The best Google products for home, work and play

Google products: stylus

There's a vast ocean of game-changing Google products out there. Google's Android and Chrome OS operating systems might be slowly but steadily taking over the world – from smartphones and laptops to smart fridges and self-driving cars – but Google isn't just a software company. It also now produces a lot of its own hardware too, some of which is pretty amazing. 

You probably already know that Google has its own phone, the Pixel 2, and its own laptop, the Pixelbook. But did you know it's also behind everything from a stylus to smart speakers, and even security products ranging from an intelligent smoke alarm to a web-connected video doorbell?

If you're looking to make your workplace, studio or home a more productive, secure and fun place, these clever Google devices have a lot to offer. We've put together this special guide to Google's own products to help you decide which one is right for you, and you'll also find today's best deals on each to save you a wad of cash.

Smartphone and accessories

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Google's Pixel 2 has quickly become one of the world's most popular smartphones. And Google hasn't stopped there. It also produces Pixel Buds, its own Bluetooth headphones, and a range of cool 'Made by Google' smartphone cases, as we detail below. 

Pixel 2

The Pixel 2 has the best smartphone camera on the market today

01. Pixel 2

One of the best smartphones for taking photos

Specifications

Weight: 143g
Dimensions: 145.7 x 69.7 x 7.8mm
OS: Android 8.1
Screen size: 5-inch
Resolution: 1080 x 1920
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 64GB/128GB
Battery: 2,700mAh
Rear camera: 12MP
Front camera: 8MP

Reasons to buy

+
Superb camera
+
Water-resistant

Reasons to avoid

-
Lacks 4K
-
Lacks headphone jack

Is the Pixel 2 the right smartphone for you? If taking photos is important to you, it’s certainly worth considering, as it quite simply has the best camera on any smartphone right now (see our best camera list for cameras without the phones). It’s also water-resistant and comes with the Google Assistant (the Active Edge feature means you can just squeeze the sides of your phone to bring that up). 

On the downside, the five-inch HD screen is 'only' 1080p, and the device lacks a headphone jack. But if you’re happy using Bluetooth headphones, don’t need a 4K screen, and really value the quality of your photos, this is one the best smartphones you can buy right now.

Google Pixel Buds

Google Pixel Buds work wirelessly and integrate with Google Assistant

02. Google Pixel Buds

Bluetooth headphones for your Pixel 2

Specifications

Length: 20.4mm
Weight: 14g (buds only), 57g (with charging case)
System: Android 5.0 or higher, iOS 10.0 or higher
Charging: via USB-C
Google Assistant support: Requires Android 6.0 or higher

Reasons to buy

+
Wireless
+
Comfortable

Reasons to avoid

-
Translate feature not great
-
Some features a little fiddly 

The Google Pixel 2 smartphone lacks a headphone jack – so an obvious Google product to come next was its own wireless Bluetooth headphones, and Google Pixel Buds are the result. They work with both Android (5.0 or higher) and iOS devices (10.0 or higher). They’re not deep in-ear buds, but rest on your ear and point towards your ear canal, making them very comfortable in use. And they provide up to five hours of continuous listening on a single charge. 

Unfortunately they didn’t actually work properly on release, attracting huge amounts of bad press. The May 2018 update has now sorted out most of these issues, but many of the features are still a little fiddly to use. And the headline feature – the use of Google Assistant to translate conversations in real-time with the Pixel 2 – still doesn’t actually work very well in practice. 

Google Fabric Case for Pixel 2

The Google Fabric Case for Pixel 2 feels lovely to the touch

03. Google Fabric Case for Pixel 2

The soft and comfy case

Specifications

Dimensions: 73.9mm x 149.9mm x 11.7mm
Weight: 23g
Materials: Polyester and nylon knit Polycarbonate core, Welded silicone Super G logo
Active edge compatible: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Lovely knitted feel
+
Active Edge compatible

Reasons to avoid

-
Not customisable
-
Not rugged

There are plenty of third-party cases for the Google Pixel 2, but some of the best are made by Google itself. The friendliest looking has to be the Google Fabric Case, which has a knitted exterior and a soft microfibre liner to help protect your phone. This Google product comes in four colours: Carbon, Cement, Midnight and Coral. Like all three cases featured here, it's also Active Edge compatible, which means you can squeeze the sides to bring up Google Assistant.

