Design & Construction

Smart speakers here, smart speakers there. Some cost less, some cost more. But you can never seem to decide for yourselves a perfect one since you haven't had any experience with smart products. Well, Google has an answer for you. Meet the Google Home Mini. Built to be compact, the Home Mini is a speaker that not only listens to your commands but also plays music. From the first look, there isn't any visible buttons. That's not true; once you plug in the speaker (yes, this speaker needs constant power unfortunately) it will power on. On the bright side, the speaker does work on a 5V standard power bank if you ever need to take it somewhere. Tapping on the left side allows you to decrease volume and right to increase volume. Underneath, you will find a circular rubber pad that keeps it from moving about. On top, the speaker has 4 LED indicators and is covered with a tough fabric. And at the rear, there is a Micro-USB port for power input and a microphone on/off switch, in case you need a bit of privacy.

Sound Quality

The sound reproduction of the Home Mini is decent. At 60% volume, it can fill a medium-sized room. The bass response is not too bad for a speaker this size. Mids have clarity and highs are bright and forward but are not too piercing sharp to listen to. The soundstage is quite shallow, and the instrument separation isn't too good either but that is typical because of its size.

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Connectivity & Portability

The Home Mini specifications include Bluetooth connectivity and of course, smart Assistant support for smart home products like Chromecast, Philips Hue lighting and many others. Got a question about something you want to know or be notified of the weather, just ask. It’s that simple and just seem to work flawlessly. Whether it’s being commanded to stream music from Spotify or play movies from Netflix, I have experienced a high 95% of correct recognition.  Using Google Home App, which is available for download on the App Store and Play Store, was a breeze. The app recognises the speaker every time and allows users to view and select songs, switch up the volume and connect new smart products. Inside the box, you will also find a power brick that has a Micro-USB cable for powering the speaker. The speaker comes in four different colours to fit your varied interior furnishings. 

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PROS

• Durable construction

• Simplistic design and style

• Balanced Sound Signature

• 360° Sound

• Bluetooth Enabled

• A Range of Colours

• App Support

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CONS​​

• Requires DC Power

• No 3,5mm audio-in port

• Not Splash-proof

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The Bottom Line

The Google Home Mini is the ultimate first-step go-to smart speaker that one can buy without spending a fortune or if you are just starting out in building your own smart home. With a far-field voice recognition microphones, bright and boomy sound signature and durable build, it complements your desk setup or acts as a bedside table addition. A range of colours will also suit every type and gender of users.