Short answer: the Google Home Speaker. It ranks #13 of 15 powered desktop speakers by sound quality (rated 3.0/5) at $99.99 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.
What the Google Home Speaker does well: A compact Gemini smart speaker that doubles as a smart home hub with a Thread border router and Matter support. The catch: 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.’
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. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the Google Home Speaker lacks. Watch for: 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 Speaker. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Google Nest Mini 2nd Gen is discontinued.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
A compact Gemini smart speaker that doubles as a smart home hub with a Thread border router and Matter support.
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 Speaker | Google Nest Mini 2nd Gen | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 each | $119.00 each Discontinued |
| Ranked | #13 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, Chromecast built-in) | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room, Chromecast built-in) |
| Power Input | USB-C (30W adapter, power only, no USB Audio) | External AC adapter (15W, DC jack) |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (396 g) | 0.4 lbs (181 g) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (Wi-Fi 6, dual-band) | Yes |
| App | Yes (Google Home) | Yes (Google Home) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, AAC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (3 far-field mics, hardware mute switch) | Yes (3 far-field mics, hardware mute switch) |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble, via Google Home app) | Yes (Bass/Treble, via Google Home app) |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| TWS | No (two units pair only through a Google TV Streamer, not with each other directly) | Yes (Wi-Fi stereo pairing via Google Home app) |
| Drivers | 58mm full-range driver | 40mm driver |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Chromecast | 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 | 5.4 | 5.0 |
| Dimensions | 3.4” x 4.2” x 4.2” (86.6 x 107 x 107 mm) (H x diameter) | 1.7” x 3.9” x 3.9” (42 x 98 x 98 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Voice Assistants | Google Assistant / Gemini for Home | Google Assistant / Gemini for Home |
| Streaming Services | Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect | Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect |
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