Google Home Max Review

Name: Google Home Max
Brand: Google

Kenn Muguna

October 13, 2023

True Score Methodology v1.0

TRUE SCORE

75^%

Mixed Reviews

#

24

/

152

Where does this product score?

The Google Home Max impressed testers with how well it could pick up Google Assistant voice commands from a distance. They also liked that they could adjust the speaker’s bass & treble levels and that its controls were easy to use. However, its bass response was mediocre, and its portability was poor since it didn’t have a battery.

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Expert Pick

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Score Card

E

Expert Score

82

*.75

We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

C

Customer Score

NR

*.25

We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

True Score

75^%

Any product with a True Score above 60 is a Meh

Table of Contents

Score Card
Expert Score Breakdown_
Customer Score Breakdown_
Product Snapshot
Overview_
Consensus_
Key Specs_
Product Comparison_
All Stores_
Price History_
Score Card
GR Lab Tests_
Expert Score Breakdown_
Customer Score Breakdown_
Lab Tests
Most Promising Positive Review
Most Promising Positive Review

Expert Score Breakdown_

Publications with higher Trust Scores are given more weight

F
Cat Trust Score
100
The Google Home Max is fair for music. Its balanced… read more
?
Cat Trust Score
80
The Google Home Max is the best-sounding smart speaker you… read more
?
Cat Trust Score
91
It was hard not to like the audio quality coming… read more
?
Cat Trust Score
80
“No bottom line found for this product” read more

Product Snapshot

Expert Rankings

Overview_

The Google Home Max is a top-shelf Bluetooth speaker that was first launched in late 2017, then later discontinued by Google. Like other top-tier speakers, the Home Max offers support for both WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, but those content with Bluetooth connectivity might want to explore our list of the best Bluetooth speakers. The Home Max is an indoor speaker that ships with built-in support for Google Assistant and can also be used as a speakerphone when taking calls. The Bose Portable Smart Speaker has support for both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, so check out our Bose Portable Smart Speaker review if that sounds more considerable. The microphone on the Home Max can be muted in case owners need to keep it from hearing them, and since it also supports multi-device pairing, owners can stream music from two different sources.

Best For

Consensus_

Reason to Buy

Works great with Google Assistant
Bass and Treble are adjustable
Speakerphone functionality
Multi-device pairing
WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity

Reason to Avoid

Mediocre bass response
No battery

Key Specs_

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Product Comparison_

	Google Home Max Review
True Score	75^%	NR	NR	NR
Ranking	# 24 / 152	# /	# /	# /
Market Context	The Google Home Max is a top-shelf Bluetooth speaker that was first launched in late 2017, then later discontinued by Google. Like other top-tier speakers,… The Google Home Max is a top-shelf Bluetooth speaker that was first launched in late 2017, then later discontinued by Google. Like other top-tier speakers, the Home Max offers support for both WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, but those content with Bluetooth connectivity might want to explore our list of the best Bluetooth speakers. The Home Max is an indoor speaker that ships with built-in support for Google Assistant and can also be used as a speakerphone when taking calls. The Bose Portable Smart Speaker has support for both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, so check out our Bose Portable Smart Speaker review if that sounds more considerable. The microphone on the Home Max can be muted in case owners need to keep it from hearing them, and since it also supports multi-device pairing, owners can stream music from two different sources.	Picking between the Google Home Max and the Google Nest Audio depends on whether the size and stereo output matter to you. The Home Max… Picking between the Google Home Max and the Google Nest Audio depends on whether the size and stereo output matter to you. The Home Max is larger than the Nest Audio and has a stereo output, while the Nest Audio does not. The Home Max can also be paired to two devices, while the Nest Audio only pairs with one. If the Nest Audio sounds interesting, read more about it in our Google Nest Audio review.	The Google Home Max supports a Bluetooth connection, while the Sonos One Gen 2 does not. While the Gen 2 is smaller in size, the… The Google Home Max supports a Bluetooth connection, while the Sonos One Gen 2 does not. While the Gen 2 is smaller in size, the Home Max has a stereo function while the Gen 2 does not, but the Gen 2 has built-in support for Alexa while the Home Max does not.	The Google Home Max also works over Bluetooth while the Apple HomePod does not, and it also allows for adjustments to its bass and treble… The Google Home Max also works over Bluetooth while the Apple HomePod does not, and it also allows for adjustments to its bass and treble while the HomePod does not. Lastly, the Home Max has in-built support for Google Assistant, while the Apple HomePod has in-built support for Siri. Have a look at our Apple HomePod review to see what else it’s got in store.
See Deal	See Deal
Dig Deeper

Price History_

Score Card

E

Expert Score

82

*.75

We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

C

Customer Score

NR

*.25

We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

True Score

75^%

Any product with a True Score above 60 is a Meh

Expert Score Breakdown_

Publications with higher Trust Scores are given more weight

F
Trust Score
F
Cat Trust Score
100
The Google Home Max is fair for music. Its balanced mid-range can reproduce vocals and… read more
?
Trust Score
?
Cat Trust Score
80
The Google Home Max is the best-sounding smart speaker you can purchase right now. It… read more
?
Trust Score
?
Cat Trust Score
91
It was hard not to like the audio quality coming out of this speaker. It’s… read more
?
Trust Score
?
Cat Trust Score
80
“No bottom line found for this product” read more
?
Trust Score
?
Cat Trust Score
85
The Google Home Max is undoubtedly worthy of its name: thanks to its excellent maximum… read more
?
Trust Score
?
Cat Trust Score
67
Google Home Max is the most powerful Google Assistant-powered smart speaker with the loudest volume… read more