Are you a music lover who wants to play music throughout your house? Consider smart speakers for their portability and unique features compared to larger stereos.
Two popular smart speakers to choose from are the Google Nest Audio and Sonos One. Both speakers have excellent reputations, ensuring long-lasting performance. Let’s compare the Google Nest Audio and Sonos One to determine the best option for you.
| Google Nest Audio | Sonos One (2nd Gen) |
| PROS | PROS |
| It has Google digital assistant. It is lightweight. It has Bluetooth. | It has airplay. It has both Amazon Alexa and Google digital assistant. It projects a powerful sound. It supports both wireless and Ethernet internet connection. |
| CONS | CONS |
| Its sound isn’t filling. It is only meant for room usage as it lacks a battery. | It doesn’t have Bluetooth. It doesn’t have a battery. It doesn’t support audio input or output connection. |
| CHECK AMAZON | CHECK AMAZON |
| Specifications | Google Nest Audio | Sonos One Gen 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Nest Audio – Smart Speake | One (Gen 2) Smart Speaker with Voice Control built-in |
| Brand | Sonos | |
| Built-In Speakers | Yes | Yes |
| Featured Streaming Services | YouTube, Spotify, SIRIUS, Pandora | Apple Music, Pandora, Spotify, YouTube |
| Number of Microphones | 3 | |
| Works With | Google Assistant, Nest, Hue | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
| Search Engine Used | ||
| Streaming Media Player(s) Supported | Chromecast | |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year |
INTRODUCTION
The Google Nest Audio smart speaker offers various control options. You can use the tap interface on the top of the speaker to adjust volume and control playback. It also features a physical mute button. With the built-in Google digital assistant, you can control the speaker with your voice from anywhere in the room. The smart speaker includes multiple microphones to capture voice commands from different angles.
It can connect to wireless internet, allowing you to stream music from various online platforms using voice commands. Enjoy unlimited entertainment from platforms such as Deezer, Spotify, Pandora, and Google Play Music.
Additionally, the Google Nest Audio smart speaker supports Bluetooth connectivity, enabling you to play music from other Bluetooth-enabled devices like smartphones. You can also use it for multi-room sharing, playing the same music in different rooms.
Please note that this smart speaker requires a power source and does not have a built-in battery. It comes with a long power cord that allows flexibility in different rooms. The Google Nest Audio is available in different colors, allowing you to choose one that matches your surroundings.
Moving on to the Sonos One smart speaker, it can connect to the internet wirelessly or through a wired connection using the Ethernet port. Stream music from platforms like Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music, and TuneIn. You can also enjoy multi-room sharing for a stereo-like sound experience.
The Sonos One smart speaker supports both Amazon Alexa and Google digital assistants. Built-in microphones ensure your voice commands are heard and executed promptly.
Similar to the Google Nest Audio, the Sonos One does not have a built-in battery and requires a power source. Its power cord is long enough for flexible placement away from the socket. The Sonos One (2nd Gen) also features AirPlay compatibility, allowing direct music playback from paired Apple devices like iPhones, iPads, and iPods.
Like its counterpart, the Sonos One is available in various colors, giving you options to suit your preference. It can also be connected to other speakers through multi-room sharing.
DESIGN
The Google Nest Audio speaker features a rectangular shape resembling a bar of soap. It is covered in fabric on both sides, with various color options available such as light green, black, light blue, pink, and white. When placed horizontally on surfaces, the Google Nest Audio speaker remains stable.
At the back of the speaker, you’ll find a mute button that allows you to control the selected voice assistant for privacy purposes. The power adapter is also located at the back, eliminating the need to reposition the speaker when connecting it to power.
An interesting feature of the Google Nest Audio speaker is its touch-sensitive top panel. This panel enables you to play or pause music, and you can adjust the volume by tapping on the sides of the speaker. Additionally, there are four LED lights on top of the speaker, indicating when either Amazon Alexa or the Google digital assistant is actively listening for voice commands.
On the other hand, the Sonos One (2nd Gen) smart speaker has a square cylindrical shape that provides stability when placed horizontally on surfaces. It is available in two color options: black or white. The speaker’s sides are protected by sturdy grilles, safeguarding it from damage in case of a fall.
Similar to the Google Nest Audio, the Sonos One (2nd Gen) smart speaker features a touch-sensitive panel on top. Tapping on the sides of the speaker allows you to adjust the volume, while the center part of the top panel serves as the pause/play button. Swiping your finger on the right side of the top panel enables you to skip to the next song. Additionally, there is a microphone mute button on top for disabling the voice assistant’s listening capabilities.
LED lights on the Sonos One (2nd Gen) speaker also indicate when Amazon Alexa or the Google digital assistant is actively awaiting voice commands. At the back of the speaker, you will find the power adapter and Ethernet port.
Please note that the above information has been modified to remove repeated details from the previous response.
AUDIO
The Google Nest Audio smart speaker is equipped with built-in microphones that enable the Google digital assistant to receive voice commands from various locations within the room. It supports multiple audio formats, including FLAC, MP3, ALAC, WAV, AIFF, and OGG Vorbis, allowing for versatile music playback.
Featuring a 75mm cone mid-woofer and a 19mm textile dome tweeter, the Google Nest Audio speaker enhances overall sound quality. The dome tweeter incorporates a Class D amplifier that activates automatically when the speaker is connected to a power source. The mid-woofer contributes to the bass projection during music playback.
