Google Home Speaker (2026) review: More intelligent and powerful, but with a subscription cost.

      **Google Home Speaker**

      **MSRP**: $99.99

      “A wonderful smart speaker that’s hard not to appreciate.”

      **Pros**

      - Gemini offers genuinely conversational voice control

      - Strong integration with smart home devices

      - Enhanced sound clarity compared to previous compact Google speakers

      - Sleek, modern design

      - Great value at $99

      **Cons**

      - Advanced features require a subscription

      - Optimal experience hinges on being part of Google's ecosystem

      - Lacks a display for visual controls or information

      **Summary**

      Google has launched a new Home Speaker featuring Gemini, which may signify the most significant change in the company's smart home offerings in years. This is not just a hardware update with improved sound or a design revamp; Google is positioning Gemini as the core of a smarter home assistant that comprehends natural conversations rather than rigid voice commands. Priced at $99, the new Home Speaker enters a highly competitive market segment, where it will be compared to products such as Apple’s HomePod mini. After using the speaker for a few weeks, the standout improvement is clearly Gemini. While the hardware has advanced from Google’s earlier compact speakers, the primary difference lies in how effortlessly the speaker interprets requests and engages in dialogue. It allows you to speak naturally, adapting to your usual speech patterns.

      **Google Home Speaker Specifications: What's Inside?**

      **Colors**: Berry, Porcelain, Hazel, Jade

      **Dimensions**: Product: 3.4″ height x 4.2″ diameter; Power Cable: 59.1″

      **Weight**: 0.9 lbs (including captive cable, excluding power adapter)

      **Power Adapter & Ports**: Adapter: 30W Type-C USB-PD PPS; PDO: 5V/3A, 9V/3A, 15V/2A, 20V/1.5A; PPS: up to 11V/2.73A, 16V/1.88A, 21V/1.43A; Dimensions: 2.3″ H x 1.1″ W x 2.2″ L; Weight: 0.1 lbs

      **Memory & Storage**: Memory: 1 GB LPDDR4; Storage: 4 GB EMMC

      **Processor**: Quad-Core A55 2.0 GHz with NPU

      **Speaker & Microphones**: Omnidirectional sound with 58mm full-range driver; 3 far-field microphones; 2-stage mic mute switch (hardware)

      **Technology**: Gemini for Home, Voice Match technology

      **Sensors**: Capacitive touch controls (3 touch areas)

      **Materials**: At least 37% recycled materials by weight; 100% plastic-free packaging

      **Smart Home Connectivity**: Wi-Fi 6 802.11ax (2.4 GHz/5 GHz), Bluetooth® 5.4, Thread 1.3 border router (2.4 GHz)

      **Smart Home Compatibility**: Works with Google Home, Matter; serves as a hub for Matter with Google Home

      **Supported OS**: iOS, Android

      **In the Box**: Google Home Speaker, Power adapter, 59.1″ captive power cable, Quick start guide, Safety & warranty document

      **Design and Setup: Clean and Breezy**

      Standing at 3.44 inches tall and 4.2 inches in diameter, the new Google Home Speaker is compact enough to fit seamlessly into most environments while retaining a more premium feel than older Nest speakers. The setup process is straightforward, with the speaker, a 30W USB-C power adapter, and a 1.5-meter power cable included in the box, all configured via the Google Home app. The speaker is available in four colors: Hazel, Porcelain, Jade, and Berry, with Jade and Berry being U.S.-exclusive. The Porcelain model reviewed here has a sleek finish that integrates nicely into most homes without being overly noticeable. The design is overall minimalistic, modern, and understated, allowing it to blend into your desk, shelf, or living area. Recycled materials contribute to this, including the 3D-knit fabric exterior, reminiscent of Apple’s HomePod.

      One notable feature is the dynamic light ring around the base, which changes color based on whether the speaker is listening, processing, or responding—providing visual feedback rather than leaving you guessing. This feature, although seemingly minor, enhances the overall user experience. Omnidirectional microphones ensure the speaker hears requests clearly from across the room without needing frequent repetition.

      **Interactions: Gemini Redefines Smart Speaker Use**

      The most significant change with Google’s new Home Speaker lies not in the hardware itself but in the switch from Google Assistant to Gemini, fundamentally altering how users interact with the device. Previous Google smart speakers functioned best when users thought in simple commands like turning lights