How can I tell which Nest Learning Thermostat I have?

Article Summary:
Currently, there are three generations of the Nest Learning Thermostat. They look similar, and share a lot of the same great features, but there are some important differences. There are many ways to tell which thermostat you have. Here’s how.

There are three ways to tell the difference between each Nest Thermostat generation. You can look at the display, you can look at the base, or you can look in the Nest app. The easiest is to look at the display.

Differences in the display

3rd generation

2nd generation

1st generation

3.25 inch screen diameter

2.75 inch screen diameter

Seamless all-steel ring

Visible seam in ring

Slimmer profile

Thicker profile

Sensors hidden behind smaller opaque window

Sensors hidden behind opaque window

Sensor grille at the bottom of the display

Differences in the Nest 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. The 3rd gen Nest Thermostat has an updated design with a new blue bubble level, but has the same wire connectors as the 2nd gen thermostat. The 2nd and 3rd gen Nest Thermostats also have two more connectors (10 total) than the 1st gen so they’re compatible with more heating and cooling systems. See the table below for other key differences.

Note: It’s important to know that the Nest Thermostat base is compatible only with the display that it was made for. So for example, you can’t connect a 1st gen base to a 3rd gen display. However, there are two different versions of the 1st gen base which are interchangeable with each other. The newer version has updated wire connectors that are easier to use. For more information about Nest Thermostat base compatibility see this article.

3rd generation

2nd generation

1st generation

Blue bubble level on top

Yellow bubble level on bottom

Yellow bubble level on top

Curved wire connector rows

Straight wire connector rows

Screw holes at top and bottom

Screw holes on left and right sides

Oval display connector at bottom

Rectangular display connector at bottom

Circular wire hole

Rectangular wire hole

Differences in the Nest app

If you’re away from home and don’t have physical access to your thermostat, you can also tell the difference in the Nest app. Selecting your thermostat, then the Settings icon in the top right corner of the screen, then Technical info. You’ll see different model numbers for both the display and the base.

The first digit of the display model number (Display-1.xx, Display-2.xx, or Display-3.xx) will always tell you the generation of the Nest Thermostat. The picture to the right is for a 2nd generation Nest Thermostat.

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