Never Miss Another Deal!

No Fuss Deal Surprise Me

Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) Review: A Camera-Free Bedside Screen, Sold Here as an International Unit

The Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen is a camera-free smart display for Google homes, best for Google Assistant households. Rated 4.2 out of 5 across 1,153 user ratings. The main drawback: this international unit can start up in the wrong language out of the box. We scored it 4.0 out of 5.

By ZappyZep, Tech Editor Published September 26, 2026 Updated September 26, 2026
4.0Our score
Google Nest Hub 7” Smart Display with Google Assistant (2nd Gen) - Chalk Google Nest Hub 7” Smart Display with Google Assistant (2nd Gen) - Chalk, view 2 Google Nest Hub 7” Smart Display with Google Assistant (2nd Gen) - Chalk, view 3 Google Nest Hub 7” Smart Display with Google Assistant (2nd Gen) - Chalk, view 4 Google Nest Hub 7” Smart Display with Google Assistant (2nd Gen) - Chalk, view 5 Google Nest Hub 7” Smart Display with Google Assistant (2nd Gen) - Chalk, view 6 Google Nest Hub 7” Smart Display with Google Assistant (2nd Gen) - Chalk, view 7 Google Nest Hub 7” Smart Display with Google Assistant (2nd Gen) - Chalk, view 8 Google Nest Hub 7” Smart Display with Google Assistant (2nd Gen) - Chalk, view 9 Google Nest Hub 7” Smart Display with Google Assistant (2nd Gen) - Chalk, view 10 Google Nest Hub 7” Smart Display with Google Assistant (2nd Gen) - Chalk, view 11 Google Nest Hub 7” Smart Display with Google Assistant (2nd Gen) - Chalk, view 12
Product gallery, 12 images
$299.99 Check price on Amazon

Prices shown were correct on September 26, 2026 and change frequently.

TL;DRThe Short Answer: Is the Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen Worth It?

What you're really deciding is whether a small, camera-free screen is worth it over a plain smart speaker, and whether you mind that this particular unit is an international bundle rather than a standard US retail box. The 2nd Gen Nest Hub puts Google Assistant behind a 7-inch 1024 x 600 touchscreen, adds Sleep Sensing and a Sunrise Alarm for the bedside, and leaves the camera out entirely. This version ships with a universal power adapter and multi-language support, but it can boot in the wrong language and carries a 90-day limited warranty, so budget a minute for setup and don't expect long-term cover.

NoFussDeal rates the Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen 4.0 out of 5 at $299.99. Last updated September 26, 2026.

Key Facts

Memory Storage Capacity
4 GB
Item Dimensions L x W x Thickness
4"L x 4"W x 4"Th
Color
Chalk
Other Special Features of the Product
Bluetooth
Compatible Devices
Nest speakers and displays, Google services (Netflix, YouTube, Google Photos), international devices/services, various G
Warranty Description
90 Day

What Stands Out

  1. 7-inch touchscreen at 1024 x 600 pixels in a 16:9 shape, sized for a nightstand, shelf or kitchen counter
  2. No camera at all, plus a switch that turns the microphone off, which makes it an easy fit for a bedroom
  3. Sleep Sensing tracks when you go to bed, when you wake and how long you slept, with nothing to wear
  4. Single full-range speaker with a 1.7-inch (43.5 mm) driver, plus Bluetooth and 802.11ac Wi-Fi
  5. International value bundle: universal power adapter, English, Spanish, French and Portuguese support, and a 90-day limited warranty

Strengths and Drawbacks

What works

  • Screen quality and sound quality are its two most praised traits
  • No camera and a physical mic switch make it easy to keep in a bedroom
  • Sleep Sensing tracks bedtime, wake time and sleep length without a wearable
  • Handy daily hub for music, TV control, YouTube and calendar briefings
  • Works with other Nest speakers and displays for broadcasts and room-to-room chat
  • Small 7-inch footprint suits a nightstand, shelf or kitchen counter

