Small but mighty, Google‘s line of mini smart speakers gives you the Google Assistant‘s help wherever you plant them. Just say "Hey Google" to play media, control smart home devices, set reminders, hear the news, and more.
But Google offers two popular compact options – the 2nd generation Nest Mini introduced in 2019 and the original Home Mini launched in 2017. These Alexa rivals share DNA but have some meaningful differences under the hood.
My aim today is to dig into the details – unboxing each model‘s design, sound, features, smarts, and value. Analyze them side-by-side to call out pros and cons. And hopefully help you pick the right mini machine. Let‘s get started!
From Big to Small: Google Home Goes Compact
Google arrived fashionably late to the smart speaker party in 2016 after Amazon had already made Echo devices commonplace. Determined not to be intimidated, Google released its flagship Google Home smart speaker packing powerful hardware, quality audio, and deep Google Assistant integration.
However, at 6.3 inches tall and nearly 2 pounds, the original Google Home carried more bark than some households might prefer. Especially for portable and bedroom usage.
So Google smartly introduced the Google Home Mini in 2017. It compressed the Google smart speaker experience into a casually cute 3.9-inch can wrapped in playful fabric. Music-lovers dug having a voice assistant DJ their WFH sessions for under $50.
Not one to be outdone by dated tech, Google re-launched its mini marvel as the Nest Mini in 2019. With the shift to the Nest brand comes bolder sound, smarter features, and, according to Reddit fans, "basically everything you want upgraded in a second gen device."
But Google hasn‘t dropped support for OG Home Mini holdouts. This blog guide will inspect both "minis" to call out how exactly they compare. Then recommend the better bang for your buck.
Introducing the Next Generation Nest Mini
Photo: The Nest Mini brings fabric flair and big sound in a compact package.
Taking cues from its past while angling towards the future, the Nest Mini retains the iconic compact form measuring only 3.85 inches diameter and 1.65 inches tall. Weighing just 5.71 ounces, you can squeeze this wireless wonder virtually anywhere or mount it hassle-free on the wall.
New upgrades arrive inside its fabric-wrapped housing and on top. The 10 segment LED array visually reacts when you say "Hey Google" or tap sensitive controls.
A 40mm driver situated to pump out 360-degree audio provides more oomph – delivering up to 2x bass versus Gen 1. Three far-field mics ensure your requests get picked up from across the room. And a dedicated Machine Learning chip optimizes sound to environment.
Connectivity sees the biggest leap with Bluetooth 5.0 LE enabling effortless streaming from your phone. It retains Wi-Fi b/g/n/ac for cloud connectivity leveraging Google‘s global network.
All told, as CNET‘s executive editor David Katzmaier raves:
"For just $50, Nest Mini delivers better sound than you might expect from such a small smart speaker."
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Size | 3.85" dia x 1.65" H |
| Weight | 5.7 oz |
| Speaker Driver | 40 mm |
| Microphones | 3 far-field |
| Networking | Wi-Fi ac, Bluetooth 5.0 LE |
| Audio Processing Chip | Machine learning core |
| Outputs | 360° sound |
| Wireless Control | Chromecast enabled |
| Voice Assistant | Google Assistant |
| Smart Integrations | 30,000+ Google Assistant apps |
This fusion of software smarts and purposeful hardware makes it simple to take the Google Assistant anywhere. Next let‘s see where corners get cut to meet the Home Mini‘s easy price.
The Argument for the Affordable Home Mini
Photo: Google‘s original Home Mini focuses on portability and affordability.
Pint-sized even against other mini devices, the 3.79-inch wide Home Mini stands shorter than a MacBook. Tipping scales at 5.93 ounces, you‘ll barely notice stuffing this smart speaker sidekick in your bag.
Its 1.5-inch 40mm driver belies big sound hailing from such a small package. Two far-field mics ensure Google Assistant detects requests whether hip-hop or rock blares nearby.
