Review: Google Home Speaker (2026)

It has been nearly six years since Google last released a dedicated, standalone speaker in this price range. Much has happened since then, not least the explosion of artificial intelligence. With the new Google Home Speaker (which completely scraps the old “Nest” name), it is clear that the tech giant wants to place its new AI model, Gemini, at the heart of our homes. After testing the device, I can conclude that I am very satisfied with the product as a whole, even if there are some choices on Google’s part that are worth highlighting.

Design and networking at the forefront 

Aesthetically, I think this is a hit. The bulbous, fabric-covered design blends perfectly into the bookshelf or on the kitchen counter, and the base has been given an elegant light ring that pulses when Gemini is listening or thinking. In Sweden, we have to settle for the colors dark gray (Hazel) and white (Porcelain), but these are classic choices that work everywhere. A very welcome addition for the privacy-conscious is the physical button that hardware-wise cuts the power to the three microphones.

Under the hood, Google has packed in support for Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, and above all, the speaker functions as a Matter hub and Thread 1.4 border router. This is a huge advantage for those of us with connected homes, as Thread 1.4 finally allows devices from different manufacturers (such as Apple, Samsung, and Google) to coexist on the same local network without clashing.

The Sound: Great power, with a catch 

When Google Home Speaker was launched, many online experts were quick to judge the sound based on the specifications, as it “only” has a single 58 mm driver compared to previous generations’ dual drivers. But in practice, the sound has actually received a significant boost from earlier generations. It has great power and volume for such a small and stylish device.

Most things from the reference list sound really good, and in particular, calmer music and podcasts sound exquisite with a fine presence in the room. The 360-degree dispersion does its job well and truly fills the room with sound. However, one should be prepared for the laws of physics to make themselves known when the playlist gets more cluttered. When playing songs with many instruments and heavy rhythms – a clear example during my test was Ludacris Get Back – the soundscape tends to get a bit muddy. The single driver struggles to separate the deep bass from the treble, but for everyday listening in the kitchen or bedroom, it is overall a very enjoyable experience.

Lightning-fast AI – if you are willing to pay

What truly sets this speaker apart is the dedicated NPU (Neural Processing Unit) and 1 GB of RAM inside. Instead of sending your voice commands to the cloud, the speaker can now process simpler logic and speech-to-text locally. The result? Turning on lights, setting timers, or asking the assistant to turn off everything “except the bedside lamp” is now incredibly fast. Gemini is also forgiving; you can stumble over your words, change your mind mid-sentence, and the assistant still understands what you mean.

There is, however, one downside that has drawn criticism from several early reviewers worldwide, and I am inclined to agree. While the basic functions are free, the really sharp features – like the completely free-flowing “Gemini Live” chat conversations where you can bounce ideas back and forth without saying “Hey Google” every time – are locked behind the new Google Home Premium subscription (which is also included if you have a Gemini Pro subscription). You get six months for free when you activate the device, but it doesn’t happen automatically; instead, you need to navigate through Google One and activate it manually. Why? Ask Google’s user experience experts; this is unfortunately a recurring fly in the ointment where the main competitor Apple is light-years ahead. Regardless, the chat function is really nice, and you can get caught up in reasoning for much longer than you first intended, almost forgetting that it is a language model in a plastic speaker you are “talking” to. You can stand in the kitchen with messy hands and ask about the recipe you planned to make without fumbling with your phone. Smart!

After the trial period, this currently costs about a hundred SEK a month, or as mentioned, you can get it with Gemini Pro, which makes it more cost-effective. This means the total cost over time is significantly higher than the price tag on the box suggests, however, which is good to keep in mind. SaaS (Software as a Service) is the tune of the future that makes us all eternal customers.

A fun and useful feature is that the speaker can learn to recognize children’s voices and then limit the AI functionality to topics and answers that are appropriate for children.

Conclusion 

Google Home Speaker is a very good, modern, and stylish smart speaker that well deserves its place in the home. I certainly wish that complex music had a bit more space, and the subscription model leaves a bit of a bitter aftertaste, but this is largely offset by the lightning-fast response, the sleek design, and future-proofing with Thread 1.4.

Google sent a review unit for this test. Senders of material have no editorial influence on our tests; we always write independently with you, the readers and consumers, in focus.