Google Nest Audio is a smart speaker meant to elevate the audio experience in your home, and yet perfectly integrate with Google’s ecosystem. The product comes as a replacement for the original Google Home, which represents an advancement in sound quality and smart functionality, is far from that. The product is between the compact Nest Mini and the larger Home Max and is for users who need a balance between performance and affordability.
The Google Nest Audio is a minimalist and eco-friendly offering that smoothly blends style with sustainability. With its woofer at 75mm and tweeter at 19mm, it can provide up to 75% louder volume along with 50% more powerful bass compared to the previous version, making it competitive for small to medium-sized spaces. It can stream music, manage smart home devices, or perform any function with the speaker and Google Assistant.
Priced competitively, the device appeals to budget-conscious users who prioritize ease of use and integration with Google services. Despite its compact size, it packs impressive sound capabilities and a host of smart features, including voice match and multi-room pairing. In this review, we’ll delve deeper into its design, performance, smart features, and how it compares to other options in the market.
Design and Build Quality
The Google Nest Audio is designed to be minimalist with sleek lines that can fit and match any room. Sustainably made from the remains of recycled plastic bottles, it represents Google’s focus on being environmentally responsible. This outer casing is also manufactured with 70% recyclable materials to make it ruggedly durable yet not at all lacking in style. Its compact, symmetrical form factor blends effortlessly into modern home interiors, available in multiple colors like Chalk, Charcoal, Sage, Sand, and Sky to suit various decor styles.
The speaker design is simple yet subtle, with touch controls located at the top for volume control and playback. LED lighting up while in use provides nice intuitive feedback. There’s a mute switch at the rear of the speaker to block the microphone for privacy. If it’s placed against a wall or put in a corner, its directional sound design ensures the maximum delivery of audio. It’s a functional and aesthetic solution for small to medium-sized rooms.
The Google Nest Audio is sleeker and more refined in its build compared to the Google Home. Although it does not have a battery for portability or a 3.5mm input for wired connections, its well-built design and eco-friendly material make it a well-crafted and visually appealing smart speaker.
Technical Specifications
The Google Nest Audio is supposed to offer a more polished smart speaker experience with a better quality of sound and seamless connectivity. The audio system used in the Nest Audio features a 75mm woofer and a 19mm tweeter to provide a well-balanced profile that enhances clarity in the mid and treble frequency ranges while providing enough bass for its compact size. Thus, this one promises a far better audio quality than its predecessor, Google Home.
Connectivity is robust with dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz) and Bluetooth 5.0, supporting seamless streaming from various devices. With a built-in Chromecast, it’s possible to cast audio from supported apps directly into the speaker for flexibility in multi-room configurations. On the flip side, the speaker doesn’t have a 3.5mm jack or a wired input, limiting compatibility with older devices.
The Google Nest Audio has three far-field microphones to ensure excellent voice recognition even in noisy environments. These mics work in tandem with the Google Assistant to provide the user with personalized responses and smart home control. The Ambient IQ technology adjusts the audio levels based on background noise, which enhances the voice content of audiobooks and podcasts.
Powered by a plug-in adapter, the device requires constant power supply since it has no internal battery. The Google Home app streamlines the setup process and connects services such as Spotify and YouTube Music with ease. Google Nest Audio combines technical precision with user-friendly features to provide an excellent smart speaker with reliable performance and connectivity.
Sound Performance
The Google Nest Audio delivers a much bigger leap in sound quality over its predecessor, the Google Home. Equipped with a 75mm woofer and a 19mm tweeter, it delivers clearer and more balanced audio for small to medium-sized rooms. The speaker boasts well-defined midrange and treble, shining in vocal-heavy genres such as pop and jazz. The bass is improved but remains middle of the road, without the deep resonance that can be found in larger premium speakers like the Sonos One. For its size, the Google Nest Audio maintains good volume levels, although sound quality slightly diminishes at higher volumes.
Directional sound design makes it best suited for corner placement, allowing the sound to fill the space. However, it lacks a 360-degree sound field and thus performs poorly in open areas. The Ambient IQ feature adjusts the sound to background noise, enhancing clarity for spoken content such as podcasts but does not support locally stored files. Stereo pairing is an option for a richer experience, though it introduces occasional issues with audio syncing. This means that, overall, the speaker finds a balance between cost and quality and thus is an attractive option for, everyday listening within the Google ecosystem.
