Google Home Speaker review: A new hub for Gemini-powered smart homes
The new Google Home Speaker features a fabric-wrapped design available in two colours. Picture: Noel Campion
It has taken Google six years to follow up on the Nest Mini and Nest Audio. The result is the new Google Home Speaker, an arrival that marks the end of an era for the old Nest lineup. This device sits in a strange middle ground, larger than the tiny Mini but smaller than the substantial Nest Audio. While the physical footprint has changed, the real change lies under the hood with the integration of Gemini, Google’s latest AI assistant.
The Google Home Speaker takes the form of a small, fabric-wrapped orb. It comes in two colours, though two remain exclusive to the Google Store.
A light ring sits at the base, providing a visual cue whenever you trigger the microphone with "Hey, Google". Google included a physical mute switch on the back, a feature that remains essential for those who value privacy.
The power cable is built directly into the speaker, so you cannot detach it as you can with the Nest Audio. This choice limits where you can place it in your home. On the connectivity side, the device supports Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, and modern smart home standards like Thread and Matter. These protocols allow the speaker to serve as a central hub for a variety of connected devices.
The primary reason to buy this device is Gemini. Google wants to turn your speaker into a conversational partner. Through Gemini Live, you can hold fluid, back-and-forth discussions, interrupt the assistant mid-sentence, and ask follow-up questions without repeating the wake word every time. It handles complex tasks, such as helping you plan a travel itinerary or explaining scientific concepts to children, with far more competence than the old Google Assistant.
However, this intelligence comes with a price tag. While you receive six months of free access (purchased before September 30, 2026), the most fluid conversational features sit behind a Google Home Premium subscription costing €10 a month or €100 a year, or €18 a month or €180 a year for the advanced subscription. If you prefer simple, single-query commands, you can avoid the fee, but you miss the core benefit of the new AI.
There is another catch for existing users. Most of these Gemini capabilities will roll out to older Nest speakers via software updates. This means the "new" features are not exclusive to this hardware, which somewhat undermines the incentive to upgrade if your current speaker already functions well.
If you bought this speaker to replace a Nest Audio, you might find the audio performance disappointing. The Google Home Speaker uses a single 58mm full-range driver. In contrast, the Nest Audio used a dual-driver system consisting of a 75mm woofer and a 19mm tweeter. At the same price point, Google has provided less audio hardware.
The bass is noticeably lacking. While Google claims the bass is stronger than the Nest Mini, that comparison ignores the much more capable Nest Audio. The low end lacks any real punch. The mid-range performs well, and vocals remain clear across most tracks.
The treble presents more issues. Because the speaker relies on one driver to handle all frequencies, high-pitched notes can sound harsh. As you increase the volume, the sound becomes shrill. It lacks the balanced separation that a dedicated tweeter provides.
There is one bright spot for home cinema enthusiasts. The new software protocol allows you to pair two of these speakers with a Google TV Streamer for stereo sound. This setup supports Dolby Atmos and Google Spatial Audio, creating a much better audio experience for movies. While I could not test stereo pairing, it is the only significant audio advantage this speaker has over the older Nest Audio.
The Google Home Speaker is essentially a sophisticated microphone array with a subscription model attached. It functions well as an AI-driven hub for your kitchen or office, but it fails to compete with dedicated music players.
If you already own a Nest Audio, do not replace it. The older speaker offers superior sound and will receive the same AI updates. This new model is for those who want the latest Gemini features in a compact form and are willing to trade audio depth for conversational intelligence. For anyone prioritising music, there are many portable Bluetooth speakers at this price point that offer far better acoustic performance.
€119 store.google.com
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
