When it comes to the Nest Thermostat 2nd vs 3rd generation comparison, I can tell you now that the 3rd gen is the better option as far as new features go. But is it worth the added cost that you will probably incur. Well, that’s what you’re here for, right?
I think that smart thermostats will one day be as common as smart phones. In other words, the “smart” era is here. There are already smart alternatives to just about every traditional product that you might come across, i.e. lights, faucets, and robotic vacuums.
Below, you will find everything that you need to know to make the best decision in this comparison.
Nest thermostat 2nd vs 3rd generation: which should you choose...?
Appearance and Size
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- The Nest 3rd thermostat has a noticeably larger screen at 2.08” in diameter compared to 1.75” diameter for the 2nd gen. This larger screen means that you will be able to see the display from farther away.
- The Nest 3rd generation is also a little slimmer than the 2nd generation model; the 2nd gen measures 1.26 inches thick compared to 1.21 inches for the 3rd gen model.
Performance
There are a lot of important upgrades made to the 3rd generation model over its predecessor. These updates help to make it more efficient and “smarter”. Below you will find out the important similarities and differences between the two.
- Save Energy – Both of these models are proven to save you money. In independent studies, they were both shown to save an average of 10 to 12% on heating and 15% on cooling. That’s a significant savings and means that the unit will pay for itself in about two years. Some users have reportedly saved 20 to 30 bucks a month. Others say that they save 10% a year or more. There’s a green leaf that displays when you select a temperature that saves you money.
- WiFi Connectivity – The wifi is better on the 3rd gen model; it uses both 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz.
- Visibility – The Far Sight is a feature that is new to the gen three as well. It detects your presence when you enter the room then illuminates the thermostat so that you can instantly see the temp. Customers say that they can be many feet away and the unit will display the temp. On the 2nd gen users had to sometimes waive their hand directly in front of the machine to wake it. The text size is larger on the 3rd gen unit as well.
Click here to get more details on the Nest 2nd Gen
Click here to get more details on the Nest 3rd Gen
- Clock – The third gen can display the time in analog or digital display.
- Sensors – the generation two model has three sensors while the third gen has 10 sensors to monitor the temperature – making it much more accurate.
- Auto-Schedule – Both of these Nest thermostats are auto-scheduling. As you adjust the temp up and down, it will “learn” what temperatures you like and creates a unique schedule for your home.
- Auto-Away – Both models have an auto-away feature that tells the unit to set the temp to one that saves you money when you are not at home.
- Change the temp remotely – You can use your phone, computer or any other tablet device to change the temperature in your home. This is helpful in the event that there is an unexpected change in the weather, i.e. snow storm, or a particularly hot day. It is also useful if you are going to be returning home sooner than you planned. This is available for both models.
Installation
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The installation is reportedly easy with either unit but even more so with the Nest 3rd gen. It was redesigned to be even easier to install. The bases of the two thermostats are not compatible however. Customers say that the installation process takes about 10 minutes. Then you can expect it to take about 3 to 4 minutes for the software to download.
Warranty
Both of these units have a two-year warranty.
Summary
There are many differences and similarities between the two thermostats in the Nest Thermostat 2nd vs 3rd generation comparison. The most obvious difference is that the Nest thermostat generation 3 has a noticeably larger screen.
Also, and maybe most importantly, the 3rd Nest has ten sensors compared to three for the 2nd gen; this gives you a more accurate temp. The WiFi connectivity is better with the 3rd gen as well. The third gen also has FarSight; it’s a feature that “wakes up” the screen when it detects you even from far away. On the second gen model you would need to get close to it in order to wake the screen up.
If I were choosing between the two models, I’d go with the third gen as it has the most up to date features. It has a much larger screen that means you have visibility of the temp from a much further distance.
Nest 2nd Gen – Check Price
Nest 3rd Gen – Check Price