Google Nest Audio vs. Nest Mini

One smart speaker is better for listening to music

By
Daniel Nations
Daniel Nations
Daniel Nations
Writer
  • University of Texas at Arlington
Daniel Nations has been a tech journalist since 1994. His work has appeared in Computer Currents, The Examiner, and other publications. He is a developer who has published apps in the Apple App Store, Google Play marketplace and Amazon Appstore; he also has worked as a data analyst and DB administrator.
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Updated on May 6, 2024

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Nest Audio and Nest Mini are part of Google's lineup of smart speakers. We've examined their differences to help you decide which one is a better fit for you.

Google Nest Audio and Google Nest Mini 2 smart speakers.

Lifewire / Evan Killham

Overall Findings

Nest Audio

  • Tuned for music.

  • Several color options.

  • 6.8 inches tall.

Nest Mini

  • Tuned for voice.

  • A few color options.

  • 1.6 inches tall.

The choice between Google Nest Audio and Nest Mini comes down to a few characteristics: sound quality, appearance, and size. Google Assistant is the same on both smart speakers.

Sound: Nest Audio Has an Obvious Edge

Nest Audio

  • 75 mm woofer and 19 mm tweeter.

  • Impressive sound quality for a small device.

  • 3 far-field microphones.

Nest Mini

  • 360-degree sound with 40mm driver.

  • Google Assistant is easy to hear and understand.

  • 3 far-field microphones.

The sound they produce is the most significant difference between the Nest Audio and the Nest Mini. The Nest Mini is primarily a voice-enabled assistant for your home; the larger Nest Audio adds music to the equation. We believe Nest Audio's better speaker is worth its higher price.

Aesthetics: It's a Tie

Nest Audio

  • Comes in chalk, charcoal, sage, sand, or sky.

  • Bulky design that might not look great everywhere.

Nest Mini

  • Comes in chalk, charcoal, coral, or sky.

  • Smaller size fits in places the Nest Audio can't.

The apparent difference between the Nest Audio and the Nest Mini is size, but there are a few other differences in appearance.

The Nest Audio stands 6.89 inches tall. Although the 1.65-inch Nest Mini is much shorter, finding a place for it is easier.

Another difference is color options, where the Nest Audio barely beats out the Nest Mini. With an additional color option, you have some more flexibility if you want your speaker to match its surroundings.

Google Assistant: The Same on Both Devices

Google Assistant is precisely the same on both smart speakers. It ties into the knowledge graph used by the Google search engine, which makes it the best smart speaker interface for answering questions this side of IBM Watson.

Here are a few things you can do with Google Assistant:

  • Ask questions ranging from "What are the best pizza places in Dallas?" to "Why do cats have fur?"
  • Play Music from Google Play, YouTube Music, Spotify, Pandora, and other streaming music services.
  • Add events to your Google Calendar.
  • Place phone calls.
  • Control your home through compatible smart devices.

Final Verdict

Nest Audio is the better buy, particularly if you are going to listen to music. 

The Nest Mini can save you a little money if you mainly use Google Assistant to ask questions, control your smart home devices, or shop.

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