REVIEWS / THERMOSTATS / OWNER INSIGHTS
🦉 WE READ 274 OWNER COMMENTS
Google Nest Thermostat E: what owners actually say
Owners appreciate the easy installation and clean design, but are overwhelmingly angry about Google killing cloud functionality on older Nest devices—turning a 'smart' thermostat into a dumb one overnight.
What owners complain about
- Cloud dependency & forced obsolescence COMMON
Google has discontinued cloud support for older Nest thermostats, causing loss of remote control, app scheduling, and smart features. Owners describe this as 'loss of functionality,' not just 'end of support.' A mass arbitration lawsuit has been filed.
- No local API or open-source fallback COMMON
When Google pulls the plug, owners have no way to self-host or use local control. Commenters repeatedly demand Google be legally required to open-source or expose local APIs when ending cloud support. A $12,800+ bounty exists for hacking Nest to work with Home Assistant.
- Learning feature overpromises SOME
Multiple owners report the Nest's signature learning feature is 'all but useless for many people,' and they 'never saw any savings' from it.
- C-wire compatibility problems SOME
Owners without a C-wire report major issues, especially after HVAC upgrades. One user had to switch to Ecobee with its PEK adapter after a new AC unit made the Nest unusable.
- Nest E has fewer compatible systems FEW
The Nest E doesn't work with as many HVAC setups as the 3rd Gen Nest. Owners advise using the online compatibility checker before purchasing.
What owners love
- Dead-simple installation
Multiple owners mention installation taking ~5 minutes and being straightforward even for non-technical users.
- Clean, unobtrusive design
The frosted display and minimalist look is implicitly valued—owners chose it over bulkier alternatives like the Ecobee.
- Reliable basic function
When working, it 'did its thing' without fuss. Garage-sale buyer got one working quickly and reported it 'works great.'
Surprising patterns
- A $12,856 community-funded bounty exists specifically to hack Nest thermostats into working with Home Assistant—revealing how deeply owners want local control.
- Open-source hardware projects (like sett.homes) are emerging to physically replace Nest internals so the wall plate stays usable.
- Utilities like Hydro-Québec are investing in smart thermostat programs, but technically-literate consumers worry this will lock ratepayers into disposable, cloud-dependent devices.
- Long-time owners describe a pattern of enshittification: Google forced migration from the Nest app to Google Home (which had fewer features), then eventually killed older device support entirely—each step eroding trust.
WHO SHOULD SKIP IT
Anyone who wants long-term reliable smart functionality without cloud dependency, needs room-by-room temperature sensing, or values open APIs and local control should look elsewhere—Ecobee is repeatedly recommended by former Nest owners for these reasons.
Synthesised from 274 real owner comments across 4 platforms. Every point is grounded in the comments — no marketing, no AI guessing. How we do it →