Short answer: the Amazon Echo Studio 2nd Gen. It ranks #2 of 15 powered desktop speakers by sound quality (rated 3.8/5) at $219.99 and is still sold new; the Google Nest Mini 2nd Gen ranks #14 (rated 2.9/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Google Nest Mini 2nd Gen’s replacement, the Google Home Speaker, is rated 3.0/5 at $99.99.
The Amazon Echo Studio 2nd Gen is the better-sounding choice. A great sounding Amazon smart speaker, with wide sound from one box, Dolby Atmos and a built in smart home hub. Watch for: SoundGuys still marked it down on Value (4.0 of 10) given the $219.99 list price, and it is explicitly not true left-right stereo from one cabinet, so a stereo pair is needed for real width in a larger room.
What the Google Nest Mini 2nd Gen does well: A tiny Google Assistant speaker that responds quickly, raises its volume over background noise and has a mic mute switch. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the Amazon Echo Studio 2nd Gen lacks. The catch: Digital Trends’ main complaint was that maximum volume could be louder, and RTINGS’ independent review agrees, naming it their one real weakness.
Buy the Amazon Echo Studio 2nd Gen. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Google Nest Mini 2nd Gen is discontinued.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
A great sounding Amazon smart speaker, with wide sound from one box, Dolby Atmos and a built in smart home hub.
A tiny Google Assistant speaker that responds quickly, raises its volume over background noise and has a mic mute switch.
Prices on this page were last checked November 5, 2026 at 10:30 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Amazon Echo Studio 2nd Gen | Google Nest Mini 2nd Gen | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $219.99 each | $119.00 each Discontinued |
| Ranked | #2 of 15 in Small Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #14 of 15 in Small Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | No Battery | No Battery |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room, Alexa Home Theater) | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room, Chromecast built-in) |
| Power Input | External AC adapter | External AC adapter (15W, DC jack) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Weight | 3.6 lbs (1.632 kg) | 0.4 lbs (181 g) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (Wi-Fi 6E) | Yes |
| App | Yes (Alexa) | Yes (Google Home) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (mic mute button, far-field) | Yes (3 far-field mics, hardware mute switch) |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Mid/Treble + Dolby Virtualizer, via Alexa app) | Yes (Bass/Treble, via Google Home app) |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| TWS | Yes (Wi-Fi stereo pairing via Alexa app) | Yes (Wi-Fi stereo pairing via Google Home app) |
| Drivers | 3.75in high-excursion woofer, 3x 2.25in full-range drivers (L/R/up) | 40mm driver |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Chromecast |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 6.1” x 5.6” x 5.8” (155 x 142 x 147 mm) | 1.7” x 3.9” x 3.9” (42 x 98 x 98 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa / Alexa+ | Google Assistant / Gemini for Home |
| Streaming Services | Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, SiriusXM | Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect |
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