Google Home Speaker Review

With the launch of its new Google Home Speaker device, Google has now provided consumers with the easiest and relatively affordable option to bring the Gemini AI experience into the smart home environment. Although it can be introduced as a new generation replacement for Google's long-popular Nest Mini speaker, there is now increased attention on whether it truly qualifies as an upgrade.

From a design perspective, the Google Home Speaker retains the familiar fabric finish and minimal look of the Nest Mini. However, it is taller and slightly larger than the Nest Mini, making it more suitable as a smart speaker to be placed on a shelf or kitchen counter rather than mounted on a wall. Another notable feature is the LED light ring around the base that glows when interacting with Gemini. This lighting system, using Google's signature colors, adds a modern and premium feel to the device.

In terms of performance, the Google Home Speaker offers a clear advantage over the Nest Mini. While the Nest Mini also supports Gemini and Google Assistant experiences, the new Google Home Speaker’s upgraded on-device machine learning hardware allows for faster and smoother command processing, smart home control execution, and Gemini responses. Especially for common smart home commands like turning off lights or handling complex voice queries, the delays sometimes experienced with the Nest Mini are significantly reduced. Additionally, this speaker functions as a Matter and Thread border router, helping maintain better connectivity between devices such as smart bulbs, locks, and sensors.

However, opinions are mixed regarding whether the Google Home Speaker represents a major step forward in sound quality compared to the Nest Mini. Although Google has tried to enhance the bass response, some reviews note that the audio output can sometimes sound muddy and tube-like. The Nest Mini still performs clearly in the high frequencies, and it remains uncertain whether everyone will appreciate the new speaker’s audio tuning. Therefore, if you are considering upgrading solely for music listening quality, it might be worth exploring other speaker options.

Overall, the Google Home Speaker can be seen as an upgrade that delivers a better smart home experience, faster Gemini integration, and future-ready connectivity compared to the Nest Mini. However, for users upgrading solely for sound quality, it is still somewhat difficult to label it as a "must-buy" upgrade. It comes in four colors: Jade (green), Berry (red), Porcelain (white), and Hazel (dark gray), priced at 99 US dollars.