As someone who’s spent far too much time tweaking rigs and diving deep into hardware, I reckon I can give you the lowdown on whether this bit of kit is worth your hard-earned cash.
The Google Nest Hub, which you might remember as the Home Hub, is Google’s more compact offering in the smart display market. It’s the smaller, more budget-friendly sibling to the Nest Hub Max, designed to be a central point for your smart home without demanding too much space or a hefty chunk of your wallet. Typically, you’ll find it for around the £100 mark. My take? It’s a solid entry point if you’re after a competent Google Assistant experience.
Design and Display: Subtle, But Lacking a Lens
From a design standpoint, the Nest Hub is all about subtlety and blending in. It features a 7-inch touchscreen, presented in a clean, minimalist form that won’t stick out like a sore thumb on your kitchen counter or bedside table.
The screen itself is rather clever, boasting an “Ambient EQ” mode that adjusts its brightness and colour to match the light in your room. This means it looks natural, not like a glaring tablet, and it’s particularly effective when you’re using it as a digital photo frame, cycling through your Google Photos Live Albums.
Now, here’s the big differentiator: unlike the Nest Hub Max and many of its Amazon rivals, the standard Nest Hub does not have a built-in camera. For some—myself included—this is a significant plus, especially if you’re wary about devices constantly watching. While the Max does offer a physical switch to disable its camera and microphone, the standard Hub simply removes the camera from the equation entirely.
Of course, this means no video calls directly from the device, though voice calls are still on the cards.
Audio Quality: Decent for Daily Doses, Not for Audiophiles
When we talk audio, the Nest Hub is a perfectly capable device for everyday listening—be it Google Assistant responses, a spot of radio, or background music. It handles streaming services like Spotify, Pandora, YouTube Music, and iHeartRadio without a hitch.
However, let’s be realistic:
- If you’re expecting a sound system that’ll rattle the windows or rival a dedicated hi-fi setup, you’ll be left wanting.
- The Nest Hub Max, with its more powerful stereo speaker drivers and a larger woofer, delivers a far more impressive sonic punch.
- The standard Nest Hub simply won’t match the booming bass or overall volume of Google’s discontinued Home Max speaker.
That said, for what it is—primarily a smart display—the audio is clear enough for its purpose, but it won’t be the star of your next house party.
Smart Features and Google Assistant: Your Digital Butler
At its heart, the Google Nest Hub is a portal to Google Assistant.
Saying “Hey Google” opens up a world of functionality:
- Check the weather
- Glance at your calendar
- Find recipes
- Control your smart home gadgets
It plays nicely with a vast range of smart home devices, supporting the Matter smart home compatibility standard. Setting up routines and managing devices is straightforward via voice or touchscreen.
Handy features include:
- Voice Match – Recognises individual voices, allowing personalised info and avoiding accidental commands from others in the household.
Entertainment features:
- Supports YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, HBO NOW
- The 7-inch screen won’t replace your TV but is great for:
- Quick video clips
- Following recipes
- Catching up on shows while multitasking
Setup and User Experience: A Breeze
Getting the Nest Hub running is easy:
- Plug it in.
- Download the Google Home app on your smartphone/tablet.
- Follow the clear, step-by-step instructions to:
- Connect it to Wi-Fi
- Link your Google account
Tips:
- Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your phone to help with device discovery.
- For second-hand units, reset to factory settings by holding both volume buttons for 10 seconds.
Once configured:
- The interface is intuitive.
- You can swipe through content, control media, and tweak settings directly on the touchscreen.
- Voice commands are the primary mode of interaction, and the Nest Hub handles them well.
Privacy Considerations: Less Lens, More Listening Control
Privacy is always a concern with smart devices, and Google has taken steps to address this.
- The lack of a camera on the standard Nest Hub removes a major privacy concern.
- It does have microphones, but:
- Google claims voice recordings happen only during interaction.
- You can delete recordings from your Google account.
- There’s a physical switch to disable the microphone entirely.
Note:
While Google uses data to personalise ads, they state they don’t sell your personal information.
A Solid, Unassuming Smart Hub
The Google Nest Hub is a genuinely strong contender for anyone looking to integrate a smart display into their home—especially if they’re already in the Google ecosystem.
Strengths:
- Excellent digital photo frame
- Handy kitchen companion for recipes
- Straightforward control centre for smart home devices
- Privacy-conscious (no camera)
- Robust Google Assistant support
Limitations:
- Audio won’t wow audiophiles
- No video calling directly from the unit
Bottom Line:
If you value privacy and utility over flashy camera features and thunderous bass, the Nest Hub could be just the ticket.
