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Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) review: buy or skip?

Buy7.8/10 research score

Quick answer

Buy it, if you want a bedside display without a camera. Why: small Google display with sleep sensing and no camera. The catch: small speaker.

By Buyrskip Editorial Team Updated 1 min read

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Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen)

Our verdict on the Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen)

Buy it if
you want a bedside display without a camera.
Skip it if
you want video calls.
Best for
Bedside display
Key feature
Small Google display with sleep sensing and no camera
Typical price
$59–$99
Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Key specifications

AssistantGoogle Assistant
SpeakerFull-range
Screen7-inch
Smart home hubThread

Who should buy it, and who should skip it

A good fit if you

  • you want a bedside display without a camera
  • value no camera
  • can spend around $59–$99

Skip it if you

  • you want video calls
  • mind this: small speaker
  • mind this: no video calls

Pros and cons

Pros

  • No camera
  • Sleep sensing
  • Google Photos frame
  • Cheap

Cons

  • Small speaker
  • No video calls

The verdict in one breath

The Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) is a smart speaker we would point many buyers to. What earns it the buy: small Google display with sleep sensing and no camera. In our list it is the pick for: bedside display.

Reasons to buy

  • No camera
  • Sleep sensing
  • Google Photos frame
  • Cheap

Reasons to skip

  • Small speaker
  • No video calls

The specs that matter

  • Assistant: Google Assistant
  • Speaker: Full-range
  • Screen: 7-inch
  • Smart home hub: Thread

Worth knowing

No camera makes it a good pick for bedrooms.

Buy it or skip it?

Buy it if you want a bedside display without a camera. Skip it if you want video calls; the Amazon Echo (4th Gen) is the better buy then. Everything else is in our list of the best smart speakers.

Alternatives worth considering

Amazon Echo (4th Gen)

Amazon · Smart Speakers & Displays

Amazon Echo (4th Gen)

Buy it if you want Alexa with fuller sound for music.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Alexa with good sound
Typical price
$59–$99

Pros

  • Good sound
  • Zigbee hub

Cons

  • Plain design
Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review
Amazon Echo Spot (2024)

Amazon · Smart Speakers & Displays

Amazon Echo Spot (2024)

Buy it if you want a smart alarm clock without a camera.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Smart alarm clock
Typical price
$49–$79

Pros

  • No camera
  • Clock display

Cons

  • Small screen
Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review

Frequently asked questions

Should I buy the Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen)?

Buy it, if you want a bedside display without a camera. Why: small Google display with sleep sensing and no camera. The catch: small speaker.

When should I skip it?

Skip it if you want video calls. The Amazon Echo (4th Gen) is the better buy then.

What does the Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) cost?

Usually $59–$99 on Amazon.com. It tends to dip during Prime Day and Black Friday.

Buyrskip Editorial Team

Part of the Buyrskip research team. We compare specifications, documentation and real-world trade-offs so you can decide faster.

How we research products Editorial policy

Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen): the full buy-or-skip review

Is the Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) worth buying? Short answer: buy it, if you want a bedside display without a camera. This review explains what this Google model gets right, where it falls short, what it usually costs in the US and which smart speaker to buy instead if it is not the right fit for you.

What the Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) does well

The headline: small Google display with sleep sensing and no camera. Key specs: Assistant: Google Assistant; Speaker: Full-range; Screen: 7-inch; Smart home hub: Thread. In our list it is the pick for: bedside display. It usually sells for $59–$99.

No camera makes it a good pick for bedrooms.

The trade-offs

Good: no camera, sleep sensing, google Photos frame, cheap. Not so good: small speaker, no video calls. Read the skip-if line before you order: skip it if you want video calls.

What to buy instead

Instead, consider the Amazon Echo (4th Gen) ($59–$99): good-sounding Alexa speaker with a Zigbee hub. Better if you want Alexa with fuller sound for music.

Instead, consider the Amazon Echo Spot (2024) ($49–$79): compact Alexa alarm clock with a small screen. Better if you want a smart alarm clock without a camera.

Instead, consider the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) ($29–$49): alexa, a temperature sensor and decent sound for very little. Better if you want a cheap voice assistant for timers, music and smart home.

Before you buy

Assistant: Alexa has the most smart home support; Google is best at answering questions; Siri suits Apple homes. Sound: small speakers are for voice; buy a bigger one if it doubles as your music speaker. Display: a screen helps with recipes, cameras and video calls.

US buyer tip

Echo devices hit their lowest prices on Prime Day and Black Friday, often half off.

Prices on Amazon.com move in a pattern. The deepest cuts land on Prime Day in July, Prime Big Deal Days in October and the Black Friday to Cyber Monday week, with smaller drops around Presidents Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and back-to-school. Judge a deal against the usual price we show, never against the crossed-out list price.

Order from Amazon itself or the brand's official storefront so the US manufacturer warranty applies, keep your order confirmation and register the product with the brand. Most items can be returned within 30 days, and holiday purchases often get an extended return window into January.