Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks

• Google Assistant Users

  Google Home

  3.5 Good

  Pros & Cons

  • • Attractive design.
    • Removable color bases.
    • Well-rounded sound.
    • Multi-room audio.
  • • Still fewer skills than Amazon's Alexa.
    • Doesn't work as a standard Bluetooth speaker.

  Bottom Line:

  Bottom Line:

  The Google Home is a great-looking speaker with a voice assistant that's catching up to Amazon's Alexa, although it hasn't quite gotten there yet.

  Specs & Configurations

  Physical Connections	None
  Voice Control	Google Assistant

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• Google Assistant Users

  Google Nest Mini

  3.5 Good

  Pros & Cons

  • • Affordable.
    • Small.
    • Good high-frequency response.
  • • No significant changes over Google Home Mini.
    • Weak bass and midrange.

  Bottom Line:

  Bottom Line:

  The Google Nest Mini is the most affordable Google Assistant smart speaker you can buy, but it offers virtually no improvements over the previous model.

  Specs & Configurations

  Bluetooth
  Channels	Mono
  Multi-Room
  Physical Connections	None
  Speakerphone
  Voice Assistant	Google Assistant
  Wi-Fi

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• Google Fans

  Google Nest Hub Max

  4.0 Excellent

  Pros & Cons

  • • Integrates with Nest and functions as a security camera.
    • Supports Google Cast.
    • Fairly loud.
  • • Sound quality isn't particularly impressive.

  Bottom Line:

  Bottom Line:

  The Google Nest Hub Max is a big, bright smart display with Google Assistant, and you can even use it as a home security camera.

  Specs & Configurations

  Channels	2
  Physical Connections	None

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• Audio-Focused Google Assistant Users

  Google Home Max

  4.0 Excellent

  Pros & Cons

  • • Great sound.
    • Works as a mono speaker, a stereo pair, or part of a whole home audio system.
    • Attractive design.
  • • Too much bass for audio purists.
    • Could do with better lossless audio options.

  Bottom Line:

  Bottom Line:

  The Google Home Max is the first smart speaker we've seen with serious audio performance.

  Specs & Configurations

  Bluetooth
  Channels	Stereo
  Multi-Room
  Physical Connections	3.5mm
  Physical Connections	USB-C
  Speakerphone
  Voice Assistant	Google Assistant
  Wi-Fi

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• Budget-minded Android users

  Google Chromecast (2018)

  3.5 Good

  Pros & Cons

  • • Inexpensive.
    • Responsive.
    • Lots of supported apps.
    • Can mirror mobile device screens and display Chrome tabs.
  • • 1080p maximum resolution.
    • No on-screen interface or remote.

  Bottom Line:

  Bottom Line:

  The new Google Chromecast media streamer is almost completely unchanged from its previous version. It's still functional and affordable, but without 4K it's much less appealing than the competition.

  Specs & Configurations

  HDR

  No

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• Android users

  Google Chromecast Ultra

  4.0 Excellent

  Pros & Cons

  • • Ethernet port for reliable 4K streaming.
    • Relatively inexpensive for a 4K media streamer.
  • • Requires a smartphone, tablet, or PC.
    • Almost twice the price of the 1080p Chromecast.

  Bottom Line:

  Bottom Line:

  Google's 4K-capable Chromecast Ultra is the least expensive UHD media streamer available, but you still need a smartphone, tablet, or computer to control it.

  Specs & Configurations

  HDR	Dolby Vision
  HDR	HDR10
  Platform	Google Cast
  Resolution	4K
  Voice Assistant	Google Assistant

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• Style-Conscious Homes

  Google Nest Wi-Fi System

  4.0 Excellent

  Pros & Cons

  • • Solid throughput performance in testing.
    • Stylish design.
    • Easy to install.
    • Built-in Google Assistant voice technology.
  • • Lacks dedicated backhaul band.
    • No anti-malware tools.
    • Advanced settings require a separate app.
    • No USB ports.

  Bottom Line:

  Bottom Line:

  The Google Nest Wifi is a user-friendly 802.11ac mesh system that uses sleek components to deliver Wi-Fi to all corners of your home.

  Specs & Configurations

  AC Speed	AC2200
  Coverage	2200
  IPv6 Compatible
  MU-MIMO
  Number of Antennas	6
  Number of Bands	2
  Number of Nodes	1
  Number of Wired LAN Ports (Excluding WAN Port)	1 on base unit
  Parental Controls
  Quality of Service (QoS)
  Security	WPA
  Security	WPA2
  Security	WPA3
  Security	WPS
  Separate Bands
  Wireless Specification	802.11ac

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• Nest Device Users

  Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Generation)

  4.5 Outstanding

  Pros & Cons

  • • Sleek design.
    • Easy to install.
    • Loaded with features.
    • Interacts with other Nest and third-party devices.
    • Support for Alexa, Google Home, and IFTTT.
  • • Lacks remote room sensors.
    • Pricey.

  Bottom Line:

  Bottom Line:

  The third-generation Nest Learning Thermostat has all the smarts of its predecessors and adds some new features including a larger display, geofencing support, a furnace monitor, and a few more sensors.

