The Google Nest Hub (2nd generation) is a compact smart display that combines Google Assistant, a touchscreen, a speaker and smart home controls in one device. It is designed for people who want to manage everyday tasks, watch videos, listen to music and control compatible smart devices without constantly reaching for their phone.
The main attraction is its combination of a 7-inch display, voice control and contact-free sleep tracking. However, it lacks a camera for video calls, and its small screen is not designed to replace a tablet or television.
Quick answer: The Nest Hub is worth considering if you want a bedside assistant or a shared smart home display. Its value depends on the price you pay, the features you actually use and whether your existing devices are compatible.
Google Nest Hub (2nd gen)
7-inch touchscreen smart display
£89.99 / $99.99
Official Google Store listed prices; check current retailer offers before buying.
No built-in camera
Sleep Sensing
Google Assistant
Google Nest Hub price in the UK and USA
The Google Nest Hub (2nd generation) has an official listed price of £89.99 in the UK and $99.99 in the USA. These are Google Store prices, not guaranteed prices at every retailer or a live price comparison.
| Market | Google Store listed price |
| UK | £89.99 |
| USA | $99.99 |
The final cost can vary with retailer discounts, delivery charges, local taxes and stock availability. In the USA, sales tax may be added at checkout.
Because this is an established model, compare the cost of new, refurbished and second-hand units carefully. Check the return policy and warranty, particularly when buying from a marketplace seller.
What do you get for the price?
The Nest Hub is more than a smart speaker with a screen. Its main features are designed around everyday convenience.
1. A 7-inch touchscreen
The display lets you see information instead of relying entirely on voice responses. You can use it to view photos, follow recipes, check information and watch supported video services.
Its compact size suits a bedside table, kitchen worktop or desk. However, it is less practical for watching films at a distance or reading lengthy content.
2. Google Assistant and voice commands
You can use voice commands to set alarms, check the weather, ask questions, manage reminders and control compatible smart devices.
For example, you could ask Google to set a cooking timer while preparing dinner, or turn off compatible lights without leaving your bed.
The experience depends on your Wi-Fi connection, language settings and the services you use.
3. Smart home control
The Nest Hub can act as a central display for compatible smart home equipment, including supported lights, cameras, doorbells and thermostats.
You can use voice commands or the touchscreen to manage connected devices. This is particularly useful when several people share a home.
However, compatibility matters. Check that your existing smart home products work with Google Home before buying.
4. Music and video entertainment
You can play music through supported services such as Spotify and YouTube Music, watch YouTube videos and access supported entertainment services.
The built-in speaker is useful for casual listening, podcasts and background music. It is not intended to deliver the deep bass or room-filling sound of a dedicated premium speaker.
5. Sleep Sensing and Sunrise Alarm
One of the distinctive features of the second-generation Nest Hub is Sleep Sensing.
It uses motion-sensing radar and sound analysis to provide sleep-related insights without requiring you to wear a smartwatch. The device can also offer a Sunrise Alarm, which gradually brightens the display to help you wake up.
Sleep Sensing is not a medical diagnostic tool. Google notes that placement, nearby people, pets and environmental sounds can affect its readings.
Google Nest Hub review: Design, performance and everyday use
The Nest Hub has a compact screen attached to a fabric-covered speaker base. Its design makes it easy to place in rooms where a larger smart display would feel intrusive.
The screen adjusts its brightness to the surrounding light, which is helpful in a bedroom at night. The device also has a physical microphone switch, allowing you to disable its microphone when you want more privacy.
What works well
- The screen makes timers, photos and smart home controls easy to see.
- Voice commands are convenient when your hands are occupied.
- The compact design works well in kitchens and bedrooms.
- Sleep Sensing adds a feature that ordinary smart speakers do not provide.
- It can bring compatible smart home devices together in one place.
What could be better
- The 7-inch display is small for extended video watching.
- There is no built-in camera for video calls.
- The speaker is not a substitute for a dedicated music system.
- Some features depend on compatible devices, accounts or subscriptions.
- Sleep measurements should be treated as estimates, not medical results.
These are feature-based observations rather than claims from hands-on testing by Rank Nest Hub.
Google Nest Hub vs Nest Hub Max
Google also offers the larger Nest Hub Max, which is aimed at people who want a bigger screen and camera-based features.
| Feature | Nest Hub (2nd gen) | Nest Hub Max |
| Screen | 7 inches | 10 inches |
| Camera | No | Yes |
| Video calls | No built-in camera | Camera-supported calls |
| Sleep Sensing | Yes | Not the same feature set |
| Best suited to | Bedrooms, kitchens, compact spaces | Larger rooms and video calls |
The Max is worth considering if screen size and video calling matter more to you than compact design. The smaller Hub is more suitable when you want a simple display for everyday tasks.
