Honestly, if you're out there scouring the web for a Nest thermostat 5th generation, you've probably hit a wall of confusion. It’s kinda funny how the rumor mill works. One day a tech blog speculates about a new sensor, and the next thing you know, everyone thinks there’s a brand-new model sitting on a shelf at Best Buy.
Here’s the reality check: there is no 5th generation Nest yet.
Google actually just spent nearly a decade—nine years, to be exact—tinkering away before they finally dropped the Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) in late 2024. That's the flagship right now. In the world of smart home tech, that 4th Gen is the "new" one. Calling for a 5th gen already is like asking for the iPhone 20 when the 16 just came out.
Why the 5th Gen rumors won't die
People are basically impatient. We’re used to yearly upgrades for our phones and watches, so when Google stayed quiet from 2015 to 2024, everyone assumed they were skipping numbers or working on something mythical.
What's actually happening in 2026 is a massive shift in how the existing ones work. Google is officially killing support for the 1st and 2nd generation Nest Learning Thermostats on October 25, 2025. If you have one of those relics, it’s basically becoming a "dumb" dial on your wall. No app control. No remote scheduling. Just you, the wall, and the clicking sound of a rotating ring.
This "end of life" event for the old models has sent people into a frenzy looking for what's next. They assume if the 4th gen came out in 2024, surely a 5th gen must be arriving to replace the discontinued ones in 2026?
Nope. Google’s play is to get everyone onto the 4th Gen and the budget-friendly 2020 Nest Thermostat.
What the "Latest" Nest actually does
Since the 4th Gen is effectively the peak of the line for the foreseeable future, it’s worth looking at why Google thinks it doesn't need a successor yet. They basically turned the thing into a Pixel Watch for your wall. It’s got this bezel-less, domed glass look that makes it appear like it’s floating.
The big deal here isn't just the looks, though. It’s the "Smart Schedule" and the Gemini-backed AI.
In the old days, the Nest just watched you walk by and guessed when you liked it at $72^\circ\text{F}$. Now, it’s actually looking at the weather forecast. If it’s a sunny winter day, the thermostat realizes the sun is going to heat your living room through the windows and it pauses the HVAC. It’s trying to be proactive rather than reactive.
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- Matter Support: This was the huge "finally" moment. You can finally use a Nest with Apple Home without jumping through a dozen hoops.
- Dynamic Farsight: It uses the Soli radar sensor. When you’re across the room, it shows a giant clock or the outdoor temp. As you walk closer, the screen morphs to show you the actual thermostat controls.
- The Sensor: Google started throwing a Nest Temperature Sensor (2nd Gen) into the box for free. This was a direct response to Ecobee, who had been beating them on the "multi-room" game for years.
The 2026 landscape: Matter and Gemini
If a Nest thermostat 5th generation ever does materialize, it won't be because the hardware is "slow." It’ll be because of software.
Everything at Google is being funneled through Gemini. Right now, the 4th Gen uses AI to suggest changes. It might ping your phone and say, "Hey, you've been a bit warmer lately, want to drop the temp at 10 PM?" You have to hit "Accept" or "Decline."
The future—what people think the 5th gen will be—is likely a device that doesn't ask. It'll just know. We're talking about a level of automation where the thermostat talks to your Fitbit to see if you’re running a fever or check your Google Calendar to see if you’re heading to the gym.
Is that creepy? Sorta. Is it where we’re headed? Definitely.
Don't get scammed by "5th Gen" listings
You’ll see them on eBay or weird third-party marketplaces. "Brand New Nest 5th Gen."
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Ignore them.
Usually, these are just mislabeled 4th Gen units or, even worse, the 3rd Gen being sold with a "5" in the title to trick people who don't know the history. The 3rd Gen is still a great device, but it lacks the 12-terminal backplate and the AI-driven "System Health" monitor that watches for HVAC failures.
If you’re looking to upgrade in 2026, the 4th Gen is the one that’s going to get the most support.
Actionable Steps for 2026 Homeowners
If you are currently sitting with a blank wall or an old model, here is the move.
- Check your wiring: If you don't have a C-wire (the blue one), the 4th Gen is your best bet. It has a power-sharing feature that actually works without making your furnace "chatter."
- Verify your App: Stop using the old Nest app. It’s a ghost town. Everything is moving to the Google Home app. If you can’t get your current thermostat into the Home app, it’s time to upgrade.
- Claim your discount: Since Google is killing the 1st and 2nd gen models, they’ve been sending out email codes for significant discounts on the 4th Gen. Check your spam.
- Look for the "Pro" install: If you have a complex system—think 3-stage heating or a whole-home humidifier—the 4th Gen is the only smart thermostat in Google's lineup that can handle it properly.
Forget the hunt for a 5th Gen. It doesn't exist. Grab the 4th Gen if you want the best tech available, or wait until late 2027 at the earliest if you're dead-set on the next big hardware jump. For now, the current flagship has more than enough "brain" to keep your house comfortable.