Updated
Updated · The Verge · Jul 9
Google Nest Thermostat Drops to $79 at Amazon as 2020 Smart-Home Model Hits Year Low
Updated
Updated · The Verge · Jul 9

Google Nest Thermostat Drops to $79 at Amazon as 2020 Smart-Home Model Hits Year Low

3 articles · Updated · The Verge · Jul 9

Summary

  • $79 gets Amazon shoppers Google’s Nest Thermostat in white, a $50 discount that marks the device’s best price of the year.
  • The 2020 entry-level model targets lower cooling and heating bills with remote controls in the Google Home app, scheduling, voice support via Google Assistant, Alexa and Matter-compatible assistants, and automatic setback when users are away.
  • Google also bundles energy- and maintenance-focused features, including Savings Finder suggestions, HVAC monitoring alerts, and Nest Renew for eligible users to shift usage to cleaner or cheaper electricity periods.
  • The discount applies to Google’s lower-end thermostat, which lacks premium features on the latest Nest Learning Thermostat such as automatic schedule learning and support for Nest Temperature Sensors.

Insights

At just $79, what are the hidden trade-offs in data privacy and features compared to more premium smart thermostats?
Can millions of cheap smart thermostats actually help stabilize the power grid, or is their impact on energy challenges overstated?
With big tech lagging on Matter updates, is the promise of a truly unified smart home still just a distant dream?