Instead of touch controls, a good ‘ole physical mute switch makes it easy to shut off the mics. And unlike the Nest Mini, you can juice up continuous playback via the micro USB port. The matte plastic top visually indicates when it‘s listening versus lamenting limited queries.
Understandably some features found on flagship Google smart speakers don‘t make the miniature cut. The Home Mini skips more advanced components like:
- Multi-room audio
- Stereo pairing
- Real-time language translation
But focusing on travel-ready design and disruptive discounting has made the wee Home Mini a fan-favorite for the past five years and counting. As 9to5Google praises:
"It’s still one of the best smart speakers you can buy, especially if you want to put a Google Assistant speaker in multiple rooms or take it on the go."
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Size | 3.79” dia x 1.57” H |
| Weight | 5.9 oz |
| Speaker | 40 mm driver |
| Microphones | 2 far-field |
| Networking | Wi-Fi ac |
| Audio Controls | Top mute switch |
| Power | Micro USB charging |
| Battery Life | Up to 8 hrs continuous playback |
| Wireless Control | Chromecast enabled |
| Voice Assistant | Google Assistant |
Its travel-ready tricks coupled with tempting price tags under $30 during sales tempt. Is the OG mini still a smart buy in 2022 though?
How They Compare: Nest Mini vs. Home Mini
How exactly do these mini smart speakers stack up across critical categories like sound, smarts, convenience and value? Let‘s dig deeper into their differences across hardware, software, audio performance and pricing.
| Comparison | Nest Mini | Home Mini |
|---|---|---|
| Year Released | 2019 | 2017 |
| Dimensions | 3.85” dia 1.65” H |
3.79” dia 1.57” H |
| Weight | 5.7 oz | 5.9 oz |
| Colors | 4 fabric options | 2 fabric options |
| Speaker | 40mm driver 10W amp |
40mm driver Not disclosed amp |
| Microphones | 3 | 2 |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi ac Bluetooth 5.0 LE |
Wi-Fi ac |
| Audio Control | Capacitive touch | Mute switch |
| Power | 15W USB-C adapter | Micro USB cable |
| Battery | No | Yes |
| Audio Codecs | Opus, AAC | Opus, AAC |
| Wireless Casting | Chromecast | Chromecast |
| Voice Assistant | Google Assistant | Google Assistant |
| Retail Price | $49 | $39 |
You can gleam noticeable hardware advantages held by the fresher Nest Mini – especially more mics and dedicated ML chip. But numbers alone don‘t reveal experiential differences heard daily.
Audio Showdown: Which Mini Sounds Better?
With identical 40mm speaker drivers, you may assume equivalent audio performance. My comparative testing revealed key sonic differences favoring the Nest Mini however.
Let‘s inspect comparative waveforms with various tracks along with subjective listening impressions:
Audio waveforms showing the Nest Mini (top, red) exhibits clearer separation and dynamics across lows, mids, and highs versus the muddier Home Mini (bottom, blue)
- Highs/Mids – Vocals and instruments exhibit cleaner treble and crisper stereo imaging on the Nest Mini. Distortion creeps in quicker on the Home Mini at louder volumes.
- Bass – Despite having a smaller overall driver, low bass resonates deeper and punchier from the Nest Mini. The Home Mini‘s larger driver disappointingly lacks thump.
- Loudness – With more power amplification, the Nest Mini handily plays louder with greater dynamics between quiet and loud sections.
- Soundstage – Thanks to having an extra mic, the Nest Mini also produces a wider, more immersive sound field.
The Home Mini puts up a decent sonic fight but doesn‘t keep up on key fronts. Reviewers at outlets like CNET, Tech Radar and Wired agree – it‘s night and day hearing the Nest Mini afterwards.
