Hive Vs Nest Expert Review on Which is Best & Which to Buy?

Hive Vs Nest Smart thermostat comparison, pros, cons & which is the best?

Hive and Nest are two of the most popular smart thermostat options for new boilers and central heating out there, and for good reason.

They both comprise some of the most forward-thinking technology in eco-friendly heating management and if you’re choosing a new boiler and want to upgrade, then which should you choose?

Get a Nest or Hive with new boilers, including installation here

Hive or Nest: Best smart thermostats in the UK?

The main difference between the Hive and Nest is that they look completely different and one is battery-powered while the other needs to be plugged in however, they also have some features that the other doesn’t which we will delve into and may be more suitable for your home.

Surprisingly, despite dominating the industry, neither was created by the traditional heating control companies as Nest is the creation of tech giants Google, and they are doing what they do best with innovative design and function.

Hive, on the other hand, is the creation of household energy providers British Gas, who have levelled the playing field with their smart thermostat equivalent.

In the search for the ideal room temperature in the UK, a smart thermostat could be the best and most energy-efficient way to do it.

Does a Nest or Hive smart thermostat lower energy bills?

Arguably this is the main reason to buy one of these best smart thermostats.

In the UK, 1.67 million homes already use smart thermostats to control their boilers and central heating and this is increasing every year and evidently, these smart devices are becoming more and more popular.

Not only can they help to save you money (which we cover in more detail below), but it has also been reported that if all UK homes used smart thermostats we could reduce up to 18.3 million tonnes of CO2 per year.

In this article, we are going to dive into everything that you need to know about each of these smart thermostat options, with a particular focus on the Hive Active Heating thermostat and the Nest Learning Thermostat.

Which is better for central heating – Hive or Nest?

Nest is better as it is compatible with more types of boilers and has more features than the Hive smart thermostat option and in addition, you can get a nest included in the cost of a boiler too with boiler central if you are considering a new boiler installation.

However, there are many features that are synonymous across both brands, and the additional features offered by Nest may not be important to you and your needs and although Nest performs well, there are plenty of selling points that make Hive a worthy competitor.

Why install a smart thermostat for a boiler?

It is no surprise that the smart thermostat to be used with more a recent boiler replacement has grown in popularity over the past few years and they allow you to heat your home as and when you need as well as your hot water.

Long gone are the days when you would worry about leaving the boiler and central heating on by mistake. A smart thermostat allows you to have complete control over your heating and hot water usage, and do so with next to no waste.

You can now decide exactly when to turn your boiler on and how and when to heat your home at any moment from any location, through a convenient app that links to your phone or tablet. Or even through a voice-controlled smart device like Amazon Alexa!

In addition to this, using a smart thermostat really offers some valuable and smart features. For example, being able to adjust to weather conditions to avoid freezing pipes such as a boiler frozen condensate pipe.

This could avoid a lot of heartache and cost, especially for those that might have a second home, since you can manage these features remotely.

You can save time, money, and energy and keep the thermostat set at the right temperature via your phone with a smart thermostat, and benefit both the environment and your back pocket.

Will a Hive or Nest thermostat save you money on your bills?

Using a smart thermostat, whether it be a Hive Active Heating thermostat or a Nest Learning thermostat, certainly has the potential to help you save money. They allow you to have a greater level of control over your energy use, and thus potentially use much less, which will reduce your overall energy bills.

It has been reported that on average you can save £154 per year by using a smart thermostat and monitoring your energy use. Get a Nest or Hive included in your new boiler quote today.

The ability to heat individual rooms, also known as zones, means that you will only pay to heat the areas that you need. In addition to this, you can benefit from efficient heating that you can turn off at the touch of a button.

When all is said and done, both Hive and Nest are tools that can help you to save money. However, ultimately, it will be down to you to make the most of this. One advantage of having notifications on your phone is that you will always be aware of when your boiler controls are not working, which can also save you from inadvertently putting your heating on when it isn’t necessary.

Hive vs Nest: Features and specifications

For those looking for a brief overview, here is a quick breakdown of the main features of the Hive Active Heating 2nd Generation thermostat and the Nest Learning 3rd Generation thermostat.

