Is The Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen Still Worth Buying in 2025?

The Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen launched in March 2021, making it nearly five years old at the time of writing. Yet it remains actively sold at major retailers, often appearing in Black Friday sales and holiday promotions. This raises an important question: should you actually buy a four year old smart display in 2025?

The short answer is more nuanced than you might expect. Despite its age, the Nest Hub 2nd Gen offers genuine value for specific use cases, particularly if you’re already invested in the Google ecosystem. However, understanding its limitations compared to newer alternatives is absolutely critical before making a purchase decision.

What Makes the Nest Hub 2nd Gen Different

At its core, the Nest Hub 2nd Gen is a 7-inch smart display designed to blend into your home rather than dominate it. Unlike many competitors, Google made the deliberate choice to exclude a camera, positioning this device as privacy focused from day one. This makes it particularly well suited for bedrooms and other private spaces where some might feel uncomfortable with a camera equipped device.

The defining feature that sets this model apart at launch was Sleep Sensing, powered by Soli radar technology. The device uses motion sensing to track your sleep patterns without requiring you to wear anything to bed. When placed on your nightstand, it monitors when you go to sleep, when you wake up, sleep duration and disturbances like snoring or coughing.

Here are the core specifications:

• Display: 7-inch LCD touchscreen (1024 x 600 resolution)
• Audio: 1.7-inch full range speaker with 50% more bass than the original Nest Hub
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz), Bluetooth 5.0
• Smart Home Support: Works with thousands of Google Assistant compatible devices, Matter enabled
• Special Features: Sleep Sensing, Quick Gestures (hand wave controls), Ambient EQ display
• Sustainability: Housing made from 54% post-consumer recycled plastic
• Colors: Chalk, Charcoal, Mist and Sand

Current Pricing and Value Proposition

The original retail price of $99.99 already positioned the Nest Hub 2nd Gen as an affordable smart display. However, frequent sales have made it even more attractive. The device regularly drops to $49-$79 during promotional periods, putting it at roughly half the cost of competing smart displays with similar screen sizes.

This pricing creates a compelling value proposition for budget conscious buyers. At $50, you’re getting a functional smart display with Google Assistant integration, quality audio and sleep tracking capabilities as a bonus. The question becomes whether saving money on older hardware is worth the trade-offs compared to newer alternatives.

Check current pricing: Best Buy | Walmart | Google Store

What Still Works Well in 2025

Despite being over four years old, several aspects of the Nest Hub 2nd Gen remain competitive.

Google Assistant Integration

Google Assistant continues to improve through cloud based updates, meaning the Nest Hub 2nd Gen benefits from advances in natural language processing and command recognition although the hardware is unchanged. The three far-field microphones reliably pick up voice commands from across a room, even with background noise.

Google has begun introducing Gemini for Home (Google’s new AI assistant), and the Nest Hub 2nd Gen is on the list of devices scheduled to receive the complete Gemini for Home experience. Rollout is still gradual and features like Gemini Live or region-specific capabilities may arrive later than on the newest hardware, but you’ll still benefit from more natural conversations and smarter automation over time.

Smart Home Control with Matter Support

Google updated the Nest Hub 2nd Gen with Matter support through a firmware update. Matter is the new universal smart home standard that allows devices from different manufacturers to work together smoothly. This means your 2021 hardware can control smart devices released in 2025, as long as they support Matter.

The touchscreen interface provides an intuitive way to control compatible lights, thermostats, locks and cameras. You can tap to view live feeds from Nest cameras or other compatible security cameras, making it a practical smart home dashboard.

Digital Photo Frame Excellence

One often overlooked strength is how well the Nest Hub 2nd Gen functions as a digital photo frame. Google Photos integration is seamless and the Ambient EQ feature automatically adjusts screen brightness and color temperature based on room lighting. This makes photos look natural throughout the day rather than appearing washed out or overly bright.

For many users, this ambient display mode, cycling through favorite photos when not actively in use, justifies the purchase on its own.

Sleep Sensing That Actually Works

Sleep tracking remains one of the most unique features of the Nest Hub 2nd Gen. The Soli radar technology can detect movement and breathing patterns without physical contact, offering a less intrusive alternative to wearable sleep trackers.

However, there’s an important caveat. Google initially offered Sleep Sensing for free but have announced plans to integrate it into Fitbit Premium. Google has delayed this transition multiple times, and as of 2025 the feature remains free, though this could still change in the future. For now, it provides genuinely useful insights about sleep duration, disturbances, and consistency. This is especially valuable if you already struggle with wearing devices to bed.

Where the Age Shows

Now for the honest truth about the Nest Hub’s limitations.

Small Screen Size

The 7-inch display was considered compact even when the Nest Hub was first launched. In 2025, when competitors like Amazon’s latest Echo Show 8 offer an 8.7-inch screen, the size difference is noticeable. Watching video content or viewing detailed recipes feels cramped compared to larger alternatives.