What does not

  • This international unit can start up in the wrong language out of the box
  • Warranty is listed at only 90 days
  • 1024 x 600 screen looks soft on fine text and up-close video
  • Single 1.7-inch speaker has no stereo and limited bass
  • No camera means no video calls
  • Setup and connectivity are hit and miss for some owners

Features in Depth

01

A Compact 7-Inch Display Built for Everyday Glances

Screen Size 7 inches Resolution 1024 x 600 pixels Camera None

The Nest Hub's 7-inch LED touchscreen runs at 1024 x 600 pixels in a 16:9 shape, and it is small enough to sit on a nightstand, a shelf or a kitchen counter without taking over. That resolution matters less than it sounds for this kind of device: the screen is for the time, the weather, a timer, a calendar entry or a photo slideshow, read from a step or two away, where the pixel count is hard to see. It is less happy with dense text or video watched up close, where a tablet will look sharper. There is no camera at all, which rules out video calls but makes it one of the easier smart displays to justify in a bedroom. Screen quality is one of the things owners like most, and the upgrade over a voice-only speaker is obvious: your schedule, the forecast and recipe steps become something you can see at a glance rather than wait to hear.

$299.99 4.0/5 Check price
02

A Small Speaker That Sounds Better Than Its Size

Speaker Driver 1.7 in (43.5 mm) full-range Audio Formats MP3, AAC Wireless Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth

Sound is the Nest Hub's other strong point. It uses a single full-range speaker with a 1.7-inch (43.5 mm) driver, so there is no stereo separation and no real low bass, yet sound quality is one of its most consistently praised traits, and one owner upgrading from the original Google Home called it simply a beautiful display with great sound. A driver that size suits speech, podcasts, news briefings and background music at a sensible volume; it will not fill a large open-plan room with a party playlist. It plays MP3 and AAC and has Bluetooth as well as Wi-Fi, so you can stream from a phone as well as ask the Assistant for music by voice.

$299.99 4.0/5 Check price
03

Google Assistant at the Centre of a Nest Home

Processor 1.9 GHz quad-core ARM Control Voice and touchscreen Works With Nest speakers and displays

This is a Google Assistant device first. Voice is the main way in, backed by the touchscreen, and it runs on a 1.9 GHz quad-core ARM processor with Wi-Fi 802.11ac and Bluetooth. It works with other Nest speakers and displays, so you can broadcast a message to every room (dinner's ready) or chat between rooms, and it can control compatible lights, TVs and other smart devices by tap or by voice. Google services such as Netflix, YouTube and Google Photos run on it too. One owner has it read out the day's calendar every morning at a set time, which is the sort of small routine that makes a hub earn its place. Setup and connectivity are more mixed than the screen and sound: most units go in without drama, but not all of them, so allow some time for pairing if you are adding it to a larger Nest setup.

$299.99 4.0/5 Check price
04

Sleep Sensing, a Sunrise Alarm and a Mic Switch for the Bedroom

Sleep Tracking Bedtime, wake time, duration Privacy Mic off switch, no camera Wake-Up Sunrise Alarm

The bedroom is where the 2nd Gen Nest Hub is most distinctive. Placed on a bedside table, Sleep Sensing tracks when you go to bed, when you wake up and how long you slept, with nothing to wear or charge. The Sunrise Alarm is designed to make waking up easier than a sudden tone. Privacy is handled physically: there is no camera, and a switch turns the microphone off whenever you want, with your Assistant history clearable too. Treat Sleep Sensing as a rough picture of your sleep habits rather than a medical tool, and note that it depends on where the Hub sits relative to you. It is a genuine reason to choose this over a plain smart speaker if you want a bedside clock that does more.

