On the surface, there isn’t much to say about the Nest Hub Max. Like it’s smaller sibling , the Max made its way to Canada after launching in the U.S. — although it didn’t wait quite as long as the Nest Hub.

Larger screen; Better sound; interesting face recognition tech

Not the cheapest smart display; No physical camera shutter; The volume button placement is annoying

Not just bigger than the original Google Nest Hub, the new Google Nest Hub Max is a better product all round. The larger display makes it easier to see what’s going on, although it would be nice if there were more options for playing video. Sound has been improved and the Nest Hub Max is now a decent music player in its own right. With the camera, you can now make video calls and you get Face Match for personalised results. You can also turn the Hub Max into a full security camera. The requirement for a Google Account (not G Suite) is a little annoying but if you’re looking for the best Google Assistant-powered smart display, this is the one.

Face Match works brilliantly; Can act as a security camera; Excellent sound quality;

Few video playback options; Nest integration doesn't work with G Suite accounts;

The Google Nest Hub Max is a bigger, better Nest Hub meant more shared and communal spaces. The larger screen makes viewing photos and videos a treat, and the sound quality is improved as well.

Great display; Face Match facial recognition feature is pretty accurate; Ability to play and pause media with gestures; Can double as a Nest Cam; Very good sound quality; Fairly priced

Video calling only works with Google Duo; Gestures can be a little finicky

The Nest Hub Max isn't just a larger smart display, it's Google's first where the Assistant can see you, too. If the original Nest Hub was a connected digital photo frame that just so happened to have Assistant smarts baked in, the Nest Hub Max builds on that with a bigger screen, better audio,...

Bigger screen looks fantastic; Audio much louder and clearer than Nest Hub; Face Match works quickly and accurately; Assistant keeps getting new features

No physical camera cover; Limited to Duo for video calls; Assistant UI doesn't make the most of the display

With onboard Google Assistant, easy-on-the-eyes Ambient EQ display technology, a built-in Nest camera, and impressive sound, the $230 Google Nest Hub...

Impressive audio quality; Excels as a digital photo frame; Built-in Nest camera; Google Assistant is one of the smartest assistants we've tried

No physical camera shutter; No analog audio output; Google Assistant's smart home compatibility still lags Alexa (though it's catching up fast

The Google Nest Hub Max is exactly what it says it is: a bigger version of the Nest Hub. It's larger and louder, though it doesn't have quite the same impressive boom as a dedicated speaker.

Integrates with Nest and functions as a security camera; Supports Google Cast; Fairly loud

Sound quality isn't particularly impressive

I originally ordered the amazon echo show 5 which was very tinny, so I treated myself to this and I'm so glad I did. The sound quality is perfect, with great bar which you can adjust. The technology is by far the most advanced and syncs up to my smart home products. Well done Google!

The smart display is one of the newer areas in tech, and they are going through a bit of an awkward stage. Google and Amazon are wrestling for power over your living room, and that leads to a few annoying gaps. You can’t play Amazon Prime Video or Netflix on the Google Nest Hub Max. The second may come in time, the first probably won’t. Google’s haste to add Nest support has also led to a security cam feature that’s a bit wobbly too. However, buy-in knowing this is a bit of a work-in-progress and you’ll be happy. It also does plenty to keep you entertained already, from letting you know just how wet your shoes will get on the way to work, to playing tunes with the same panache as some wireless speakers around the same price.

Sound quality is good enough for day-long music listening; Smart small-footprint design; Screen adjusts to ambient light brilliantly; Responsive voice recognition;

Nest cam support needs some work; Screen could be sharper; No Netflix support (yet);

Google let third-party manufacturers develop the first Google Assistant smart displays, like the JBL Link View and the Lenovo Smart Display. The company didn't put out its own Home Hub (now called the Nest Hub) until months later, and while it's certainly much less expensive than those third-party options, we aren't exactly impressed by its sound quality and lack of a camera. Google has largely remedied these issues with the Nest Hub Max, a $229.99 smart display with a bigger screen, more powerful stereo speaker drivers, and a camera for video calls and gesture controls. It still doesn't sound particularly impressive, but it's a useful and attractive smart display that offers much more utility than its smaller sibling. Design The Nest Hub Max is about the same size as the Amazon Echo Show, at 7.2 by 9.9 by 4.0 inches (HWD) and 2.9 pounds, but with same screen-mounted-on-a-pillar design as the smaller Nest Hub. The design is all white plastic and light gray fabric, dominated by a ...

The Google Nest Hub Max is a big, bright smart display with Google Assistant, and you can even use it as a home security camera.

Integrates with Nest and functions as a security camera; Supports Google Cast; Fairly loud

Sound quality isn't particularly impressive

Overall happy with this, as Ive got a subscription to YouTube premium and Netflix, so I can stream my favourite music while winding down in my bedroom or when I wake up. The speaker is good but at this price point much better speakers around. I like that I can link all my google speaker, and can stream Netflix onto this. Overall more positives than not.