- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Updates
- Comparison
- Best Speakers
- Conclusion
- Discussions
We've currently tested three Google speakers. Google is a very well-known technology company that produces a wide variety of Internet-related products, including smart speakers that offer compatibility with other technologies in the Google ecosystem. They're mostly designed for home use and tend to have Google Assistant built-in.
Updates
- 01/06/2021 Google Nest Mini reviewed
- 12/18/2020 Google Nest Audio reviewed
- 12/14/2020 Google Home Max reviewed
Best Google Speakers
-
Best Google Speaker
BluetoothYesWi-FiYesSpeakerphoneYesVoice AssistantYesBattery PoweredNoThe best Google speaker that we've tested is the Google Nest Audio. This small smart speaker has Google Assistant built-in and has little trouble understanding you from far away and in noisier environments. You can also mute the speaker's microphone when you no longer want your assistant to listen to you. It has a balanced mid-range, so voices and lead instruments sound clear and present in the mix. However, the underemphasis in its treble range can cause higher-pitched voices and instruments to sound dull and veiled. Thankfully, its Google Home companion app features bass and treble sliders you can use to tweak its sound to better suit your preferences. You can also pair this speaker to two compatible Google speakers to create a stereo pair or to multiple speakers when you want to play different audio in different rooms at once.
Unfortunately, it doesn't get very loud, and there are compression artifacts present at max volume, so your audio may not sound as clean at louder volumes. It also has to downmix stereo content to mono to play it, which doesn't sound as immersive. That said, if you're looking for a good versatile Google speaker, it's still a solid choice.
-
Best Cheap Google Speaker
BluetoothYesWi-FiYesSpeakerphoneYesVoice AssistantYesBattery PoweredNoThe best cheap Google speaker is the Google Nest Mini. This wired-only speaker comes with Google Assistant, which can hear you even if you aren't very close to the speaker. If you don't want the voice assistant to hear you, you can also mute the microphone, which is handy. With its balanced mid-range, it's suitable for listening to vocal-centric content like podcasts and audiobooks. It's also compatible with the Google Home app, which comes with bass and treble adjustments to help you customize its sound based on your preferences. The app also lets you create a stereo pair with another Nest Mini speaker, and it also supports Party Mode and Multi-Room features to help amplify your audio throughout your home.
Unfortunately, it lacks a lot of low-bass, which can be disappointing if you like to feel the thump and rumble in bass-heavy music. Also, while it supports both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, its latency is likely too high to be suitable for watching videos or movies. However, some apps compensate for latency differently, so your real-world experience may vary.
Compared to other brands
- Built-in Google Assistant capabilities. Google's speakers come with built-in voice assistant support for Google Assistant, which you can activate using your voice. You can also mute the speaker's microphone if you don't want Google Assistant to hear you.
- Pair together for Party Mode and Multi-Room features. You can wirelessly pair multiple Google speakers together in the Google Home app to amplify your audio across a crowded party or to play different audio content in different rooms of your house at the same time.
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi compatible. Google speakers support Google Chromecast, which lets you wirelessly stream audio from other Chromecast-enabled devices to the speaker when they're connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Conveniently, their speakers also offer Bluetooth compatibility for those who prefer to stream their audio without an Internet connection.
- Wired design isn't very portable. The Google speakers we've tested are designed for home use, and their wired-only design means that you won't be able to use them to listen to audio when you're on the go.
- No advertised dust or water resistance. The Google speakers we've tested don't advertise an IP rating for dust or water resistance. As a result, you should be very careful if you plan to use them in a room with running water, such as a kitchen.
- Some speakers lack low-bass. Smaller Google speakers may have trouble reproducing the deep, thumpy low-bass found in bass-heavy music and action-packed movie scenes due to their sizes.
Overall, Google makes wired-only smart speakers with lots of wireless connectivity options. They're compatible with other technologies in the Google ecosystem, including Google Assistant and Google Chromecast. Unlike other Bluetooth speakers on the market, they're designed for home use, and their wired-only design means they aren't really suitable to bring with you on the go.
Recent Updates
-
Jun 23, 2021: Removed the Google Home Max from our recommendations since it's been discontinued, and updated the text for consistency.
Conclusion
Google makes smart speakers for home use that support Google Assistant. You can easily pair multiple Google speakers together to enhance your listening experience, and you can stream audio over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connections. However, they aren't intended for outdoor use, and they may struggle to reproduce a thumpy low-bass.