The Nest Hub Max's built in camera allows the unit to recognise each of us and present individual calendars. Additionally, it facilitates video calling with phones that have Google Duo installed. Plus, last but not least, it's a fully functional 'Nest' security camera. But the downside of the security camera function is that you have to pay $9 per month for a good standard of ongoing recording/alert functionality (and I'm currently looking for cheaper home security solutions like local recording with Eufy cameras). Overall, though, this is a great upgrade from the smaller Nest Hub, which I now use as a high-tech alarm clock/screen in the bedroom.

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);

If you're already committed towards going for something bigger, the Nest Hub Max makes a strong case itself as the obvious choice.

Better speakers; Interesting camera features

Less portable; No built-in ZigBee hub

The Google Hub Max feels a little unnecessary unless you really want a larger screen and a camera.

Excellent digital photo frame ; Responsive hand gesture for play/pause ; Useful auto framing during video calls ; Loud sound

Video calling only supports Google Duo ; Text looks fuzzy on low-res display ; No physical camera cover

Really a big con sale by a young sale person and his off sider to help, they were more interested in doing something else except help a aged customer

No product is more emblematic of the fusion of Google and Nest into a single brand than the new Google Nest Hub Max. This is the bigger brother to the Google Home Hub , later renamed the Google Nest Hub.

Audio The audio quality is much improved over the Nest Hub-it's a bit better than the OG Home; Display Bright; sufficiently sharp; and supports Ambient EQ; Face Match The Hub Max is very quick to recognize you and present personalized info; Gestures The play-pause gesture works as advertised,...

Wasted space The Hub Max is just a big photo frame when you're not using it; I'd like to see the option to display information or controls, Gestures again It would be great to see more use of gestures.

The Nest Hub Max entices with its screen, but you'll stay for the camera

Big; 10-inch screen; Loud speakers; Smart camera features; Multiple ways to disable camera; Access to Google Assistant; smart home control

Takes up a lot of space; Camera opens up privacy concerns

The turbo-charged version of the Google Home Hub is better for video, music, podcasts and just about everything else. It may not be perfect, but what's not to like about that summary

Excellent screen; Good; music-friendly speaker; Neat design; Well-priced

No Netflix support; Display isn't as sharp as Lenovo's; Nest integration wobbly at launch

, it wasn't surprising. What's perhaps more surprising is that it's taken so long for the first Google Nest product to emerge. The result: a smart speaker with a display and a few surprises makes up for it, more or less.