These are not really the same size class, and that is the honest framing here. The Google Home Speaker ranks #13 of 15 powered desktop speakers by sound quality at $99.99; the Harman Kardon Citation 200 ranks #13 of 117 large speakers by sound quality at $130.
Why pick the Google Home Speaker: A compact Gemini smart speaker that doubles as a smart home hub with a Thread border router and Matter support. It links with other speakers (Wi-Fi multi-room, Chromecast built-in), which the Harman Kardon Citation 200 cannot. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Harman Kardon Citation 200 lacks. The tradeoff: 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 Harman Kardon Citation 200 is the battery-powered, tougher pick. A portable smart speaker with Wi-Fi, Google Assistant and deep bass for its size, now discontinued but worth buying used. Its battery is rated for 8 hours, while the Google Home Speaker needs an outlet. It is rated IPX4, while the Google Home Speaker has no water resistance. The catch: Overly boomy by default, you can short press the Bluetooth and volume down buttons simultaneously to decrease the bass, and the Bluetooth and volume up buttons simultaneously to increase it.
One note: the Harman Kardon Citation 200 is discontinued, but it still ranks #13 of 117 large speakers by sound quality, ahead of most of what is still sold new, so it is worth considering used.
Buy the Google Home Speaker at $99.99 if you want a powered desktop speaker. Buy the Harman Kardon Citation 200 at $130 if you want a large speaker instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings and Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A compact Gemini smart speaker that doubles as a smart home hub with a Thread border router and Matter support.
A portable smart speaker with Wi-Fi, Google Assistant and deep bass for its size, now discontinued but worth buying used.
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
| Google Home Speaker | Harman Kardon Citation 200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 each | $130 Discontinued |
| Ranked | #13 of 15 in Small Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #13 of 117 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | No Battery | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | IPX4 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room, Chromecast built-in) | No |
| Power Input | USB-C (30W adapter, power only, no USB Audio) | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (396 g) | 6.3 lbs (2.85 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (Wi-Fi 6, dual-band) | Yes |
| App | Yes (Google Home) | Yes (Harman Kardon app) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (3 far-field mics, hardware mute switch) | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble, via Google Home app) | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| TWS | No (two units pair only through a Google TV Streamer, not with each other directly) | No |
| Drivers | 58mm full-range driver | 5” woofer, 1” tweeter |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Chromecast | - |
| XLR Input | No | - |
| RCA Input | No | - |
| TRS Input | No | - |
| Optical Input | No | - |
| Coaxial Input | No | - |
| USB Input | No | - |
| HDMI Input | No | - |
| AES Input | No | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions | 3.4” x 4.2” x 4.2” (86.6 x 107 x 107 mm) (H x diameter) | 7” x 8.6” x 6.8” (178 x 219 x 172 mm) |
| Voice Assistants | Google Assistant / Gemini for Home | Google Assistant |
| Streaming Services | Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect | - |
| Omnidirectional | - | No |
| USB Playback | - | No |
| Frequency Response | - | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 50W |
| Digital Aux Input | - | No |
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