Short answer: the JBL Authentics 500 for better sound quality, the Google Home Speaker for the lower price. The JBL Authentics 500 ranks #5 of 10 powered desktop speakers, rated 4.1/5, at $449.95. The Google Home Speaker ranks #13, rated 3.0/5, at $99.99, $349.96 cheaper.
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. 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.’
What the JBL Authentics 500 does well: A large smart speaker with a built in subwoofer, virtual Dolby Atmos, Wi-Fi streaming and both Alexa and Google Assistant. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Google Home Speaker lacks. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Google Home Speaker. Watch for: Bass is specified only to 40Hz at -6dB, so deep-bass reach is limited for a cabinet this size.
Buy the Google Home Speaker when the price outweighs sound quality for you, and the JBL Authentics 500 when sound quality outweighs the price instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
A compact Gemini smart speaker that doubles as a smart home hub with a Thread border router and Matter support.
A large smart speaker with a built in subwoofer, virtual Dolby Atmos, Wi-Fi streaming and both Alexa and Google Assistant.
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 | JBL Authentics 500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 each | $449.95 each |
| Ranked | #13 of 15 in Small Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #5 of 10 in Large 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) | 100 - 240V AC, ~ 50/60Hz |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Weight | 0.9 lbs (396 g) | 17.2 lbs (7.8 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) | - |
| Drivers | 58mm full-range driver | 6.5” (down-firing subwoofer), 3x 2.75” midranges, 3x 1” (25mm aluminum dome) tweeters |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Chromecast | USB-C (USB playback, 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 | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 3.4” x 4.2” x 4.2” (86.6 x 107 x 107 mm) (H x diameter) | 17.6” x 9.4” x 10.1” (447 x 240 x 255.7 mm) |
| Voice Assistants | Google Assistant / Gemini for Home | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) |
| Streaming Services | Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect | AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Alexa MRM |
| Dolby Atmos | - | Yes (virtual) |
| Ethernet | - | Yes |
| Frequency Response | - | 40Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Configuration | - | 3.1 channel |
| Amplifier Power | - | 270W (Max @ THD 1%) |
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