Google Nest Hub Review

The Center of Your Smart Home

Updated Oct 3, 2023

By Eric Patterson

Founder and Editor Eric Patterson

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3.9/5

Smart Home by Design’s Verdict - The Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen is a significant leap forward in the world of smart home devices, offering an impressive blend of functionality, user experience, and aesthetic design. This device not only serves as a central hub for managing your smart home but also as a personal assistant, entertainment center, and wellness coach, making it a versatile addition to any space.

PROS

✅ Enhanced Audio Experience: Delivers richer and clearer sound compared to its predecessor, making it ideal for listening to music, podcasts, and audiobooks.

✅ Sleep Sensing: Utilizes Motion Sense technology to track sleep patterns when placed on a bedside table, providing insights into your sleep quality without wearing any devices.

✅ Quick Gestures: Allows for intuitive interactions, such as playing or pausing content, with simple hand gestures, enhancing usability.

✅ Seamless Smart Home Integration: Easily connects with thousands of smart devices, allowing for centralized control of lights, thermostats, and more.

✅ Personalized Experience: Recognizes different voices and provides tailored responses, schedules, and recommendations for up to six users in a household.

CONS

Limited Physical Connectivity: Lacks a built-in camera for video calls and an audio-out port, which might limit its use for some users.

Sleep Sensing Subscription: After the initial free period, the sleep sensing feature requires a subscription, adding to the cost.

  • ◦ Enhanced Google Assistant Integration: Provides hands-free help with Google Assistant, allowing you to ask questions, set reminders, play music, and control smart home devices using voice commands.

    ◦ Gesture Control: Introduces gesture recognition technology, enabling you to play or pause media, snooze alarms, and more with simple hand gestures.

    ◦ Improved Speaker Quality: Features an upgraded speaker system that delivers richer and clearer audio, making it ideal for listening to music, podcasts, and audiobooks.

    ◦ Sleep Sensing: (Available on select models) Offers sleep tracking capabilities that monitor your sleep patterns and provide insights to help improve your sleep quality.

    ◦ Smart Home Dashboard: Comes with an intuitive display that gives you centralized control over your connected smart home devices, such as lights, thermostats, and security cameras.

    ◦ Personalized Information and Recommendations: Displays personalized information, including your calendar, weather, news, and more, with the option to receive personalized recommendations for content and routines.

    ◦ Interactive Entertainment: Allows for streaming of YouTube videos, showing recipe instructions, displaying photos from Google Photos, and accessing various entertainment services.

    ◦ Ambient EQ: Automatically adjusts the screen brightness and color temperature to match the lighting in the room, making it easier on the eyes and blending seamlessly into your home environment.

  • ◦ Smart Home Control Center: Perfect for anyone looking to centralize the control of their smart home devices, offering an easy and intuitive way to manage your connected ecosystem.

    ◦ Personal Assistant: Ideal for individuals and families needing an organized assistant to keep track of calendars, reminders, tasks, and provide hands-free help with everyday questions and commands.

    ◦ Entertainment Hub: Suitable for use in common areas like kitchens and living rooms, providing access to music, videos, and other media to entertain while you cook, relax, or work.

    ◦ Sleep Tracking: For those interested in improving their sleep quality, the sleep sensing feature (on select models) offers valuable insights into sleep patterns and personalized suggestions.

    ◦ Photo Frame: Can be used as a digital photo frame, displaying your favorite pictures from Google Photos, adding a personal touch to any room.

    ◦ Cooking Companion: Displays recipes step by step, sets timers, and answers cooking-related queries hands-free, making it a helpful assistant in the kitchen.

    ◦ Information Center: Acts as a go-to source for weather forecasts, news updates, traffic information, and more, keeping you informed throughout the day.

  • How does the Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen's Sleep Sensing feature work without wearing any devices?

    Sleep Sensing uses Motion Sense (powered by Soli low-energy radar technology) to detect movement and breathing patterns. It tracks when you go to bed, when you wake up, and how restfully you slept by sensing these movements, all without needing a wearable device.

    Can I make video calls using the Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen?

    The Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen does not have a built-in camera, so it cannot make video calls. However, it supports voice calls through Google Duo, allowing you to make audio calls to friends and family.

    Is the device capable of recognizing different users and providing personalized responses?

    Yes, the Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen supports Voice Match, which can recognize up to six different users in a household. It provides personalized responses, schedules, and recommendations based on the individual's voice.

    What types of smart home devices can be controlled with the Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen?

    It can control a wide range of smart home devices, including lights, thermostats, locks, and cameras that are compatible with Google Assistant. It also supports Zigbee devices for direct connectivity.

    Does the Sleep Sensing feature require a subscription?

    Initially, Sleep Sensing is available as a free preview. However, continued use of Sleep Sensing features requires a subscription to Fitbit Premium after the preview period ends.

    How does the Quick Gestures feature work, and what can it control?

    Quick Gestures use the Motion Sense technology to detect hand movements near the device. You can play or pause media, snooze alarms, and stop timers with a simple hand wave in front of the display.

    Can the Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen stream music or video content?

    Yes, it can stream music from services like YouTube Music, Spotify, and Pandora, and video content from YouTube, Netflix, and other compatible streaming apps.

    Is it possible to display personal photos on the Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen?

    Yes, you can display personal photos from Google Photos as a slideshow on the display, turning the device into a digital photo frame when not in active use.

    How does the Ambient EQ feature work?

    Ambient EQ automatically adjusts the display brightness and color temperature based on the ambient light in the room, ensuring the screen is comfortable to view and looks natural in any lighting condition.

    What is included in the box with the Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen?

    The package includes the Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen device, a 15W power adapter, and a quick start guide. Mounting hardware is not required as the device is designed to sit on flat surfaces.

    How does the Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen connect to the internet, and does it support both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks?

    It connects to the internet via Wi-Fi and supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of home Wi-Fi setups for stable and fast connectivity.

    Can I use the Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen outdoors or in areas with high moisture, like bathrooms?

    While the Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen is designed to be used indoors and is not waterproof, it can be used in areas with high moisture (like kitchens or bathrooms) with caution. However, it should not be exposed directly to water or extremely high humidity.

Specifications

Specification Details
Display 7-inch touchscreen
Connectivity Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz/5GHz), Bluetooth® 5.0
Smart Home Integration Works with Google Assistant, compatible with thousands of smart devices
Audio Full-range speaker with 43.5 mm driver
Sensors Temperature sensor, Ambient EQ light sensor, Soli sensor for Motion Sense (quick gestures)
Power 15W power adapter
Features Stream music and video, control smart home devices, get personalized schedules and reminders, make hands-free calls with Google Duo, Sleep Sensing
Dimensions 4.7 in x 2.7 in x 7.0 in (Width x Depth x Height)
Weight 19.7 oz (558 g)
Warranty 1-year limited warranty
Color Options Chalk, Charcoal, Sand, Mist

Come back later for our comprehensive review.

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I'm Eric, the founder of Smart Home by Design. Coming from a strong leadership background at GameStop, I discovered my true calling in bridging the gap between technology and everyday convenience, sparking my venture into the smart home industry. These experiences ignited my passion for smart technology and led me to create a company that focuses on enhancing people's lives through innovative smart home solutions. At Smart Home by Design, we do more than just install devices; we integrate technology into homes in ways that are meaningful and user-friendly, making your home smarter and your life easier.

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