Google Assistant Vs Google Home Mini

Michael Brown / IDG

Correct at present you lot can put a smart speaker in every room at an incredible price. Lowe's is selling the first generation Google Abode Mini (in any color yous want, equally long every bit information technology's chalk)Remove non-product link for $thirteen. That's close to one 4th off the original price, and way better than the $35 to $36 elsewhere.

The original Google Home Mini rolled out nearly four years ago. When nosotros reviewed the Mini back in 2017, nosotros gave information technology iv out of five stars. Our biggest objection was that it wasn't that great at music reproduction, but for listening to tunes while you're cooking or hearing a podcast it'll become the job done.

The original Google Dwelling house Mini'due south biggest appeal, of course, is its Google Assistant smarts. Just say "Hey Google" to control smart home gear, get traffic and weather updates, become answers to simple web queries, stream music and podcasts, set timers, and more.

While getting an older model of anything may requite you a moment of pause, the original Google Home Mini isn't that dissimilar from the $49 Google Nest Mini that replaced it. The Nest Mini has slightly better audio quality than the original, but they look nigh identical.

If you're already using Google Assistant speakers or smart displays around the house, the Google Home Mini is an excellent complement. Not using a smart speaker at all? Then $xiii for a Google Dwelling Mini is a fantastic cost to try one out.

[Today'southward deal: Google Domicile Mini for $13 at Lowe'south.Remove not-production link]

Ian is an contained author based in Israel who has never met a tech subject field he didn't similar. He primarily covers Windows, PC and gaming hardware, video and music streaming services, social networks, and browsers. When he's not roofing the news he'south working on how-to tips for PC users, or tuning his eGPU setup.