The second-generation Google Nest Hub review brings significant upgrades to Google’s popular smart display, including innovative sleep tracking, improved audio, and a more affordable price tag. This compact device offers the perfect balance of functionality and value for those looking to enhance their smart home experience without breaking the bank. As smart displays continue to evolve, does this updated version deserve a spot on your bedside table or kitchen counter? Let’s keep reading to find out.
Is Google Nest Hub Worth Buying?
If you want to find out whether the Nest Hub worth it or not, take a look at the following table:
Buy it if
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You want affordable sleep tracking without a wearable
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You're looking for a compact smart display under $100
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You want a central smart home control hub
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Privacy is a concern (no camera)
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You use Google services and ecosystem
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You want a digital photo frame with adaptive brightness
Don't buy it if
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You share a bed and both want sleep-tracking
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You're primarily interested in premium audio quality
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You need video-calling capabilities
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You need a larger screen for regular video consumption
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You're deeply invested in Amazon's Alexa ecosystem
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You want free sleep tracking long-term
| Pros | Cons |
| Quick Gestures for hands-free controlInnovative Sleep Sensing technologyLower price pointEdge-to-edge glass design50% more bass for improved audioHigh level of privacyEco-friendly design (54% recycled plastic)Machine learning chip for faster responses | Sleep Sensing will require a subscription after a free previewNo camera for video calls Big bezel remains Sleep tracking works best for singles Limited gesture controls Basic sound quality compared to dedicated speakers |
Google Nest Hub Design and Build Quality
The Google Nest Hub 2nd gen review reveals subtle but welcome design improvements over its predecessor. The updated model maintains the familiar floating display design but now features an edge-to-edge glass front that gives it a more premium look. The fabric-covered base uses eco-friendly materials, with Google claiming the plastic parts are made with 54% post-consumer recycled plastic.
Available in four colors: Chalk, Charcoal, Mist, and Sand, the Hub lets you match your home décor without being intrusive. At just 7×4.5×2.7 inches, this compact device fits perfectly on nightstands, kitchen counters, or living room side tables.
The Google Hub second generation maintains the camera-free design of the original, which many privacy-conscious users will appreciate. While this means no video calls, it makes it more suitable for private spaces like bedrooms.
Google Nest Hub Display Quality
The 7-inch touchscreen offers a 1024×600 pixel resolution that, while not cutting-edge, provides clear visuals for everyday use. The adaptive brightness feature intelligently adjusts to ambient light conditions, making it easy on the eyes whether you’re checking it in bright daylight or the middle of the night.
Unlike the Amazon Echo Show, the Nest Hub 2nd gen review shows that the device still has a relatively thick bezel surrounding the screen. While some might consider this date, it provides a practical area to hold the device without triggering the touch display.
Google Nest Hub Smart Features and Performance
The integrated machine learning chip significantly improves response times compared to the previous model. With 1.2 TeraOPS of processing power, the Google Nest Hub smart display review demonstrates how it can learn your most common commands and execute them more quickly than before.
Google Assistant remains one of the smartest voice assistants available, handling everything from weather forecasts and calendar management to controlling compatible smart home devices. The addition of a third microphone improves voice recognition, allowing the Hub to hear your commands even from across the room or overplaying music.
The Google Nest Hub features list includes integration with popular streaming services like YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, Spotify, Apple Music, and Pandora. This makes it an excellent entertainment hub for catching up on shows while cooking or listening to music throughout your home.
Google Nest Hub Sleep Sensing Technology
As the Google Nest Hub 2nd generation review states, perhaps the most innovative addition to this device is the Sleep Sensing feature. Using Google’s Soli radar technology, the Hub can track the sleep patterns of the person closest to the display without requiring any wearable devices.
The Google sleep sensing review shows the technology detects submillimeter movements, respiratory rates, coughing, and snoring. It combines this data with environmental factors like room temperature, light, and sound to provide comprehensive sleep insights.
Setup is straightforward: place the Hub on your nightstand, follow the calibration instructions, and let it do its work. Each morning, you’ll receive a sleep report detailing quality, duration, and schedule, with personalized recommendations developed in partnership with the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
It’s worth noting that this feature was free. However, starting in 2024, Google planned to make Sleep Sensing a part of Fitbit Premium, which requires a subscription cost. For those concerned about privacy, all coughing and snoring data is stored locally on the device, and you can disable these features while still using sleep tracking.
