Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) and the Best Smart Displays for UK Buyers in 2026
The Google Home Hub is now the Nest Hub (2nd Gen): specs, Ambient EQ, Thread and Matter support, and how it compares with Echo Show smart displays.
Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) and the Best Smart Displays for UK Buyers in 2026
A smart display sitting on the kitchen counter or bedside table can genuinely change how you interact with your home — surfacing calendars at a glance, controlling lights without reaching for a phone, and acting as a always-on photo frame. If you have ever searched for a “google home hub,” it is worth knowing that this name refers to the original 2018 device. Google rebranded it as the Google Nest Hub in 2019, and the current model on sale in the UK is the Nest Hub (2nd Gen). Many buyers still use the old name or seek first-generation setup help, so this guide clarifies the differences throughout.
Below is a full breakdown of the Nest Hub (2nd Gen) hardware, software, and smart-home capabilities, alongside its closest competitors — the Nest Hub Max, the Nest Audio, the Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen), and the Echo Show 5 — with UK pricing, retailer availability, and honest caveats for each.
Quick Picks
| Product | Best For | Typical UK Price |
|---|---|---|
| Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) | All-round smart display; Google Photos and Workspace integration | Around £79–£90 |
| Google Nest Hub Max | Larger display, built-in camera, and video calling | Around £179–£199 |
| Google Nest Audio | Music-first households wanting better sound than a display offers | Around £80–£90 |
| Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) | Sharper screen and stronger Matter/Thread routing in the Alexa ecosystem | Price varies — check current Amazon UK pricing |
| Amazon Echo Show 5 | Budget entry into smart displays with Alexa | Price varies — check current Amazon UK pricing |
How to Choose a Google Smart Display in 2026
Naming and Generation Matters
The original Google Home Hub launched in 2018 with a 36mm speaker driver, no Soli radar chip, and no Thread border router. It was rebranded to the Google Nest Hub in 2019. The Nest Hub (2nd Gen) arrived later with meaningful hardware upgrades — a larger 43.5mm driver, a Soli radar chip for contactless sleep tracking and gesture controls, and a 2.4 GHz Thread border router supporting Matter. If you are buying second-hand or seeking help with an existing device, confirming which generation you have is the first step, as the two generations differ significantly in capability.
Display Resolution and Size
Screen size and pixel density determine how comfortably you can read text and view photos. The Nest Hub (2nd Gen) has a 7-inch display at 1024 × 600 pixels and 170 PPI (pixels per inch) — adequate for weather, calendars, and smart-home controls, but not as sharp as competitors like the Echo Show 8, which offers 1280 × 800 pixels on a larger 8-inch panel. If display sharpness is a priority, this is the Nest Hub’s clearest weakness.
Ambient EQ
Google’s Ambient EQ technology uses light sensors to automatically adjust both the brightness and colour temperature of the display to match the room’s ambient lighting. During the day the screen stays bright and readable; at night it dims to a warm, amber glow that is far less disruptive to sleep than a standard backlit panel. This matters most for bedside use, where a harsh blue-white screen can interfere with winding down.
Speaker Quality
Smart displays are not primarily music speakers, but audio quality still matters for podcasts, radio, and casual listening. The Nest Hub (2nd Gen) uses a 43.5mm full-range driver paired with a passive radiator — a meaningful upgrade over the first generation’s 36mm driver. A passive radiator is an unpowered diaphragm that moves in response to air pressure from the main driver, reinforcing low-frequency output without needing a larger enclosure. RTINGS.com notes that this improves low-frequency extension compared to the first generation, though there is no true sub-bass. If music is your priority, a dedicated speaker like the Nest Audio is the better route.
Smart Home Connectivity: Thread and Matter
Thread is a low-power, mesh-networking protocol designed for smart-home devices; a Thread border router bridges that mesh network to your Wi-Fi, allowing Thread devices to communicate with the wider internet and other networks. Matter is a unified smart-home standard that lets devices from different manufacturers work together regardless of ecosystem. The Nest Hub (2nd Gen) includes a 2.4 GHz Thread border router and supports Matter, meaning it can act as a connectivity hub for compatible smart-home devices without requiring a separate bridge or hub.
