Short answer: the Google Home Speaker, if you are buying new. The Google Home Max ranks higher than it (#15 vs #13 of 15 powered desktop speakers, 3.6/5 vs 3.0/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Google Home Speaker is still sold new at $99.99.
The case for the Google Home Max: A large Google smart speaker with two woofers, automatic room tuning and stereo pairing, praised by owners for its bass. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the Google Home Speaker lacks. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Google Home Speaker lacks. The catch: Discontinued by Google since 2020, so it can no longer be bought new; used and refurbished stock is what remains, and RTINGS calls its soundstage mediocre despite the driver count.
The case for the Google Home Speaker: A compact Gemini smart speaker that doubles as a smart home hub with a Thread border router and Matter support. Watch for: This is Google’s current speaker, and reviewers agree it is a downgrade in sound from the discontinued Google Nest Audio it replaces: SoundGuys measured its acoustic hardware directly against the Google Nest Audio and found a single 58mm full-range driver against the Google Nest Audio’s 75mm woofer plus dedicated 19mm tweeter, calling it ‘half the audio hardware for the same sticker price.’
Buy the Google Home Speaker new; the Google Home Max is no longer sold new, so it only makes sense as a used find.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
A large Google smart speaker with two woofers, automatic room tuning and stereo pairing, praised by owners for its bass.
A compact Gemini smart speaker that doubles as a smart home hub with a Thread border router and Matter support.
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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Specifications Side By Side
| Google Home Max | Google Home Speaker | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399 each Discontinued | $99.99 each |
| Ranked | #15 of 29 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #13 of 15 in Small Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Battery Life | No Battery | No Battery |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room, Chromecast built-in) | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room, Chromecast built-in) |
| Power Input | AC power cord | USB-C (30W adapter, power only, no USB Audio) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Weight | 11.7 lbs (5.3 kg) | 0.9 lbs (396 g) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (2.4GHz/5GHz) | Yes (Wi-Fi 6, dual-band) |
| App | Yes (Google Home) | Yes (Google Home) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (6 far-field mics for Smart Sound room correction) | Yes (3 far-field mics, hardware mute switch) |
| EQ | Yes (Media EQ + Room EQ, automatic via Smart Sound) | Yes (Bass/Treble, via Google Home app) |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| TWS | Yes (Wi-Fi stereo pairing via Google Home app) | No (two units pair only through a Google TV Streamer, not with each other directly) |
| Drivers | 2x 4.5in high-excursion woofers, 2x 0.7in tweeters | 58mm full-range driver |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Aux, USB-C | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Chromecast |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | Yes (3.5mm) | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | Yes | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Amplifier Power | 6x Class-D amplifiers | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 7.5” x 13.2” x 6.1” (190 x 336 x 154 mm) (H x W x D) | 3.4” x 4.2” x 4.2” (86.6 x 107 x 107 mm) (H x diameter) |
| Voice Assistants | Google Assistant | Google Assistant / Gemini for Home |
| Streaming Services | Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect, Pandora, TuneIn, iHeartRadio | Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Google Home Max compares with other leading options: