Overview
The Google Nest Hub (2nd gen) is a smart display that positions itself as the command center for a connected home. Building on the foundation of the original, this second-generation device integrates Google Assistant with a 7-inch touchscreen, providing visual feedback and control for a wide range of tasks. It's designed not just for utility—like managing calendars and controlling smart lights—but also for entertainment, serving as a compact screen for watching videos and a capable speaker for listening to music. With new features like Motion Sense for gesture control and an increased focus on sleep wellness, it targets users looking for a versatile and helpful addition to their countertop, nightstand, or living room.
Buyer Advice: Smart Home Control Hub
If you're already using Google Assistant or have several Google-compatible smart devices (lights, thermostats, plugs), the Nest Hub (2nd gen) excels as a central visual and voice control panel. It simplifies managing your smart home ecosystem without needing to open multiple apps.
Key Features
While the Nest Hub (2nd gen) maintains a familiar form factor, it introduces several key upgrades focused on audio performance, user interaction, and personal wellness.
Enhanced Audio for Entertainment
One of the most significant hardware upgrades is its enhanced speaker. Google claims the new model delivers 50% more bass than the original Nest Hub. This improvement aims to provide a richer, fuller sound profile when listening to music from services like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music, or when watching shows on Netflix and Disney+. For those who want to fill their home with sound, the Nest Hub can also be grouped with other Nest speakers and displays to play audio simultaneously across multiple rooms, creating a whole-home sound system.
To get the most out of the audio features, try creating a speaker group in the Google Home app. Pairing the Nest Hub with a larger Nest Audio speaker in the same room can create a more balanced and powerful soundstage for your favorite playlists.
Quick Gestures with Motion Sense
A standout feature is the introduction of Quick Gestures, powered by Google's Soli radar technology, which it calls Motion Sense. This allows you to control the device without touching the screen or speaking a command. You can play or pause a song or video, snooze a ringing alarm, or stop a timer simply by waving your hand in front of the display. Crucially, Google notes that this functionality is achieved without a camera, which is a key point for privacy-conscious users who may be hesitant to place a smart device with a camera in a bedroom or other private space.
Wellness and Sleep Features
The Nest Hub (2nd gen) adds features designed to help you wind down at night and wake up more naturally. You can fall asleep to a selection of soothing sounds. In the morning, the screen can simulate a sunrise by gradually brightening before your alarm goes off, creating a more gentle waking experience known as the Sunrise Alarm. These features position the Nest Hub as a capable nightstand companion, moving its utility beyond just the kitchen or living room.
Context: Motion Sense Technology
The Soli radar technology used for Motion Sense is the same fundamental technology that was first introduced in the Google Pixel 4 for gesture controls. In the Nest Hub, it's adapted to provide touchless interaction for media playback, alarms, and timers without relying on a camera, enhancing privacy.
While the Nest Hub provides access to many popular streaming services like Netflix, Spotify, and Disney+, you will need separate, active subscriptions to use them. The device itself does not include free access to this premium content.
Potential Pitfall: Limited Video Calling
While the absence of a camera enhances privacy, it also means the Nest Hub (2nd gen) cannot be used for video calls via Google Duo, Zoom, or other platforms. If video calling is a primary need for a smart display, you may need to consider alternative devices that include a camera.
Specifications
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 |
| Display | 7-inch Touchscreen |
| Audio | Enhanced speaker with 50% more bass than the original Nest Hub |
| Controls | Voice (Google Assistant), Touchscreen, Quick Gestures (Motion Sense) |
| Sensors | Motion Sense (Soli radar) |
| Core Features | Smart home control, Sunrise Alarm, Soothing sounds |
| Compatible Services | Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, SiriusXM, YouTubeTV, Disney+, Hulu, Sling TV, and thousands of other smart devices. |
| Recycled Materials | The enclosure is made with 54% recycled plastic. |
Design & Build
The Nest Hub (2nd gen) retains the minimalist design of its predecessor. It features a 7-inch "floating" display mounted on a fabric-wrapped speaker base, available in several muted colors to blend in with home decor. The overall aesthetic is soft and unobtrusive. A significant point in its construction is the use of sustainable materials; Google states that the enclosure is made with 54% recycled plastic. The device is compact, clearly designed to fit on a variety of surfaces without dominating the space.
