Smart thermostats are the latest accessory for your home, helping you to save money while providing the convenience of smart control of your heating system. Deciding between Hive vs Nest is the main choice for most people, so we’ve broken down the differences between both devices.
The Google Nest Thermostat has been leading the charge however the entry of the Hive Active Heating Smart Thermostat has stolen its market share considerably.
Let's get started!
Smart Thermostat Head to Head
Smart Thermostat – Hive Active Heating Smart Thermostat vs Google Nest Learning Thermostat, 3rd Generation
Verdict Paragraph
Hive Active Heating Smart Thermostat
Model(s): HAH2KitHeatAmz-01
A smart thermostat that helps you control the heating system of your home anywhere, anytime!
With the help of the Hive Smart Home app, you can control the thermostat using your smartphone and the design is simple and elegant, with easy control and intuitive features.
With Hive, you can save energy by never heating an empty home and can save hundreds of pounds every year. The wireless control allows you to manage temperature remotely.
Pros
- Supports Multi Zone heating (Via Boiler or Smart Radiator Valves)
- Hive Smart Home App is easy to use and operate.
- It is available in 12 colors to match the interior of your home.
Cons
- Limited number of zones that can be heated (3 Zones).
- No learning features like the Nest.
- It allows only one user account in the app.
Google Nest Learning Thermostat, 3rd Generation
Model(s): T3028GB
The Google Nest Learning thermostat (3rd Generation) comes in a sleek and smart design. It has a big and clear display and you can change the temperature by rotating the device.
It has smart learning technology. With this feature, it can program itself with your temperature preferences and can operate automatically. You can control the temperature settings of your home with the Nest app anywhere, anytime. Also, it saves energy with efficient heating technology.
Pros
- It comes with a smart learning feature.
- It allows up to 20 zones.
- It allows multiple accounts (up to 10) in the Nest app.
Cons
- The installation typically requires a professional.
Using smart thermostats is an effective way to avoid energy wastage. You can easily control your electricity bills by keeping an eye on energy usage. Moreover, it’s a far more accessible way to control the temperature of your home using smart devices.
While performing the Hive vs Nest comparison, we will consider the following factors:
Geo Location
These smart devices make use of GPS technology to track the location of the owners of the house. This feature prevents energy wastage by avoiding heating an empty house.
Motion Sensors
These thermostats also use motion sensors to detect the presence or movement of anybody around the room. They use this information to modulate the temperature accordingly.
Smart Learning
The smart thermostats can learn about your heating preferences and movements and then set the schedule accordingly.
Multiple Zone Control
The rooms of the house can be considered as different zones. Smart Thermostats can control the temperature of these zones by only heating up the space being used.
Tracking Weather
These smart thermostats can track outdoor weather conditions and can adjust the home temperature accordingly. This feature helps in preventing pipes from freezing in winter.
Voice Control
These devices can be easily controlled using a voice assistant like Google Home or Amazon Echo.
Compatibility
Another feature to consider about these thermostats is their compatibility with central heating systems. These systems include regular boilers, condensing combi, oil or LPG boilers, and electric boilers.
Installation
Hive
The installation process of Hive Active Heating 2 is straight forward. The first step involves installing the hub by connecting it to a broadband router. Then you have to wire the receiver into the boiler.
The thermostat runs on 4 AA batteries having two years of battery life. The installation requires the insertion of batteries into the thermostat and mounting it in your desired location. The thermostat will give a green indicator when it detects the receiver and hub.
Finally, to run your system, you have to register it online through a smart app or a web browser. This way, you can install the system yourself.
Nest
Firstly, install the “Heat Link” by connecting it to the boiler's control unit.
This can replace an existing programmer, be installed alongside the programmer (with the programmer set to permanently on), or be installed directly into the boiler.
If you have an existing wired thermostat you can swap this out for your Nest thermostat however you need to ensure it is 12V and not mains voltage. If this is not possible, you will need to bypass your existing wired thermostat and install the Nest anywhere in the home.
As the Nest Thermostat is wireless it communicates via radio waves to the heat link to call for heat or a/c. You can mount your Nest Thermostat or use a stand for it to sit on a counter. It is powered with a standard USB cable to a nearby AC outlet.
Finally, connect your thermostat with the smartphone app to start operating it.
Style, Design & Price
Style & Design
The Hive Active Heating smart thermostat comprises three main components, i.e., the thermostat, a Hive hub, and a receiver.
The Hive Thermostat comes in a rectangular shape with a glass front. It has a central dial. When the dial turns on, the screen lights up, displaying temperature information on it. The body is made up of plastic, yet it is durable, giving it a smart look.
The Nest Learning smart thermostat comprises two main components, i.e., the Nest Learning thermostat and the Heat Link.
The thermostat is front and center in your house, so it has to be stylish. No doubt, the Nest Learning smart thermostat is the most elegant thermostat available in the market.
The temperature can adjust by merely rotating this smart device navigating through options, and selecting the desired one. It has a glass display with a metallic rim that makes it a winning design.
Price
When we compare the price of Hive vs Nest, there isn’t much difference. Both thermostats are available for a similar starting price package.
Programming / Climate Scheduling and Learning Capabilities
Scheduling
Smart thermostats provide the facility of creating schedules for heating homes and hot water supplies. With the Hive thermostat, you can configure up to six different schedules.
