New Google Nest Mini review

Link to the cool mounting bracket on Amazon:


Google announced a plethora of gadget updates at its recent product event. Nearly the entire Google smart home lineup got a makeover and plenty of upgrades. Among the devices that’s been refreshed is the Google Nest Mini, formerly known as Google Home Mini. I received a Mini to test out and review in my home and here’s what I found. Google Nest Mini is a small, oval, puck shaped speaker that has a built in Google Assistant for getting hands-free voice controlled help for everything from recipe conversions, setting timers and alarms and listening to music and news. Nest Mini is a new version of the previous device, and it has some small upgrades.

How is Nest Mini different from Google Home Mini?

There are a few key differences in the Nest Mini. For starters, Google added a mounting hole on the back so you can now hang it on a wall instead of placing it on a surface. I actually really like this and mounted it to the wall in my bathroom immediately.

There;’s New capacitive controls, and an ultrasonic sensor
LED lights light up to show your volume controls whenever you approach the device.

Called capacitive controls, you can turn volume up, volume down, and tap the center for play and pause. Small lights on the left and right mean you can see where to tap for volume. The new Nest Mini also added an ultrasonic sensor that can tell when you’re nearby, and it will automatically turn on the lights.

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Google says it’s also improved Mini’s ability to hear you in noisy rooms. And Nest Mini will automatically adjust the volume of the Assistant, or news and podcasts based on background noise. So when the dishwasher is running and you ask for the weather, you’ll hear the Assistant’s response at a louder volume.
Nest Mini is smarter and faster than the original Mini. Google embedded a dedicated machine learning chip, which lets the company move some Google Assistant experiences from their data centres directly onto the device. In the U.S., Google says Nest Mini can now learn your most common commands and process them locally for a much faster response time. Not sure if it applies to Canada yet.

I would say 99% of my requests to the Google Home device were answered and resolved.

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Let’s talk about Setting up Nest Mini
Initially I had trouble getting the speaker set up, but that’s likely because I have a pre-release version of the Nest Mini. I couldn’t get the speaker to connect, which in my experience is very unusual for a Google Nest device. I waited a day, then tried again, and notice the app demanded a software update too. Google is ON that stuff, if you ask me. With that done, boom, everything was great in Google land.

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You’re unlikely to find any problems, but if you do, try a Google Home app update . To set up your Nest Mini, plug it in and get the Google Home app ready. Once you’re signed up or in, you’ll probably see that Google wants you to add a device right away on the main screen. Tap to do it and the app should handle the rest for you. You’ll choose the device to connect to, connect to Wi-Fi and in a minute you should be connected and able to use voice controls and services.

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I have several Google Home devices in my house, most notably the superb Google Home Max for great entertaining sound in the living room, and the Google Nest Hub in the kitchen so I opted to place the Nest Mini in the bathroom for news updates and note taking while I’m getting ready in the morning.

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Since this is a speaker you want the sound to be good, right? While you might not have much hope for such a wee speaker, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the quality.

[abunadia]

I was shocked that Google sent me a free Mini for being a premium YouTube subscriber.
Initially I thought it was a scam & almost disregarded the offer! What a pleasant surprise. Should have mine in a few days! Cheers!👍🏾🇦🇺

[enam]

Google sent me the nest mini for free, just for being a YouTube Music Premium member. 😊

[francismajor]

I love it! I received mine last night after Google gave it to me for free, including shipping. Great sound quality. It can hear me across my room.

[AnRey]

I got a free nest mini for being a Google Fi customer for Christmas. If you are on Google Fi check it out. Last day to redeem is December 31 or while supplies last. Can't wait to try the mini and see how it compares to my other Google home assistant devices.

[GregB]

Very good review, thank you Erin. I got mine a few weeks ago and it is excellent. One feature you didn't mention is that you can pair the little bugger with a bluetooth speaker for a much larger sound if that is what you would like. Someone else mentioned the power plug - it is also round like the device which I suppose has some aesthetic merit, but with many of us using powerboards, the large round plug is a pain.

[anthonylau]

I learned some good stuff here. Black Friday shopping is warming up.

[johnsamurphy]

Great review. I bought one yesterday.
Loved the 2 PAC sample. California Love. lol

[lilahnewton]

Hi, im Lilah. My grown kids were talking about how great these are, I didn't want to seem dumb so I didn't ask what a home mini was. So when I got home I googled it. And found you. Thank you very much for the great explanation 😊👍. Very professional.

[kevinc]

I have been dabbing into smart home technology and came across your videos. Very well made and you are an eloquent speaker. I am now a sub :)

[davewilliams]

After watching this it made my mind up to get one. First smart speaker I've owned very neat little tool. Thanks from UK 🙂

[bmwnasher]

Lived in Canada 1998/1999, love the way you say out!!!. Enjoyed the upload.

[archieyiu]

Bro. Google sent me a free one for being a premium member 😭😭😭😚

[FhargaZ]

My brother was asking for the mini, i was pretty sure that there should be by now a new version.. thanks for the review 😁

[luckylucky]

I would like to use this to play music for my pets when they are home alone. I don’t want to leave music on all day, but would love to have it playing for a couple hours while I am at the office. Will this be the right speaker?

[MsJny]

I got a free one for being a YouTube premium member!🥳🎉

[rahulbanerjee]

Excellent video Erin! Also, thank you so so much for editing off the "Hey Google" commands in your video. As any existing owner would tell you, that is always a pain.

[tony]

I only use it for my Google chromecast tv so I only tell it what to put in the tv

Hi Erin, Leaves this baby boomer wondering again, "what next?". (And just so you know, the very up to date blue jays in the tree outside my window have equipped their "nest" w/ one.) 😉

[OFOFBORG]

Awesome device! Thanks for sharing Erin! 👍🏻👍🏻

[chuckt]

Gifted free for being youtube premium member. Thumbs up for playing Califonia Love on speaker LOL