	Hive Active Heating 2nd Generation	Nest Learning Thermostat 3rd Generation
Price	Approx £249 with professional installation. Approx £179 if installing yourself. Approx £99 if you become a British Gas customer.	Approx £249 with professional installation. Approx £199 if installing yourself
Installation cost	Approx £70.	Approx £80.
Central heating compatibility	Most gas & LPG boilers, oil burners with existing thermostat & electric boilers. (explained further below)	Most central heating systems.
Battery	4 x AA batteries	Built-in rechargeable connected to the mains.
Design	Square shape, central dial and 3 buttons. Choice of 12 coloured frames	Round shape, touch screen, dial around the device to modify the temperature
Mounting	Backplate that thermostat hooks onto either the wall or free-standing.	Wall-mounted.
Voice control	Yes.	Yes.
Remote control	Yes.	Yes.
Smart device compatibility	Google Home, Amazon Alexa & Apple Home Kit.	Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Apple Home Kit & Siri.
Multiple zones compatibility	3 zones.	20 zones.
Power consumption	Less than 1kW/month.	Less than 1kW/month.
Warranty	1-year.	2-3 years depending on the model.

Hive or Nest: Features that are on both smart thermostats

Hive and Nest are the most popular smart thermostat brands in the UK and both offer some great features, many of which are synonymous across both brands, so before we dive into features unique to each device, let’s look at some that are relevant to both makes.

Remote and voice control management features

Both Hive and Nest offer remote and voice control management options through downloadable apps, websites, and smart devices. This means that you can control the temperature in your house, even when you’re not there, reducing your overall energy waste.

They are also compatible with Amazon’s Alexa and Google Home and will recognise voice commands, for ultimate convenience. You are able to set alerts and have them turn the heating on for you.

Frost detection feature

Both of these popular smart thermostats have an integrated frost detection safety feature that will prevent your pipes from freezing.

They are able to recognise a drop in the temperature, and automatically turn the heating up slightly to avoid any potential damage and this can be a great peace of mind if you have a second home, or are away from your home and unable to do it yourself.

GPS tracking feature

Both Hive and Nest utilise GPS tracking so that they can respond to your location. Your geolocation alerts your thermostat when you have passed a certain distance from your home. This parameter is referred to as a geo-fence.

By sharing your location information with your thermostat, you don’t need to worry that you have left your heating on when you’re not home and are not benefiting from it as it will automatically change the thermostat settings.

Data security feature

Hive and Nest both pride themselves on their advanced data security. This is a feature that they are constantly improving and developing and involves multiple security layers and encryption.

To get the most benefit from a smart thermostat then it needs to know information about your energy use and habits, and it’s reassuring to know that this information and data will be kept private.

Whilst there are plenty of features that both Nest and Hive share, there are also quite a few that are unique to each option.

Nest thermostat features: What is good about it?

Nest benefits from Google’s ingenuity and offers a learning feature that is able to learn your home heating habits and adjust accordingly. This allows your thermostat to create bespoke schedules based on actual energy usage. Initially, this can be a bit hit or miss, but over time, when a routine is established it can be a handy feature.

Nest Geolocation feature

n addition to the geolocation feature and ability to track your distance from your home, Nest also has a built-in motion sensor to detect exactly when you are home.

This means that you will never heat an empty house. This motion sensor also activates the Farsight feature. The thermostat will automatically light up when you enter the room for a quick-look at temperature, time, and weather check.

Nest zonal control

Nest allows you to heat up to 20 individual rooms, also known as zones. If you are only using one part of your home or even just one room, you can create zones on the Nest Learning thermostat. This means that instead of heating your whole house on a cold day, you can heat up the actual room that you are in. This could really reduce your heating expenses over the year.

Hive thermostat features: What is good about it?

One of the biggest differences between Hive and Nest is that Hive does not offer as many features as Nest.

Unlike Nest, Hive does not offer the self-learning element. However, it can still be easily set manually, which you can do directly from your phone. You can easily tweak your thermostat and heating use, as and when you need it.

Separate motion sensors

Hive doesn’t automatically provide the automotive motion sensor feature within their thermostat device.

However, they do sell motion sensors separately, so it is still possible to enjoy this feature. They also sell various other devices that are compatible with the thermostat such as leak monitors and lights.

Hive does offer the same zone feature that Nest provides. However, they only have a maximum of 3 zones instead of 20. But depending on your needs, this may be plenty.

