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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 Thermostat 3/4ths view

Nest thermostat e heating

Nest Learning Thermostat

4th gen

Nest Learning Thermostat

3rd gen

Nest Learning Thermostat

2nd gen

Nest Learning Thermostat

1st gen

2nd gen thermostat

1st gen thermostat

Differences in the ring and display 

The tables below show key differences between thermostats.
Nest Thermostat

Nest Thermostat E

Nest Thermostat 3/4ths view

Nest thermostat e heating

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 colors (Refer to the colors below). White plastic ring

Nest Learning Thermostat

4th gen

Nest Learning Thermostat

3rd gen

Nest Learning Thermostat

2nd gen

Nest Learning Thermostat

1st gen

2nd gen thermostat

1st gen thermostat

Large screen

2.68 in (6.81 cm) 600x600 24-bit color 60 fps illuminated screen diameter

Large screen

3.25 in (8.26 cm) illuminated screen diameter

Small screen

1.8 in (4.57 cm) 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 & push button

Stainless steel ring: also comes in different colors (Refer to the colors below).

Stainless steel ring Seam on stainless steel ring

 

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

Nest Thermostat family all colors

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

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

Polished Silver Polished Gold Polished Obsidian

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

nest thermostat 3rd gen copper

nest thermostat 3rd gen white

nest thermostat 3rd gen black

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 right away. Refer to the table below for key differences between the different Nest thermostat bases.

Nest Thermostat Nest Thermostat E
thermostat e base
6 wire connectors 6 wire connectors
Blue bubble level on top Blue bubble 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 bottom
Oval wire hole Circular wire hole
Color of base will match color of display  

 

Nest Learning Thermostat

4th gen

Nest Learning
Thermostat

3rd gen

Nest Learning 
Thermostat

2nd gen

Nest Learning
Thermostat

1st gen

nest thermostat gen3 base nest thermostat gen2 base Nest thermostat gen 1 base
12 wire connectors 10 wire connectors 10 wire connectors 8 wire connectors
in straight rows

Green bubble level on top

Blue bubble level on
top
Yellow bubble level
on bottom
Yellow bubble level
on top

Screw holes at top and bottom

Screw holes at top
and bottom
Screw holes at top
and bottom
Screw holes on left
and right sides
Oval display connector at bottom Oval display
connector at 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 3 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, labeled with letters like Y1, W1 and C.
  • High voltage wiring: 2 connectors, labeled with T1 and T2, or not labeled at all.

Low voltage wiring (example)

High voltage wiring (example)

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