Soli Radar and Sleep Sensing
The Soli radar chip is exclusive to the Nest Hub (2nd Gen) among Google’s smart displays. It enables two features: contactless sleep tracking via Google’s Sleep Sensing subscription, and Quick Gestures (waving your hand to snooze an alarm or pause media). Sleep Sensing uses radar to detect movement and breathing patterns during the night, then provides sleep insights. According to consensus on Reddit’s r/googlehome, the sleep data is broadly accurate, though privacy-conscious users frequently disable the feature via device settings. Google’s official Sleep Sensing feature page remains the authoritative source for current subscription details and availability.
Gemini Voice Integration
As of early 2026, Google’s rollout of Gemini voice integration on the Nest Hub (2nd Gen) remains partial and opt-in, with full voice parity not yet confirmed. Coverage from 9to5Google and The Verge has tracked the Gemini-to-Nest rollout timeline, and it is clear that the transition is ongoing. Google Assistant remains the primary voice interface for most UK units. It would be inaccurate to claim that “Gemini for Home is built-in” as a default, fully featured experience.
Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen)
Best For
UK buyers who want an all-round smart display for the kitchen or bedside table, with deep Google Photos, Google Calendar, and Google Workspace integration, plus built-in Thread/Matter smart-home hub capability.
Key Specs and What’s Included
- Display: 7-inch touchscreen at 1024 × 600 pixels, 170 PPI, with Ambient EQ light-and-colour adaptation
- Speaker: 43.5mm full-range driver plus a passive radiator (upgraded from the 36mm driver in the 1st Gen Google Home Hub, which had no passive radiator)
- Connectivity: Dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n/ac (Wi-Fi 5) and Bluetooth 5.1 — notably not Wi-Fi 6 or Bluetooth 5.4
- Soli radar chip: Enables contactless sleep tracking (via Sleep Sensing subscription) and Quick Gestures (wave to snooze or pause)
- Thread border router: 2.4 GHz Thread, with Matter support for cross-brand smart-home device compatibility
- No camera: Unlike the Nest Hub Max, the standard Nest Hub has no camera, so no video calling and no security-camera functionality
- Voice assistant: Google Assistant as primary; Gemini integration partial and opt-in as of early 2026
Standout Strength
The combination of Google Photos as an ambient display, Google Calendar and Workspace integration, and the built-in Thread border router makes this the most cohesive smart display for households already invested in Google’s ecosystem. The Ambient EQ screen adaptation is also genuinely excellent for bedside use, dimming to a sleep-friendly amber tone automatically.
Honest Caveat
The 1024 × 600 pixel display is the Nest Hub’s clearest weakness. Competitors like the Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) offer 1280 × 800 pixels on a larger 8-inch screen, making text and images noticeably sharper. If display quality is your top priority, the Nest Hub falls short.
Where to Buy
Typically around £79–£90 at Currys, Argos, John Lewis, and Amazon UK. The Aqua colourway has historically seen UK stock shortages at Argos and John Lewis — if you want that specific finish, check availability before travelling to a store.
Verdict
The best all-round smart display for Google-ecosystem households in 2026, provided you can accept a lower-resolution screen than its closest Amazon rival.
Google Nest Hub Max
Best For
Households that want a larger screen for the kitchen or living room, plus a built-in camera for video calling and home monitoring.
Key Specs and What’s Included
- Display: Larger than the standard Nest Hub (10-inch class), suitable for watching video content and viewing recipes at a distance
- Camera: 6.5MP sensor with a 127° field of view — this is the key differentiator from the standard Nest Hub, which has no camera at all
- Video calling: The camera enables Google Meet (and previously Duo) video calls, a feature entirely unavailable on the camera-less standard Nest Hub
- Nest Cam functionality: The camera can act as a home security camera when you are away, sending alerts to your phone
- Smart-home hub: Like the standard Nest Hub, it integrates with Google Home for device control
- Voice assistant: Google Assistant as primary
Standout Strength
The built-in 6.5MP, 127° FOV camera transforms the device from a passive display into an active communication and security tool. Video calling and Nest Cam monitoring in one device is genuinely useful for family households.
Honest Caveat
At typically around £179–£199, it is more than double the price of the standard Nest Hub. If you do not specifically need the camera for video calls or security monitoring, the premium is hard to justify.
