Everything You Should Know Before Buying A Google Nest Hub

Google Nest Hub is a versatile tool that can be set on a countertop, desk, or dresser that allows you to connect smart devices to it and control them all. You can speak to it, see photos on it, and even watch YouTube or stream music through it. It's designed to compile all of your smart devices into one central location to help you control cameras, make phone calls, set times, and listen to music throughout the day, without relying on your phone.

For the cost of around $100, you could pick up a Google Nest Hub (2nd gen) model. The Nest Hub Max costs $229 and has a larger screen, but lacks the company's radar-powered sleep tracker. Critics say that they find the Google Nest Home has a great design and is easy to use, but complain that some models don't have a camera for video calls.

Users on Reddit point out that you could use your smartphone to do basically the same things as the hub, which is true. But the hub's hands-free-focused design makes it more convenient to just speak questions and bark orders, rather than fiddle with the screen. It may be at the end of the smart speaker brands ranked by Consumer Reports, due to its disappointing speaker quality and lack of a privacy shutter, but some don't seeem to mind.

On top of Google Nest Hub's ability to control your smart devices, it also has support for watching YouTube and Netflix, as well as Spotify. That makes it more capable than some smarthome hubs that are focused on utility rather than entertainment.

Another difference between Google and its competitors is price. When compared to other smart home hubs, Google's Nest Hub is considerably lower. The screen-clad version of Amazon's popular Echo smart devices can range between $200 and $500, though they're typically on sale. Still, by comparison, the Google Nest Hub can seem like a bargain. When compared to Amazon's older Echo Show 5 from 2023, the $100 Amazon Echo Show and Google Nest Hub have similar features, but the Nest Hub has a larger screen -– 7 inches, compared to the Show's 5.5-inch display.

The Google Nest Hub is capable of making phone calls and video calls, but there is a catch on the cheaper Nest Hub 2nd gen model. As mentioned before, it does not feature a camera so while you can see who you're speaking with, they won't be able to see you. The Nest Hub Max does include a camera, however, it is more expensive than the Nest Hub and will cost around $229.

The Google Nest Hub is not the only smart home device available. If you are one of the people who are ditching Google, there are devices from Amazon, Apple, Sonos, and even Ikea. If you prefer keeping a screen and video calls, the list is shorter though. The best competitors to the Google Nest Hub 2nd gen model and the Google Nest Hub Max are Amazon's Amazon Echo Show 5 and Amazon Echo Show 8 (4th Gen, 2025), respectively

The Echo Show 8 can cost around $200, making it less expensive than its counterpart, the Google Nest Hub Max. It features a larger eight-inch display and a camera for video calls. Reddit users say they prefer it over Google as they feel it has better integration with other Amazon devices and products and it has a good picture quality. However, its speaker may not be the best for music and video calls, according to reviews on Amazon.

The smaller Show Echo 5 may cost you around $100, and includes most of the features the Echo Show 8 has. The image quality may not be as good as the more expensive model, but it does include a camera, unlike the Google Nest Hub 2nd gen. With a larger screen, intuitive UI, and fast response time, the Google Nest Hub allows you to turn your home into a smart one from one screen.