Google’s Gemini-powered Home Speaker is on sale for around $79 at Best Buy, Walmart, and Target. The $20 discount applies to all four colors and is the lowest price reported for the speaker so far. It launched in June as Google’s first new smart speaker in several years.
The Home Speaker is smaller than the previous-generation Nest Audio, making it easier to place around the home. Reviews describe its sound as loud and clear, with 360-degree playback. It takes up less space and costs slightly less than the older Nest Audio, though the latter was judged to sound better overall. Comparisons with Amazon’s similarly priced Echo Dot Max were mixed: one reviewer found Google’s speaker cleaner, louder, and sharper, while another preferred the Echo Dot Max’s fuller sound and stronger bass.
For smart home use, the speaker supports Matter and includes a Thread border router for connecting and controlling compatible devices. It can also serve as an audio output for the Google TV Streamer 4K, playing TV sound through one or two Home Speakers. Testing found dialogue clear, although audio quality varied depending on the content.
Gemini is a key feature, with support for natural-language requests and commands involving multiple smart home devices. Review testing also found it useful for general knowledge questions, though responses could sometimes be slow or unreliable. Some capabilities require a $10-per-month Google Home Premium subscription, including Gemini Live, which supports longer conversations without repeating the wake word.
Sources: The Verge.