Google Nest Thermostat · problems & reliability report

Google Nest Thermostat problems: what real owners report

58% of 457 verified Google Nest Thermostatowners don't recommend it, and 33 describe specific problems — based on real owner comments from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube.

For balance: 38% recommend it. This page collects the complaints so you know what you're signing up for — read the full owner report for both sides. How we score

Trend
Recent owners are more negative than older ones — the last six months run 17% recommend vs 38% all-time. Whatever the issues are, they aren't going away.

Most common complaints

In owners' own words

I was all set to buy the Nest, but after watching this video and learning (no pun intended) so much more about them both, I think I'm switching to the Ecobee!
@nazzarenopisano652 on YouTube
Google ruined the Nest thermostats the same way they ruined the Nest cameras.
@Keydet1992 on YouTube
I moved into a house with google nest thermostats and now googles changing my temperature and it drives me crazy. I almost ripped the damn thing off the wall
honeysmacks18 on Reddit
In short, I've bought my last Google product.
@Valehass on YouTube
There were only two options, and if you pick the wrong one, you'll blow hot air instead of cold (and vice versa).
Recurringferry on Reddit
Replacing an old nest where the temperature is off and the humidity stopped working completely.
@luss1978 on YouTube
Having a Google nest thermostat is like having a passive aggressive roommate who turns the thermostat up because “you weren’t home!”
Roseartcrantz on Reddit
The software and glitches with nest is insane.
@Jfresh55 on YouTube
Got a google nest thermostat and the app is junk, changing settings is awful, the touch sensitivity on the thermostat itself is so unusable, I’m tossing it as soon as I can get a Wyze one
funkadunk8 on Reddit
It'll let temps drift out of range until I walk by, then it lights up and suddenly turns on the heat or a/c to get back into range.
idontagreewitu on Reddit
I have a Nest Pro thermostat. I absolutely loathe it!
@kimberlygiesler5695 on YouTube
Damn, that glare on the Nest seems super annoying.
@balthezor on YouTube

Setup quirks & things to watch for

Not complaints — practical notes from owners that didn't affect the score.

I have a Google Nest thermostat and a relatively modern home (1980s but upgraded since) and I see virtually no savings at all after a few months. I expected this and only purchased the Nest for voice and remote control.
tropho23 on Reddit
Google Nest thermostats are very longwinded to set up and you’d need the residents username/passwords to fully configure them.
halfwheeled on Reddit
I got the Google Nest thermostat (2020, mirrored finish, the "cheap" one) sent to by Ohm. I needed to add a C wire as my wall heater wasn't able to provide the 24v needed.
loonling on Reddit
Google Nest thermostat switches between the heat pump and gas furnace based on the custom temp setting
zalam604 on Reddit
my Google nest thermostat was clearly on my network. It was not talking to the Google home servers so I just powercycled it and magically it worked again
[deleted] on Reddit
J'ai essayé de mettre un Google nest thermostat, très semblable au ecobee, et mon système électrique n'était pas compatible (voltage trop haut).
alex9zo on Reddit
The newest Google Nest thermostats are a pain to set up. It MUST be completed with the homeowners Google account, usually using their phone.
Figure_1337 on Reddit
I have a Google Nest thermostat linked to my Alexa, I named it ‘Temperature’ and can set by saying “Set Temperature to x degrees” and have morning and night routines.
SomeRando1967 on Reddit
Weighing it up? The full report has the other side — what 38% of owners like about it, who it's for, and every sourced quote. Full Google Nest Thermostat owner report →