Google Nest Mini Review

Video Review

Google Nest Mini Design

If you look at Google’s products — whether it’s their phones, laptops, cameras, and speakers — you’ll notice that they are all well-designed. That even goes for the Google Nest Secure system we tested. We won’t go as far as to call them beautiful, but they’re aesthetically pleasing. The same applies to the Nest Mini. The fabric top is made from recycled plastic bottles, which not only looks good but also helps the environment. It blends seamlessly with any interior design thanks to its neutral color options of coral, charcoal or chalk.

The Google Nest Mini must be plugged into an outlet via a 15 W power adapter, which shouldn’t be an issue when it comes to installation. The speaker itself is 3.85 inches in diameter and only 1.65 inches tall, so it won’t take up too much prime real estate on a shelf or table.

Now, we’re talking about a smart speaker, so high quality sound is essential. Fortunately, the Google Nest Mini provides 360 degree sound from three fair field microphones and a 40 mm driver, creating crisp and clearaudio. The latest version comes with an improved bass response, giving it surprisingly full sound for such a small device. Whether you’re using your Google Nest Mini to listen to your favorite true crime podcast or having it tell you the third step to poaching an egg, you can rest assured that you’ll be able to hear the audio clear as day. That was the case for the two-way audio on the Google Nest Video Doorbell we reviewed as well.

Installing the Google Nest Mini

Setting up the Google Nest Mini is a very straightforward process thanks to the Google Home app. But before you get to that, plug in the speaker and give it about half a minute to boot up. Next, go into the app and add the device by clicking the plus sign in the left-hand corner. Then, you’ll choose a home for the device, sync it with the app, and do a sound test to make sure it’s all connected. After that’s done, you name the Google Nest Mini and connect it to Wi-Fi.

The next step involves configuring Google Assistant, the AI that powers the Nest Mini. It’s actually quite an engaging process. You’ll teach it to recognize your voice by saying “Hey Google” and “OK Google” in different tones. Once trained, the device can distinguish between different household members and provide personalized responses based on who’s speaking.

The final step involves connecting your preferred services. To enable music streaming, shopping, calls, and other features, you’ll link your accounts through the Home app. This typically means signing into services like Spotify, YouTube Music, or even Apple Music. After everything’s connected, your Nest Mini is ready to use.

Google Nest Mini Features

To begin using the Google Assistant on your Google Nest Mini, simply say “Ok Google” or “Hey Google”. You’ll get access to thousands of actions and routines which range from music to shopping to cooking and more. These actions are a great starting point to explore home automation as well. Let’s take a closer look.

Music

Being the restless millennial that I am, I usually never listen to full songs, switching back and forth between my favorite artists whenever my heart desires. But of course, I try to limit the amount of time I spend staring at screens, which is why I appreciate the convenience of voice commands with the Google Nest Mini. Using my voice alone, I can request the speaker to play music from the following platforms:

• YouTube Music (Google’s primary music service)
• Spotify
• Pandora
• iHeartRadio
• Apple Music
• Deezer

Google discontinued Google Play Music in 2020, transitioning users to YouTube Music. The good news is that Apple Music support was added in late 2023, making the Nest Mini compatible with virtually all major streaming services.1 For a smart hub with similarly broad music platform support, check out our Amazon Echo Dot review.

Shopping

You can use the Nest Mini to manage shopping lists that sync with your phone, find nearby stores and their hours, and even order items from participating retailers through Google Assistant. You can also set up routines to remind you about regular purchases or sales at your favorite stores, all through Google Shopping.

Cooking

As any amateur chef knows, it can be hard to flip the pages of a recipe book when your hands are covered in flour, or when you’re sautéing food on three different burners. Fortunately, with the Google Nest Mini, I can have recipe directions read out loud to me, step by step. The device can also handle multiple timers simultaneously (just name each one), convert measurements on the fly, and suggest recipe substitutions when you’re missing an ingredient. Basically what I’m trying to say is that the Google Nest Mini is a godsend in the kitchen in particular.

Google Nest Customer Support

Like any IoT device, the Google Nest Mini won’t always work perfectly, which is why it’s important to have a strong customer support team behind you. When I recently had connectivity issues with my Nest Mini, I was pleasantly surprised by the support experience. Google now offers 24/7 support through multiple channels, and their representatives are well-trained on troubleshooting common issues.

Aside from a phone line, Google Nest also offers support over live chat and email. If you’re not feeling super in the mood to talk to someone, you can simply check out their online help center. The Google Nest Community forum is also quite active, with both Google experts and experienced users offering solutions. All in all, I was very impressed by the customer support I received for my Google Nest Mini.

Recap of the Google Nest Mini

After extensive testing, I can confidently say the Google Nest Mini remains one of the best entry points to start your smart home ecosystem. At just $49, it delivers impressive value. The most recent iteration features improved sound quality, broad music service support, and seamless integration with thousands of smart home devices.

If you want to explore a similar option with a screen, definitely check out the Google Nest Hub. Or, if Google doesn’t seem like the right smart home ecosystem for you, be sure to read my review of the Amazon Echo Show. Got more questions that I didn’t answer? Leave a comment below and I’m sure to get back to you soon.