Live Case for Pixel 2

 Customise your Pixel 2 with Google's own Live Case

04. Live Case for Pixel 2

The customisable case

Specifications

Dimensions: 147.1mm x 72.4mm x 10.3mm
Weight: 21.2g
Materials: Polycarbonate (slim design), TPU and Polycarbonate (dual-layer design)
Active Edge compatible: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Customisable
+
Durable

Reasons to avoid

-
Slightly fiddly to remove phone
-
Not hugely rugged

As a creative, you may want to put your own visual stamp on your Pixel 2 case, and Google's Live Case gives you just that opportunity. You can customise it using either your own photos or artwork, or selected images provided by Google. You can even update your phone's wallpaper to match it by using the Live Case app. It's a little fiddly to remove and replace your phone, but nothing you don't quickly get used to.

OtterBox Defender Case for Pixel 2

The OtterBox Defender Case offers a high level of protection for your Pixel 2

05. OtterBox Defender Case for Pixel 2

The super-protective case

Specifications

Dimensions: 156.2mm x 80mm x 14.7mm
Weight: 138.6g
Materials: TPE
Active Edge compatible: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Super rugged
+
Great protection

Reasons to avoid

-
Not light
-
Not the cheapest

If your priority is to protect your phone from accidental drops, the Otterbox Defender is the case for you. The company is well known for its rugged cases, and it's teamed up with Google under the Made by Google program to create this case for the Pixel 2. A solid polycarbonate shell and rubber slipcover work together to provide serious protection against drops, dust and scratches. It might be a bit pricier than other cases, but you can rest assured that your phone is protected. 

Google Home smart speakers

If you’re looking for a smart speaker for your home, then remember it’s not all about Alexa. Google has its own system, Google Assistant, which allows you to do everything from playing a track on Spotify to controlling your smart home by voice alone. Here are two very affordable – and also very capable – choices to get you started...

Google Home Mini

The Google Home Mini is a surprisingly capable smart speaker for the price

06. Google Home Mini

A smart speaker at low cost

Specifications

Connectivity: Wi-Fi dual-band (2.4/5 GHz) 802.11b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth
Dimensions: 98mm (3.86in) diameter, 42mm (1.65in) high
Weight: 173g (0.38lb)

Reasons to buy

+
Ideal for novices
+
Cheap and portable

Reasons to avoid

-
Flat sound
-
Fiddly controls

If you're totally new to voice assistants, then the Google Home Mini is a small, cheap and very capable device for getting started. It’s puck-shaped like the Amazon Dot, but with fabric-texture on the top for a softer, friendlier look. Available in a range of colours, this Google product has four flashing LED lights that indicates when it’s listening to your voice. Don't expect to use it as your main music speaker, as the sound is fairly poor quality, but otherwise this is an excellent budget buy.

Google Home

The Google Home speaker is better for music than the Google Home Mini

07. Google Home

Similar to the Mini, but with better sound

Specifications

Connectivity: Wi-Fi dual-band (2.4/5 GHz) 802.11b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth
Weight: 477g (1.05lb)
Dimensions: 96.4mm (3.80in) diameter x 142.8mm (5.62in) high

Reasons to buy

+
Better sound than Home Mini
+
Easier to adjust volume

Reasons to avoid

-
More expensive than Mini
-
May be overkill for non-music fans

The Google Home is both bigger and more expensive than the Google Home Mini, and looks more like stylish. The difference in functionality between the two isn’t much, but the main advantage the Google Home has is its vastly better sound quality. It also charges by Micro USB rather than DC, and you can adjust the volume via the touch panel, which is much easier than tapping on the left or right of the front, as you do on the Mini. If you’re expecting to listen to a lot of music, then the Google Home is well worth the higher price.