Check the exact model and regional availability before purchasing, as specifications and prices can change. Google’s product pages provide the current model information.
Google Nest Hub vs Amazon Echo Show 5
The Amazon Echo Show 5 is another compact smart display that buyers may compare with the Nest Hub.
The choice depends partly on which assistant and smart home devices ecosystem you already use.
| Consideration | Google Nest Hub | Amazon Echo Show 5 |
| Assistant | Google Assistant | Alexa |
| Camera | No | Yes |
| Sleep-related feature | Sleep Sensing | Depends on model and available services |
| Smart home ecosystem | Google Home | Amazon Alexa |
If your home already uses Google Home, the Nest Hub may fit more naturally into your existing setup. If you rely on Alexa or want a built-in camera in a compact display, compare the Echo Show 5’s current specifications and price.
Neither device should be selected on screen size or price alone. Check the smart devices and services you need to use.
Is the Google Nest Hub worth buying in 2026?
The answer depends on your intended use and the price available from a reputable retailer.
It may suit you if:
- You want a bedside alarm and voice assistant.
- You regularly follow recipes or use timers in the kitchen.
- You already own compatible Google Home devices.
- You want sleep-related insights without wearing a tracker.
Consider alternatives if:
- You need a camera for video calls.
- You want a large screen for films and entertainment.
- High-quality music playback is your main priority.
- Your smart home setup depends on another ecosystem.
What price should you pay?
Use the official listed price as a reference point, then compare current offers. A discount can improve the value, but only if the device meets your needs and comes with appropriate support.
Before ordering, check:
- Whether the listing is for the second-generation Nest Hub or another model.
- Whether the seller is reputable and offers a clear returns policy.
- Whether the device is compatible with your region, power supply and preferred language.
- Whether any feature you want requires a paid subscription or additional equipment.
What other reviews may miss: Content gap analysis
A useful product review should answer more than what the manufacturer says the device can do. It should explain what those features mean for a real buyer.
I reviewed the available Google product information and relevant review material surfaced in search, including TechRadar, Tech Advisor and a recent UK-focused review. This is a targeted content review, not a verified, exhaustive reading of the current top five organic results in both the UK and USA. Search rankings vary by location and time, and I cannot confirm a complete top-five list from the results available here.
The following are opportunities for Rank Nest Hub to provide additional value:
| Content opportunity | What this article addresses |
| UK and US pricing | Separate official prices and explain retailer variations |
| Everyday usefulness | Practical bedroom and kitchen examples |
| Product limitations | Camera, screen size and speaker trade-offs |
| Sleep Sensing | Explain the feature and its limitations |
| Smart home compatibility | Encourage buyers to check their existing devices |
| Buying confidence | Model, seller, warranty and return-policy checks |
| Independent testing | Clearly distinguish specifications from hands-on experience |
The UK-focused review surfaced in search also explicitly states that it has not yet conducted hands-on testing.
Editorial recommendation: To strengthen this article further, Rank Nest Hub should add original photographs, documented setup observations, microphone and speaker tests, real-world response times, and a dated price check from authorised retailers. Those additions would provide evidence that a specification-based review cannot.
Final verdict: Google Nest Hub review
The Google Nest Hub (2nd generation) combines a touchscreen, Google Assistant, entertainment and smart home controls in a compact device. Sleep Sensing and its camera-free design also make it distinctive within the smart display category.
However, it is not designed for everyone. Its small screen, lack of a camera and modest speaker make it less suitable for buyers who prioritise video calls, large-screen entertainment or premium audio.
For Rank Nest Hub readers, the key buying advice is simple: compare the current price, confirm device compatibility and choose the model that fits your daily routine. The Nest Hub is most useful when its features solve practical problems around your home.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Google Nest Hub worth buying?
The Google Nest Hub can be worth buying if you want a compact smart display for alarms, timers, entertainment and compatible smart home controls. Its value depends on the price and the features you will actually use.
What is the current Google Nest Hub price?
Google’s listed price for the second-generation model is £89.99 in the UK and $99.99 in the USA. Retailer discounts and final checkout costs may differ.
Does the Google Nest Hub have a camera?
No. The second-generation Google Nest Hub does not have a built-in camera. The larger Nest Hub Max does have one.
Can Google Nest Hub track your sleep?
Yes. The second-generation Nest Hub offers Sleep Sensing, which uses motion and sound analysis to provide sleep-related insights. It is not intended to diagnose or treat medical conditions, and readings can be affected by the environment.
Can Google Nest Hub control smart home devices?
Yes. It can control compatible smart home devices through voice commands and its touchscreen. You should check compatibility with your existing devices before purchasing.