$299.99 4.0/5 Check price
05

What to Know About This International Bundle

Model GA01331-INTL Languages English, Spanish, French, Portuguese Warranty 90-day limited

This particular version is not a standard US retail box. It is a global value bundle (model GA01331-INTL) with a universal power adapter, an international quick start guide and support for English, Spanish, French and Portuguese. The brand says it will start up in English on first connection, but one owner's unit defaulted to Chinese for both the screen and the voice; the printed card fixed it in seconds, and language problems are the most common complaint about this version. The warranty is listed as a 90-day limited warranty, which is short for a device you might keep for years. None of this changes how the Hub works once it is set up, but it is worth knowing if you are buying it as a gift or for someone who won't want to dig through settings.

$299.99 4.0/5 Check price

How We Scored It

Based on
The manufacturer's published specifications and the product's live Amazon listing.
Owner rating
4.2 out of 5 on Amazon, recorded September 26, 2026
How we score
We score each thing that comes up most in owner feedback on the Google Nest Hub 7” Smart Display. Eight things come up most in owner feedback: three draw praise, four split opinion and one draws mostly complaints. Its ratings average 4.2 stars (71% five stars, 10% four, 4% three and 15% one or two), so every score starts at 84, that average on a 100 point scale. Where opinion is split, we take off 6. Where it draws mostly complaints, we take off 12. Then we read six owner reviews in full (every one we found gave it four or five stars) and move the score up to 5 points either way depending on how the owners who mention it rated the product. Our overall score starts from the same 4.2 star average and loses 0.1 for each thing that draws mostly complaints, with 0.1 more when at least a tenth of ratings are one star, never more than 0.3 in all. Here that takes off 0.2, which gives 4.0. Read our editorial standards

Device Quality

None of the six owner reviews we read mention it. Score 84: its 4.2 star average on a 100 point scale.

84Positive

Sound Quality

Google lists the speaker description as Full-range speaker with a 1.7 in (43.5 mm) driver and the supported audio format as MP3, AAC. One of the six owner reviews we read mentions it. That owner gave the product four or five stars. Score 84: its 4.2 star average on a 100 point scale.

84Positive

Functionality

One of the six owner reviews we read mentions it, and that owner gave the product four or five stars, so the complaints come from the wider group of buyers. None of the reviews we read say what goes wrong, so this score rests on the buyer ratings. 19% of all ratings are three stars or fewer, which is where complaints like this usually sit. Score 78: we started at 84 and took off 6 because opinion …

Read the full note (409 characters)

One of the six owner reviews we read mentions it, and that owner gave the product four or five stars, so the complaints come from the wider group of buyers. None of the reviews we read say what goes wrong, so this score rests on the buyer ratings. 19% of all ratings are three stars or fewer, which is where complaints like this usually sit. Score 78: we started at 84 and took off 6 because opinion is split.

78Mixed

Setup

None of the six owner reviews we read mention it. 19% of all ratings are three stars or fewer, which is where complaints like this usually sit. Score 78: we started at 84 and took off 6 because opinion is split.

78Mixed

Connectivity

Google lists the wireless technology as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and the connectivity technology as Bluetooth. None of the six owner reviews we read mention it. 19% of all ratings are three stars or fewer, which is where complaints like this usually sit. Score 78: we started at 84 and took off 6 because opinion is split.

78Mixed

Language Issues

One of the six owner reviews we read mentions it, and that owner gave the product four or five stars, so the complaints come from the wider group of buyers. None of the reviews we read say what goes wrong, so this score rests on the buyer ratings. 19% of all ratings are three stars or fewer, which is where complaints like this usually sit. Score 72: we started at 84 and took off 12 because it draw…

Read the full note (420 characters)

One of the six owner reviews we read mentions it, and that owner gave the product four or five stars, so the complaints come from the wider group of buyers. None of the reviews we read say what goes wrong, so this score rests on the buyer ratings. 19% of all ratings are three stars or fewer, which is where complaints like this usually sit. Score 72: we started at 84 and took off 12 because it draws mostly complaints.

72Needs Improvement

Owner Satisfaction

71% of ratings are five stars and 10% are four. 4% are three stars and 15% are one or two. A sizable share of ratings sit low, so weigh the drawbacks below as heavily as the praise. Score 84: its 4.2 star average on a 100 point scale.

