The Google Nest Audio is the latest addition to Google’s smart speaker lineup, designed to deliver a perfect blend of high-quality sound and seamless integration with Google Assistant. As the successor to the original Google Home, the Nest Audio aims to provide users with an upgraded audio experience while maintaining the smart features that have made Google’s speakers popular. Whether you’re looking to stream music, control your smart home devices, or get answers from Google Assistant, the Google Nest Audio offers a well-rounded experience in a sleek and modern design.
In this review, we’ll explore the design, audio performance, smart features, and overall value of the Google Nest Audio to help you decide if it’s the right smart speaker for your home.
In this Google Nest Audio Review, we’ll take a look at:
Design and Build Quality
The Google Nest Audio stands out with its minimalist design, which is both elegant and functional. Google has focused on creating a speaker that sounds great and looks good in any room.
Modern and Minimalist Design
The Google Nest Audio features a soft, rounded design with a fabric covering that gives it a contemporary look. The speaker is designed to blend seamlessly with your home decor and is available in five colors—Chalk, Charcoal, Sage, Sand, and Sky. The fabric is made from 70% recycled plastic, making it eco-friendly for those conscious of their environmental impact.
The compact size of the Nest Audio makes it easy to place on a shelf, countertop, or nightstand, and its lightweight build means it can be easily moved from room to room. The front of the speaker features hidden LED lights that indicate when Google Assistant is listening or processing a command, maintaining a clean and uncluttered look.
Durable and Eco-Friendly Build
Google has also emphasized sustainability in the design of the Google Nest Audio. The speaker’s fabric covering is made from recycled materials, and the durable construction ensures it can withstand daily use. The attention to detail in design and build quality makes the Nest Audio a stylish and reliable addition to any home.
Audio Performance
The Google Nest Audio delivers impressive sound quality, making it a significant upgrade over its predecessor, the Google Home. Whether you’re listening to music, podcasts, or audiobooks, the Nest Audio offers a rich and balanced audio experience.
Enhanced Sound Quality
The Google Nest Audio has a 19mm tweeter for clear high frequencies and a 75mm mid-woofer for deep bass. This combination provides a full-range sound that is well-balanced and powerful enough to fill a medium-sized room. Google has tuned the speaker to emphasize the vocals and instruments, making it ideal for music lovers who want to hear every detail of their favorite tracks.
Compared to the original Google Home, the Nest Audio delivers 50% more bass and 75% louder sound, significantly improving audio performance. The sound is clear and distortion-free, even at higher volumes, allowing you to enjoy your music without compromising quality.
Adaptive Sound
One of the standout features of the Google Nest Audio is its adaptive sound technology. The speaker automatically adjusts its sound output based on the acoustics of your room. This means whether you place it in a large open space or a cozy corner, Nest Audio will optimize the audio to ensure the best listening experience. This feature is particularly useful for those who move the speaker around or have varying room sizes.
Multi-Room Audio and Stereo Pairing
The Google Nest Audio supports multi-room audio, allowing you to connect multiple Nest speakers throughout your home. You can group them using the Google Home app and play the same music in every room or different songs in each room. Additionally, you can pair two Nest Audio speakers for a true stereo sound experience, providing an even more immersive audio experience.
Smart Features and Google Assistant Integration
As a Google smart speaker, the Google Nest Audio is powered by Google Assistant, offering a wide range of smart features that make it more than just a speaker.
Google Assistant at Your Service
Google Assistant is at the heart of Google Nest Audio, providing hands-free control of your smart home devices, access to information, and the ability to manage your daily tasks. You can ask Google Assistant to play music, set reminders, check the weather, and control your lights. The Nest Audio’s far-field microphones are highly responsive, allowing the speaker to hear your voice commands even in noisy environments.
Seamless Smart Home Integration
The Google Nest Audio integrates seamlessly with many smart home devices, including lights, thermostats, and cameras. Whether turning off the lights before bed or adjusting the temperature from the comfort of your couch, the Nest Audio makes it easy to control your smart home with just your voice. The Google Home app provides a central hub for managing all your connected devices, making creating routines and automating your home simple.