Quick Gestures and Motion Controls
The Google hub review highlights another benefit of the Soli radar chip: Quick Gestures. This feature allows you to control the Hub by simply waving your hand in front of the display; tap the air to play or pause media, dismiss timers, or silence alarms.
While convenient, especially when your hands are messy in the kitchen, the gesture controls are somewhat limited. They work well but can be overly sensitive at times, occasionally registering unintended movements as commands.
Google Nest Hub Audio Performance
The Google Nest Hub speaker quality has improved with this generation, offering 50% more bass thanks to its larger 43.5mm speaker driver. While it won’t replace dedicated Google Nest smart speakers for audiophiles, the sound quality is perfectly adequate for casual listening, podcasts, and video content.
The Google Hub sound quality performs admirably in smaller rooms and can fill a kitchen or bedroom with clear audio. For larger spaces, you can group it with other compatible speakers for a synchronized multi-room audio experience.
Google Nest Hub Smart Home Integration
Serving as the main hub for your smart home, the Nest Hub stands out for its ability to control a wide range of compatible devices. Its Home Control tab offers straightforward access to manage cameras, doorbells, thermostats, and lights, making it easy to oversee your connected home from one place.
The new model includes built-in Thread support, positioning it for future compatibility with the Project Connected Home Over IP (CHIP) standard being developed by Apple, Amazon, Google, and the Zigbee Alliance. This forward-thinking inclusion suggests the Hub will remain relevant as smart home technology continues to evolve.
Real-World Use: Is It Worth the Hype?
Is the Google Nest Hub 2nd gen worth it in everyday life? Used for several months, this device really shines as a bedside companion. The sleep tracking is surprisingly accurate, even if it sometimes gets thrown off when a cat jumps on the bed. Thanks to the insights it provides, sleep schedules tend to improve noticeably over time.
In the kitchen, the Nest Hub worth it question depends on how you cook. For recipe followers, having hands-free controls while your fingers are covered in flour is genuinely helpful. The display’s size hits that sweet spot where it’s large enough to read recipes but compact enough not to hog counter space like the larger counterparts as mentioned in the Google Home Nest Hub review.
Battery life is not a concern since the device remains plugged in, but the Google Nest Hub is not waterproof, so it’s best to keep it away from kitchen sinks and areas with heavy moisture. While it can tolerate light splashes, exposure to water or high humidity can damage the device.
The top edge tends to collect dust, which can serve as a reminder for cleaning, depending on personal housekeeping habits, this could be seen as either a helpful feature or a minor annoyance.
Google Nest Hub Overview: Best Use Cases
The Google Nest Hub overview wouldn’t be complete without discussing where this little display truly excels. As a digital photo frame, it’s unmatched. Google Photos integration means your memories rotate throughout the day, with the adaptive brightness ensuring they look natural regardless of lighting.
The review of Google Nest Hub forums consistently praises its morning routine capabilities. Having it gradually brightens the display, tells you the weather, and runs through your calendar while you’re still half-asleep beats grabbing your phone first thing. For news junkies, the Google Hub Nest review highlights how easy it is to catch quick headline videos while getting ready.
For parents, the Nest Hub 2 is a huge help. It works great as a baby monitor with compatible cameras and makes managing kitchen timers super easy. The smaller footprint compared to the Google Nest Hub Max makes it perfect for kids rooms, where you might want the smart features without the camera.
And while the Google Nest Hub review YouTube community often focuses on entertainment, it’s surprisingly useful for smart home management. The visual controls for lights, thermostats, and other Google Home devices are much more intuitive than voice-only interfaces like the Amazon Echo Dot With Clock (5th Gen).