Hive or Nest: Heating compatibility with boilers

This will probably be the biggest deciding factor when choosing between a Hive or Nest smart thermostat. Not all heating systems are compatible with these smart thermostat options. So if you are getting a new boiler quote, ensure that the smart thermostat you choose is the right one.

Both are compatible with most gas, oil, LPG, and electric boilers. Nevertheless, it is always worth double-checking beforehand that your model will be compatible with your chosen smart thermostat.

Which boilers is Nest compatible with?

A Nest smart thermostat communicates to the boiler through a communicator called a heat link. The thermostat itself acts as the control.

Here is a list of smart boilers that the Nest Learning 3rd Generation Thermostat is compatible with:

• Gas boiler
• Oil boiler
• LPG boiler
• Electric boiler
• Air source heat pumps
• Ground source heat pumps
• Biomass boilers
• Domestic hot water tank (for hot water temp control and OpenTherm technology only)

Which boilers is Hive compatible with?

A Hive smart thermostat communicates to the boiler via a communicator called a receiver. The thermostat itself also acts as the control.

Here is a list of boilers that the Hive Active Heating 2nd Generation thermostat is compatible with:

• Gas boiler
• Oil boiler
• LPG boiler
• Electric boiler
• Domestic hot water tanks (can turn on & off only, no temperature control).

Combi boilers that can be used with Nest or Hive

Here at Boiler Central, we offer a range of new combi boilers that can be used with smart thermostats. You can even buy a smart thermostat at checkout as an upgrade with all our boilers. These will be included in the installation too, so when your new boiler gets installed, your Nest or Hive will be installed too so you can be controlling your heating with a smart thermostat right away.

Here are some of the best combi boilers you can buy that can be used with Hive or Nest:

• Worcester Bosch 4000
• Viessmann Vitodens 050-w
• Worcester Bosch 8000
• Worcester Bosch 2000
• Viessmann Vitodens 100-w

Hive or Nest: Usability

Both Hive and Nest provide ultra usability. Long gone are the days when you had to fiddle around with buttons and dials in person and hope that you didn’t leave the heating on.

These smart thermostats have been designed and created for a high-quality user experience.

They are both programmed with the IFTTT acronym. This translates to “if this then that”, which enables you to set your thermostat in a very personal, specific manner.

It is also important to note that even though both these thermostats can offer automotive, remote, and voice control capabilities, you are still able to set your heating preferences on the thermostat itself as you would a traditional one.

How easy is nest to use?

In addition to the above, Nest also provides the option of a family account in which you can invite up to 10 people to access the app controls and reports. This means that several people in your household can individually operate the heating preferences.

How easy is Hive to use?

The Hive app has one account, however, you can easily share the login details amongst those in your home.

Hive or Nest: Design

When it comes to appearance it completely depends on personal preference. However, both Hive and Nest offer a smart and modern design to suit any home.

Nest – Design

The Nest Learning thermostat is touchscreen and circular in design with a metal rim and glass face. The modern, sleek and tidy thermostat is mounted on the wall and out of the way.

The circular design has an integrated dial that you can use to adjust the temperature and you can push the thermostat to activate the heating settings.

The Nest Learning thermostat is available in stainless steel, copper, black and white options.

Hive – Design

The Hive Active Heating thermostat has three main buttons and is operated with a central dial, similar to that of a dimmer switch. Similarly, to the Nest thermostat, the Hive is both modern and sleek and is mounted on the wall but with a small stand attachment.

The Hive thermostat is only available in a dark grey however there are 12 colour frame options available that fit around the edge to suit your interior.

Hive or Nest: Costs and value for money

One of the biggest deciding factors is often the costs and the value for money. Both Hive and Nest have similar starting costs, so the main thing to consider here is the value for money. Remember to keep in mind that whilst the Nest thermostat includes more features, if you do not use these features then they may not be worth the cost for you.

You can get a hive or nest included in the cost of a new boiler. You can also add this to any boiler finance you take out too if you want to spread the cost of your new boiler and the smart thermostat as well.

How much does a Nest cost?

For the device alone the Nest Learning thermostat costs between £140-£200. If you are happy to install it yourself then there are no other costs, however, if you would prefer to have it professionally installed you will need to pay for installation which is £80, taking the total cost to £220-£280. The Nest thermostat comes with a 2-year warranty.

There are various additional accessories that can be paired with your thermostat, including a home security camera and smoke alarm.

How much does a Hive cost?

