Why invest in a smart thermostat? To put it simply, it can make controlling your HVAC system much easier. The best part is, a smart thermostat can also save you money! We bring you two of the best smart thermostats on the market: Sensi vs Nest!
Smart Thermostat Head to Head
Smart Thermostat – Google Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd Generation vs Sensi Touch Smart Thermostat
Verdict Paragraph
Google Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd Generation
Model(s): T3007ES
This thermostat actively learns your schedule to create a comfortable indoor climate for you, while also saving energy. The temperature adjusts automatically after you leave the house. You can also change the temperature remotely from your phone or tablet.
Google Nest can show you how much energy you consumed last week, month, or year. You’ll always know when you’re saving energy when the leaf image appears on the thermostat.
Pros
- Compatible with 95% of HVAC systems
- Only takes a week to adjust to your life and begin automatic programming
- The set-up only takes 30 minutes
Cons
- More expensive than the Sensi option
- Requires other Nest products for the fully integrated effect
Sensi Touch Smart Thermostat
Sensi uses flexible scheduling, geofencing, and remote access to save on energy and make your home a comfortable place. The thermostat is very easy to install; it should only take you 30 minutes or less.
All system types require a C-Wire for compatibility. The device is compatible with voice assistants, such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri. Use the Smart Alert feature to detect extreme temperatures or humidity.
Pros
- Sleek design with a touch screen
- A lot of flexibility when it comes to programming
- Effective use of geo-fencing
Cons
- Lack of outstanding features, such as automatic learning, compared to the Nest
So which one do you go for? If you’re not sure, then read on for the Sensi vs Nest battle!
Installation
Both manufacturers claim that it only takes up to 30 minutes to install their device on your own. The Nest Learning Thermostat offers the option of hiring a Nest Pro professional to install the device for you.
The thermostat is compatible with 95% of HVAC systems. Check to make sure that your heating and cooling system is not a part of the 5%!
The Emerson Sensi Touch Thermostat can do you one better with step-by-step installation instructions. In addition to that, the thermostat has a standard size, which will help you avoid any extra work, such as repainting the wall. The thermostat requires a C-Wire for compatibility.
To conclude this category, it’s safe to say that both thermostats are incredibly easy to install. You probably won’t need to hire a professional to help you with this job.
Sensi wins this round just because of the sizing of the device. However, settling for Nest would be a safe bet too. Both devices are excellent options when it comes to ease of installation.
Style & Design
A thermostat is not traditionally the most stylish accessory in your home. If you’re used to seeing a rectangular piece of plastic on your wall, then the two contestants will pleasantly surprise you!
The Nest Learning Thermostat is definitely one of the most visually appealing smart thermostats on the market. Its smart and sleek design makes it stand out right away.
Its circular shape, along with the materials used (glass and stainless steel) makes the piece truly unique. The thermostat has a friendly and simple user interface. It’s a piece you won’t be ashamed of!
Traditional Shape
The Emerson Sensi Touch is less interesting, as it bears the classic rectangular shape. That’s not a negative thing!
If you prefer the look of a traditional thermostat, then the Sensi thermostat will do the job. The design is stylish with a bright touchscreen, classic colorways, and a friendly user interface.
Overall, the Nest takes the cake in this category. The design is more original and unusual, for which the product deserves some recognition.
Smart Features & Integrations
When buying a smart thermostat, you expect a couple of extra smart features that you wouldn’t get with a regular thermostat. And rightfully so! Both of our contenders have some interesting features.
The Sensi can be controlled from anywhere, as long as you have your phone with you. Simply download the Sensi mobile app and enjoy full control over your HVAC system at all times.
The thermostat also uses geofencing to determine when to automatically turn your HVAC system on and off. That’s a useful tool that eliminates the need for scheduling.
Learning Alogrithm
The Nest thermostat also offers geofencing based on the location of your phone. It also has a learning algorithm where it dynamically creates your schedule based on your patterns.
This keeps your home at a comfortable temperature at all times. Similarly to Sensi, you can control your HVAC system from any geographical location, as long as you have access to a smartphone, tablet, or laptop.