The resolution of 1024 x 600 is adequate for its size but not impressive by any means. If you plan to use your smart display primarily for video content, you’ll notice the limitations.

No Camera Means No Video Calling

While the camera-free design enhances privacy, it completely eliminates video calling capabilities. You can make audio calls through Google Duo, but the person on the other end won’t see you. In an era where video calls have become standard for staying connected with family, this is a meaningful limitation.

Aging Processor

Google lists a “1.9GHz quad-core processor” without specifying the exact chip. Users report that navigation can feel slightly laggy, particularly when waking the display or switching between screens. This isn’t necessarily a deal breaker for voice controlled interactions, but touchscreen responsiveness doesn’t feel as snappy as newer devices.

Limited Streaming App Support

While you can stream from services like Netflix, YouTube and Spotify, the Nest Hub 2nd Gen lacks the comprehensive app ecosystem found on devices with Fire TV or Android TV built in. Some streaming services require using the browser rather than dedicated apps, creating a less polished experience.

How It Compares to Current Alternatives

Amazon Echo Show 8 (2025 Model)

Amazon just released its latest Echo Show 8 in November 2025, creating a stark contrast with the aging Nest Hub. This newest generation brings significant hardware improvements over the 2023 model.

Advantages of the new Echo Show 8

• Considerably larger 8.7-inch HD display (versus 8-inch in previous models)
• 13MP camera with auto-framing for video calls
• Superior audio with spatial sound and 2.8-inch woofer
• Built-in smart home hub supporting Zigbee, Matter and Thread
• Access to Alexa+ for enhanced AI capabilities
• Faster AZ3 Pro processor and more responsive interface

Disadvantages

• Significantly more expensive ($179.99 retail, ~$160 on sale)
• Requires investment in Amazon’s ecosystem
• Camera may be a privacy concern for some users

The 2025 Echo Show 8 represents what a modern smart display should be in 2025. However, it costs 2-3 times more than the Nest Hub 2nd Gen during sales (compare current prices) and it locks you into Amazon’s ecosystem rather than Google’s.

Google Nest Hub Max

Google’s own larger smart display, the Nest Hub Max, launched in 2019, making it even older than the Nest Hub 2nd Gen. It features a 10-inch screen and includes a camera for video calls, but it typically costs $199-$229. For many users, the value proposition doesn’t justify spending four times as much as a sale priced Nest Hub 2nd Gen.

Importantly, Google hasn’t officially announced a 3rd generation Nest Hub. Recent announcements and blog posts have focused on software improvements like Gemini for Home and Matter rather than brand new smart display hardware.

Who Should Still Buy the Nest Hub 2nd Gen in 2025?

This device makes sense for specific user profiles.

Google Ecosystem Users on a Budget

If you already use Google services like Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Photos, YouTube and Chromecas, the Nest Hub 2nd Gen fits in nicely with your existing workflow. At $50-$80 on sale, it’s an affordable entry point into the smart home world or an inexpensive addition to another room.

Privacy Conscious Bedroom Users

The camera-free design combined with sleep tracking makes this device purpose built for the bedroom. If you want a smart display on your nightstand but feel uncomfortable with a camera pointing at your bed, this remains one of the best options available.

Digital Photo Frame Seekers

For someone who primarily wants an attractive way to display photos with the bonus of smart home control, the Nest Hub 2nd Gen delivers. The Ambient EQ feature and Google Photos integration create a premium photo frame experience at a reasonable price.

Multi-Room Smart Home Builders

If you want smart displays in multiple rooms (kitchen, bedroom, home office), buying several Nest Hub 2nd Gen devices during sales is far more economical than investing in premium alternatives for every location.

Who Should Look at Alternatives?

The Nest Hub 2nd Gen isn’t an ideal option for everyone.

• Video calling enthusiasts: Without a camera, you’re limited to audio-only calls. Choose the latest Echo Show 8 or wait for a potential Nest Hub 3.
• Media consumption focus: The small 7-inch screen and limited app selection make this a poor choice if video watching is your primary use case.
• Tech enthusiasts wanting the latest features: If you value having the newest hardware and fastest performance, the four year age gap will frustrate you.
• Those needing the largest screen: Consider the Nest Hub Max or Echo Show 11 if screen size is a priority.

The $60 Sweet Spot Verdict

At $99.99 retail, skip it. Spend the extra $80 for the vastly superior 2025 Echo Show 8. But when it drops to $50–$70 during sales (and it does, frequently), the math changes completely.

At that price, you get a dependable Google Assistant display with Sleep Sensing, Matter support and arguably the best digital photo frame experience available. The 7-inch screen feels small and the processor shows its age, but the fundamentals still work well and Google keeps pushing updates.

Buy it if: You’re in the Google ecosystem and want an affordable bedroom display, photo frame or smart home hub.

Skip it if: You need best-in-class performance, a larger screen or video calling capabilities.

Sure, it’s showing its age – but at sale prices, it still outperforms its price tag.

Ready to buy? Compare current prices and deals at Best Buy, Walmart or the Google Store.