For the device alone the Hive Active Heating thermostat costs between £140-£250. Again, this is if you are happy to install it yourself. If you would rather hire a professional to install it then this will cost approximately £70, which takes the total cost to £210-£320.

However, if you currently are or become a British Gas user then you can get the Hive Active Heating thermostat for only £99. The Hive also has a 1-year warranty with the purchase.

Hive also offers various additional accessories including smart lights and motion sensors, all of which pair up with the thermostat.

Hive vs Nest: Installation

When it comes to installation both Hive and Nest can be installed by yourself, or by a professional. This completely depends on personal preference and ability. Installing the thermostat yourself can certainly save on costs, however, if you do get it professionally installed you can be confident that it is set up properly.

If you chose a new smart thermostat with your new boiler installation, the heating engineer will install this at the same time.

Nest installation: How easy is the Nest to install?

It is recommended to hire a Nest professional installer, however, this is certainly something that you can do yourself. The Nest thermostat can easily replace any existing wall-mounts or have an optional moveable stand.

The Nest thermostat is plugged into the mains, this means that you do not need to worry about replacing batteries. However, it does mean that if there is a power shortage, then there are only approximately 1-2 hours of life until it will stop working.

The installation and setup are very easy. You will receive two parts, the thermostat itself and the heat link which connects and communicates with the boiler. Once these are connected then you simply need to connect to wifi and download the app on your phone or tablet.

Hive installation: How easy is the Hive to install?

Hive recommends using an experienced tradesperson to install your smart thermostat, and as a British Gas company, can easily organise an engineer to come and install your Hive Active Heating thermostat. However, you could still install it yourself.

The Hive Heating thermostat does need to be installed on an internal wall, so there is a little less flexibility with its location. However, it is operated by 4 AA batteries and has approximately 2 years of battery life, which means that if there is a power shortage, this smart thermostat will keep working.

Similarly to the Nest Learning thermostat, the installation and setup are pretty easy. You will receive the thermostat itself and the receiver which connects and communicates with the boiler. Again, you will only need to connect to wifi to download the app on your phone or tablet and you are good to go.

Read more here about Hive connectivity problems if you are struggling to set yours up.

Hive vs Nest: Verdict on which to choose?

Overall, Hive and Nest are both leading smart thermostat options in the market and will both provide the many benefits of using a smart thermostat in your home.

The Nest Learning thermostat does offer more features, including the automotive motion sensor and habit learning capability, at the same cost as the Hive Active Heating alternative. However, if these features are not particularly relevant to your needs then there may be other factors to consider. There are other smart thermostats to consider too such as Tado or Honeywell T6 smart thermostat, or if you have a Worcester Bosch the Bosch EasyControl smart thermostat.

For example, a major decision-making factor will be your boiler type. The decision of which thermostat is best for you may fundamentally come down to the type of boiler that you have and whether or not the thermostat is compatible with it. Or if you are currently a British Gas customer or keen to become one, you could make further savings on a Hive smart thermostat.

When all is said and done, both are great smart thermostat options. Hopefully, our guide and breakdown of both Hive and Nest will help you decide which is best for you and your needs.

FAQs

How to reset a hive thermostat?

To reset a hive thermostat – you must:

1. Turn the wall outlet back on and off.
2. Wait for the thermostat to reactivate for a few minutes.
3. Refresh the Hive app’s page.

That’s 3 easy steps to restarting or resetting a hive thermostat.

How to pair a hive thermostat?

There are 4 quick procedures when wanting to pair a hive thermostat:

If you already have heating schedules and settings applied it will reset if you follow these instructions.

1. Check that your Hive Heating is online by opening the Hive app and going to the dashboard. Please get in touch with us if you’ve tried these instructions and it’s still offline or if your heating system has many zones. If not, move on to step 2.
2. If the dashboard is active, choose “Add.” To access the menu instead, click the upper right corner.
3. Select “Upgrade or Replace,” then listen to the on-screen directions.
4. That is all! Your new thermostat should now be manageable through the Hive app.

How is a hive thermostat installed?

We always advise hiring a professional to install a Hive Thermostat. You may save time and gain a bit more piece of mind by having one of our knowledgeable partner engineers come by and handle everything for you.

Learning how to install a Hive thermostat might be simple if you believe yourself to be pretty DIY-savvy. You will find comprehensive instructions in the package, but in general, you will need a screwdriver and around 90 minutes free.