Introducing the new Nest Thermostat E

The original Nest thermostat product launched in 2011, with its glossy metal ring and a bright display to throw you straight into the world of smart thermostats. Fast forward to 2018, and we are now looking at the first complete re-design of the Nest thermostat, except it’s now almost completely white and cheaper than the original, constructed using white plastic.

The Nest Thermostat E has been designed to blend in more with your decor rather than sticking out like a sore thumb like most standard box-shaped central heating controls. The display now features frosted glass, which hides the display when it’s not in use but displays temperatures and other stats when you twist the device. Nest themselves describe the frosted film as a “watercolour” effect over the lettering and leaf symbol (when visible).

How does the Nest Thermostat E compare to the 3.0?

For the Nest Thermostat E you’re looking at £199 for the device, which is a slight price difference to the 3rd Generation Nest’s price tag with installation. The lower price point will surely attract more people to take advantage of this technology.

The frame itself has a ceramic feel and twists just like the 3rd generation model if you want to make temperature adjustments. The display benefits from an ambient light sensor, which automatically adjusts the brightness of the screen depending on surrounding light sources.

One of the most popular features available on the 3rd gen thermostat is its Farsight feature, which responds to motion and automatically switches on the display. The E model does not support this feature, which is no surprise due to its cheaper price point, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s inferior to its older sibling.

What similarities are there?

Despite only being compatible with around 85% of systems – compared to 95% with the 3rd gen model – the model E has the same learning features that followers of the 3rd gen rave about. Straight out of the box, the Nest Thermostat E comes with a pre-set schedule, which can be tweaked and adjusted using the Nest app. The latter comes fully featured with controls for your heating at your finger tips. Just like the 3rd gen model, you can monitor and control your heating remotely, as well as taking advantage of voice control.

The Thermostat E also features the same energy-saving features, which is great for lowering those monthly energy bills. If you have your thermostat set to an energy-saving level, the thermostat displays a soft textured leaf symbol, which is great to monitor your usage habits directly from the thermostat. The app gives you more ability to monitor your habits and guides you as to how you can save more energy. You can read more on how a smart thermostat can save you energy at home here.

Other notable features include the warning system, which alerts you as soon as the Nest encounters a problem with your heating system that needs to be addressed by an engineer. You will also benefit from the Works with Nest program, which partners third-party products, as well as Nest’s own Protect (carbon monoxide and smoke detector) and camera with the thermostat.

The verdict

The Nest Thermostat E offers an affordable route to smart technology for many households. Despite the lower price and fewer features compared to the more expensive Nest Thermostat 3.0, you are still being offered some highly advanced and intelligent features. Some may argue that the re-design is an improvement over the more expensive model but that’s a matter of opinion. Overall, the Nest Thermostat E is an ideal choice if you’re looking to reduce your energy use, save on energy bills and have more control over your heating.

The Nest Thermostat E is now available for pre-order for £199 and will be available by mid-October