The short version: The Nest Thermostat E, released in 2017 with a distinctive frosted-plastic display, was discontinued from Google’s direct retail lineup in 2020. It’s still findable through Amazon.ca and eBay at $200–230 CAD, with historically positive owner feedback for its simplicity, but you’re buying an unsupported, aging product through a secondary market rather than a current Google offering.

Who It’s For

Works with central forced-air heating and cooling: gas, oil, or electric furnaces, standard heat pumps, and central AC. It does not work with electric baseboard heat — Mysa, Sinopé, or Stelpro cover that in Canada.

Makes sense for:
– Buyers replacing an existing Thermostat E and wanting a matching unit
– Budget shoppers comfortable buying discontinued hardware through Amazon.ca or eBay with a clear return policy
– Simple single-zone homes that don’t need the current Nest Thermostat’s Google Home-first setup or the Learning Thermostat’s auto-scheduling

Not the pick if you want manufacturer software support with a clear runway, current-generation hardware, or a straightforward retail warranty — the current Nest Thermostat (2020) covers similar ground with active support and is often priced lower.

Design & Build

The Thermostat E’s signature feature is its frosted white plastic display — a deliberately softer, less glossy look than the Learning Thermostat’s metal-and-glass design, intended to blend into a wall rather than stand out. It has a simpler ring control than the Learning Thermostat and a smaller display footprint overall.

Setup & Compatibility

C-wire situation: Like other Nest models, the Thermostat E uses power harvesting and generally doesn’t require a C-wire, though connecting one where available reduces the odds of ghost calls.

System compatibility: Works with single-stage gas furnaces, central AC, and standard heat pumps — common in much of Canadian housing stock. More complex multi-stage or dual-fuel systems are better matched to the Learning Thermostat or an Ecobee model.

A note on remote sensors: The Thermostat E’s compatible remote monitor lacks an occupancy sensor, a step down from Nest’s other sensor hardware — worth knowing if multi-room monitoring is part of why you’re considering it.

App & Ecosystem

Google stopped selling the Thermostat E directly to consumers in 2020, meaning it’s no longer part of the actively marketed lineup, though it continues to function through the Google Home app for buyers who already own one.

Ecosystem support:
– Google Assistant / Google Home: Supported
– Amazon Alexa: Supported
– Apple HomeKit: Not supported

Historical owner ratings on marketplaces like eBay have skewed strongly positive, with the large majority landing at 5 stars — reviewers commonly describe it as an easy, no-fuss thermostat, consistent with its original design as Nest’s simplified, lower-cost option.

The Discontinued-Model Tradeoff

Because Google no longer sells or actively markets the Thermostat E, a few things matter more here than with a current product:

  • Software support runway: As with any discontinued smart home device, there’s no guarantee how long app and firmware support continues.
  • Warranty: Buying through Amazon.ca or eBay rather than Google’s own channel means warranty terms depend on the specific seller — confirm before purchasing.
  • Stock quality: Available units are a mix of new-old-stock and used — check listing condition carefully.
  • Rebate eligibility: Being off Google’s active lineup, it may not appear on current provincial utility qualifying lists the way the current Nest Thermostat does — verify before counting on a rebate.

Price & Value

Nest Thermostat E
Price (CAD) $200–230 (Amazon.ca, eBay — new-old-stock and used)
Warranty Varies by seller — confirm before buying
Subscription required No

At this price, it sits above the current Nest Thermostat (2020) at $180–210 CAD, which is actively supported, sold through mainstream Canadian retail (Best Buy, Home Depot, Canadian Tire), and backed by a standard Google warranty. Unless you specifically want the frosted design or need a matching unit, the current model is usually the better buy for less money.

Pros & Cons

Pros:
– Simple, well-regarded design that owners describe as easy to live with
– Historically strong secondhand-market ratings
– No C-wire required in most homes
– Works with Google Home and Alexa

Cons:
– Discontinued from Google’s direct retail lineup since 2020
– No occupancy sensor on the compatible remote monitor
– No Apple HomeKit support
– Warranty, rebate eligibility, and long-term software support are less certain than a current model
– Priced above the actively-supported current Nest Thermostat

Nest models compared: Nest Thermostat, Nest Thermostat E (legacy), Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen), and Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen)

The Recommendation

Buy the Nest Thermostat E only if you’re replacing an existing unit for a matching look, or you find a clearly-priced deal with a solid return policy.

Buy the current Nest Thermostat (2020) instead — it’s typically cheaper, actively supported, and more likely to qualify for provincial rebates.

For comparisons: Nest Thermostat vs Nest Thermostat E: What’s the Difference?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Nest Thermostat E still sold by Google in Canada?
No. Google stopped selling it directly to consumers in 2020. It’s available through Amazon.ca, eBay, and other secondary retail channels as new-old-stock or used.

Is the Nest Thermostat E worth buying today?
Usually only if you’re matching an existing unit. The current Nest Thermostat is typically cheaper and actively supported.

Does the Nest Thermostat E qualify for Canadian utility rebates?
Uncertain — because it’s off Google’s active lineup, it may not appear on current provincial qualifying lists the way the current Nest Thermostat does. Verify before counting on a rebate. See Smart Thermostat Rebates in Canada by Province.

Does the Nest Thermostat E require a C-wire?
No, it uses power harvesting like other Nest models, though a C-wire connection where available reduces the odds of ghost calls.

Does it support Apple HomeKit?
No. No Nest thermostat generation, including the Thermostat E, supports HomeKit.

Does the Nest Thermostat E work with heat pumps?
Yes, for standard single-stage setups. More complex multi-stage or dual-fuel systems, more common in colder parts of Canada, are better matched to the Learning Thermostat or an Ecobee model.