84Mostly Positive

Value for Money

Two of the six owner reviews we read mention it, and those owners gave the product four or five stars, so the complaints come from the wider group of buyers. None of the reviews we read say what goes wrong, so this score rests on the buyer ratings. 19% of all ratings are three stars or fewer, which is where complaints like this usually sit. Score 78: we started at 84 and took off 6 because opinion…

Read the full note (410 characters)

Two of the six owner reviews we read mention it, and those owners gave the product four or five stars, so the complaints come from the wider group of buyers. None of the reviews we read say what goes wrong, so this score rests on the buyer ratings. 19% of all ratings are three stars or fewer, which is where complaints like this usually sit. Score 78: we started at 84 and took off 6 because opinion is split.

78Mixed

Specifications

Size and weight

Memory Storage Capacity
4 GB
Item Dimensions L x W x Thickness
4"L x 4"W x 4"Th

Materials and warranty

Color
Chalk
Warranty Description
90 Day

Other specifications

Other Special Features of the Product
Bluetooth
Compatible Devices
Nest speakers and displays, Google services (Netflix, YouTube, Google Photos), international devices/services, various G

What Buyers Say

Based on 1,153 Amazon customer ratings, averaging 4.2 out of 5, recorded 12 September 2026. See the reviews on Amazon

5 stars 71%
4 stars 10%
3 stars 4%
2 stars 3%
1 stars 12%
★★★★★

Huge upgrade from our original Google Home

No issues. Beautiful display with great sound. Our previous version had no screen so this changes the functionality of our home assistant. Unboxed, it defaulted to Chinese language (display … Read it on Amazon
Timothy Re · December 28, 2023 · Verified
★★★★★

Great tool every family should have for organization

Amazing addition to our kitchen - got about 6 months ago and there isn't a day that goes by where we don't use it. Love that I can listen to Pandora, control my TVs, watch Youtube on there w… Read it on Amazon
David Krickhan · April 17, 2026 · Verified
★★★★★

I will never be without my Google Hubs!!

I love all of my Google Nest Hubs. Ask for your favorite music and the hub will provide. Need a question answered, just ask the hub, need the time, the huddle knows. You will love them all!!
Murna Sparks · July 11, 2026 · Verified
★★★★★

Google Home Hub Used Worth the Value

Received item as advertised, no complaints. This was a replacement for the one that I had before was broken by accident. I primarily use for the photo streaming and home controls.
Bryce Wilson · July 31, 2026 · Verified
★★★★★

Additional Nest

Needed to add an additional hu to my bedroom. Easy to add to my security system and appreciate the additional options.
Jack · July 30, 2026 · Verified
★★★★★

7” Hub Display

Received this in perfect condition. Plugged it up and it came on, programmed easily. Works great.
Gary Hester · June 6, 2026 · Verified

Setting It Up

  1. Power Connection

    Plug the Hub into the wall using the included power cable and the universal adapter, and place it where you will glance at it most: a nightstand, a kitchen counter or a shelf.

  2. Check the Language

    When the screen comes on, check which language it has started in. If it isn't the one you want, follow the language instructions on the printed quick start card; one owner whose unit started in Chinese had it in English within seconds.

  3. Google Home App Pairing

    Set the Hub up from the Google Home app on your phone (Android or iOS) and connect it to your Wi-Fi network, following the on-screen prompts.

  4. Voice Match Configuration

    Let the Assistant learn your voice when prompted so it can give you your own calendar and reminders rather than someone else's in the household.

  5. Smart Home Integration

    Add your compatible lights, TVs and other smart devices in the Google Home app so you can control them from the touchscreen or by voice, and link any other Nest speakers or displays for broadcasts.

  6. Sleep Sensing and Photo Frame

    If the Hub is going by the bed, switch on Sleep Sensing in its settings; if it's in a living space, choose a Google Photos album to show when it's idle.