These schedules can have varying time limits and temperatures. You can also plan a weekly heating schedule.
The Nest Thermostat also has a similar feature. You can select different temperature settings for different days or even at other times on the same day.
Learning Capabilities
The Hive thermostat doesn’t come with learning capabilities. You have to configure your schedule or manually set your temperature whenever you want a change.
Whereas the Nest Learning Thermostat, as the name defines it, learns your preferences over time and automatically adjusts the temperature. The Google Nest requires a minimum of 14 days to monitor your heating preferences and then start delivering according to your choice.
You can keep on making changes to your temperature selection, and the thermostat will continue learning your preferences and updating the information. You can disable this feature if you prefer manual scheduling and control.
Smartphone App
Hive Smart Home App
The Hive app has been designed to be user-friendly. It facilitates you to control all your Hive devices from a single application.
Using the “Hive Actions” feature, users can create an interaction between different Hive devices installed at their place.
Using the Hive Smart App, you can control all your Hive thermostat features from your smartphone. The app is designed to be compatible with devices while offering a simple interface.
Nest App
The Nest app also offers all the features of the thermostat to be controlled using the Nest app. The app has a similar interface to the thermostat. All the settings available on the thermostat can also be adjusted using the app.
Both apps can be downloaded from the Apple Store or Google Play Store.
Smart Features and Integrations
Both thermostats offer many other smart features like voice control and geofencing.
Voice Control
The Hive and the Nest thermostats both offer voice control functionality. Using the Amazon Echo, you can control your thermostat by giving voice commands. Both are also compatible with Google Assistant.
Geofencing
Another amazing feature offered by these thermostats is geofencing. It means they can locate you using your GPS information and automatically control the heat settings. You can select a specific area as a fence, and when you get closer to home, the thermostat starts heating your home to welcome you. Similarly, if you are going out and forgot to turn off the heating system, it will notify you.
Further, multiple accounts can be created for all the family members so that everyone can enjoy this feature of the thermostats. In this way, the thermostat will heat the home before any family members come back.
Zonal Heating
In this debate of Hive vs Nest, another feature to account for is zonal heating.
Hive Multizone
Hive multizone allows you to divide your home into different zones and select the different heat settings for each zone. Hive allows only three zones in a home. For this, you have to mount three thermostats in three different zones.
Setting up multiple zones is not that easy. You will require zone valves for customized heat settings.
Nest Remote Sensors
Nest allows you to place remote sensors in different sections of your home to convert them into zones. These sensors provide temperature details to the thermostat.
The thermostat then controls the temperature in these zones based on the provided settings. Nest allows up to 20 different remote sensors to be placed, allowing 20 multiple zones in your home.
The temperature for these zones can be controlled using the Nest app. But, these remote sensors do not recognize motion. So, they may be heating an empty zone.
Technical Comparison (Hive vs Nest)
| Hive | Nest | |
| Batteries | 4 AA Batteries | 1 Lithium polymer battery |
| Model Number | HAH2KitHeatAmz-01 | T3028GB |
| Colors | 12 Colors available | 7 Colors available |
| Voice Control | Amazon Echo, Google Assistant | Amazon Echo, Google Assistant |
| Multiple Zone | Up to 3 zones | Up to 20 zones |
| Energy Reports | Not supported | Supported |
| Learning | Not supported | Supported |
| Motion Sensor | Supported | Supported |
| Geofencing | Supported | Supported |
| Power Source | AA Batteries | C-Wire |
| Schedules | Supported | Supported |
| Remote Control | Supported | Supported |
| Boost | Supported | Not supported |
The Verdict
So there you have it!
The Hive thermostat offers simplicity in design as well as in operation while the Nest thermostat is intelligent with its smart learning capabilities. In the battle of Hive vs Nest, I hope you now have all the information you need to make your decision.
Thanks for reading and if you have any questions on either of these smart thermostats, leave a comment below!
Hive Active Heating Smart Thermostat
Model(s): HAH2KitHeatAmz-01
A smart thermostat that helps you control the heating system of your home anywhere, anytime!
With the help of the Hive Smart Home app, you can control the thermostat using your smartphone and the design is simple and elegant, with easy control and intuitive features.
With Hive, you can save energy by never heating an empty home and can save hundreds of pounds every year. The wireless control allows you to manage temperature remotely.
Pros
- Supports Multi Zone heating (Via Boiler or Smart Radiator Valves)
- Hive Smart Home App is easy to use and operate.
- It is available in 12 colors to match the interior of your home.
Cons
- Limited number of zones that can be heated (3 Zones).
- No learning features like the Nest.
- It allows only one user account in the app.
Google Nest Learning Thermostat, 3rd Generation
Model(s): T3028GB
The Google Nest Learning thermostat (3rd Generation) comes in a sleek and smart design. It has a big and clear display and you can change the temperature by rotating the device.
It has smart learning technology. With this feature, it can program itself with your temperature preferences and can operate automatically. You can control the temperature settings of your home with the Nest app anywhere, anytime. Also, it saves energy with efficient heating technology.
Pros
- It comes with a smart learning feature.
- It allows up to 20 zones.
- It allows multiple accounts (up to 10) in the Nest app.
Cons
- The installation typically requires a professional.