Google · Mainstream cloud hubs
Google Nest Hub Max
Matter · Thread · Bluetooth LE · Wi-Fi · no local API · about $229
cloud requiredcloud required
Protocols
MatterThreadBluetooth LEWi-Fi
5.5 W
Idle power
$229
List price
~1100
Devices (est.)
Specifications
| Category | Mainstream cloud hubs |
|---|---|
| Protocols | Matter, Thread, Bluetooth LE, Wi-Fi |
| Cloud dependency | cloud required |
| Local API | no local API |
| Voice assistants | |
| Open source | closed-source |
| Directly supported devices (est.) | ~1100 |
| Idle power draw | ~5.5 W |
| Update outlook | actively maintained |
| List price (Amazon.com, Q2/2026) | about $229 |
Best for: Family / casualBest for: Matter / future-proof
Setup & gotchas
🛑 Google has EoL'd Nest products more than once (Works With Nest in 2019, the original Nest Hub in 2024). Five-year support guarantees aren't a given — bake the migration risk into your decision.
Editorial take
Our hands-on read — the specs above are the sourced facts.
Strengths
- + Google Assistant + Matter controller + Thread Border Router on a 10-inch display
- + Built-in Nest Cam (motion + person detection)
- + Solid routine engine via the Google Home app
Trade-offs
- − 100% cloud-dependent — no local execution path
- − Nest Cam footage lives in Google cloud — privacy trade-off is real
- − No Zigbee or Z-Wave — devices must speak Matter or Google cloud-compatible protocols
Related hubs
Frequently asked questions
Does the Google Nest Hub Max require the cloud?
Yes. The Google Nest Hub Max is cloud-required — a vendor account and an internet connection are needed, and routines run through the vendor cloud (no local API).
Which protocols and voice assistants does the Google Nest Hub Max support?
Protocols: Matter, Thread, Bluetooth LE, Wi-Fi. Voice: Google. It directly supports an estimated 1100 devices/brands.
How much does the Google Nest Hub Max cost and how much power does it use?
List price is about $229 (Amazon.com market observation, Q2/2026 — actual prices fluctuate). Idle power draw is roughly 5.5 W. The hardware and firmware are closed-source.
Source & last checked
- Google Nest Hub Max: store.google.com/us/product/nest_hub_max ↗
- Sources last checked: 2026-07-20 · Prices: Amazon.com market observation, Q2/2026
- Idle-power and device-count figures are vendor-claimed or community-measured estimates. Prices fluctuate. Details without warranty — check the current manufacturer spec sheet before buying.