Common Questions

Does the Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) have a camera for video calls?

No. There is no camera, so it can't make video calls; it can make Duo audio calls and broadcast messages to other Nest devices. The lack of a camera is also why many people are comfortable putting it in a bedroom, and a switch lets you turn the microphone off as well.

Why might it start up in a different language?

The unit sold here is an international bundle, and at least one unit started in Chinese for both the screen and the voice. The printed quick start card explains how to change it, and that owner had it in English within seconds. It supports English, Spanish, French and Portuguese, and the language can be changed back and forth at any time.

Is the sound quality good enough for music and podcasts?

For podcasts, news and background music, yes; sound quality is one of the things people like most about it. It is a single full-range speaker with a 1.7-inch (43.5 mm) driver, though, so there's no stereo separation and not much bass. It also works over Bluetooth, so you can play audio from your phone through it.

Is this Nest Hub good value?

It depends on how much the screen matters to you. Over a voice-only speaker you gain a photo frame, visual timers and recipes, touch controls for your devices and Sleep Sensing. Against that, value for money gets a mixed reception, and this international version carries only a 90-day warranty, which is worth weighing if you want long-term cover.

What's included in the box, and what warranty does it carry?

The Hub comes with a power cable and a quick start guide; this global bundle is described as including a universal power adapter and an international manual too. The warranty is listed as a 90-day limited warranty.

Does it connect reliably with other Google and Nest devices?

It is designed to work with other Nest speakers and displays and with Google services like Netflix, YouTube and Google Photos, over Wi-Fi 802.11ac and Bluetooth. Most setups are straightforward, and one owner added it to a bedroom and linked it to a security system easily, but setup and connectivity aren't smooth for everyone, so allow some time for pairing.

On Video

6 videos

REVIEW: Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) Smart Display in 2024 - Still Worth It? (Smart Home Speaker)

OSReviews
All videos
  1. REVIEW: Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) Smart Display in 2024 - Still Worth It? (Smart Home Speaker) OSReviews
  2. Introducing the second-gen Nest Hub from Google Made by Google
  3. Everything the Google Nest Hub Can Do Tech With Brett
  4. EVERYTHING You Can Do With The Google Nest Hub Steve DOES
  5. The Google Nest Hub Gen 2 is awesome! #wyze #googlenesthub #petesplaceunboxing Petes Place Unboxing
  6. The Google Nest Hub is a MUST HAVE Smart Home Accessory! VanSucksAtTech

The Verdict

4.0Out of 5

The 2nd Gen Nest Hub does the smart display basics well: a 7-inch screen that is easy to read at a glance, a small speaker that sounds better than you'd expect, and tight Google Assistant and Nest integration. Leaving out the camera and adding Sleep Sensing and a Sunrise Alarm make it an unusually good bedroom device. Its screen is low resolution by tablet standards and the single speaker is no music system, but neither matters much for how most people use it. The real caveats belong to this version: it is an international bundle that may start in the wrong language, and its warranty is listed at just 90 days.

Who should buy it

  • Google Assistant households
  • Anyone who wants a smart display in the bedroom without a camera
  • People curious about sleep tracking who don't want to wear a device
  • Cooks who want timers, music and YouTube on the counter, controlled by voice
  • Owners of other Nest speakers who want broadcasts and room-to-room chat

A privacy-friendly, glanceable Google Assistant screen that is at its best by the bed or in the kitchen. Buy it knowing you may need to change the language on first boot and that the warranty cover here is short.

Check price on Amazon

More Reviews

Fosmon 4.3

Fosmon 24 Hour Programmable Digital Timer Outlet (2 Pack), ON/Off Progra…

 PHILIPS 4.1

Philips Wi-Fi Smart Deadbolt Lock, Keyless Entry Door Locks for Front Do…

 ULTRALOQ 4.0

ULTRALOQ U-Bolt Smart Lock, 5-in-1 Keyless Entry Door Lock Review