Climate Scheduling and Learning Capabilities
As you already know, the Sensi thermostat doesn’t need as much programming because of its use of geo-fencing. That means that the thermostat tracks the location of your phone to know when you leave the house and when you come back.
It uses that information to change the temperature and save energy. If that doesn’t work for you, you can use the Sensi app to program the thermostat. The programming is flexible and you can change it whenever and wherever you want.
Geo-fencing
The Nest thermostat also uses geo-fencing and has one of the strongest embedded algorithms on the market. It only takes the Nest a week to learn your habits and behaviors and create a schedule that will suit your lifestyle.
Naturally, the temperature drops whenever you leave the house, and adjusts to your arrival right before you come back home. If the algorithm can’t quite figure you out, you can go into the settings and create your own schedule or adjust the schedule the thermostat suggested for you.
Technical Comparison
| Nest | Sensi | |
| Item Weight | 1 pounds | 1 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 3.3 x 3.3 x 1.21 inches | 3 x 9.7 x 8.4 inches |
| Batteries | 1 CR2 batteries required. (included) | 2 AA batteries required. |
| Included Components | Display, Base, Optional trim kit, Mounting screws and labels, Nest screwdriver, Installation Guide, Welcome Guide, Nest Pro installation card | Electrical & Heating,Thermostats,household-thermostat-accessories |
| Battery Cell Type | Lithium Ion | Alkaline |
| Warranty | 2 years | 3 years |
| WiFi Connectivity | 2.4GHz, 5GHz | 2.4 GHz |
| Remote Access | Yes | Yes |
| Usage Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Smart Alerts | No | Yes |
| Touchscreen | No | Yes |
| Smart Home Compatibility | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings |
The Verdict
There we have it. In the battle of Sensi vs Nest, the Nest Learning Thermostat wins the day with its advanced learning algorithm as the main selling point.
Google Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd Generation
Model(s): T3007ES
This thermostat actively learns your schedule to create a comfortable indoor climate for you, while also saving energy. The temperature adjusts automatically after you leave the house. You can also change the temperature remotely from your phone or tablet.
Google Nest can show you how much energy you consumed last week, month, or year. You’ll always know when you’re saving energy when the leaf image appears on the thermostat.
Pros
- Compatible with 95% of HVAC systems
- Only takes a week to adjust to your life and begin automatic programming
- The set-up only takes 30 minutes
Cons
- More expensive than the Sensi option
- Requires other Nest products for the fully integrated effect
Sensi Touch Smart Thermostat
Sensi uses flexible scheduling, geofencing, and remote access to save on energy and make your home a comfortable place. The thermostat is very easy to install; it should only take you 30 minutes or less.
All system types require a C-Wire for compatibility. The device is compatible with voice assistants, such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri. Use the Smart Alert feature to detect extreme temperatures or humidity.
Pros
- Sleek design with a touch screen
- A lot of flexibility when it comes to programming
- Effective use of geo-fencing
Cons
- Lack of outstanding features, such as automatic learning, compared to the Nest
1 Comment
Larry Borshard
The Nest wins? I’m sorry, but I found this article slightly confusing and the comparison too close to call, depending on what matters to individuals. Your pros and cons lists are inconsistent. I would have preferred to compare apples to apples. For example, the manufacturers suggest both only take around 30 minutes to install, but this is only cited as a pro for Nest. Both devices use geofencing but this is cited as a pro only for Sensi, and we don’t read that Nest also has geofencing until halfway through this article. It is extremely important to know what HVAC systems fall into the 5% non-compatible list, so it would have been very helpful to give specifics or at least include easy links to find out. And what is the basis and weighting for scoring? Sensi wins installation by .1 but Nest wins Style & Design by .3? Based on the Technical Comparison table, I would choose Sensi as the winner since longer warranty, Smart Alerts and Touchscreen (and cost) attributes are important to me. Your writing skills are excellent, but as an engineering graduate, I would like to see more direct comparisons of technical data, capabilities and operation. Hope this helps! (PS – I’m not sure why “Electrical & Heating, Thermostats, household-thermostat-accessories” is listed as Included Components in the Technical Comparison table under Sensi, unless it’s a typo?)