Google Nest Mini Smart Speaker with Google Assistant (Chalk) reviews

Bought two of these with the hope that I voted cast to both of them at the same time. (Needed white noise for two kids in separate bedrooms) But unfortunately you need two different phones to cast to cast to two speakers. A bit disappointing. The functionality of the speaker is very good, sound quality amazing and features are awesome.

I brought two of these to just play rain sounds at night to help us sleep. For about 6 months they were working fine, but since a month ago they started randomly disconnecting, and hence not playing any rain sounds at random nights. We've had no changes in our Wi-Fi setup either.

I also use Siri and an Apple HomePod Mini, and compared to that the sound of these speakers is mediocre, but if you want to use these for automation they work really well with Google Home and Smart Life devices that Mighty Ape also sell when they haven't run out of stock.

I had also read that these Google speakers work with AirPlay but it doesn't appear to be the case in New Zealand.

The natural language control works much better than Siri with other apps like the Broadlink app and an IR blaster.

Eg., you can say commands like Hey Google, turn the TV and stereo on, rather than having to have exact matches to canned sentences as Siri requires for each device you are wanting to control in the Broadlink app.

Also much better at answering queries in general eg., Hey Google, what time is sunset.

Siri still works better for things like the weather forecast (more accurate source).

Great sound, very discrete and responsive to commands.

We purchased this to replace an older Google Home Mini speaker. The speaker was working ok, but it was located in the kitchen and having trouble listening. It also reboots at maximum volume. We've relocated that unit to a quieter room and this newer “Nest” model seems to be better at hearing, plays music with a bit more fidelity and even has a built-in hook for vertical mounting. It no longer has a USB socket and instead has a DC barrel plug, but this is probably partly to improve it's power reliability. While most of this is all perception and not scientific testing, it still makes for a great yet-another-device-that-listens-all-the-time if your jam is to continue down the rapids that is the Google ecosystem.