Moreover, the Google Nest Audio speaker includes a DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) capable of playing audio songs with a 24-bit resolution. The DAC operates at a sampling rate of 48 kHz for music playback. Additionally, when used as part of a multi-room sharing setup, the Google Nest Audio can achieve stereo-like sound projection.
The Sonos One (2nd Gen) smart speaker also supports various audio formats, offering a wide range of song options. Supported formats include Apple Lossless, WMA, AIFF, MP3, OGG Vorbis, WAV, AAC, and FLAC. The speaker features an amplifier that enhances the sound quality during music playback.
With six microphones, the Sonos One (2nd Gen) speaker can effectively capture voice commands when using either the Google digital assistant or Amazon Alexa. These microphones enable the selected voice assistant to receive commands from different areas of the room. The speaker also includes a mid-range driver with two Class D amplifiers and a woofer. Its frequency range spans from 250 Hz to 2,000 Hz.
Furthermore, the Sonos One (2nd Gen) smart speaker utilizes Bi-Amping technology, which improves the sound projection quality for an enhanced audio experience.
BATTERY
The Google Nest Audio smart speaker requires a constant connection to a power socket as it does not have a built-in battery. The power cord provided with the speaker has a length of 6 feet, allowing for flexible placement on various surfaces in different rooms.
Regarding power specifications, the input voltage for the Google Nest Audio speaker is 100-240V at a frequency of 50/60 Hz. The power cord’s output voltage is 16.5V with a current of 2.5A. It is worth noting that the power cord is designed to be rigid and not easily bent.
Similarly, the Sonos One (2nd Gen) smart speaker also needs to be connected to a power socket for operation, as it does not include a built-in battery. The power cord accompanying the speaker is 2 meters long, providing convenience in using the speaker in different rooms and with sockets that are not in close proximity to surfaces.
In terms of power specifications, the Sonos One (2nd Gen) speaker supports an input voltage of 120-230V at a frequency of 50/60 Hz. The power cord is constructed with durable outer material, ensuring long-lasting usage.
CONNECTION
The Google Nest Audio smart speaker is equipped with Bluetooth version 5, allowing it to pair with other Bluetooth-enabled devices. Bluetooth version 5 offers fast data transfer and connection speeds, estimated to be around 2 Mbps. For a smooth and effortless connection, it is recommended to keep your device in close proximity to the Google Nest Audio speaker.
Additionally, the Google Nest Audio speaker can connect to a wireless internet connection, enabling you to stream music from various online platforms such as Google Play Music, Deezer, Spotify, Pandora, and TuneIn. To ensure an enjoyable music streaming experience, it is advisable to have a strong and stable internet connection.
On the other hand, the Sonos One (2nd Gen) smart speaker features AirPlay, allowing you to connect it with Apple products such as iPhone, iPad, and iPod. This enables direct music playback from any paired Apple device. However, the Sonos One speaker does not have Bluetooth capability, meaning it cannot connect to devices that rely solely on Bluetooth.
Moreover, the Sonos One (2nd Gen) smart speaker can be connected to both wired and wireless internet connections. This enables you to stream audio music from various online platforms using either Amazon Alexa or the Google digital assistant. Supported platforms include Amazon Music, Google Play Music, Spotify, Pandora, Deezer, and iHeartRadio.
WEIGHT
The Google Nest Audio smart speaker has a weight of 2.9 lbs, making it lightweight and convenient to carry both inside and outside the house. It has a diameter of 3.5 inches, a height of 7 inches, and a width of 5 inches, providing a compact and user-friendly design.
In comparison, the Sonos One (2nd Gen) smart speaker weighs 1.78 kilograms, offering easy handling and portability. It has a width of 4.7 inches, a height of 6.5 inches, and a diameter of 4.75 inches, contributing to its compact and space-efficient dimensions.
CONTROL
The Google Nest Audio smart speaker can be conveniently controlled through the use of Google digital assistant. This feature allows users to operate the speaker without the need for physical touch. The built-in microphones are designed to capture clear voice commands for the Google digital assistant, ensuring instant execution of commands.
Additionally, the Google Nest Audio speaker features a touch-sensitive panel at the top, as well as a physical microphone mute button. These physical controls can be used to manage and manipulate the speaker’s functions.
On the other hand, the Sonos One smart speaker provides control options through the Sonos application. The application is compatible with both iOS and Android operating systems, offering a user-friendly interface for easy control and management of the speaker.
Furthermore, the Sonos One speaker supports voice control through either Amazon Alexa or Google digital assistant. These voice assistants allow for convenient control of the speaker from anywhere in the room.
Moreover, the Sonos One application also features a touch interface on its top, providing physical control options for users. The interface is designed to be intuitive and straightforward to use.
MOBILE USAGE
Google Nest audio smart speaker can be connected to mobile phones through Bluetooth. You will be in a position to make phone calls and send text messages to only contacts saved in your contact list.
Sonos one smart speaker doesn’t support calls or text messages to contacts saved on the phone paired through Airplay.
VERDICT
Sonos one (2nd Gen) smart speaker is more powerful when compared to Google Nest audio. This is applies to sound quality and various features to choose from. Choose Sonos one (2nd Gen) speaker and enjoy playing music.
James Smith has always been intrigued by electronic products since his childhood. After his post graduation in electronics from a popular university, he decided to pursue a career in the electronics sector. But his calling for writing about these marvellous pieces of work got the better of him. That is how UBG was started. With a writing career spanning more than 12 years, James has worked on several hundred product reviews. During his free time, he like to spend time with his pet dog and relax in the swimming pool.