Where to Buy
Typically around £179–£199 at Currys, Argos, John Lewis, and Amazon UK.
Verdict
The right choice if video calling and home monitoring matter to you — otherwise, the standard Nest Hub covers most needs at half the price.
Google Nest Audio
Best For
Music-first households that want Google Assistant voice control but do not need a screen at all, and prioritise sound quality over visual feedback.
Key Specs and What’s Included
- Design: A screenless, fabric-wrapped smart speaker designed purely for audio output and voice interaction
- Voice assistant: Google Assistant, same as the Nest Hub range
- Smart-home control: Full Google Home integration for controlling compatible devices by voice
- No display, no camera, no Soli chip: This is a speaker, not a smart display — it omits everything visual
Standout Strength
By removing the screen and its associated costs, the Nest Audio focuses its entire budget on audio performance. For households where music listening matters more than visual feedback, this is the more appropriate Google device.
Honest Caveat
No screen means no visual feedback for weather, calendars, photos, or smart-home dashboards. If you have grown accustomed to glancing at a display for information, the step down to voice-only interaction can feel limiting.
Where to Buy
Typically around £80–£90 at Currys, Argos, John Lewis, and Amazon UK — roughly the same price as the Nest Hub (2nd Gen), making the choice between them a genuine screen-versus-sound trade-off.
Verdict
Choose this over the Nest Hub only if you are certain you do not want a screen — at a similar price point, most buyers benefit from the visual feedback the Nest Hub provides.
Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen)
Best For
Buyers who prioritise display sharpness and robust smart-home protocol support, and who are already in (or open to) the Alexa ecosystem rather than Google Assistant.
Key Specs and What’s Included
- Display: 8-inch touchscreen at 1280 × 800 pixels — both larger and sharper than the Nest Hub’s 7-inch, 1024 × 600 panel
- Voice assistant: Alexa, not Google Assistant — this is a fundamental ecosystem difference
- Smart-home protocols: Community discussions on Reddit’s r/smarthome consistently note that Echo devices offer more robust Matter and Thread border routing than Google’s equivalents
- Video calling: The Echo Show 8 includes a camera, enabling video calls through Alexa’s communication features
- Ecosystem: Amazon’s ecosystem, including Amazon Music, Prime Video, and Alexa skills
Standout Strength
The 1280 × 800 pixel display on an 8-inch screen is the clearest hardware advantage over the Nest Hub. Text is sharper, images are crisper, and the extra inch of screen real estate makes a practical difference when viewing recipes or smart-home dashboards. The community-noted strength of its Matter and Thread border routing also gives it an edge for smart-home enthusiasts.
Honest Caveat
It runs on Alexa, not Google Assistant. If your household relies on Google Calendar, Google Photos, or Google Workspace, the Echo Show cannot match the Nest Hub’s integration with those services. The ecosystem choice is the deciding factor here, not just hardware.
Where to Buy
Available through Amazon UK and other major UK electrical retailers. Pricing varies — check current Amazon UK listings for the latest figures.
Verdict
The Nest Hub’s most serious competitor — it wins on screen resolution and smart-home protocol robustness, but loses on Google ecosystem integration.
Amazon Echo Show 5
Best For
Budget-conscious buyers who want a basic smart display for a bedside table or small space, and are comfortable with the Alexa ecosystem.
Key Specs and What’s Included
- Display: Smaller than both the Nest Hub and the Echo Show 8 — a compact screen designed for tight spaces
- Voice assistant: Alexa, same as the Echo Show 8
- Ecosystem: Amazon’s Alexa ecosystem, including smart-home device control, timers, and music streaming
- Form factor: Small enough for a bedside table or desk where a larger display would be intrusive
Standout Strength
As the budget entry point in Amazon’s smart-display lineup, the Echo Show 5 offers the core smart-display experience — voice control, visual feedback, timers, and smart-home dashboards — at a lower price than either the Echo Show 8 or the Nest Hub.
Honest Caveat
The smaller display is significantly less useful for viewing recipes, photos, or video content compared to the 7-inch or 8-inch screens on the Nest Hub and Echo Show 8. It is best understood as a voice-first device with a small visual bonus, not a primary screen.
Where to Buy
Available through Amazon UK and other major UK electrical retailers. Pricing varies — check current Amazon UK listings for the latest figures.