Smart Features and Usability
The Google Nest Audio is a smart speaker excelling in features and user-friendliness, providing a great choice for anyone within the Google ecosystem. Powered by Google Assistant, the speaker offers personalized answers through Voice Match, thus allowing multiple users to handle music, set reminders, or otherwise control smart home devices with the utmost ease. Google Nest Audio is a speaker that seamlessly integrates with other Google services, such as Spotify, YouTube Music, and Google Calendar, for voice-controlled streaming and smart home management.
One notable feature is Ambient IQ, which adjusts the speaker’s sound based on the background noise, enhancing clarity when listening to podcasts or audiobooks. This works great for voice content but doesn’t extend to locally stored files. Media EQ has optimized audio for different kinds of content. Music will sound the best, followed by news and podcasts, while this speaker also allows for multi-room audio or stereo pairing but lacks further features such as room tuning or home theater pairing.
The Google Nest Audio may have certain limitations with particular voice commands and streaming issues but still represents a solid performer in general usage, thereby making it a great buy for home users looking for an inexpensive and efficient smart speaker.
User Experience with Google Nest Audio
The Google Nest Audio generally comes with a smooth and intuitive user experience due to the Google Home app integration. In terms of setup, all that is needed is a connection to Wi-Fi, linking to a Google account, and voice assistant feature activation. Although it’s quite easy to set up, the process feels long since it requires a series of updates and permissions. Once set up, the Google Nest Audio is easy to use, with touch-sensitive controls on the top for volume and playback, along with voice commands for hands-free operation. The far-field microphones work reliably, even in noisy environments, making it effortless to control music or smart home devices with just your voice.
However, there are some issues reported by users with the voice assistant, especially with specific music or playlist requests from Spotify. The lack of distinct physical markers for the touch controls can be a bit confusing at first, but this is easily overcome with the help of the Google Home app. Bluetooth connectivity allows for offline use, but the speaker truly shines when connected to the internet, providing seamless integration with Google’s ecosystem. Overall, the user experience with Google Nest Audio is designed for ease, though it has a few quirks that may require some adjustment.
Comparison to Competitors
| Feature | Google Nest Audio | Amazon Echo (4th Gen) | Sonos One | Google Home Max |
| Sound Quality | Balanced sound with crisp treble and midrange. Adequate bass for its size, but lacks depth. | Clear and balanced sound but can be harsh at high volumes. | Superior sound quality, deep bass and detailed mids. | Superior sound with deeper bass and high clarity. |
| Price | $99.99 | $99.99 | $199.99 | $399.99 |
| Voice Assistant | Google Assistant, responsive and reliable with far-field mics. | Alexa, reliable but often slower for some tasks. | Google Assistant (via integration) | Google Assistant with better integration to Google services. |
| Design | Minimalist design with sustainable materials, fabric-wrapped finish. | Round design with fabric finish. | Sleek, more premium design with a compact form. | Larger, premium design with a front-facing speaker array. |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0, Chromecast built-in, Wi-Fi support. | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Zigbee for smart devices. | Ethernet, Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, Alexa integration. | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Chromecast built-in. |
| Smart Home Integration | Seamless integration with Google Home devices, multi-room support. | Alexa integration with Amazon smart devices. | Supports Google Assistant and Alexa via integration. | Strong integration with Google services and smart devices. |
| Bass Performance | Moderate bass, not as deep as competitors. | Bass performance is decent but lacks punch at higher volumes. | Excellent bass and overall audio richness. | Deep, rich bass, suitable for large spaces. |
| Audio Performance at High Volume | Clear but loses detail at high volume. | Sound can distort at max volume. | Clear and full sound even at high volumes. | Clear audio at high volumes with minimal distortion. |
| Unique Features | Ambient EQ adjusts sound based on background noise. | Multi-room audio support, superior smart home integration. | Smart sound tuning and superior audio detail. | Best suited for users looking for premium sound and smart features. |
| Target Audience | Best for users invested in the Google ecosystem. | Great for Alexa users and those with Amazon devices. | Ideal for audiophiles seeking premium sound. | Suited for premium sound lovers and users within the Google ecosystem. |
Pricing and Value
The Google Nest Audio is valued at $99.99, making it a strong contender for users who want high-quality smart speakers without draining their wallets. It slots between the budget-friendly Google Nest Mini and the high-end Google Home Max, so it comes with a good balance of pricing and performance. It offers more noticeable improvements in sound quality, achieving 75% louder audio volume and 50% stronger bass than the Google Home. It is not as powerful as the higher-end models, such as the Sonos One, but it is great value for the price and perfect for those looking for a compact speaker with good sound performance for smaller spaces.
