How to tell which Nest thermostat you have

Google Nest thermostats look similar, and share similar software, but there are some important differences that you’ll need to know for troubleshooting, installation and more. You can look at the display, the base or in the Nest app to find out which Nest thermostat you have.

Nest thermostat	Nest Thermostat E

Nest Learning Thermostat 4th gen	Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd gen	Nest Learning Thermostat 2nd gen	Nest Learning Thermostat 1st gen
	With logo: Without logo:

Differences in the ring and display 

The tables below show key differences between thermostats.

Nest thermostat	Nest Thermostat E
Mirrored screen	Translucent white screen
3.19 in (8.1 cm) diameter around display	3.19 in (8.1 cm) diameter around display
Touch bar on the right side of the ring: Comes in different colours (refer to the colours below).	White plastic ring

Nest Learning Thermostat 4th gen	Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd gen	Nest Learning Thermostat 2nd gen	Nest Learning Thermostat 1st gen
	With logo: Without logo:
Large screen 2.68 in (6.81 cm) 600x600 24-bit colour 60 FPS illuminated screen diameter	Large screen 8.26 cm (3.25 in) illuminated screen diameter	Small screen 4.57 cm (1.8 in) illuminated screen diameter	Small screen 1.8 in (4.57 cm) illuminated screen diameter
2.68 in (6.81 cm)	3.3 in (8.4 cm)	3.27 in (8.3 cm)
A rotating bangle and push button	Stainless steel ring: Also comes in different colours (refer to the colours below).	Stainless-steel ring	Seam on stainless steel ring

 

The Nest Thermostat comes in different colours. If you have a thermostat that looks like one of the thermostats below, you have a Nest Thermostat.

The Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) and the Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd gen) stainless steel ring can also be in different colours.

The Nest Learning Thermostat (4th gen) is available in the colours below.

Polished Silver	Polished Gold	Polished Obsidian

 The Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd gen) is available in the colours below.

Copper	White	Black
Brass	Polished steel	Mirror black

Differences in the thermostat base 

If looking at the display isn’t enough to tell you which thermostat you have, you can also pull off the display and look at the base. You should be able to tell straight away. Refer to the table below for key differences between the different Nest thermostat bases.

Nest thermostat	Nest Thermostat E
6 wire connectors	6 wire connectors
Blue spirit level on top	Blue spirit level on top
Screw holes at the top and bottom	Screw holes at the top and bottom
Rectangular display connectors on the left and right sides	Oval display connector at the bottom
Oval wire hole	Circular wire hole
Colour of base will match colour of display

 

Nest Learning Thermostat 4th gen	Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd gen	Nest Learning  Thermostat 2nd gen	Nest Learning Thermostat 1st gen
12 wire connectors	10 wire connectors	10 wire connectors	8 wire connectors in straight rows
Green spirit level on top	Blue spirit level on top	Yellow bubble level on bottom	Yellow spirit level on top
Screw holes at the top and bottom	Screw holes at the top and bottom	Screw holes at the top and bottom	Screw holes on the left and right sides
Oval display connector at the bottom	Oval display connector at the bottom	Rectangular display connector at bottom	Rectangular display connector at bottom
Circular wire hole	Circular wire hole	Circular wire hole	Rectangular wire hole

Different thermostat model parts are not interchangeable

• As long as the thermostat base is from the same model, generation and country or region as the thermostat display, you can swap bases and displays.
• The displays and bases of various thermostat models are not interchangeable, even though they may look similar.
• WARNING: If you attempt to connect parts from different thermostat models, it may damage your thermostat and your system.
• The display connector on the thermostat base is different for all three generations of the Nest Learning Thermostat. In addition, the connectors for the system wires are different between thermostat models.

High-voltage and low-voltage parts are incompatible

Some countries (such as the UK, France and The Netherlands) use high-voltage wiring for thermostats while others (such as the US and Canada) use low-voltage wiring. High-voltage and low-voltage thermostat parts are not compatible with each other and should not be used together.

WARNING: Any attempt to connect low and high-voltage thermostat parts may damage them and your system. Do not mix and match these bases and displays, even if the thermostats are the same model and generation.

You can tell which type of base you have by looking at the wire connectors:

• Low-voltage wiring: 6 or 8 connectors, labelled with letters like Y1, W1 and C.
• High-voltage wiring: 2 connectors, labelled with T1 and T2, or not labelled at all.

Low-voltage wiring (example)	High-voltage wiring (example)