These sit in different size classes, so this is not a straight ranking comparison. The Google Nest Mini 2nd Gen ranks #14 of 15 powered desktop speakers by sound quality at $119; the Sonos Play ranks #56 of 178 medium speakers by sound quality at $299.
What the Google Nest Mini 2nd Gen does well: 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 Sonos Play lacks. It links with other speakers (Wi-Fi multi-room, Chromecast built-in), which the Sonos Play cannot. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Sonos Play lacks. The tradeoff: Digital Trends’ main complaint was that maximum volume could be louder, and RTINGS’ independent review agrees, naming it their one real weakness.
The Sonos Play is the battery-powered, tougher choice. A Wi-Fi and Bluetooth portable with wide stereo sound, a long lasting swappable battery, waterproofing and full Sonos multiroom support. Its battery is rated for 24 hours, while the Google Nest Mini 2nd Gen needs an outlet. It is rated IP67, while the Google Nest Mini 2nd Gen has no water resistance. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Google Nest Mini 2nd Gen lacks. The catch: Bass distorts noticeably on bass-heavy tracks at default settings, and the distortion persists even after enabling Trueplay tuning and manually pulling bass back in the app.
One note: the Google Nest Mini 2nd Gen is discontinued and no longer widely available new. The Google Nest Mini 2nd Gen’s replacement, the Google Home Speaker, is rated 3.0/5 at $99.99.
Buy the Google Nest Mini 2nd Gen ($119) for a powered desktop speaker; the Sonos Play ($299) suits a medium speaker instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings and Portable Bluetooth rankings.
A tiny Google Assistant speaker that responds quickly, raises its volume over background noise and has a mic mute switch.
A Wi-Fi and Bluetooth portable with wide stereo sound, a long lasting swappable battery, waterproofing and full Sonos multiroom support.
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 Mini 2nd Gen | Sonos Play | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $119.00 each Discontinued | $299.00 |
| Ranked | #14 of 15 in Small Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #56 of 178 in Medium Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery | 24 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | None | IP67 |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room, Chromecast built-in) | No |
| Power Input | External AC adapter (15W, DC jack) | USB-C |
| Stereo | No | Yes |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs (181 g) | 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | 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) | No |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| TWS | Yes (Wi-Fi stereo pairing via Google Home app) | Yes |
| Drivers | 40mm driver | mid-woofer, 2x angled tweeters |
| 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 | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Dimensions | 1.7” x 3.9” x 3.9” (42 x 98 x 98 mm) (H x W x D) | 7.6” x 4.4” x 3” (192.3 x 112.5 x 76.7 mm) |
| Voice Assistants | Google Assistant / Gemini for Home | Amazon Alexa (Sonos Voice Control also built in) |
| Streaming Services | Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect | - |
| Omnidirectional | - | No |
| Digital Aux Input | - | No |
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