Google Nest Audio
$99.99Cheaper
Released 2020-10
Best Smart Speakers · head-to-head
Google Nest Audio vs Bose Home Speaker 500
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Google Nest Audio is cheaper at $99.99. Every spec and price links to its source.
Bose
Bose Home Speaker 500
$379
Released 2018-09
Which is better: the Google Nest Audio or Bose Home Speaker 500?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Google Nest Audio is the cheaper at $99.99.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices verified at capture; live price may differ.
Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Google Nest Audio | Bose Home Speaker 500 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $99.99 | $379 |
| Brand | Bose | |
| Released | 2020-10 | 2018-09 |
| Assistant | Google Assistant | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
| Drivers | 1x 3-inch (75mm) mid-woofer, 1x 0.75-inch (19mm) tweeter | 2x 2.5-inch full-range drivers (opposing sides, stereo) |
| Smart home hub | Chromecast built-in | — |
| Audio calibration | Yes | No |
| Aux or line out | — | 3.5mm aux line-in |
| Dimensions (in) | 6.89 x 4.89 x 3.07 | 8.0 x 6.7 x 4.3 |
| Multiroom | Yes | Yes |
| Release | 2020-10 | 2018-09 |
Sources — Google Nest Audio: store.google.com (verified 2026-06-15). Bose Home Speaker 500: soundguys.com (verified 2026-06-15).
What's the difference between the Google Nest Audio and Bose Home Speaker 500?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (4 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.
- Assistant: Google Nest Audio Google Assistant vs Bose Home Speaker 500 Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
- Drivers: Google Nest Audio 1x 3-inch (75mm) mid-woofer, 1x 0.75-inch (19mm) tweeter vs Bose Home Speaker 500 2x 2.5-inch full-range drivers (opposing sides, stereo)
- Audio calibration: Google Nest Audio true vs Bose Home Speaker 500 false
- Dimensions (in): Google Nest Audio 6.89 x 4.89 x 3.07 vs Bose Home Speaker 500 8.0 x 6.7 x 4.3
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Google Nest Audio
All four whitelisted testers (SoundGuys, Tom's Guide, What Hi-Fi, TechRadar) reviewed the exact 2020 Google Nest Audio. They agree it is a responsive, reliable Google Assistant smart speaker with an attractive, compact design that sounds decent for its size, but underwhelms as a pure audio product: weak low-end and, for two outlets, treble that turns harsh at volume. Only SoundGuys reported a measured figure (low-end extension from 90Hz); the other three are qualitative. (4 sourced reviews, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Google Assistant voice pickup and smart-speaker features work reliably and clearly; Attractive, compact, unobtrusive design; Clear vocals and strong midrange for its size.
Flagged: Weak low-end; lacks bass punch and weight; Not room-filling and doesn't get very loud; Treble turns harsh or grainy at higher volumes.
Bose Home Speaker 500
No sourced tester review yet.