Today we look at the Google Home Mini, my first Smart Speaker that I have reviewed. I am pretty sure you have heard the saying “Ok Google” and wondered why that guy walking past was talking to his phone. Or you heard a girl running past saying “Hey Siri” call dad. When you hear one of these commands, you are actually witnessing someone interact with the virtual assistant on their phones. The cool thing is, you can get virtual assistants that are always in your home, ready to assist you at the drop of a command in the form of a Smart Speaker!
I was sent a Smart Speaker to review from Smart Speakers, a website which sells all kinds of Smart Speakers. They suggested I take a look at the Google Home Mini to try out and review. I have actually always wanted one but wasn’t sure if I really needed one at home. Let’s find out if I have changed my mind!
What is it:
The Google Home Mini is a small speaker that makes use of Google’s “Google Assistant” to answer questions, tell you the weather, read your notifications, play songs and even turn on your lights or TV if they are smart. You interact with the speaker using your voice.
The Design:
The Google Home Mini comes in a compact form factor, compared to others in the market such as the Google Home, which is larger. The top has a really soft to the touch fabric. This surface is conducive to your touch in a few areas. To pause/resume a song, you simply tap the top of the speaker. You can also tap the speaker on the left/right to decrease/increase the volume. Through the fabric on the top, you can see 4 lights which let you know that your action has been heard as they illuminate.
The bottom half is made of matte plastic. There is a Micro USB port which is how the Home Mini gets its power and a switch to turn the microphone on/off, so you know you aren’t being listened to. The underneath has a rubber pad, to keep the speaker in place and also not damage your surface.
The Setup:
Setting up the Google Home Mini is actually really simple. After the device has been unboxed, you simply plug in the Micro USB cable to either a USB port or wherever you can charge with a cable and the device powers on. Then on your phone, you download the Google Home App which will find and connect to the speaker. Once connected you can use the Google Home Mini as a Bluetooth speaker by choosing the device as your sound output. Or, you can easily set up the Home Mini to stream music from Spotify or Google Music. This is really easy to do in the Home app.
How to use:
Ok, so you have your Google Home Mini smart speaker setup but how do you actually get to see how smart it really is? Remember the commands I mentioned above? Well, this is where you get to use them. Simply say “Ok Google” or “Hey Google” and then add in a command such as: Play me a song by Drake or What is the weather like in Cape Town today? If you give access to your personal information, you can even ask the Home Mini if you have any notifications, emails or events on. You can also use the device to make calls. You can be up to 3 metres away and the microphone will still be able to hear you. Nifty!
Does it sound good:
Considering its size, the Google Home Mini produces decent sound. When it comes to voices, they are crisp and clear. Sounds such as beats and instruments sound pretty decent too. You can’t expect a small speaker to replace your entire audio setup but if you combine the Home Mini with more Bluetooth speakers, you can create a really nice setup, that is smart!
What is in the box:
In the box, you get everything you need to get going. Besides the Google Home Mini, you get a quick start guide/setup guide, a charging cable and an adapter (since the plug is for overseas).
What is the damage:
The Google Home Mini will only set you back R809. For a smart Bluetooth speaker that can do so much more than just playing music, this is a bargain.
What is the Verdict:
The Google Home Mini is the perfect Smart Speaker for those looking to get into the Smart Speaker game. You are getting a speaker that is half the size and price of the Google Home, with all of the same functionalities. The Home Mini is easy to set up and use, even for those that aren’t so technical. The sound is enjoyable and certainly performs well for its size. You can connect multiple Home Minis together for an audio experience around the home. For only R809 on smartspeaker.co.za, you can’t go wrong. I certainly am happy that I got to try one out (and keep it). I have already been using it on a daily basis! So yes, I wish I would have gotten one sooner 🙂