For those already immersed within the Google environment, value is provided by the integration through Google Assistant, Chromecast, and other Google smart home devices that work alongside. Its environmental-friendly design using 70% recycled material gives an aesthetic yet does not cost extra. Against such competitors like Amazon Echo, Google Nest Audio is worth competing with through its decent output in the form of well-balanced sound and features by a rather reasonable price. While it lacks some advanced features and deeper bass, this is still an attractive proposition for those wanting a low-cost yet powerful smart speaker within the Google ecosystem.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Excellent far-field microphone performance for Google Nest Audio. | Lacks deep bass, making it less ideal for bass-heavy genres. |
| Compact and sleek design made with sustainable materials. | Volume control can be inconsistent between music and assistant responses. |
| Good sound quality for small to medium-sized rooms. | No 3.5mm input for external connections. |
| Integrates seamlessly with Google services and ecosystem. | Limited audio performance at high volumes compared to premium speakers. |
| Affordable price point for the sound and features offered by Google Nest Audio. | Lacks advanced sound tuning like competitors in the same price range. |
| Easy setup and configuration through the Google Home app. | Not suitable for large rooms or those seeking premium sound quality. |
Use Cases
The Google Nest Audio is a versatile smart speaker, which fits perfectly in multiple use cases, hence, suitable for many different environments. The most common use of it would be in smaller rooms where its compact design and well-balanced sound quality shine. This is a great smart speaker delivering clear, rich audio on podcasts, audiobooks, and music, thus great for background music when cooking, working, or just relaxing. It perfectly integrates with Google Assistant, enabling users to control music playback, smart home devices, set reminders, and much, much more with simple voice commands.
Its compatibility with other Google devices, such as Nest Mini and Nest Hub Max, allows for multiroom audio setting, providing a more immersive experience when placed in multiple rooms. Additionally, the Google Nest Audio is also ideal to create a home theater system when coupled with a Chromecast for seamless media casting. It’s not designed for large spaces, where it might struggle to fill the room with sound at higher volumes. Overall, its combination of smart features, sound quality, and ease of use makes the Google Nest Audio a great choice for individuals looking to enhance their smart home experience on a budget.
Conclusion and Recommendation
The Google Nest Audio stands out as a solid choice for an affordable yet reliable smart speaker that fits well into the Google ecosystem. With significant improvement in audio quality, the Nest Audio delivers clear and balanced audio with increased mid-range and treble clarity when compared to its precursor, the Google Home. Although it lacks good bass performance to please the audiophiles, it has the ability to provide clean, clear sound for pop, jazz, and spoken word content. With Google Nest Audio integrated with Google Assistant, it is perfect for people looking for a voice control that can manage smart home devices hands-free.
With a competitive price of $99.99, the Google Nest Audio is a great value for users within the Google ecosystem, making it ideal for medium-sized rooms or for those who prioritize voice assistant functionality. It is not, however, the best for someone who demands superior bass or audiophile-level sound quality. For larger spaces or premium sound, alternatives like the Sonos One or Google Home Max might be more suitable. The Google Nest Audio is highly recommended for those seeking a compact, efficient, and budget-friendly smart speaker with impressive voice control capabilities.
Does Google Nest Audio have good sound?
Absolutely. The Google Nest Audio does its job in delivering very clean and balanced sound quality, and really shines in mid and treble. Bass isn’t too shabby, but probably won’t satisfy those with deeper, thumping bass desires. It is much improved from its predecessor, Google Home, and will suffice for casual listeners.
Can I use Google Nest Audio as a speaker?
Absolutely! The Google Nest Audio can be used as a standalone speaker for playing music, podcasts, and other audio. It supports streaming via platforms like Spotify, YouTube Music, and more, either through voice commands or Bluetooth connectivity.
Is Google Smart Speaker worth it?
The Google Nest Audio is worth it for users in the Google ecosystem. It provides excellent value for its price with high-quality sound, robust voice assistant capabilities, and seamless smart home integration.
What is the difference between Google Nest and Google Nest Audio?
Google Nest is an umbrella brand for Google’s smart home devices, while Google Nest Audio is a specific smart speaker designed for improved audio quality and voice assistant functionality.
Nest Audio vs Google Home
Google Nest Audio is an improvement over Google Home with higher sound quality, better design, and a more interactive Google Assistant experience.
Google Nest Audio specs
The Google Nest Audio comes with a 19mm tweeter, a 75mm mid-woofer, Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi support, and a fabric-covered, eco-friendly design. It is powered by a quad-core A53 processor and supports stereo pairing for enhanced sound.
Google Nest Audio alternative
Some popular alternatives to the Google Nest Audio include the Amazon Echo (4th Gen), Sonos One, and Apple HomePod mini, depending on your ecosystem preferences and sound quality needs.