Verdict
A reasonable budget pick for Alexa households, but the small screen limits its usefulness as a true smart display.
UK Practical Notes
Retailer Availability and Pricing
The Nest Hub (2nd Gen), Nest Hub Max, and Nest Audio are widely stocked at Currys, Argos, John Lewis, and Amazon UK. Prices typically sit around £79–£90 for the Nest Hub (2nd Gen), around £179–£199 for the Nest Hub Max, and around £80–£90 for the Nest Audio. The Aqua colourway of the Nest Hub (2nd Gen) has historically experienced stock shortages at Argos and John Lewis specifically — if that finish matters to you, verify stock online before making a trip.
Gemini Rollout Status
As of early 2026, the rollout of Gemini voice integration on the Nest Hub (2nd Gen) is partial and opt-in. Full voice parity with Google Assistant has not been confirmed. According to coverage from 9to5Google and The Verge, the timeline for a complete transition remains unclear. Google Assistant is still the primary voice interface for most UK Nest Hub units, and buyers should not assume Gemini is fully built-in as a default experience.
Privacy and the Soli Chip
The Soli radar chip on the Nest Hub (2nd Gen) is always physically present, but its sleep-tracking functionality can be disabled in device settings. Reddit’s r/googlehome community reports that privacy-conscious users routinely turn this feature off. Google’s official Sleep Sensing feature page provides current details on what data is collected and how it is used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Google Home Hub the same as the Google Nest Hub?
Yes — the original device launched in 2018 as the “Google Home Hub” and was rebranded to “Google Nest Hub” in 2019. The current model on sale is the Nest Hub (2nd Gen), which differs from the first generation by adding a larger 43.5mm driver, a Soli radar chip, and a 2.4 GHz Thread border router. If you see “Google Home Hub” for sale second-hand, it is the 2018 first-generation device.
Does the Nest Hub (2nd Gen) have a camera?
No. The standard Nest Hub has no camera, which means it cannot be used for video calling or as a security camera. The Nest Hub Max does include a 6.5MP camera with a 127° field of view for both video calling and Nest Cam home monitoring. If a camera is essential, the Max is the only option in Google’s smart-display range.
Is Gemini available on the Nest Hub (2nd Gen)?
As of early 2026, Gemini voice integration on the Nest Hub (2nd Gen) is partial and opt-in, with full voice parity not yet confirmed. Coverage from 9to5Google and The Verge indicates the rollout is ongoing. Google Assistant remains the primary voice interface for most UK units, so buyers should not expect a fully Gemini-powered experience out of the box.
Can the Nest Hub (2nd Gen) control Matter and Thread smart-home devices?
Yes. The Nest Hub (2nd Gen) includes a 2.4 GHz Thread border router and supports Matter, the cross-brand smart-home standard. This means it can act as a bridge for compatible Thread and Matter devices without requiring a separate hub. However, community discussions on Reddit’s r/smarthome suggest that Amazon’s Echo devices currently offer more robust Matter and Thread border routing in practice.
How does the Nest Hub’s display compare to the Amazon Echo Show 8?
The Nest Hub has a 7-inch display at 1024 × 600 pixels (170 PPI), while the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) has an 8-inch display at 1280 × 800 pixels. The Echo Show 8’s screen is both larger and sharper, making it the better choice if display quality is a priority. The Nest Hub’s advantages lie elsewhere — specifically in Google Photos integration, Google Calendar, and Google Workspace connectivity.
Should I buy the Nest Hub or the Nest Audio if I mainly want to listen to music?
If music is your primary use case and you do not need a screen, the Nest Audio (typically around £80–£90) is the better choice. It dedicates its entire design to audio output rather than splitting the budget between a screen and a speaker. However, at a similar price point, most buyers benefit from the visual feedback the Nest Hub provides for weather, calendars, and smart-home controls.
Does the Nest Hub (2nd Gen) support Wi-Fi 6?
No. The Nest Hub (2nd Gen) supports dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n/ac, which is Wi-Fi 5. It does not support Wi-Fi 6. Bluetooth is version 5.1, not the newer 5.4. If your home network is built around Wi-Fi 6 or you need the latest Bluetooth version, the Nest Hub will not take advantage of those standards.
