Small yet smart, this is the perfect summer speaker
Our Google Home Speaker review
The right speaker can change everything – from the atmosphere at your garden party to giving your playlist the powerful sound it deserves. Having recently gone through a house renovation, I really wanted to find a speaker that delivered seriously good sound, looked good in any room I placed it in, and had smart AI tech to help me run the home. Enter: Google’s new Home Speaker. Without further ado, here is my review on – spoiler alert – the best speaker to buy in 2026.
What does the Google Home Speaker do?
At its core, it’s the hub of your smart home. It plays your music, manages your lights, and answers those random questions that pop into your head. But because it is equipped with Gemini, Google’s advanced AI, it handles complex requests much more naturally than older models. It feels less like talking to a computer and more like having a helpful housemate who knows where everything is.
Why is the Google Home Speaker special?
Measuring 10.7cm in diameter, 8.7cm in height, weighing just 396g and made from 37% recycled materials, this mini but mighty device is made to fit anywhere in your home – while looking good and sounding great. The bottom part of the base features an LED ring that illuminates when you’re interacting with the speaker but, beyond the aesthetics, what really makes it special is the integration of Gemini.
How good is the sound quality on the Google Home Speaker?
You might think good sound is a given but, from my experience with speakers, it’s definitely not. I’m pleased to report the Google Home Speaker’s sound is seriously good, perhaps surprisingly so, given its size. A successor to the Google Nest Mini, the Home Speaker has 360° sound, which means you can enjoy uniform audio from every direction, no matter where it’s placed. Brilliant.
Is the Google Home Speaker easy to set up?
Absolutely. It uses both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and the Google Home app walks you through the process in a few minutes. If you already use Google Workspace for work, you’ll find it particularly handy, as the speaker can sync up with your existing ecosystem with minimal effort.
What does Gemini help with?
This is where it gets interesting. Gemini can help you summarise long documents or pull together information from your personal files while you are busy doing something else.
It can help you tackle everyday tasks seamlessly. Get richer answers, set and edit reminders, stream media, and control your smart home more naturally. Chat freely, interrupt and ask follow-up questions, just like you would do with a friend. Want a cosier vibe? Just ask Gemini to dim the lights, turn down the temperature and cue up relaxing music. I mean, wow.
If you want to dive deeper, with an upgrade to Google Home Premium subscription, the Google Home Speaker can detect unusual sounds, such as glass breaking or your smoke alarm going off, and send you an alert.
Is the Google Home Speaker worth it?
There’s a lot of noise (excuse me) around the best speakers out there, but trust me – if you value both style and substance, this is for you. For anyone trying to stay productive while keeping their home feeling like a home rather than an office, it's a great investment.
★★★★★
