Is the Google Nest Mini the Best Smart Speaker for Your Home?
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The Google Nest Mini is a little smart speaker that pumps out clear audio and helps you around the house, thanks to its built-in voice assistant, Google Assistant. It’s a hands-free sidekick that’s not only affordable but one of the most useful gadgets to have in your home — you can ask it to stream music via partner platforms like Spotify, YouTube Music and Pandora, and it can carry out a variety of commands like sharing the day’s weather or news, playing a podcast while you’re preparing dinner or setting useful reminders.
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, analysts, engineers and consumer testers have tested each iteration of the Google Nest Mini and over a dozen Google Nest products, alongside other smart home devices like video doorbells, smart thermostats, smart locks and more. We’ll help you decide whether the Google Nest Mini is the right speaker for your home, as well as give you a better idea of how it performs and its many features and functions.
I’ve owned a Google Nest Mini for years, and I’m here to share my experience using this handy voice-activated speaker that introduced me to the Google ecosystem and helped me build out my smart home. Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about the Google Nest Mini smart speaker, including how to set one up.
Nest Mini (2nd Generation)
$29.98
walmart.com
What does the Google Nest Mini do?
Much like the Amazon Echo Dot and the Alexa ecosystem, your Google Nest Mini can serve as the control center for your smart home with Google. Within the Google Home app, you’re able to link other connected devices in your home that are compatible with Google Assistant, such as home security cameras, smart plugs, smart lights and more. By doing so, you can ask Google Assistant to perform actions like turning the lights on and off, and adjusting the temperature all from the comfort of your couch. You’re also able to set up routines like playing the news in the morning and setting alarms when it's time to go to work. One of my favorite features is that you can bundle several actions together through a custom command. For instance, when I say "start the party," my Google Nest will play my favorite Spotify playlist and turn on colored lights.
You can also ask the Mini about facts and questions you might have. As you're baking, you can ask "How many teaspoons are in a tablespoon?" or if you like the music, "Who sings this song?" The Google Nest Mini can also find recipes for you when you need inspiration and guide you through the steps as well as play party games when you have guests over. You can even shop for essentials like toilet paper via Google Shopping by asking your speaker (once you've stored your payment information). Though you won’t have voice access to Amazon Prime, you're able to shop from a variety of participating stores like Target, Costco, Walmart and even local retailers.
When it comes to audio, you can group speakers together so they play the same music in multiple rooms. Another cool feature is being able to broadcast across all speakers like you would with an intercom — once dinner is ready, you can let the entire household know to come downstairs. And though I personally don’t use my Google Nest Mini for making phone calls, you do have this option using Google Duo, Zoom, certain carriers, or Google-supported calling.
How easy is it to set up the Google Nest Mini?
Setting up the Google Nest Mini is a fairly straightforward process, thanks to clear and concise instructions. Once you’ve unboxed the Mini, start by plugging the provided power adapter into the speaker and a nearby outlet. In a few seconds, the speaker’s lights should appear and Google Assistant will direct you to download the Google Home app on your iOS or Android smartphone. Once downloaded, you’ll follow on-screen instructions.
When opening up the Google Home app on my phone, I selected “set up Nest Mini,” which appeared at the top of my screen. You can also navigate to “set up device” by clicking the plus sign on the top left side of the main page. Next, you’ll either create a new home or add the speaker to an existing one. Google will then search for the speaker and connect to it. Once you’ve successfully connected, you’ll hear a chime from Google to ensure you’re setting up the right device. You’ll then select which location in your home the Nest Mini will live in (this is helpful in keeping your devices organized as you start to add more gadgets to your smart home).
Finally, the speaker will connect to your home Wi-Fi network and you’ll be prompted to set up voice match so the mics easily recognize your voice when giving a command. Once setup is complete, you can go ahead and ask Google Assistant a question or command.
What's unique about the Google Nest Mini's design?
The Nest Mini’s hockey puck design is surprisingly compact, and it comes in a fun array of colors, including sky (blue), coral, charcoal (dark grey) and chalk (light grey). While the bottom of the speaker is made of plastic, the surface is covered in a mesh fabric that, according to Google, is made from 100% recycled plastic bottles. The design is both sleek and aesthetic and should complement most spaces without drawing too much attention to its size or shape.
