What Is the Google Nest Hub
The Google Nest Hub is a smart display — a speaker with a built-in touchscreen that serves as a central control panel for your smart home. Unlike simple smart speakers (Nest Mini, Nest Audio), the Hub offers visual feedback: you see live camera feeds, control devices with a tap, follow recipes in the kitchen, and much more.
In 2026, Google offers two models: the Nest Hub (2nd gen) with a 7″ screen at €100, and the Nest Hub Max with a 10″ display and built-in camera at €230. Are they worth it? Let's break it down.
Features & Specs
| Feature | Nest Hub (2nd gen) | Nest Hub Max |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 7″ LCD | 10″ LCD HD |
| Audio | 1.7″ full-range speaker | 2x 18mm tweeters + 75mm woofer |
| Camera | No | 6.5MP Nest Camera |
| Sleep Sensing | Soli radar | Soli radar + camera |
| Microphones | 3 far-field | 2 far-field |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Thread | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Thread |
| Matter Support | Yes (controller) | Yes (controller) |
| Price | ~€100 | ~€230 |
Smart Home Dashboard
The Hub's main value is the smart home dashboard. With a swipe from the bottom or tapping “Home Control”, you see all connected devices grouped by room. You can:
- Turn lights on/off with a tap
- Adjust brightness with a slider
- Control the thermostat with a swipe
- View live feeds from Nest, Arlo, Eufy cameras
- Lock/unlock smart locks
- Start a robot vacuum
The key difference: you don't need a voice command. Just tap, adjust, done. Ideal in noisy environments or when you don't feel like talking.
Sleep Sensing
One of the most interesting features: Sleep Sensing uses radar (Soli chip) to track your sleep without a wearable. Place the Hub on your nightstand and each morning you see:
- When you fell asleep and when you woke up
- How many times you woke during the night
- Snoring and coughing detection (audio analysis)
- Sleep quality score
- Room temperature and light levels
Data syncs with the Google Fit app. Free to use — Google removed the Sleep Sensing subscription.
Nest Hub Max: Camera & Video Calls
The Hub Max features a built-in 6.5MP Nest Camera that serves triple duty:
- Security camera: Room monitoring with motion alerts, free 3h video history (or full with Nest Aware €6/month)
- Video calls: Google Meet/Duo calls without a phone — the camera auto-frames you
- Face Match: Recognises faces for personalised information — each person sees their own reminders
Media & Entertainment
- YouTube: Watch videos, tutorials, music — full YouTube experience
- Netflix/Disney+: Cast from your phone or ask “Hey Google, play Stranger Things”
- Spotify/YouTube Music: Lyrics on screen, cover art, controls
- Google Photos: Ambient mode displays your photos as a digital frame
- Podcasts: Playback with visual controls
In the Kitchen
The Nest Hub shines in the kitchen. Ask for a recipe and follow it step-by-step on screen. Multiple timers run simultaneously — something impossible with a plain smart speaker. Unit conversions, shopping lists, and hands-free control (dirty hands? just talk!).
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Visual smart home dashboard — best-in-class
- Sleep Sensing without a wearable
- Matter controller / Thread border router
- Digital photo frame (Google Photos ambient)
- Native YouTube support
- Affordable price (€100 base model)
Cons
- Small screen (7″) for video watching
- Mediocre audio (Hub 2nd gen) — doesn't replace a speaker
- Doesn't run apps (browser, social media)
- Fully dependent on the Google ecosystem
- Privacy concerns (always-listening)
Nest Hub vs Amazon Echo Show vs HomePod
| Feature | Nest Hub 2 | Echo Show 8 | HomePod mini |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 7″ LCD | 8″ LCD HD | None |
| Price | €100 | €130 | €110 |
| Audio | Fair | Good | Excellent |
| Smart Home | Google Home | Alexa | HomeKit |
| Camera | No | 13MP | No |
| Sleep Tracking | Radar (built-in) | No | No |
| Video Calls | Duo/Meet (Max only) | Alexa Calling | Not supported |
Who Should Buy It
- Google ecosystem users: If you use Gmail, Calendar, Photos, YouTube — it's a must-have
- Smart home centre: Want a visual dashboard instead of voice only? Ideal
- Kitchen: Recipes, timers, hands-free = excellent
- Sleep: Sleep tracking without a wearable = unique feature
- Budget: At €100, it's the best value for a smart display
Conclusion
The Google Nest Hub is absolutely worth it if you're looking for a smart display that works as a smart home control centre, digital photo frame, sleep tracker, and kitchen assistant. The €100 model delivers remarkable value — visual control without having to speak. If you want a camera, larger screen, and significantly better audio, the Hub Max (€230) is worth the upgrade.
It's the perfect second smart device after a Nest Mini/Audio — put it in the kitchen or on your nightstand and it'll become indispensable within a week. Matter and Thread support means it'll stay compatible with future smart home devices, making it a solid long-term investment for any connected household.