LoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyGoogle’s smart speaker approach has always been minimalist. With the Google Home Speaker’s arrival in June, the tech giant’s lineup is now simpler than ever: just a single speaker and two smart displays.
As for which smart speaker or display to get, or which assistant to use, here’s everything you need to know.
Updated July 2026: I’ve completely rewritten and reorganized this guide after the launch of the Google Home Speaker and the rollout of Google Gemini for Home.
The Only Google Speaker Worth BuyingThe Older Smart Display That’s Still GreatWhat’s Google Gemini for Home?Which Older Google Speakers Have Google Gemini?Other Google Speakers I’ve TriedFAQsThe Only Google Speaker Worth BuyingPhotograph: Nena FarrellPhotograph: Nena FarrellChevronChevronSave to wishlistSave to wishlistGoogle
If you’re in the market for a Google smart speaker, there’s only one worth picking up: the new Home Speaker. If that name sounds familiar, that’s because it’s the same as Google’s original smart speaker from 2016. The name is a throwback, but the new design looks more like an Apple HomePod Mini than any of Google’s past speakers, besides the brand’s consistent use of fun colors.
Google’s always had a limited range of speakers compared to Amazon, but its lineup is even more streamlined now, as this single speaker has replaced both the Nest Audio and Nest Mini. It’s smaller than the former but taller than the latter to pack in more well-rounded sound for its size.
Overall, it’s a great speaker and my new favorite overall smart speaker. It’s got impressive sound with a 58-mm full-range driver, and the bass didn’t feel lacking. Gemini’s answers are detailed, and its speech patterns sound impressively human. Gemini did slightly better at answering my questions than Alexa+. There’s also a mode called Gemini Live you can toggle on by saying “Hey Google, let’s chat” for a more active conversation. It’s only available by subscription, but the speaker comes with six months free of Google Home’s standard plan. (More on Gemini Live and the pricing plans below.)
There are touch controls to adjust the volume, though you’ll need to tap the device to get the little lights to appear—right side for volume up, and left side for volume down—and you’ll have to use the power cord as a reference to know which side is which. You can also tap the top to pause music or Gemini’s voice responses.
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I’m hoping we’ll see a new Google smart display designed for Gemini soon, but I also wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t. Google really doesn't update its lineup often, and the Nest Hub Max from 2019 is still perfectly serviceable for its age.
This smart display is a favorite of mine because it doubles as a digital photo frame. You’ll need your photos saved to Google Photos to do this, but you can upload up to 15 GB for free. (That’s the free storage limit for your entire Google account, not the photos section alone, so you’ll have less if your Gmail or Google Drive is filled to the brim.) You can seamlessly share photos with your display without needing to separately upload them like you would with other smart displays.
The Nest Hub Max has two 10-watt tweeters and a 30-watt woofer for solid sound. I think the sound lacks some bass, especially compared to newer smart speakers, but it’s fine for casual listening. The 10-inch screen is a great size for following a recipe, and you can stream video content and make video calls with the 6.5-megapixel camera that has a wide 127-degree field of view. The Nest Hub Max is also compatible with both Google Gemini for Home and with Gemini Live if you have a subscription.
Compared to Google Assistant, Gemini sounds much more human in its diction and speaking style (there are also multiple voices to choose from) and gives more detailed answers. Sometimes I found the answers a little lengthy; asking whether Vegemite goes bad led to a reply with a paragraph about how the salty product is shelf-stable, so it doesn’t truly expire the way other foods can but that I should still look out for mold if moisture or other food materials have gotten into jar. But overall, Gemini works well and controls devices around my house easily.
The only downside is that while it’s free, unlike Amazon’s newer Alexa+ assistant, some features are behind a paywall. The new Google Home Premium plan bundles the subscriptions for smart home assistants with storage plans for smart home video products, such as the Nest camera and doorbell. That means a subscription can get you a more powerful assistant and video storage for one price if you also own any of those devices.
There’s the standard plan ($10/month or $100/year) that includes 30 days of event-based video history, intelligent alerts for familiar faces and packages, Gemini Live, and an AI-based tool to help you create smart routines for your household. Then there’s the advanced plan ($20/month or $200/year) that includes 60 days of event-based video history, 10 days of 24/7 video history, descriptive notifications, searchable video history, video event descriptions, and daily summaries of recorded events. It also includes Gemini Live and the AI routine-building tool that you get with the cheaper plan.
As for Gemini Live, it works well enough, and it handled various conversation topics ranging from my 3-year-old’s development to what happened on the previous day’s Love Island episode, but it’s not a feature I’ve had a desire to use outside testing. Maybe it’s one you’d like, but that’s up to you to decide.
Most of Google’s speakers are compatible with Gemini for Home, but not all of them have Gemini Live capability, even if you have a subscription. Here’s a breakdown of which ones have access:
The most notable exclusion is one of Google’s most recent devices, the Google Pixel Tablet. The tablet does have access to the Gemini app and can use Gemini as a tablet when undocked, but you won’t be able to use Gemini as the voice assistant when the tablet is docked in its speaker base. This product has been disappearing from shelves, so it’s likely Google won’t continue selling it, at least not as a smart home device.
Do You Need a Subscription With a Google Smart Speaker?
You don’t need one to be able to use any of Google’s smart speakers. All except for the Google Pixel Tablet will automatically get Google Gemini as the default assistant. For access to Gemini Live and other additional features, you’ll need a Google Home Premium Plan.
What Happened to Third-Party Smart Displays That Worked With Google?
How Does WIRED Test Google Smart Speakers?
We test Google smart speakers with a handful of criteria in mind. We do microphone tests, seeing how far away a speaker will hear and respond to our questions, both while music is playing and while music is off. We also play a variety of songs to see how well the speaker performs for everything from chill lo-fi to my favorite metal band. We also sync it with other smart devices to see how well it connects and controls those devices and what kind of capabilities it has. If there’s a screen, we test the features included with that. Finally, we live with these speakers for at least a week (if not months) to see how they fare for day-to-day use and long-term performance.
How Does WIRED Acquire Smart Speakers? What Does WIRED Do With Them After Testing Them?
Most of our smart speakers are provided as press samples by the brands who make them. These are obtained with the understanding that no coverage is promised, nor are there any agreements about what any potential coverage will look like. We also occasionally purchase speakers.
After testing, most smart speakers are kept for long-term testing or in storage for future comparison tests. If a smart speaker is deemed redundant and won’t receive future updates or support, we usually recycle it locally. If it’s still a viable speaker, we’ll donate it locally instead.
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