Having a smart home speaker in your house is pretty convenient! It can allow you to listen to the news, sports updates, audiobooks, music, and podcasts, and control most other smart devices in your home. The best news is, the Nest Audio provides all of these features and more, and it does it all by voice commands. So it’s important to know, does Google Nest Audio have a microphone?
Google Nest Audio does have a microphone, in fact, it has three far-field microphones built-in in order to best hear your commands. Consumers have reported that the Nest Audio microphones work sufficiently well and that they almost always can hear and understand what you need.
While of course, you want a smart speaker that understands your voice commands, you may have questions as to whether or not the microphones in the Nest Audio are always on, i.e. always listening. In this article, we are going to answer that question, as well as learn how to mute the microphones and other important pros and cons of the Nest Audio that you will certainly want to know!
Are the Google Nest Audio Microphones Always On?
The next question most people ask after finding out that the Google Nest Audio does have three microphones is: are they always on?
The truth is, unless you click the button on the back of the Nest Audio that mutes the microphones, they are always on.
However, it’s vital to understand that being on doesn’t necessarily mean they are listening. There is still a great deal of debate on whether or not Google is actually listening to everything we are saying in our homes.
Officially, they say that the smart speakers such as the Nest Audio are technically “sleeping” until you say “Okay Google” or “Hey Google” and then the microphone essentially wakes up and begins listening.
Although, you will notice that a loud noise, the television, or sometimes just a strange sound will bring your Nest Audio to life, which means that it might not be as asleep as Google claims.
Where Can You Find the Mute Button on the Nest Audio?
If you are not convinced that Google is not listening through the Nest Audio and you want to learn how to mute the three microphones, there is a mute button you can press.
You can find the mute button on the back of the device directly next to the power cord. The switch will turn orange when the microphones are turned off.
It’s important to note that when the microphones are muted, the device will not be able to respond to your voice commands, so instead of a hands-free voice responsive device, you will have to use your mobile phone to access the features.
Is the Nest Audio Right For You?
The fact that the Nest Audio has three microphones that are essentially always on may deter you from purchasing one for your home, but you should know that all other smart home speakers function in the same way.
Of course, the microphones also provide a great service! Because Google has increased the microphone number to three from only one that was on the Google Home, the Nest Audio is immensely better suited to hearing and understanding your commands.
These commands can help you control your television, security system, lighting, and more, as well as allow you to listen to all of your favorite audio entertainment even when your hands are full.
The Google Nest Audio also offers a great new feature called Ambient EQ which means that the device will adjust the volume of the Google Assistant’s response depending on the volume level in the room. Basically, that means that if you are in a silent room, you won’t feel like the device is shouting at you, and if there are loud noises, you will be able to hear the response anyway!
Deciding whether or not the Nest Audio is right for your home is your choice at the end of the day. However, research shows that this is certainly one of the best smart home speakers on the market, so if you do choose to have a smart hub, it’s a great choice.
Final Thoughts
Just to recap, Google Nest Audio does have a microphone, in fact, it has three far-field microphones that Google is proud to say will be able to hear your voice commands throughout the entire room.
If you are concerned about whether or not these microphones will be able to hear your personal conversations, not to worry, you can always mute them by pressing the button on the back of the device next to the power cord.
When it comes to a smart home speaker, most people feel as though it’s greatest asset is that all of its features can be controlled through just your voice, so if you do mute the Nest Audio, you will be losing out.
But of course, it’s your choice at the end of the day, and now you have all the information you need to make it!
