GOOGLE ASSISTANT

NEST HUB VS. NEST HUB (2ND GEN)

By Damien Wilde

April 8 2021

FAMILIAR DESIGN

02.

The Google Nest Hub is basically a (lowish-resolution) display fixed at an angle atop a fabric-covered speaker — that acts as a base. This design formula is exactly the same for the original Nest Hub and the 2nd Gen. However, there are a few quality of life improvements that make sense if you have ever used the original.

SAME DISPLAY

03.

The LCD panel is practically the same with some notable extra tweaks that enhance usability. It’s still below 720p at 1,024 by 600 pixels, but unlike a tablet or smartphone, the distances that you view from mean that it should be crisp enough for viewing most things.

USABILITY BOOSTS

05.

One of the most notable changes is the removal of a lip or protruding outer bezel on the Nest Hub 2nd Gen. This is a bonus twofold, as it makes swipes from the edges a little easier, plus it has the added bonus of not collecting dust, dirt, and grime in the tiny gap.

SLEEP TRACKING

05.

While the Soli radar chip may never return on a Pixel phone, Google has slapped the radar tech into the new Nest Thermostat and now the new Nest Hub.

SHOULD YOU UPGRADE?

07.

If you already have the original Nest Hub, unless you really want touchless controls and sleep tracking, stick with what you have. The upgrades are fairly minimal but if you want to add sleep tracking to the arsenal of your favorite smart home hub, then the Nest Hub 2nd Gen is a prime candidate.