Remember the Jetsons, that space-age family of Saturday cartoons? With their flying cars and automatic meals, they were ahead of their time. Now, in 2023, smart homes are here to stay with plenty of things that make life easier—like smart thermostats such as the Control4 and Nest. But which one is better?
Comparing the Control4 and Google Nest thermostats, you’ll find they are similar in features and functions with a couple of big differences: price and availability. Control4 thermostats are targeted towards the upper echelons of smart homes, while Google Nests can be used in any average home.
If you’re trying to choose your next smart thermostat or take your first step into the world of home automation, keep reading as I give you the rundown on these two options currently on the market today.
Control4 Thermostat vs Nest Thermostat
A truly smart thermostat lets you just enjoy your home without worrying about whether or not the heat is going to kick on when you need it the most. Plus, it can save you money and energy over the long haul because it helps level out usage.
Comparing Primary Smart Thermostat Features
Smart thermostats today share some standard features that make them useful devices you can count on. When you’re looking for a smart thermostat, be sure that your choice:
- Works with your type of HVAC system
- Allows you to control it remotely via phone or tablet
- Knows where you are and comes on when you are headed home (this is called geofencing)
- Works with other smart devices in your home
- Offers the option of climate zoning
- Learns your temperature preferences and can adapt its schedule to those
- Track weather changes and adapt as needed
- Performs automatic software updates
Some of these features fall into the personal preference category; they are not absolutely necessary (climate zoning or tracking the weather, for example), but they are useful to have and may address that money-saving thought mentioned earlier.
Of course, the thermostat you choose will depend on which features you consider most important and your budget.
| Control4 | Google Nest Learning | Google Nest | |
| Available in Stores | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Self-Install | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Integrates with Other Devices | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Adaptive Scheduling | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Motion Activation | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Geofencing | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
About Control4 Thermostats
Control4 is the ultimate thermostat in smart home automation. It is designed for those folks who don’t want to be bothered with the details of installation. They just want someone else to take care of making the devices in their home communicate with each other.
The Control4 works with over 35,000 other devices through various platforms like wi-fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, and Z-Wave, giving it the edge in smart home integration. Sounds great, right? But there’s a catch.
To purchase a Control4 thermostat, you’ll need to find an authorized dealer for its purchase and installation; they are not available online or in stores. In fact, other than the Control4 website and Ambient, information about the product was sorely lacking.
However, despite the limited information about the Control4, we were able to uncover these pros and cons for the thermostat:
| Advantages of Control4 Thermostat | Disadvantages of Control4 Thermostat |
| Works with thousands of other devices across all brands Compatible with HVAC systems, including forced air, geothermal, dual fuel, and humidity control systems Supports multi-stage HVAC systems Has preset options along with advanced learning capability Can control heating, cooling, and indoor air quality (humidity, ventilation, air cleaning) Includes outdoor remote sensors that work up to 300 feet away. Gives the option for indoor remote sensors to be purchased separately. Can be controlled by a universal remote, dedicated panel, or mobile devices (phone or tablet). | Not available online or in stores. Requires dealer installation and configuration. Requires separate C4 controller hub. Expensive compared to other smart thermostat options. |
About Google Nest Thermostats
The Google Nest family includes the standard Google Nest as well as the Google Nest Learning thermostats.
- The standard Nest is an entry-level model that allows you to program and control your home’s climate without all the bells and whistles of other smart thermostats.
- Google’s Nest Learning (3rd Generation) thermostat has been the premier model for about ten years. This model offers an adaptive scheduling feature. According to Wirecutter, the Learning Nest is superior at automating your home’s temperature control after a brief learning period. As a user, you won’t have to do a whole lot to be up and running.
Let’s take a look at both the Nest thermostats and see how they stack up.
| Advantages of Google Nest* | Advantages of Google Learning Nest |
| Easy to install; homeowners can do it. Available on Amazon and at home improvement stores Voice integration with Alexa and Google AssistantThe geofencing feature detects if you’re home or away HVAC monitoring system notifies you of a problem with your system | Adaptive Schedule – learns your climate habits and sets up its own scheduleFarSight – senses human presence up to 20 feet away, which activates the display Compatible with remote Nest temperature sensorsAdd up to 6 remote sensors in a home Create custom schedules for remote sensorsWorks with both the Google Home App and Google Nest app |
*All of the advantages of the standard Google Nest are shared with the Google Learning Nest.
| Disadvantages of the Google Nest | Disadvantages of the Google Learning Nest |
| Compatibility may be an issue for some homes and may require the purchase of additional wiring or components Installation can be complicated if users do not opt for professional installation It does not offer as many features as the Google Learning Nest | Remote sensors are not voice-activated Remote sensors only track ambient temperature, not Home/Away status Not compatible with Apple HomeKitTwice the price of the standard Nest thermostat |
Other Considerations for the Control4 and Nest Thermostat
Before you decide on a thermostat, there are a few other things you should consider:
C-Wire Concerns
The C-Wire, or common wire, brings electrical current from your furnace to the thermostat to power the display and a few other things. If you have an older home, your system may not have the third wire (usually blue), and this will limit your use of the Control4 or Nest.
However, Google Nest thermostats can still work since they can work around the lack of a C-wire by pulling power from the furnace itself. An electrician can also install C-wires for an additional cost.
User Interface and Device Integration
Once again, the Apple vs. Android issue rears its head. It’s essential that you make sure the thermostat you select works with your preferred mobile device. Fortunately, both these thermostat models are supported by both operating systems, so this all comes down to your preference.
The Control4 thermostat is best controlled by a Control4 dedicated touch screen panel that can be mirrored on either Android or iOS.
For Control4 consumers, integration with a host of other device brands is to be expected at such a high-end level. The Learning Nest supports additional devices and can be controlled by Alexa and Google Home voice services.
Wi-fi Connectivity
It’s worth noting that if your wi-fi goes down, your smart thermostat—regardless of the one you choose—will still work as a regular thermostat. It will run current schedules, but you won’t be able to access it remotely or use any of its smart features.
Final Thoughts
George Jetson’s got nothing on today’s smart home. Sure, we’re not quite there yet with flying cars, but there are plenty of smart devices now that make life easier. Controlling your home’s climate to best reflect when and how you use the space takes one more thing off your to-do list.
For high-end users who can afford the price of someone else handling all the details, the Control4 thermostat is a solid choice. For the average consumer who just wants a thermostat smart enough to manage the home’s climate and easy enough to install and control themselves, the Google Learning Nest comes highly recommended.