Different classes, so treat this as a step-up-or-not question rather than a head-to-head. The Google Nest Audio ranks #9 of 15 powered desktop speakers by sound quality at $99.99; the JBL Authentics 300 ranks #46 of 112 boombox speakers by sound quality at $299.95.
Why pick the Google Nest Audio: An affordable Google Assistant speaker with Chromecast casting and respectable bass from one small box. It supports AAC Bluetooth, which the JBL Authentics 300 lacks. The tradeoff: Each unit is mono; a genuine left-right stereo pair means buying two and pairing them over Wi-Fi.
The JBL Authentics 300 is the battery-powered option. A retro styled smart speaker with both Alexa and Google Assistant, a leather handle and battery power. Its battery is rated for 8 hours, while the Google Nest Audio needs an outlet. Watch for: Narrow sounding, bass not as deep as others.
One note: the Google Nest Audio is discontinued and no longer widely available new. The Google Nest Audio’s replacement, the Google Home Speaker, is rated 3.0/5 at $99.99.
Buy the Google Nest Audio at $99.99 if you want a powered desktop speaker. Buy the JBL Authentics 300 at $299.95 if you want a boombox speaker instead.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings and Portable Bluetooth rankings.
An affordable Google Assistant speaker with Chromecast casting and respectable bass from one small box.
A retro styled smart speaker with both Alexa and Google Assistant, a leather handle and battery power.
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 Nest Audio | JBL Authentics 300 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 each Discontinued | $299.95 |
| Ranked | #9 of 15 in Small Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #46 of 112 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Battery Life | No Battery | 8 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room, Chromecast built-in) | Yes (Wi-Fi Multi-Room) |
| Power Input | External AC adapter (30W, 24V, DC jack) | AC Power cable |
| Stereo | No | Partially (1 woofer) |
| Weight | 2.6 lbs (1.2 kg) | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (802.11 b/g/n/ac, 2.4GHz/5GHz) | Yes |
| App | Yes (Google Home) | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (3 far-field mics, hardware mute switch) | Yes |
| EQ | Yes (Bass/Treble, via Google Home app) | Yes (App EQ) |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| TWS | Yes (Wi-Fi stereo pairing via Google Home app) | Yes |
| Drivers | 75mm woofer, 19mm tweeter | 1” tweeter + 4” woofer + passive radiators |
| 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 | - |
| Amplifier Power | 30W (2x Class D) | 100W |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 6.9” x 4.9” x 3.1” (175 x 124 x 78 mm) (H x W x D) | 13.5” x 7.7” x 7.1” (342 x 195.6 x 180.3 mm) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 60.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review via spinorama.org) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44.3Hz (derived, log-interpolated between ASR’s spinorama -9dB/-12dB points) | 45Hz |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.71 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.06 | - |
| Voice Assistants | Google Assistant | Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous) |
| Streaming Services | Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect | - |
| Maximum SPL | - | 100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews) |
| Omnidirectional | - | No |
| USB Playback | - | Yes |
| MicroSD Playback | - | No |
| Digital Aux Input | - | No |
| Strap | - | No |
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