Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the Google Home Max is the better pick: it ranks #15 of 29 powered desktop speakers by sound quality (rated 3.6/5), against #14 (rated 2.9/5) for the Google Nest Mini 2nd Gen. If you want one new, the Google Home Speaker replaces the Google Nest Mini 2nd Gen and is rated 3.0/5 at $99.99.
Why pick 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 keeps a wired aux input, which the Google Nest Mini 2nd Gen lacks. Watch for: 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 Nest Mini 2nd Gen: A tiny Google Assistant speaker that responds quickly, raises its volume over background noise and has a mic mute switch. 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 Google Home Max only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, buy the Google Home Speaker, which replaces the Google Nest Mini 2nd Gen.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
A large Google smart speaker with two woofers, automatic room tuning and stereo pairing, praised by owners for its bass.
A tiny Google Assistant speaker that responds quickly, raises its volume over background noise and has a mic mute switch.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Google Home Max | Google Nest Mini 2nd Gen | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399 each Discontinued | $119.00 each Discontinued |
| Ranked | #15 of 29 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #14 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 | External AC adapter (15W, DC jack) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Weight | 11.7 lbs (5.3 kg) | 0.4 lbs (181 g) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (2.4GHz/5GHz) | Yes |
| App | Yes (Google Home) | Yes (Google Home) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC |
| 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) | Yes (Wi-Fi stereo pairing via Google Home app) |
| Drivers | 2x 4.5in high-excursion woofers, 2x 0.7in tweeters | 40mm 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 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 7.5” x 13.2” x 6.1” (190 x 336 x 154 mm) (H x W x D) | 1.7” x 3.9” x 3.9” (42 x 98 x 98 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Voice Assistants | Google Assistant | Google Assistant / Gemini for Home |
| Streaming Services | Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect, Pandora, TuneIn, iHeartRadio | Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect |
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