The utility of a smart home can extend far beyond comfort, and actually save homeowners money in the long run. For a small initial investment, a smart thermostat can go a long way towards some serious savings on your monthly energy bill. There are several features that can accomplish this goal, and one of the most exciting is the idea of “geofencing”.
This article focuses on a comparison of the Honeywell Lyric T5 and the Nest Learning Thermostat — two devices that feature the technology to adjust temperature control on the fly. With the ability for schedule planning or reactive adaptation, both thermostats offer a truly “hands-off” experience that offers optimal comfort and great savings.
Below, we’ll go over some of the key differences and try to give you a sense of which product is right for you and your lifestyle. Let’s get started!
Lyric T5 vs. Nest — Differences
- Difference #1: Design & Color – Though not necessarily the most important aspect to consider, it’s still worth discussing thermostat design and aesthetics.
If a beautiful device is of the utmost importance, the Honeywell Lyric T5 may not be the best choice. It features a rather drab, plastic design only available in grey, and its touch screen trends towards monochrome rather than vibrant. It’s packed with features, but essentially looks like a digital alarm clock. The device puts functionality first at the expense of aesthetics, but with an added perk of a lower price tag.
We think the Nest Learning Thermostat is a much more attractive device. With a bigger, sharper display and a sleek design, this thermostat will fit in perfectly in pretty much any household. With multiple “ring” finishes available, there are options to fit most every design aesthetic. Choose copper for a warm touch, or opt for stainless steel for a timeless and versatile look. Black and white rings are always in style, and offer a clean and simple design that will blend in beautifully with their surroundings.
Long story short, the Nest is more attractive than the Lyric T5 aesthetically, but comes with the tradeoff of a higher price tag.
- Difference #2: Remote Sensors – Being able to adjust to the temperature in multiple rooms is a big consideration when it comes to overall comfort. Support for remote sensors is an important perk – and one in which Honeywell’s model falls short.
The Lyric T5 doesn’t work with sensors, meaning it will only measure the temperature of the room in which it’s installed. If you have rooms that generally don’t get warm or cool enough, you may want to pass on this model. Keep in mind, too, that the Lyric T5 does not support Universal Input for indoor or outdoor sensors. Options like the ecobee3 Lite or ecobee4 are similar models from a different brand that offers support for remote sensors at a reasonable price.
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The Nest Learning Thermostat uses Nest Protect Smoke Plus Carbon Monoxide Detectors to sense temperatures in different rooms. These sensors are effective, but relatively expensive since they have to play double duty as a smoke detector. Still, the Nest definitely has advantage over the Lyric T5 when it comes to support for additional rooms.
- Difference #3: Power – Most thermostats are powered largely through 24 VAC power, also known as a “C” wire. The Honeywell Lyric T5 requires this wire in all cases.
The Nest, however, offers the ability to function even without a C-wire. The thermostat can run off of a built-in, rechargeable lithium-ion battery. This battery is charged by the heating and cooling wires attached to the device. This means that in the case of a power outage, the Nest will continue to work for some time, before shutting down to avoid completely draining the battery.
Recharging takes about 3 hours, and the thermostat will not be usable again until fully charged. Keep in mind that there are cases in which the Nest does require a C-wire to function effectively. Consult Nest’s guide on “When the Nest Learning Thermostat needs a common “C” wire” for more information on these specific situations.
Basically, there are occasionally some problems with battery glitches and heating/cooling setups that can cause some wonky boiler reactions. This is due to the fact that the Nest thermostat “pulses” the boiler for power, which can sometimes cause issues. Be sure to check out the guide linked above to make sure you avoid a malfunctioning device!
- Difference #4: Smart Home Integration – Another important factor to consider when deciding on a new thermostat is whether or not it will actually work with your existing smart home setup. Devices vary on their support for different systems, and it’s crucial that you make a decision that will fit in seamlessly with the way you already control your home.
The Lyric T5 Wi-Fi Thermostat works with Apple Homekit and Amazon Alexa for even greater smart home benefits. This device does not support integration with Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, Wink, or IFTTT.
Nest does not support Homekit, but it is compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Wink, and IFTTT. Integration with SmartThings is also achievable through a custom setup created by a programmer in the SmartThings Developer Community. Keep in mind, however, that using this integration violates Nest’s Terms of Service.
