Short answer: the Google Home Speaker. It ranks #6 of 8 powered desktop speakers by sound quality at $99.99; the JBL Authentics 200 ranks #7 and costs $380, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The case for the Google Home Speaker: Built-in Gemini support makes it a capable smart home hub, with a Thread border router and Matter support, and the compact 107mm sphere fits almost anywhere. The tradeoff: This is Google’s current speaker, and reviewers agree it is a downgrade in sound from the discontinued Nest Audio it replaces: SoundGuys measured its acoustic hardware directly against the Nest Audio and found a single 58mm full-range driver against the Nest Audio’s 75mm woofer plus dedicated 19mm tweeter, calling it ‘half the audio hardware for the same sticker price.’ In their listening test there was barely any bass, the sound turned thin and tinny outside the midrange, and pushing the volume up made high notes shrill.
The case for the JBL Authentics 200: Wi-Fi streaming with simultaneous Alexa and Google Assistant support, rare at this size. The tradeoff: Bass not as deep as others.
Buy the Google Home Speaker. It ranks higher for sound quality than the JBL Authentics 200 and costs less, which settles it without a real tradeoff to make.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Google Home Speaker. It ranks near the bottom of the 8 powered desktop speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Google Home Speaker | JBL Authentics 200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 each | $380 each |
| Ranked | #6 of 8 in Small Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #7 of 14 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| 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) |
| Power Input | USB-C (30W adapter, power only, no USB Audio) | AC Power Cable (100-240V) |
| Stereo | No | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (396 g) | 9.3 lbs (4.2 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (Wi-Fi 6, dual-band) | Yes (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (2.4GHz/5GHz)) |
| App | Yes (Google Home) | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (3 far-field mics, hardware mute switch) | - |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble, via Google Home app) | Yes |
| Power Bank | No | - |
| TWS | No (two units pair only through a Google TV Streamer, not with each other directly) | No |
| Drivers | 58mm full-range driver | 5" full-range woofer, 2x 25mm tweeters; 6-inch down-firing passive radiator; 6-inch down-firing passive radiator; 6-inch down-firing passive radiator; 6-inch down-firing passive radiator |
| Discontinued | No | - |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Chromecast | Bluetooth, Wifi, Aux, USB (US only) |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.4 | Yes, 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 3.4" x 4.2" x 4.2" (86.6 x 107 x 107 mm) (H x diameter) | 10.5" x 6.8" x 6.6" (266.3 x 171.7 x 167.4 mm) |
| Voice Assistants | Google Assistant / Gemini for Home | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) |
| Streaming Services | Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect | AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa MRM |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~50Hz |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 |
| Frequency Response | - | 50Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 90W |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How JBL Authentics 200 compares with other leading options:
- Audio Pro C5 MkII vs JBL Authentics 200
- JBL Authentics 200 vs Marshall Woburn III
- JBL Authentics 200 vs Marshall Woburn II
- JBL Authentics 200 vs Marshall Woburn I
- JBL Authentics 200 vs Marshall Stanmore III
Prices on this page were last checked September 22, 2026 at 5:11 AM 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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The Two Speakers In Full
Google Home Speaker: $99.99 each Amazon eBay
Pros: Built-in Gemini support makes it a capable smart home hub, with a Thread border router and Matter support, and the compact 107mm sphere fits almost anywhere. Vocals come through clearly on most tracks, which SoundGuys’ side-by-side listening called the one thing this speaker does well.
Cons: This is Google’s current speaker, and reviewers agree it is a downgrade in sound from the discontinued Nest Audio it replaces: SoundGuys measured its acoustic hardware directly against the Nest Audio and found a single 58mm full-range driver against the Nest Audio’s 75mm woofer plus dedicated 19mm tweeter, calling it ‘half the audio hardware for the same sticker price.’ In their listening test there was barely any bass, the sound turned thin and tinny outside the midrange, and pushing the volume up made high notes shrill. There is no aux input or any wired audio connection at all, the single USB-C port is power only, and Bluetooth is limited to the SBC codec with no AAC support. SoundGuys scored it 6.0 of 10 overall, with a Value score of 4.0.
Full Google Home Speaker review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| App | Yes (Google Home) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.4 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (3 far-field mics, hardware mute switch) |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 3.4" x 4.2" x 4.2" (86.6 x 107 x 107 mm) (H x diameter) |
| Discontinued | No |
| Drivers | 58mm full-range driver |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble, via Google Home app) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Chromecast |
| Optical Input | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room, Chromecast built-in) |
| Power Bank | No |
| Power Input | USB-C (30W adapter, power only, no USB Audio) |
| RCA Input | No |
| Stereo | No |
| Streaming Services | Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect |
| TRS Input | No |
| TWS | No (two units pair only through a Google TV Streamer, not with each other directly) |
| USB Input | No |
| Voice Assistants | Google Assistant / Gemini for Home |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (396 g) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (Wi-Fi 6, dual-band) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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JBL Authentics 200: $380 each Amazon eBay
Pros: Wi-Fi streaming with simultaneous Alexa and Google Assistant support, rare at this size. Well balanced sound that reviewers rate close to the pricier Authentics 300. Measured about 113dB at 1kHz on max volume, matching the bigger 300 despite the smaller cabinet. Measured bass extension of ~50Hz (-10dB).
Cons: Bass not as deep as others. No TWS. No IP rating. Not as loud as others. Not much battery life.
Full JBL Authentics 200 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 90W |
| App | Yes |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~50Hz |
| Battery Life | No Battery |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.3 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 10.5" x 6.8" x 6.6" (266.3 x 171.7 x 167.4 mm) |
| Drivers | 5" full-range woofer, 2x 25mm tweeters; 6-inch down-firing passive radiator; 6-inch down-firing passive radiator; 6-inch down-firing passive radiator; 6-inch down-firing passive radiator |
| EQ | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| IP Rating | None |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, Wifi, Aux, USB (US only) |
| Optical Input | No |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room) |
| Power Input | AC Power Cable (100-240V) |
| RCA Input | No |
| Stereo | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Streaming Services | AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa MRM |
| TRS Input | No |
| TWS | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) |
| Weight | 9.3 lbs (4.2 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (2.4GHz/5GHz)) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Authentics 200 vs Edifier D12
- JBL Authentics 200 vs Marshall Acton III
- JBL Authentics 200 vs Marshall Stanmore II
- JBL Authentics 200 vs Marshall Stanmore III
- JBL Authentics 200 vs Marshall Woburn I
- JBL Authentics 200 vs Google Home Max
- JBL Authentics 200 vs Marshall Woburn II
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