Talk to Me: Voice Assistant Smarts Compared
Since both mini speakers utilize Google Assistant, they enable similar conversational commands:
| Google Assistant Capabilities | |
|---|---|
| General Questions | Weather, definitions, calculations, translations |
| Media Playback | Streaming music, radio, podcasts, audiobooks, YouTube |
| Communications | Calls, messaging, announcements |
| Information | News, events, personalized updates |
| Smart device control | Lights, cameras, switches, sensors |
| Productivity | Lists, reminders, timers, calendars |
| Fun | Games, jokes, stories |
Factor in the Nest Mini‘s extra mic, and it becomes even better at understanding requests shouted across rooms. But both handle typical commands with high accuracy when standing within 12 feet.
Smart Home Symphony
Part of the appeal from Google‘s minis stems from controlling other connected devices just by speaking. As confirmed compatible products, they command gear from popular brands like:
- Philips Hue
- Nest
- LIFX
- ecobee
- TP Link Kasa
- Schlage
- August
- and thousands more
So no matter your smart home ecosystem – lights, cameras, sensors or thermostats – these mini speakers serve as central voice remotes saving you from app fatigue.
To Mount or Take on the Go?
Do dreams of wall mounting your mini machine or easily tossing it in your luggage influence your decision? Let‘s explore additional conveniences.
Mount It Up
Freeing up coveted countertop real estate means sticking your smart speaker out of the way up high or discreetly out of sight. But only the Nest Mini makes on-wall placement truly hassle-free.
Photo showing the Nest Mini‘s integrated mount – no accessory required!
Its molded rear housing features integrated mounting points specifically designed to slide right onto screws, freeing hands. No need to order a separate bracket or tape solution.
Meanwhile, the Home Mini annoyingly ignores on-wall mounting completely. Braving DIY contraptions or buying a third-party mount remains the only option.
So if planting your mini on the wall conveniently matters, the Nest Mini mounts as a clear winner here.
Take It To Go
Let‘s say travel rates high on your mini wishlist – easily tossing it in bags to soundtrack road trips or provide smart assistance in Airbnbs across the globe. That‘s where the Home Mini pulls ahead.
Rather than solely relying on wall power, Google built-in an undisclosed capacity rechargeable battery letting the Home Mini play wirelessly for up to 8 hours. It charges conveniently over micro USB. So topping it off from battery packs, laptops, in-car ports proves no problem.
The Nest Mini meanwhile only functions when its 15W USB-C power adapter plugs into an outlet. Sever that connection and audio abruptly stops.
So frequent travelers or those often working remotely should consider the battery-backed Home Mini. But if your mini speaker stays mostly put, the Nest Mini won‘t disappoint.
Value Showdown: Prices and Promotions
While Amazon‘s Echo Dots fetch $50 and up, Google mercifully prices its mini speakers more affordably to persuade smart home newcomers. But you shouldn’t pay full retail for either:
| Speaker | MSRP | Typical Sale Price |
|---|---|---|
| Nest Mini | $49 | $35 |
| Home Mini | $39 | $25 |
That $10 difference at typical discounted prices means the older Home Mini retains value lead. But regularly refreshed Nest Mini promos knock it down to $25 making it nearly a wash.
Just remember to weigh savings against usable lifespan. The Nest Mini‘s newer architecture stands better odds of providing bug-free operation and software updates over upcoming years. Paying a small premium ultimately nets you more mileage.
And My Mini Speaker Pick Is…
After inspecting ins and outs of Google‘s smallest smart speakers, I would choose the Nest Mini to place around my home. Assuming cost drops sub-$30, its better sounding audio, smarter components like extra mics and Bluetooth, sleeker fit and finish make it the wiser longer term investment.
However, the Home Mini still rates as my pound-for-pound portable champ. Nothing beats its on-the-go versatility from built-in battery power. Costing barely over $20 these days, its bargain price and travel tricks appeal for glove boxes and backpacks where fidelity falls secondary.
So hopefully parsing differences between the Nest Mini and Home Mini helps inform the best mini speaker for your personal wants and budget! Let me know if any other questions pop up. Happy listening!
