without a C-Wire.
It is fully supports the Google Home ecosystem and can respond to voice commands through the Google Assistant app. The ecobee3 Lite supports a 2.4ghz Wi-Fi connection.
The ecobee3 Lite is the only one in the ecobee lineup that doesn’t have Amazon Alexa built-in. However, as this article is specifically geared towards working with Google Home, that shouldn’t be a problem. If you do want Alexa, check out the Best Smart Thermostats for Alexa article.
Although the thermostat itself doesn’t feature an occupancy sensor, it can still be paired with ecobee SmartSensors to provide this functionality.
What Could Be Better
A lack of support for Bluetooth or other low-energy wireless protocol systems may be a consideration for some people. It also lacks a built-in occupancy sensor.
5. ecobee4 Smart Thermostat
ecobee4 Smart Thermostat Features and Benefits
The mid-range ecobee is the ecobee4. This model also features Amazon Alexa built-in although the speaker isn’t as good as the SmartThermostat’s speaker.
It ships with an ecobee Room Sensor (not to be confused with the newer SmartSensor, although it can be paired with the latter too).
The ecobee4 supports 2.4ghz Wi-Fi only and is fully compliant with the Google Home ecosystem, pairing easily with Google smart devices in your house
ecobee has gone for consistency across its range with its setup procedures, interface, and app. The setup is identical to the other models in the range, including the requirement for a C-Wire adapter.
What Could Be Better
One of the major differences between the ecobee4 and the SmartThermostat is the lack of Bluetooth support and 5GHz Wi-Fi. Apart from that it can carry out all the same functions and features as the SmartThermostat.
A lack of Bluetooth and other low-energy wireless protocols like Zigbee.
6. Honeywell Home Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat
Honeywell Home Features and Benefits
Designed to fully support Google Home, the Honeywell Home features a customizable color touchscreen display. The touchscreen color can be altered to suit your home décor and sports a local weather display feature.
It offers an easy installation although it does require a C-Wire. In most instances, set up can be completed in under an hour.
The Honeywell Color Thermostat supports 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and will send notification alerts to you for air filter change reminders, along with extreme temperature warnings (low and high).
Multiple Zone support is provided using geofencing technology only, due to a lack of sensor support.
What Could Be Better
A lack of motion sensor support is always a drawback with any thermostat, because it means less automation for your comfort. But if you have a smaller home or apartment, this shouldn’t be an issue.
7. Hive Heating and Cooling Smart Thermostat Pack
Hive Thermostat Features and Benefits
Fully compatible with Google Home, there is one major difference between this and the other thermostats we have reviewed. The Hive comes with and uses the Hive Hub to act as a bridge for your smart devices.
Once the physical installation is complete, then the thermostat has to be paired with the Hub, which supports both 2.4ghz Wi-Fi and Zigbee.
The thermostat itself features a bright display that is controlled by a central dial and a companion app.
What Could Be Better
The requirement of an additional smart home hub is an obvious downside, because it’s good if you can connect straight to the thermostat. Even though the hub comes with the thermostat, if you already have an existing smart home hub, this probably isn’t the thermostat for you.
Now that we’ve gone through the 7 best smart thermostats that work with Google Home, let’s dig a little deeper on what Google Home is and what they compatibility requirements there are for smart devices.
What is Google Home?
Google Home and Google assistant are the two components that make up the Google Home Ecosystem. Ecosystems are a network of smart devices controlled by a single platform that work together to automate household tasks and simplify your life.
With a list of compatible smart devices now numbering in the thousands, Google Home can be paired with smart locks, security alarm systems, video doorbells, smart lights, and even kitchen appliances.
The range of Home speakers and devices can be set up to act as a Google Home hub and these allow you to use voice commands to control your devices. Voice commands can also be used with any device that has Google Assistant installed on it, such as a smartphone.
Basic Compatibility Requirements for Google Home
The first thing to point out is that most directly compatible devices will likely mention in the blurb or on the packaging that it is compatible with Home or Nest.
However, for some devices that work on low-power Wi-Fi Protocols like Zigbee or Z-wave it might be necessary to put a ‘middleman’ hub, like Samsung’s SmartThings offering to get full functionality from the devices.
In the list above, except for the Hive, the thermostats all worked out of the box with Google Home.
An obvious place to start when discussing compatibility is the Nest system of smart thermostats. Google were so impressed with these they bought the company; it should go without saying that those are deeply integrated with the Google system.
But that doesn’t make them the only player as you saw. Thermostats like the ecobee ones are just as compatible and there isn’t much to choose between the systems.
Smart features to consider as a base when you’re looking into thermostats:
- Multiple Zone Support (in most instances this will require additional sensors)
- Remote Control and Access
- Geofencing
- Sensor Support for larger homes
- Wireless protocol support – WiFi, Bluetooth
H2 – Final Thoughts
All the above thermostats will fit easily into the Google Assistant/Home ecosystem, and all are excellent models that do everything you’d expect from a smart thermostat.
The best overall thermostat for Google Home is from its own family, the Nest Learning Thermostat.
The best value comes with the ecobee SmartThermostat that offers better features for a similar price, but it’s not in the family like Nest is.
The budget-friendly version is back in the Google family with the Nest Thermostat E.
Smart connected thermostats can be paired with a Google Home for automated energy savings up to 23% on heating and cooling costs. Savings on electricity bills are achieved through the energy efficiency in the climate control of your homes.
If you have other smart home setups at your house, check these other thermostat articles:
