Google Nest Audio Review: Good enough

It feels like we're a world away from when the first Google smart speaker launched. First announced in 2016 (and released in Australia in 2017), the original Google Home came at a time where talking to your tech was still an unusual concept. Sure, there was Siri, but it wasn't mainstream in the same way it is now.

But jump forward to 2021, asking Google (or Siri or Alexa) to do something for you isn't necessarily novel anymore. For many, it's now just a part of life. And while you were initially limited to a choice of devices made directly by Google or Amazon, we're now seeing plenty of third party options that feature Google Assistant or Alexa integration. You've got plenty of choices.

So if you're considering a smart speaker - especially above the $100 mark - sound quality is a major differentiating factor. But as the name suggests, the Google Nest Audio is all about sound.

The Google Nest Audio is the first refresh of the original Google Home, designed for those who want a bit more musical prowess than the Mini can muster. It's certainly not an audiophile device, but it admirably fits into the "good enough" category - especially considering its $149 price-tag.

While "good enough" might seem like a bit of a sledge, in this case it isn't. The Nest Audio is actually a speaker you'll enjoy listening to music on - unlike the Nest Mini - that doesn't break the bank. Sure, there are better, pricier options, but if you just want to fill your home with tunes, the Nest Audio admirably does the job.

There's a clear definition between frequencies, which makes it pretty balanced on the whole. There's a good amount of low end, although the Nest Audio definitely isn't a bass driven speaker. It's more of a token addition. It's there to fill out the mix, rather than something you can feel.

Where the Nest Audio can struggle is when you try and push a little harder. While there's a good balance between bass, treble, and mids, you can lose details within each frequency group. For example, take Carly Rae Jepsen's "I Didn't Just Come Here To Dance", a song that has a kick drum, sub-bass, and bass synth battling it out in the lows. The kick drum and bass synth come through clearly, but the sub-bass gets lost.

I experienced similar when vibing to Sleep's "Dopesmoker". The guitar is heavily down-tuned, so it can drown out the bass guitar in many of the song's movements. If you just want good sounding tunes on in the background, this might not be a big deal, but it's not ideal if you're someone who's really hunting for those details.

In the same vein, the Nest Audio takes on more of a harsh distorted sound if you crank the volume too much. Around 60 to 70% is great, but you don't really want to go much past that. It's not really a speaker that can fill a larger room by itself, even if the soundstage is quite good for its size. Of course, you can always create a stereo pair with a second Nest Audio if you're looking for a bigger sound.

One of my favourite Google Nest Audio features is the subtle design. Moving away from the weird inverted space flower pot aesthetic of the original Home, the Google Nest Audio is perhaps best described as a small pillowy thing. It's inoffensive, it hides away, and it barely takes up any space. It's an antithesis to the dystopian orb that is the fourth generation Amazon Echo, which just feels desperate for attention.

When it comes to voice, I find Google Assistant a tad slower than Alexa and Siri, but that's a much of a muchness if you're already in the Google ecosystem. If you haven't committed to a voice assistant yet, it's certainly worth considering an Echo or a HomePod mini depending on your needs, but if you're already got other Google speakers, the Nest Audio is easy to recommend.

Google Nest Audio - Final Thoughts

The Google Nest Audio is a safe, great value pick for a smart speaker. It offers a significant improvement in sound when compared to the original Google Home and the Google Nest Mini, and the design is just lovely. If you're already in the Google ecosystem, the Google Nest Audio is an excellent pick if you're after a comparatively affordable smart speaker that still sounds good.

Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

Read full bio

Find a better internet plan

Thousands of internet plans unpacked. All the facts. No surprises.

Powered By

Any Speed 0-25 Mbps 26-50 Mbps 51-100 Mbps 101-500 Mbps 501-750 Mbps 751-1000 Mbps 1001 Mbps+

Search 34 Providers

Checking prices and plans

Powered By Comparisons Powered By

How WhistleOut Works