Google Nest Mini review

The Google Nest Mini is a future-proofing update rather than a radical change. Sure, it sounds a little better, the controls are improved and the wall-mount is nice. But it is the improved machine learning chip within it that is the real upgrade – and one that is likely to be of larger benefit as we shift more and more of processing of our voices to local devices rather than Google’s servers. It is faster and better for privacy.

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The Nest Mini is a nice-to-have device if you are hooked to the Google ecosystem. However, note that this needs to be plugged to a power source and the novelty of using Google Assistant might eventually wear off if you are not using it to power another smart home device.

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The Nest Mini shows Google took note of complaints made by Google Home Mini users. It added better drivers that now result in better sound. I will call it one of the best sounding smart speakers in this segment. It does not sound as good as some other expensive smart speakers that we have tried at BGR India. However, the wall mount option and clever use of resonance results in deep and clear sound.

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The Google Nest Mini is priced at Rs. 4,499 in India, and is a mild upgrade over the Google Home Mini in terms of audio quality and voice recognition. Google has made wall mounting possible, which is the biggest physical change.

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The Nest Mini features a simplistic design that blends in your homes with ease. It is loud and the sound remains clear even as you inch towards the higher volume levels.

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If you’re tied into the Google ecosystem, a Nest Mini brings improved sound and a bit more bass compared to the original Home Mini. Despite being so small, it makes for a great intercom as well. Google Assistant is by far the best virtual assistant out there, far more knowledgeable and capable than Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa, and is a must-have for anyone with a Nest Hello Video doorbell.

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The changes are all good, and it is a worthy successor to the Home Mini. It still is a long way from being a music speaker, BUT YOU DON’T BUY IT FOR THAT. You buy it for OK Google.

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The Google Nest Mini is a compact, decent-enough sounding Google Assistant speaker. Reasonably priced, its fabric exterior colour options are sure to fit into just about any room decor.

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With improved sound, touch controls and a wall mount, the Google Nest Mini is louder and cleverer than ever and will only improve over time.

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The Nest Mini is far from an overhaul of the Home Mini. If your house is already kitted out with the originals there’s no real reason to swap them out for the newer model. But for anyone looking to add Google to more rooms, or get the Google Assistant for the first time, the Nest Mini is the new best, and cheapest, way to do it.

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