Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen)
By Ethan Halfhide · Updated
The Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) is a 7 inch smart display that controls compatible smart home devices, streams media, and includes Soli based Sleep Sensing. It is still sold directly by Google at $99.99. Core smart home control and sleep tracking are free, while advanced alerts for sounds like smoke alarms need a Google Home Premium subscription. Good fit for a bedside hub or a basic home dashboard.
Bedside smart display with radar sleep tracking and hands-free Google Assistant.
Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen)Specs and price last verified September 27, 2026
Specifications
- Price
- $99.99
- Device type
- Smart Display
- Ecosystems
- Google Home, Matter
- Rooms
- Bedroom, Kitchen, Home Office
- Connectivity
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Thread, Matter
- Hub required
- No
- Rental friendly
- Yes
- Matter certified
- Yes
- Installation
- Plug and play
- Energy Star
- No
- Local control
- No
- Voice control
- Yes
About
The Nest Hub 2nd Gen earns its place on your nightstand through Soli radar sleep sensing, a chip that tracks breathing and movement while you sleep without a camera or wearable, then surfaces sleep quality reports in the Google Home app each morning. Genuinely useful data, no subscription required.
The 7-inch display shows Google Photos in ambient mode, streams YouTube and Netflix, and controls any device in your Google Home ecosystem from a unified dashboard. The speaker is loud enough for alarms, podcasts, and ambient bedroom playback. Sunrise alarms gradually brighten the screen before your set time to ease waking.
It doubles as a Google Home hub for Thread and Bluetooth devices. No camera means no video calling, that's the Nest Hub Max, which is actually the right tradeoff for a bedroom device most people would rather not have watching them sleep.
Setup and compatibility notes
Set up through the Google Home app on iOS or Android. Works over Wi-Fi and does not require a separate smart home hub for basic device control, since it relies on cloud and local integrations per device. Sleep Sensing is included at setup, but detecting specific sounds such as glass breaking or smoke alarms requires an optional Google Home Premium subscription.
Pros
- +Soli radar sleep tracking with no camera, wearable, or subscription needed
- +Sunrise alarm gradually brightens display to ease morning waking
- +Acts as a Google Home hub for Thread and Bluetooth devices
- +Compact 7-inch form factor designed for nightstands and kitchen counters
Cons
- −No camera, cannot make or receive video calls from the display
- −Speaker is adequate for ambient sound but underwhelming for serious music listening
FAQ
- Does the Nest Hub 2nd Gen need a subscription?
- No subscription is required for basic use. An optional Google Home Premium subscription unlocks extra Sleep Sensing insights and sound alerts like glass breaking or smoke alarms.
- Does it support Matter?
- Google's product page lists Matter compatibility for connecting smart home devices.
- Is the Nest Hub 2nd Gen still available to buy?
- Yes, it is actively listed for sale on the Google Store at $99.99.
- Does it have a camera?
- No, the Nest Hub 2nd Gen does not include a camera; it uses radar based Soli sensing for Sleep Sensing instead.
About the author
Ethan Halfhide: Ethan Halfhide is a smart home enthusiast and AI technologist who follows the connected home market closely, from smart locks and security cameras to robot vacuums, lighting, sensors and hubs. He curates HomeGearLab's device directory, comparing products on published specs, compatibility, setup requirements and price so readers can pick gear that fits their home and works together.