Just keep in mind that the Nest Mini doesn’t feature a display so if you want to be able to stream cooking tutorials or attend Zoom meetings, you might be better off opting for the Google Nest Hub which comes with a visual display. But when it comes to making the most of your space, it’s hard to beat the Google Nest Mini’s barely-there size. "Depending on where we're using smart speakers in my home, sometimes it benefits to have a screen, and sometimes the simplicity of no screen is preferred, " says Rachel Rothman, chief technologist at the Good Housekeeping Institute. "I think it's more stylish than the Echo Dot and blends in better with the decor." And while the Nest Mini is made for stationary use, its tiny size means you can easily pack it in a suitcase and plug it in at your destination so long as the location has good Wi-Fi.
What about its controls and features?
When it comes to controls, the Google Nest Mini is simple and intuitive. If you want to adjust the volume manually, all you have to do is tap the Mini’s surface: A tap on the right increases the volume, a tap on the left lowers it and a tap in the middle pauses or plays. On the side, there’s a switch where you can turn the speaker’s mic on and off to ensure that the speaker’s mic won’t listen to you when you don’t want it to.
And like the 1st Gen model, it features four LED lights to indicate when the mic is listening, processing or not capturing audio. Though you likely won’t pay much attention to these little lights, it's reassuring to know they're there. "I like that you can turn off the listening capabilities manually on the product and then you'll see the lights change color," says Stefani Sassos, the GH Institute's Nutrition Lab director and a NASM-certified personal trainer. Lastly, there's a built-in hook on the back of the Nest Mini should you want to mount it on the wall. Just keep in mind that it always needs to be plugged into an outlet so it can’t be too far.
How is the Google Nest Mini's sound quality?
For a speaker of its size, the Google Nest Mini is frankly impressive with 360 sound that’s loud and successfully fills the room. Even at high volumes, the Mini’s audio remains clear and crisp. "I enjoy the speaker itself and find it shockingly loud for its size," says Nikolas Greenwald, a lab assistant at the Good Housekeeping Institute.
According to Google, the bass is twice as strong as the original Mini and it features improved voice recognition with the addition of three mics instead of two. "It does a good job of understanding me and responding," Rothman adds. And though I did notice that the 2nd Generation Google Nest Mini's sound quality is more powerful and an overall improvement to the older 1st generation model, you don't need to run out and upgrade if you already own the older version.
While there may be other speakers on the market that offer better audio performance, the Google Nest Mini is an excellent choice for everyday audio streaming and voice assistance at a fantastic price point. I’ve been using it for several years and have set up my entire smart home with it. I’ve connected smart plugs, smart lights, speakers, TVs and more within the user-friendly Google Home app.
I even solely relied on the Google Nest Mini as my primary source of audio for several years before investing in another Bluetooth speaker. Though my Sonos Move is my go-to when I really need that extra oomph, like when I'm having a dance party, the Google Nest Mini’s discreet and convenient presence is difficult to beat. "Sound quality could definitely be better, but for the price and feature set, it's really hard to go wrong," Rothman points out.
How much does the Google Nest Mini cost?
For $49 (and oftentimes even less), the Google Nest Mini is one of the most affordable smart speakers you’ll find. You can usually find it on sale around the holidays if you want to save even more, and fortunately, no subscription is required.
The bottom line: Is the Google Nest Mini worth it?
If you’re looking to set up your smart home ecosystem with Google, the Nest Mini is a fantastic entry point. It’s one of the first smart gadgets I ever purchased, and to this day I don’t regret it. Not only is it extremely affordable when compared to other traditional Bluetooth speakers, but it brings so much value with its smart capabilities. Because the Google ecosystem is compatible with popular brands like August, Philips Hue, Samsung, Roku and more, it makes integrating handy smart devices and controlling them under one roof super easy.
That being said, if you’re looking for the best audio quality out there, the Nest Mini may not be the right speaker for you. While it's louder and clearer than you’d expect, it still doesn’t compare to some of the best Bluetooth speakers from brands renowned for excellent audio quality. It's also worth keeping in mind that the Google Nest Mini must always be connected to an outlet and it doesn't do well with water, so if you're looking for something portable that can get a little wet, this isn't it.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Media & Tech Reviews Analyst Olivia Lipski oversees product testing and covers consumer electronics, including audio equipment like wireless earbuds, soundbars, outdoor speakers and more. She’s been using a Google Home Mini (and later Google Nest Mini) since 2018 to power her smart home and perform cool actions like turning on all the lights and playing Mozart whenever she says, “Hey Google, c’est Versailles”!
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