- Difference #5: Size – There is a small difference in size, with the Lyric T5 (4.06″ x 4.06″) slightly larger than the Nest (3.3″ x 3.3″). The difference is minimal, but may be impactful based on the space available and the importance you place on the aesthetics of your home.
- Difference #6: Warranty – With any electronics purchase — and especially with a thermostat — it’s important that the product be backed up by a warranty. With a smart thermostat revolving so much around this advanced technology, any flaws or product damage could potentially interrupt the convenience, comfort, and even the safety of your home environment.
The Lyric T5 offers a warranty of 2 to 5 years depending on the type of installation. If you had a professional contractor install the thermostat, it’s covered for 5 years, while self-installation only features 2 year coverage.
The Nest offers a 2 year warranty regardless of installation type.
- Difference #7: Price – The Nest Learning Thermostat is generally more fully-featured and attractive, so it may be tempting to declare that the device is downright “better” than Honeywell’s offering.
Keep in mind, however, that the Lyric T5 is less expensive than the Nest Learning Thermostat. For some customers, an option that’s “good enough” may be perfectly fine if it means getting your thermostat for a fraction of the price of the alternative.
Overall, the thermostats are designed with different markets in mind — Nest trending more towards premium while the Lyric T5 serves as more budget-type option.
Update 05/05/18: You can now buy the Nest Temperature Sensors to even out the temperature between rooms in your home. The Nest Temperature Sensors work only with the Nest Learning Thermostat Gen 3 and the Nest E Thermostat.
Lyric T5 vs. Nest — Comparison Table
| Honeywell Lyric T5 | Nest Learning Thermostat | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 4.1″ x 4.1″ | 3.3” x 3.3” |
| Hardware color | Black | White, Copper, Black, Stainless Steel |
| Bluetooth LE | No | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| Remote sensors | No | Nest Protect Nest Temperature Sensor |
| Power | Requires C-Wire | Works with/without C-Wire |
| Learns habits over time | No | Yes |
| Works with Amazon Alexa | Yes | Yes |
| Google Assistant support | No | Yes |
| Works with Wink | No | Yes |
| HomeKit-enabled | Yes | No |
| Works with SmartThings | No | No |
| iOS App | Yes | Yes |
Lyric T5 vs. Nest — Out Thoughts
Overall, it’s difficult to declare a clear “winner” in this situation. The Nest Learning Thermostat is one of the best smart thermostats on the market, and has premium features at a premium price tag. The Lyric T5, on the other hand, is a budget-friendly option for those who don’t need “extra” features like motion and humidity sensors, sophisticated “learning” modes, or individual room monitoring.
At the end of the day, the choice is going to be a personal decision. Which thermostat is right for you is based on your individual needs and budget. Rest assured, however, that both smart thermostats offer greater comfort and savings for a more connected, convenient home.
Last update on 2024-04-25 at 00:02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Interesting. I have the opposite impression. 🙂
We looked at the nest 2 yrs ago after a complete renovation of our house, but found that the only interesting thing about it was the remote controllability. We did not like the round design and thought it was very overpriced. We kept our old thermostat until just recently and got a black t5, which was $125 Canadian.
I installed it in 5 mins. (Yes, we have the ‘C’ wire) Downloaded and registered the app and programmed the thermostat in minutes. (apple)
Hey Ken!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts 😀
– Joseph
Keep I mind that the T5 knows when you are home or away with geofencing
I also think the design of the Lyric 5 is better then the Nest.
Honestly, I don’t need features that I will never use.
Even the Geofencing that the Lyric 5 has, I have dogs at home, so I will never use it.
I bought the Lyric 5 for 2 reason:
1) It does support Google Home. I have it connected to my Google Mini. I can ask it the temperature its currently set at, it tells me, if i want to change the temp I tell Google to do it, and it does.
2) I payed $99 for it, With a rebate of $100 from my local Power company. The only out of pocket expence was the taxes on the unit. (rebate is still available until the end of 2018)
The App also works great. It is so simple to use.
May I view the temp and/or change the temp on the T5 remotely? I am looking to install on a vacation home so I may monitor temps from permanent residence. Thanks.