Hive Vs Nest

stoofa · 12 Aug 2019 at 10:58

We are currently looking to replace our boiler - it came with the house before we moved in back in 1990.
The boiler is actually still going strong, however it's been pointed out on the last few yearly services that parts are no longer available for this, so we should consider replacing it.

I am "invested" as such into the Google ecosystem - TV, phones, tablets are all Android. We also have a couple of Google Home Mini's dotted around.
So the initial thought was go Nest, it should all integrate nicely. Plus, I also quite liked the look of their Smoke/CM sensors and thought I could look at adding a couple of those.

The problem - I'm yet to find a major supplier of new boilers who will also offer Nest. Some offering Hive and some offering "a nother" solution or their own branded one.

I'm told that with the latest generation that Hive & Nest are pretty much on par with one another. Obviously with a Hive solution I can find a number of suppliers who'll complete everything for me.
If I go the Nest route then I'm looking at getting the boiler replaced and initially using "dumb controls" and then looking at getting another firm in for the Nest installation.

I'm not adverse to having another app on the phone - at the end of the day I'm looking for a smart thermostat solution. I like the idea that the heating can remain off and we can "call the heating system" on the way home from our mobiles and switch it on so it's warm when we get in etc.

What do the Nest / Hive owners here think of their chosen solution? Pros or cons? Pleased with it? Wish you'd gone for the other?

Cheers all.

SMN · 12 Aug 2019 at 11:42

I've had both, and I much prefer Nest. Its more expensive, but it just seems 'better quality' - the software in particular.

Born_2_Kill_83 · 12 Aug 2019 at 12:02

We went Hive in our home, on the combi boiler, we also have lights and various sensors in the house as well. Upstairs landing light is on a sensor which can be set from dusk till dawn to work. So when the lad get's up in the night for a wee it'll light his way for him, 3 min's later when he's back in bed it'll turn off. No need for him to try and reach the light switch. Also have one in the downstairs toilet pointing at the door, soon as the door opens light comes on. Then we have just standard hive bulbs in the other rooms we can control via Alexa and our other "Dots" to tell them to turn on or off including brightness and warm/cool light contrast's. If you go full automation like we have it's nice, the LG OLED TV is last years so is also hooked into it all which is good for when you can't find the controller or be bothered to get up and get it. Also the app can control it all and set heating times during the day etc. We used it a few times when we're out during the winter to turn it on before we get home. Seem's to have save us a bit of money last winter as well. No problems at all with any of the system or software - works well, the only problem we have come across and I'm not sure if it's been fixed since is when you manually tell your heating to come on via Alexa it won't go back to your schedule again. This is an Alexa issue though.

Psycho Sonny · 12 Aug 2019 at 12:02

Nest as it integrates with everything else smart usually.

robj20 · 12 Aug 2019 at 12:22

Not fancy Evohome. Individual room control and much better scope for future additions and modifications.

krooton · 12 Aug 2019 at 15:25

Tado here, but that's because they were doing a super cheap deal on Amazon a few months back.

gort · 12 Aug 2019 at 16:51

Gonna be a mixed bag as a lot of people will only have experience with one or the other.
I went with Hive as it was cheaper (£118 with free echo dot) at the time and fitted myself.
Works fine with the app and Alexa. No complaints.

ZG002 · 12 Aug 2019 at 17:08

Went Hive here, mainly because where I have my stat there is no supply so wanted one that would run on battery only.

Tbh it just does what it says and hasn't let me down.

stoofa · 13 Aug 2019 at 13:23

Cheers all. Still not 100% sure - looking at boiler deals now, so we'll get that side of thing quoted for first.
May get the new boiler installed with dumb controls and then ask an installer to install Nest for us. See the Nest smoke/monoxide detectors come as a battery version and apparently last silly amounts of time, so that'll save getting power to them.
However I see their doorbell isn't battery.....swings & roundabouts.

Given me something to think about.

robj20 · 13 Aug 2019 at 13:59

stoofa said:
Cheers all. Still not 100% sure - looking at boiler deals now, so we'll get that side of thing quoted for first.
May get the new boiler installed with dumb controls and then ask an installer to install Nest for us. See the Nest smoke/monoxide detectors come as a battery version and apparently last silly amounts of time, so that'll save getting power to them.
However I see their doorbell isn't battery.....swings & roundabouts.

Given me something to think about.

Don't rule out the wired Nest Protects, the little light at night time is amazingly useful if you put a Protect on your landing.
They're very easy to wire in.

MarkeR · 13 Aug 2019 at 19:30

Born_2_Kill_83 said:
We went Hive in our home, on the combi boiler, we also have lights and various sensors in the house as well. Upstairs landing light is on a sensor which can be set from dusk till dawn to work. So when the lad get's up in the night for a wee it'll light his way for him, 3 min's later when he's back in bed it'll turn off. No need for him to try and reach the light switch. Also have one in the downstairs toilet pointing at the door, soon as the door opens light comes on. Then we have just standard hive bulbs in the other rooms we can control via Alexa and our other "Dots" to tell them to turn on or off including brightness and warm/cool light contrast's. If you go full automation like we have it's nice, the LG OLED TV is last years so is also hooked into it all which is good for when you can't find the controller or be bothered to get up and get it. Also the app can control it all and set heating times during the day etc. We used it a few times when we're out during the winter to turn it on before we get home. Seem's to have save us a bit of money last winter as well. No problems at all with any of the system or software - works well, the only problem we have come across and I'm not sure if it's been fixed since is when you manually tell your heating to come on via Alexa it won't go back to your schedule again. This is an Alexa issue though.

What sensors are you using?

I have a door one, but the response time can be very slow..

Thanks