The main thing you need to know about the new Google Nest Mini is that it sounds far better than the original Home Mini that came out in 2017. That alone makes it a worthy successor, especially since it sells for the same $50 price. It offers a richer sound that’s immediately noticeable whether you’re listening to music or podcasts, with some much-needed emphasis on the lows and mids. Granted, it’s nowhere close to being a threat to more expensive options, like Apple’s HomePod or a Sonos One, or even the medium-sized Google Home.