Technical Specifications
| Features | Specifications |
| Display | 7-inch touchscreen, 1024 × 600 pixels |
| Dimensions | 4.7″ H × 7″ W × 2.7″ D |
| Speakers | 1.7-inch full-range driver (43.5mm) |
| Microphone | 3 far-field microphones |
| Camera | None |
| Connectivity | Dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4/5 GHz), Bluetooth 5.0, Thread support |
| Colors | Chalk, Charcoal, Mist, Sand |
| Price | $99.99 (US), £90 (UK), AU$149 (Australia) |
| Processor | Machine learning chip with 1.2 TeraOPS |
| Material | 54% post-consumer recycled plastic |
| Warranty | One-year manufacturer’s warranty |
Google Nest Hub Model History
| Model | Release Date | Original Price | Key Features |
| Google Home Hub | 2018 | $149 | 7-inch display, Google Assistant, smart home controls |
| Google Nest Hub (1st Gen) | 2019 | $129 (rebranded) | Same as Home Hub, price dropped to $89.99 later |
| Google Nest Hub Max | 2019 | $229 | 10-inch display, camera for video calls, better audio |
| Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) | 2021 | $99.99 | Sleep Sensing, Quick Gestures, improved bass, ML chip |
Google Nest Hub Privacy Considerations
Unlike the Google Nest Hub Max, the second-generation Nest Hub has no camera, which many users appreciate for bedroom placement. For sleep tracking, Google has implemented several privacy measures; the Soli radar technology doesn’t capture images or videos, only motion data.
The Google Nest Hub review Reddit discussions often highlight privacy as a key concern. Google allows you to review and delete your sleep data through the Google Fit app, disable specific features like coughing and snoring detection, or turn off Sleep Sensing entirely. The microphones can also be muted with a physical switch on the back of the device, though some reviewers wish this control was more accessible on the exterior.
User Reviews on Google Nest Hub
The Google Nest Hub review 2022 feedback from users has been generally positive, with an average rating of 4.3/5 across multiple platforms. Users particularly praise the sleep-tracking functionality, compact design, and improved sound quality compared to the first generation.
Positive comments frequently mention the device’s value proposition, the convenience of having a screen for smart home controls, and the accuracy of sleep tracking without needing to wear a device. The sunrise alarm feature, which gradually increases the display brightness before your alarm, receives specific praise for creating a more natural wake-up experience.
Negative feedback typically centers around the eventual paywall for Sleep Sensing, occasional inaccuracies in sleep detection (especially for couples sharing a bed), and the limited audio quality compared to dedicated speakers like the Google Pixel 4 or Echo Pop Mini.
Conclusion
According to the Nest Hub 2nd generation review, this smart display is not overwhelmingly impressive or entirely redesigned, but it brings sensible updates, a lower price, and more capability than its predecessor. New features that might concern some users are completely optional, and you can review and delete your data at any time.
With its innovative sleep tracking, improved audio, and the familiarity of Google Assistant, the second-gen Nest Hub remains the best smart display for most smart homes, particularly at its competitive price point.
How well does the motion-based sleep tracking feature actually work?
The sleep tracking relies on radar-based motion sensing and performs surprisingly well in detecting sleep patterns, especially for someone who sleeps alone. It tracks breathing and movement accurately enough for general insights, though it’s not intended to replace medical-grade devices. It’s best used for light, non-invasive sleep monitoring.
Can the audio quality on this device handle both music and voice clearly?
The improved speaker design offers richer bass and better clarity than the previous version. While it’s not meant to replace a high-end audio system, it does a solid job with casual music listening and excels at voice responses from Google Assistant, podcasts, or video calls.
Is the screen responsive enough for daily touch interaction?
Yes, the display reacts smoothly to touch commands like swiping between menus or adjusting settings. It’s optimized for quick responses, and the interface feels fluid for everyday use like checking weather, controlling smart devices, or watching short videos.
How useful is it as a smart home controller?
It serves as a central hub for managing compatible smart devices. You can control lights, thermostats, cameras, and more directly from the screen or via voice commands. The dashboard layout makes it easy to see everything at a glance, which is great for both new and experienced users of smart home setups.
Can it be used for private conversations or video calls without privacy concerns?
Although it doesn’t have a camera, which adds a layer of physical privacy, it does use microphones for voice interaction. You can disable the mic at any time with a hardware switch. For video calls, you’ll need to use apps that support voice-only communication, which some users actually prefer for privacy reasons.
