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About This Review

Written by the automationhomeguide team — UK-based smart home experts.

  • ✓ 8+ years real-world testing across HomeKit, Alexa, and Google Home
  • ✓ 150+ products tested personally in real homes
  • ✓ All products purchased with personal funds — no free samples
  • ✓ Methodical, data-driven testing on every product
  • ✓ Full testing methodology | About us

Best Smart Home Devices That Work With Google Home 2026

Last Updated: May 21, 2026

Google Home has strong smart home device support, especially for Nest products and Android households. This guide covers the best Google Home device in every category based on real testing.

Hub needed? A Google Nest Mini ($50) or Nest Audio ($100) as your hub. For best results, add Google Nest WiFi Pro which includes a Thread border router.

Quick Reference

CategoryBest Google Home PickPriceWhy
Hub speakerGoogle Nest Mini~$50Starter hub — best Google voice assistant
Hub displayGoogle Nest Hub (2nd Gen)~$100Screen for recipes, camera feeds
Smart bulbLIFX Color A19~$12No hub, Google Home + HomeKit + Alexa
Smart plugKasa EP10~$7.50Most reliable, Google Home native
ThermostatNest Learning Thermostat~$280Native Google — deepest integration
CameraGoogle Nest Cam (wired)~$100Native Google Home, 3-hour free history
DoorbellGoogle Nest Doorbell (battery)~$180Native integration, battery powered
Smart lockAugust Smart Lock Pro~$200Works with Google Home, retrofit
Mesh WiFiGoogle Nest WiFi Pro~$300Google-native + Thread border router
Smart sensorAqara Motion Sensor P1~$18Works with Google Home via Aqara hub

Nest Ecosystem — Best Google Home Devices

Nest products are Google's own smart home brand. They integrate with Google Home at the deepest level — one app, one interface, native routines.

Google Nest Learning Thermostat Best Google Thermostat
⭐⭐⭐⭐½ 4.6/5
~$280

The Nest thermostat learns your schedule automatically — no manual programming. After 7 days it knows when you wake, when you leave, and when you sleep. The Home/Away Assist feature adjusts heating based on whether your phone (and the thermostat's occupancy sensor) detects anyone home. Google Home app shows detailed energy history.

14% energy savings in our 3-month test. No HomeKit support (Google's decision). Best choice for Google-primary households.

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Google Nest Cam (Wired Indoor) Best Google Camera
⭐⭐⭐⭐½ 4.5/5
~$100

Native Google Home integration — camera feed appears directly in the Google Home app and on Nest Hub displays. 1080p, 130° wide-angle, 3-hour free event history. "Hey Google, show me the living room" displays the feed on any Nest Hub.

  • ✓ Native Google Home and Google Assistant
  • ✓ 3-hour free cloud event history
  • ✓ Works in Google Home app alongside other devices
  • ✓ Wired — never recharge
  • ✗ 3-hour free history is limited vs competitors
  • ✗ Nest Aware subscription ($6/month) for 30-day history
  • ✗ No HomeKit support
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Best Third-Party Devices for Google Home

LIFX Color A19 — Best Google Home Bulb
⭐⭐⭐⭐½ 4.6/5
~$12

No hub, Google Home native, 1,100 lumens, 99.1% uptime. "Hey Google, set the living room to warm white" works immediately after setup. Also supports HomeKit and Alexa for future flexibility.

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Kasa EP10 — Best Google Home Plug
⭐⭐⭐⭐½ 4.7/5
~$15 (2-pack)

Google Home compatible natively. 99.3% uptime. "Hey Google, turn on the coffee machine." The most reliable and best-value smart plug for Google Home.

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Google Home Routines for These Devices

  • Sunset: LIFX bulbs on at sunset via Google Home automation
  • Good morning: "Hey Google, good morning" → Nest thermostat up + kitchen lights on + weather report
  • Away mode: When you leave → Nest thermostat eco + all lights off
  • Movie time: "Hey Google, movie time" → LIFX to 15% warm + Nest camera to monitoring mode

→ Full guide: Google Home Routines — 15 Examples

Setting Up Google Home Devices

  1. Install manufacturer app and connect device to WiFi
  2. Google Home app → + → Set up device → Works with Google
  3. Search brand → link your account
  4. Device imports automatically
  5. Assign to room in Google Home

→ Full walkthrough: How to Set Up Google Home

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