Google Dwelling Speaker hands-on: Sounds nice, however who’s it for?

It’s most likely truthful to say that sensible dwelling enthusiasm in 2025 isn’t what it as soon as was. Stuff like lighting management and sensible locks are so outdated at this level that many people take them without any consideration, and whereas there’s nonetheless a number of potential for the place the long run may take us — I’m taking a look at you, AI — these options nonetheless aren’t fairly mature to the purpose the place they really feel like apparent, must-have upgrades.

Perhaps as a consequence of us reaching that sensible dwelling plateau, new {hardware} from Google has been few and much between. In all probability the largest movement we’ve had in years was the introduction of the Pixel Pill again in 2023, so I used to be understandably excited through the Pixel 10 launch when Google appeared to tease the discharge of a then-unknown new Nest speaker.

Over the subsequent few weeks, particulars on this {hardware} started to leak, and we realized it was more likely to debut not with Nest branding, however because the Google Dwelling Speaker. In the present day it’s lastly official — even for those who gained’t be capable of purchase one till subsequent spring.

I visited Google’s places of work in New York to try the brand new additions to its sensible dwelling {hardware}, together with the Google Dwelling Speaker, and it’s precisely as good a speaker as you’d count on. It seems to be proper at dwelling amongst different Google and Nest gadgets with its intricate woven material exterior, and I particularly like a number of the bolder shade choices it’s set to be made out there in.

It’s absolutely geared up to faucet into the facility of Gemini, together with back-and-forth conversations by Gemini Reside, and the illuminated gentle ring across the speaker’s base is a enjoyable approach to spotlight Gemini’s responses. However nearly as quickly as Google’s demo concluded, I discovered myself struggling to make any case for who this speaker is absolutely for. Nicely, nearly any.

A part of the issue is how Google is approaching Gemini upgrades on sensible audio system. Present {hardware} can begin getting entry this month, even going all the way in which again to the unique Google Dwelling. Time was, Google used handy out Nest Minis like Halloween sweet, and at this level I really feel like most individuals who would possibly desire a Google sensible speaker have doubtless already picked one up. Consequently, many people are already going to have Gemini on a speaker properly earlier than the Google Dwelling Speaker goes up on the market within the spring of 2026.

OK, however not all these audio system are constructed alike, and the older fashions aren’t on observe to ever get Gemini Reside, which the Google Dwelling Speaker has been constructed from the bottom as much as assist. That’s one thing, proper? Positive, but it surely’s not additionally like there aren’t present gadgets that can tackle want, with fashions just like the Nest Audio additionally set to assist Gemini Reside.

I do need to take a second and concede: Gemini on audio system is spectacular. The demonstrations I’ve seen have largely delivered on the hype, and it’s good the way you not must be so extremely express about every little thing — Gemini’s superior sufficient to choose up on context. And whereas I completely don’t need to criticize Google for upgrading its present audio system first, that additionally simply means there’s one much less manner this new mannequin stands out.

You might argue that the Nest Audio is extra directional, whereas the Google Dwelling Speaker is optimized for 360-degree sound, and also you’d be proper. However I’m additionally removed from satisfied that omnidirectional sound is what listeners really need — personally, I all the time place audio system close to partitions, and having them out in the course of a room simply feels impractical (I suppose except you will have retailers within the ground).

Google did provide one very clear use case for the brand new Dwelling Speaker: pairing with a Google TV Streamer and your alternative of TV for a quick-and-easy dwelling leisure system. That sounds fairly interesting, and I want we noticed extra of this type of intelligent integration between Google {hardware} gadgets. However it’s additionally simply such a slender goal, and contemplating how lengthy the Streamer’s been available on the market, I’ve acquired to imagine that lots of these homeowners have already got audio options they’re pleased with.

Perhaps I’m setting the bar too excessive for my expectations. The Nest Audio’s developing on 5 years outdated now, so perhaps Google doesn’t really want a greater purpose than that to refresh its speaker choices. I feel I used to be simply hoping for just a little extra — I’d be mendacity if I mentioned this type issue didn’t remind me of the outdated Nest Wifi the place the mesh factors additionally labored like Nest Minis (with an analogous ring of sunshine) and had my fingers crossed we would simply get comparable community performance right here.

However contemplating how a lot of Gemini can be coming to Nest Audio audio system, and the way recurrently we see these closely discounted (to say nothing of the entire vacation purchasing season and all its gross sales on the horizon), I actually really feel like plenty of customers are higher off selecting a type of up — or simply maintaining those they’ve — quite than ready for spring to spend $100 on a Google Dwelling Speaker.