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, the Heat Link or in the Nest app to find out which Nest thermostat you have.
Here are a few ways of telling the difference between each Nest thermostat. The easiest thing to do is to look at the display.
Differences in the ring and display
The table below shows key differences between Nest thermostats.
|
Nest Thermostat E |
3rd-gen |
2nd-gen |
 |
 |
 |
| 4.6 cm illuminated screen diameter |
8.25 cm illuminated screen diameter | 7 cm illuminated screen diameter |
| Sensor behind Nest logo | Sensors hidden behind smaller opaque window |
Sensors hidden behind smaller opaque window |
| White plastic ring | Stainless-steel ring: can also be coloured copper, white or black. |
Stainless-steel ring |
| Integrated stand (included) | Stand sold separately | Stand sold separately |
The 3rd-generation Nest Learning Thermostat’s stainless-steel ring can be different colours such as copper, white or black. If you have a thermostat ring that looks like one of these, you have a 3rd-generation thermostat.
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|
|
|
|
Copper |
White |
Black |
About the 2nd-gen Nest Learning Thermostat in Europe
The first Nest thermostat available in European countries was the 2nd-gen Nest Learning Thermostat. Heating systems in Europe are very different from those in the US and Canada, and we wanted to deliver the best possible experience and energy savings from the start. So we took the time to design and engineer an entirely new version of the Nest thermostat.
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. See the table below for key differences between the different Nest thermostat bases.
|
Nest Thermostat E |
3rd-gen |
2nd-gen |
|
|
|
|
|
Integrated stand No bubble level Oval display connector
|
Blue spirit level Oval display connector Smaller Nest logo |
Yellow spirit level Rectangular display connector Large Nest logo |
Differences between Heat Links
You can also see the difference between each thermostat’s Heat Link.
|
Nest Thermostat E |
3rd-gen |
2nd-gen |
|
|
|
|
|
Grey fabric cover Two status lights |
White plastic body Three status lights |
White plastic body One status light |
|
Width 11.7 cm x depth 2.2 cm |
Height 11 cm x width 11 cm x depth 2.8 cm |
Height 10 cm x width 10 cm x depth 2.9 cm |
Displays and bases of different thermostat models aren't compatible
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As long as the thermostat base is from the same model, generation and country/region as the thermostat display, you can swap bases and displays.
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Because of different hardware designs, the displays and bases of various Nest thermostat models are not interchangeable even though they may look similar. The display connector and system wire connectors vary from model to model. Please see the first two sections in this article for more details.
WARNING: Attempting to connect parts from different Nest thermostat models may damage your thermostat as well as your system.
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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.
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Note: 3rd-gen Nest Learning Thermostats come in several colours. All 3rd-gen display colours will work with any 3rd-gen base.
Parts from different countries aren’t always compatible
Some countries use high-voltage wiring for thermostats while others (such as the US and Canada) use low-voltage wiring. Nest designed different thermostats for high- and low-voltage system wiring. High-voltage and low-voltage Nest thermostat parts are not compatible.
WARNING: Any attempt to connect low- and high-voltage Nest parts may damage them as well as 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: six or eight connectors, labelled with letters like Y1, W1 and C.
- High-voltage wiring: two connectors, labelled with T1 and T2 or not labelled at all.
|
Low-voltage wiring |
High-voltage wiring |
|
Six or eight connectors, labelled with letters like Y1, W1 and C. |
Two connectors, labelled with T1 and T2 or not labelled at all. |
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Example: |
Example: |
