What to know
- The Google Nest Mini is a better choice if you want a speaker with a balanced sound profile, a built-in voice assistant, and a long battery life.
- The JBL Go 2 is a better choice if you want a speaker with a bass-forward sound profile, a more affordable price, and a compact design.
- If you want a speaker with a bass-forward sound profile, a more affordable price, and a compact design, the JBL Go 2 is the best choice.
The Google Nest Mini and JBL Go 2 are two popular portable speakers that offer a great combination of sound quality, portability, and affordability. But which one is right for you? In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll dive into the features, specs, and performance of both speakers to help you make an informed decision.
Design and Portability
The Google Nest Mini is a compact, puck-shaped speaker that measures 3.85 inches in diameter and 1.65 inches in height. It weighs just 0.5 pounds, making it easy to carry around in your pocket or backpack. The JBL Go 2 is slightly larger and heavier, measuring 3.25 inches wide, 2.25 inches high, and 1.1 inches thick. It weighs 0.6 pounds, which is still quite portable.
Both speakers feature a durable design that can withstand everyday use. The Google Nest Mini has a soft-touch fabric exterior, while the JBL Go 2 has a rubberized exterior. Both speakers are also IPX7 waterproof, so you can use them in the rain or by the pool without worry.
Sound Quality
The Google Nest Mini and JBL Go 2 both offer surprisingly good sound quality for their size. The Google Nest Mini has a balanced sound profile with clear highs, mids, and lows. It’s not as bass-heavy as some other portable speakers, but it still provides enough bass to enjoy most genres of music.
The JBL Go 2 has a more bass-forward sound profile than the Google Nest Mini. It delivers deep, punchy bass that’s perfect for hip-hop, electronic music, and other bass-heavy genres. However, the JBL Go 2’s mids and highs can be a bit muddy at times, especially at higher volumes.
Features
The Google Nest Mini and JBL Go 2 both offer a few basic features. The Google Nest Mini has a built-in Google Assistant, which you can use to control your music, set alarms, get the weather forecast, and more. The JBL Go 2 does not have a built-in voice assistant, but it does have a Bluetooth speakerphone function that you can use to make and receive calls.
Both speakers also have a built-in rechargeable battery. The Google Nest Mini has a battery life of up to 12 hours, while the JBL Go 2 has a battery life of up to 5 hours.
Connectivity
The Google Nest Mini and JBL Go 2 both connect to your devices via Bluetooth. The Google Nest Mini supports Bluetooth 5.0, while the JBL Go 2 supports Bluetooth 4.1. Bluetooth 5.0 has a longer range and is more stable than Bluetooth 4.1, so you may experience fewer dropouts with the Google Nest Mini.
Price
The Google Nest Mini is priced at $49, while the JBL Go 2 is priced at $39.95. Both speakers offer a good value for the money, but the JBL Go 2 is a slightly better value if you’re on a tight budget.
Which Speaker Is Right for You?
The Google Nest Mini and JBL Go 2 are both excellent portable speakers, but they have different strengths and weaknesses. The Google Nest Mini is a better choice if you want a speaker with a balanced sound profile, a built-in voice assistant, and a long battery life. The JBL Go 2 is a better choice if you want a speaker with a bass-forward sound profile, a more affordable price, and a compact design.
The Verdict
Ultimately, the best speaker for you depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you want a well-rounded speaker with a balanced sound profile, a built-in voice assistant, and a long battery life, the Google Nest Mini is the best choice. If you want a speaker with a bass-forward sound profile, a more affordable price, and a compact design, the JBL Go 2 is the best choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which speaker has better sound quality?
The Google Nest Mini has a more balanced sound profile, while the JBL Go 2 has a more bass-forward sound profile. Which speaker has better sound quality depends on your personal preferences.
Which speaker is more portable?
The Google Nest Mini is slightly smaller and lighter than the JBL Go 2, making it more portable.
Which speaker has a longer battery life?
The Google Nest Mini has a battery life of up to 12 hours, while the JBL Go 2 has a battery life of up to 5 hours.
Which speaker is more affordable?
The JBL Go 2 is more affordable than the Google Nest Mini.
Which speaker is better for bass-heavy music?
The JBL Go 2 is better for bass-heavy music than the Google Nest Mini.