Personalized User Experience
Google Assistant on the Google Nest Audio offers personalized responses based on your voice. This means that each member of your household can receive tailored information, such as their calendar events, reminders, and music recommendations. This personalization enhances the overall user experience, ensuring that everyone in your home gets the most out of the smart speaker.
Connectivity and Compatibility
The Google Nest Audio offers various connectivity options to ensure a smooth and seamless user experience.
Easy Setup and Connectivity
Setting up the Google Nest Audio is a breeze. Plug in the speaker, download the Google Home app, and follow the on-screen instructions. The speaker connects to your Wi-Fi network, allowing you to stream music directly from popular services like Spotify, YouTube Music, and Apple Music. The Nest Audio also supports Bluetooth, enabling you to play audio from your smartphone, tablet, or computer.
Compatibility with Google Services
The Google Nest Audio is deeply integrated with Google services, making it easy to access your favorite content. Whether listening to a playlist on YouTube Music, getting directions from Google Maps, or checking your calendar events, Nest Audio puts the power of Google at your fingertips. The speaker also works seamlessly with other Google devices, such as Chromecast and Nest cameras, providing a cohesive smart home experience.
Value for Money
The Google Nest Audio offers excellent value for those looking for a smart speaker that combines impressive sound quality with powerful smart features.
Affordable Pricing
At its price point, the Google Nest Audio delivers exceptional audio performance and smart functionality that rivals more expensive speakers. Whether upgrading from an older Google Home or expanding your smart home setup, the Nest Audio offers a compelling package at an affordable price.
Long-Term Support and Updates
Google is known for providing regular software updates to its devices, and the Google Nest Audio is no exception. With continued support and updates from Google, you can be confident that your Nest Audio will remain up-to-date with the latest features and improvements for years to come.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Impressive sound quality with enhanced bass and clear vocals.
- Seamless integration with Google Assistant and smart home devices.
- Sleek and modern design that fits well in any room.
- Affordable pricing for the features it offers.
- Adaptive sound technology that optimizes audio output based on room acoustics.
Cons
- Lacks a built-in battery, limiting portability.
- No 3.5mm audio jack for wired connections.
Conclusion
The Google Nest Audio is a smart speaker that successfully combines high-quality sound with the intelligence of Google Assistant. Its sleek design, impressive audio performance, and seamless smart home integration make it a standout choice for anyone looking to enhance their home audio experience. Whether streaming music, controlling your smart home, or simply asking Google for help, the Nest Audio delivers a well-rounded and satisfying user experience.
Summary of Google Nest Audio Features
Feature | Description |
Design and Build Quality | Modern, minimalist design with eco-friendly materials. |
Audio Performance | Enhanced sound with 50% more bass and 75% louder than Google Home. |
Smart Features | Powered by Google Assistant with personalized responses and smart home control. |
Connectivity | Supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and seamless integration with Google services. |
Value for Money | Affordable pricing with excellent audio and smart features. |
The Google Nest Audio is a great investment for anyone considering upgrading their smart home setup with a speaker that delivers quality sound and advanced smart features. Its combination of performance, design, and functionality makes it a top choice in the smart speaker market.
Google Nest Audio FAQ
How does the Google Nest Audio compare to the original Google Home regarding sound quality?
The Google Nest Audio significantly improves sound quality compared to the original Google Home. It delivers 50% more bass and 75% louder sound, providing a fuller, more immersive audio experience. The Nest Audio has a 19mm tweeter for clear high frequencies and a 75mm mid-woofer for rich bass, making it ideal for listening to music, podcasts, and more. The overall sound profile is well-balanced, with enhanced clarity and depth.
Can the Google Nest Audio be used in a multi-room audio setup?
Yes, the Google Nest Audio supports multi-room audio, allowing you to connect multiple Nest speakers throughout your home. You can group them using the Google Home app to play the same music in every room or different tracks in different rooms. You can also pair two Nest Audio speakers for true stereo sound, enhancing your audio experience.
What smart home devices are compatible with the Google Nest Audio?
The Google Nest Audio is compatible with many smart home devices, including lights, thermostats, cameras, door locks, and more. It works seamlessly with devices from popular brands like Philips Hue, Nest, TP-Link, and August. You can control these devices using voice commands through Google Assistant, making it easy to manage your smart home without using multiple apps or remotes.