Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen)
Compatibility
| Ecosystem | Support | The catch |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Alexa | Works | Full support |
| Google Home | Works | Deepest integration + auto-learning |
| Apple Home | Works | First Nest thermostat to work with Apple Home |
| SmartThings | Works | Full support |
| Home Assistant | Works | Full support |
Protocols: WIFI · THREAD · MATTER
Subscription reality
✓ Works without a subscription: Yes.
Maintenance reality
- Cloud dependence: No — core function survives without the vendor's cloud
- Matter-native at launch (unlike gen 3). Power: no C-wire needed on many conventional systems (draws from heating/cooling wires); heating-only, cooling-only, zoned, heat-pump, and heat+cool systems need a C-wire or the Nest Power Connector (~$25 — free from Google if setup's power test fails). Official no-C-wire failure modes: battery drain, WiFi drops, short cycling, HVAC chatter.
The catch
Learning features shine in Google's app; elsewhere it's a (very good) Matter thermostat.
Who it's for
Set-and-forget households: it learns your schedule so you don't program one.
Sources & method
Google Nest Help official pages: 'Learn about the common or C wire' (9251212), compatibility table (9246656), Nest Power Connector (10523126) incl. the free-on-failed-power-test offer; Power Connector price retailer-confirmed only — vendor-page research, verified 2026-07-15 · 2026-07 web research sweep (docs/02 catalog; primary sources cited there) — registry-and-press research, verified 2026-07-12. This is a research profile: compiled from manufacturer documentation, certification registries, and published testing — we state facts, not verdicts, and we have not physically tested this unit. How we work →
Compatibility and lifecycle information reflects the last-verified date above and can change without notice (firmware updates, cloud-service changes, discontinuations). It is provided as-is, for information — verify with the manufacturer before purchasing. Spot an error? Tell us and we'll fix it. Full terms: Terms of Service.