Google specifies that the Motion Sense feature for Quick Gestures operates "without a camera." This means the device cannot be used for video calling services like Google Duo or Zoom, a key differentiator from some other smart displays on the market.
Buyer Advice: Budget-Friendly Starter Device
At $99.99, the Nest Hub (2nd gen) offers a lot of functionality for its price, making it an excellent entry point into the smart home ecosystem or a cost-effective way to add a smart display to a secondary room. Its features for music, video, and smart control are robust for the cost.
Who It's For
The Google Nest Hub (2nd gen) is aimed squarely at users invested in or looking to start building a Google-centric smart home. Its ability to act as a single control point for "thousands of compatible smart devices" makes it a strong choice for those who want a central dashboard to manage lights, thermostats, locks, and more, either by voice or touch.
It's also an excellent secondary entertainment device for the kitchen, bedroom, or office. If you enjoy watching YouTube tutorials while cooking, catching up on a Netflix show, or just want a constant stream of your favorite photos from Google Photos, the 7-inch screen is a perfect fit. The improved bass makes it a more viable casual music speaker than its predecessor. Finally, with the addition of the Sunrise Alarm and soothing sounds, it’s a compelling option for anyone looking to improve their sleep routines with a tech-forward but non-intrusive nightstand device.
FAQ
Does the Google Nest Hub (2nd gen) have a camera?No, the Google Nest Hub (2nd gen) does not have a camera, which is a key privacy feature, especially if you plan to place it in a bedroom.
What are "Quick Gestures" and how do they work?Quick Gestures allow you to control the device without touching the screen or speaking. Powered by Google's Soli radar technology (Motion Sense), you can play/pause media, snooze alarms, or stop timers with a simple hand wave in front of the display.
Can I stream movies and music on the Nest Hub (2nd gen)?Yes, the Nest Hub (2nd gen) supports popular streaming services like Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, and Disney+. However, you will need active subscriptions to access premium content.
How has the audio quality improved from the previous generation?Google states that the Nest Hub (2nd gen) delivers 50% more bass than the original, providing a richer and fuller sound profile for music and videos.
Is the Google Nest Hub (2nd gen) environment-friendly?Yes, the enclosure of the Google Nest Hub (2nd gen) is made with 54% recycled plastic, indicating a commitment to sustainable materials.
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Pros
- The enhanced speaker provides 50% more bass than the original Nest Hub for richer audio.
- Quick Gestures allow camera-free control of media playback, alarms, and timers using hand movements.
- It boasts wide compatibility with thousands of smart devices and popular streaming services like Netflix, Spotify, and Disney+.
- The Sunrise Alarm feature gradually brightens the screen to simulate a gentle waking experience.
- The enclosure is constructed using 54% recycled plastic, promoting sustainability.
- Motion Sense uses Soli radar technology for advanced gesture control without a camera.
- Provides access to soothing sounds to help users wind down at night.
- Acts as a central command center for managing various smart home devices via voice or touchscreen.
- The 7-inch touchscreen display is suitable for watching videos and viewing photos.
Cons
- Accessing many entertainment features like Netflix and Disney+ requires separate paid subscriptions.
- The absence of a camera prevents the device from being used for video calling.
- The 7-inch screen may be considered small for extensive video watching compared to larger smart displays.
- Users need to purchase separate streaming service subscriptions to utilize their content on the device.
Verdict
Based on the specifications, the Google Nest Hub (2nd gen) is a versatile and well-priced smart display that enhances the user experience with better sound and unique gesture controls, making it a strong contender for a central home hub, though its lack of a camera limits its communication features.