  Specs & Configurations

  C-Wire
  Compatibility	Multi-stage
  Geofencing
  Motion Activation
  Multiple Zones
  Self-Install
  Smart Home Integration	IFTTT
  Smart Home Integration	Nest

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• Overall Value

  Nest Thermostat E

  4.0 Excellent

  Pros & Cons

  • • Reasonably priced.
    • Easy to install.
    • Stylish design.
    • Works with other Nest and third-party smart home devices.
    • Supports Alexa and Google Home voice commands and IFTTT applets.
  • • Frosted display can be difficult to read.
    • Does not support as many HVAC components as the Nest Learning Thermostat.
    • No remote sensors.

  Bottom Line:

  Bottom Line:

  The Nest Thermostat E offers most of the same smart features as its more expensive siblings, but it can't control complex multi-stage HVAC systems.

  Specs & Configurations

  C-Wire
  Compatibility	2 Stage
  Geofencing
  Motion Activation
  Self-Install
  Smart Home Integration	IFTTT
  Smart Home Integration	Nest

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• Nest Temperature Sensor

  Bottom Line:

  Bottom Line:

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• Best for Nest Device Users

  Nest Doorbell (Wired)

  3.5 Good

  Pros & Cons

  • • Sleek design
    • Face recognition
    • Motion and sound detection
    • Sharp HD video
    • Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
  • • Setup requires working with electrical wiring
    • Must have existing chime box
    • Need Nest Aware subscription for many features

  Bottom Line:

  Bottom Line:

  The wired Nest Doorbell not only lets you know when somebody is at your door, it uses face recognition to tell you exactly who it is.

  Specs & Configurations

  Connectivity	Bluetooth
  Connectivity	Wi-Fi
  Field of View	160
  Integrations	Amazon Alexa
  Integrations	IFTTT
  Integrations	Nest
  Night Vision
  Resolution	1,600 by 1,200
  Storage	Cloud
  Two-Way Audio

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• Nest Users

  Nest X Yale Lock with Nest Connect

  4.0 Excellent

  Pros & Cons

  • • Stylish design.
    • Easy to install.
    • Works with Nest Secure.
    • Very quiet.
  • • Doesn't work with IFTTT.
    • No voice activation support.

  Bottom Line:

  Bottom Line:

  The Nest X Yale Lock with Nest Connect is a sharp-looking smart door lock that combines Yale reliability with Nest IoT home connectivity.

  Specs & Configurations

  App	Mobile
  App	Web
  Connectivity	Wi-Fi
  Geofencing/Location Services
  Guest Access
  Installation	Exterior Escutcheon
  Installation	Interior Escutcheon
  Integration	Nest
  Notifications	Push
  Tamper Alarm
  Touchpad

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• Best for Google-Powered Home Security

  Nest Secure

  3.5 Good

  Pros & Cons

  • • Stylish
    • Easy to install
    • Multi-purpose sensors
    • Works with Nest cameras and a handful of third-party devices
    • Google Assistant support
    • Professional monitoring available
  • • Pricey
    • Doesn't support IFTTT or trigger other devices
    • Doesn't work with Amazon Alexa

  Bottom Line:

  Bottom Line:

  The Nest Secure Alarm Starter Pack is a stylish DIY smart home security solution that's easy to install and configure, but it’s relatively expensive and lacks the integrations that you get with some other systems.

  Specs & Configurations

  Cellular Backup
  Monthly Fees	Start at $19
  Power Outage Backup
  Upfront Costs	$399 as tested
  Voice Assistant Compatibility	Google Assistant

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• Smart Alerts

  Nest Cam IQ Indoor

  4.0 Excellent

  Pros & Cons

  • • Excellent face recognition and two-way audio.
    • Sharp 1080p video.
    • Motion and sound detection.
    • Easy to install.
    • Works with other smart home devices.
  • • Expensive.
    • Many features require Nest Aware subscription.

  Bottom Line:

  Bottom Line:

  The Nest Cam IQ is a 1080p home surveillance camera that offers facial recognition, automatic zoom tracking, motion- and sound-triggered alerts, and interoperability with many other smart devices.

  Specs & Configurations

  Alarm
  Connectivity	Wi-Fi
  Field of View	130
  Integration	Amazon Alexa
  Integration	Google Assistant
  Integration	IFTTT
  Integration	Nest
  Mechanical Pan/Tilt
  Night Vision
  Notifications	Email
  Notifications	Push
  Resolution	1080p
  Storage	Cloud
  Two-Way Audio

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• Rugged, Google-Powered Home Security

  Nest Cam IQ Outdoor

  4.0 Excellent

  Pros & Cons

  • • Elegant design.
    • 24/7 live video with 4K sensor, HDR, and close-up tracking.
    • Weatherproof with IP66 rating.
    • Two-way audio.
    • Person alerts.
  • • Expensive.
    • Facial recognition feature requires extra subscription.

  Bottom Line:

  Bottom Line:

  The Nest Cam IQ Outdoor is an intelligent security camera meant to act as the first line of defense in your Nest home security setup.

  Specs & Configurations

  Connectivity	Bluetooth
  Connectivity	Wi-Fi
  Field of View	130
  Integration	Amazon Alexa
  Integration	Google Assistant
  Integration	IFTTT
  Integration	Nest
  Night Vision
  Notifications	Email
  Notifications	Push
  Resolution	1080p
  Storage	Cloud
  Two-Way Audio

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