Google Nest vs Hive:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Hive had more branded searches than Google Nest among smart thermostat brands in the United Kingdom. Hive had about 47,100 branded searches, while Google Nest had 9,900. Hive made up 69.4% of all smart thermostat brand searches we track, and Google Nest accounted for 14.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about smart thermostat brands, Hive appeared in all five answers and Google Nest in two. Hive was mentioned before Google Nest in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Hive, about 5 searches for every 1 for Google Nest
Who does AI mention more?
Hive, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Hive, named ahead of Google Nest in every answer
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Top smart thermostat brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Hive appeared in all five answers. Google Nest was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Hive was listed before Google Nest in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
tado1st
Hive2nd
Honeywell Home3rd
Google Nest4th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Hive5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
tado5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Honeywell Home3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Google Nest2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about smart thermostat brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best smart thermostat in the UK?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Which smart heating control is best for a combi boiler?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best smart thermostats to buy in the UK?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“smart thermostat”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best smart thermostat”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United Kingdom on October 23, 2026.
Is Google Nest or Hive more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Google Nest and Hive by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all four smart thermostat brands we track, month by month, from searches in United Kingdom.
Share of searches by month for Hive, Google Nest. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Hive | Google Nest | tado | Honeywell Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 61% | 24.1% | 13.2% | 1.7% |
| Nov 2025 | 63.9% | 20.7% | 13.9% | 1.5% |
| Dec 2025 | 66.5% | 17.6% | 14.4% | 1.5% |
| Jan 2026 | 68.3% | 18% | 12.1% | 1.6% |
| Feb 2026 | 63.8% | 20.6% | 13.8% | 1.8% |
| Mar 2026 | 63.8% | 20.6% | 13.8% | 1.8% |
| Apr 2026 | 66.5% | 17.6% | 14.4% | 1.6% |
| May 2026 | 66.6% | 17.6% | 14.3% | 1.6% |
| Jun 2026 | 66.1% | 17.7% | 14.5% | 1.6% |
| Jul 2026 | 68.1% | 17.9% | 12% | 2% |
| Aug 2026 | 67.2% | 17.2% | 14.1% | 1.5% |
| Sep 2026 | 69.4% | 14.6% | 14.6% | 1.5% |
How has the Google Nest and Hive comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Hive was ahead of Google Nest in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Google Nest’s share of searches among smart thermostat brands in the United Kingdom moved from 24.1% to 14.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 40.5K to 9.9K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Hive’s share of searches among smart thermostat brands in the United Kingdom moved from 61% to 69.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 103K to 47.1K.
How did search popularity change for United Kingdom smart thermostat brands in September 2026?
2 changes

In September 2026, Hive gained share of searches among smart thermostat brands in the United Kingdom, from 67.2% to 69.4%.

In September 2026, Google Nest lost share of searches among smart thermostat brands in the United Kingdom, from 17.2% to 14.6%.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Google Nest’s and Hive’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Google Nest
1 branded search term
- nest thermostat
Hive
2 branded search terms
- hive heating
- hive thermostat
Other head-to-heads among smart thermostat brands

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