Chromebook and stylus

Spend a lot of time on the move and want something lightweight, fast and portable? Chromebooks are increasingly capable, not just for admin and productivity tasks, but for creative work too. Here we present the best one on the market, plus a lovely stylus to complement it.

Pixelbook

Quite simply the best Chromebook on the market

08. Google Pixelbook

The finest Chromebook that money can buy

Specifications

CPU: 1.2GHz
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 615
RAM: 8GB LPDDR3 (1,866MHz)
Screen: 12.3-inch QHD (2,400 x 1,600, 235ppi)
Storage: 256GB SSD (eMMC)
Ports: 2x USB-C 3.1, headphone/mic jack
Connectivity: 802.11ac Wi-Fi (2 x 2 MIMO), Bluetooth 4.2
Cameras: 720p webcam (60fps)
Weight: 1.1kg
Size: 290.4mm x 220.8mm x 10.3mm

Reasons to buy

+
Lightweight and good battery life
+
Runs Adobe Chromebook apps

Reasons to avoid

-
Can't run Windows or OS X software
-
Needs internet for most tasks

Tired of buying Windows or Mac laptops that take an age to boot up and are always crashing, or running out of battery? Want something light and super-portable that you can start up in seconds? Then consider a Chromebook

You may not be able to run full versions of design software like Photoshop, or the kind of productivity tools you may be used to, such as Microsoft Word. But for accessing Google Drive, checking and writing emails and surfing the web, they’re perfect. And for limited design tasks, Android versions of several Adobe apps, including Photoshop Express, Lightroom for mobile, Photoshop Mix, Illustrator Draw, Comp CC, and the Creative Cloud app, are supported on Chromebooks as well.

The Google Pixelbook is quite simply the best Chromebook on the market right now, with an excellent keyboard, a beautiful 2,400 x 1,600 pixel display, super-speedy Intel Core i5 and i7 processors and a promised 10 hours of use on a single charge, based on what Google calls  “a mix of standby, web browsing and other use”.

Google Pixelbook Pen

The Google Pixelbook Pen offers good pressure sensitivity and low latency

09. Google Pixelbook Pen

A super stylus to rival the Apple Pen

Specifications

Length: 147mm (5.79 in)
Diameter: 10.7mm (0.42in)
Weight: 21.3g (0.75oz) with battery
Power: Replaceable AAAA battery (included)

Reasons to buy

+
Good pressure sensitivity
+
Low latency

Reasons to avoid

-
Can't attach to Pixelbook
-
Assistant feature gimmicky

If you want to do design work on the move, using your Google Pixelbook, then the Google Pixelbook Pen is a must-buy accessory. Similar to the Apple Pencil in use, this is a top-quality stylus that offers excellent pressure sensitivity and tilt support, making drawing and sketching on the screen a pleasurable, responsive experience. There’s also a button that links the Pen to Google Assistant, so for example you can circle some text and perform a web search. However, we’ve yet to see any compelling uses for this feature, and it’s also a shame that there’s no way to attach the Pen to your Google Pixelbook.

Virtual reality viewers

If you're a little bit curious about this virtual reality thing, but don't want spend a ton of money on top-end equipment, there are two simple Google products that enable you to access VR content using your smartphone: one cheap, one even cheaper...

Google Daydream View

Google Daydream View is a cheap and easy way to try out VR

10. Google Daydream View

Experience virtual reality via your Android phone

Specifications

Weight: 261g
Material: Lightweight fabric
Requirement: compatible Android phone

Reasons to buy

+
Low cost
+
Easy to use

Reasons to avoid

-
Not high-end
-
Requires compatible phone

Google Daydream View is a VR headset that connects to a compatible Android phone. While you’ll get a better virtual reality experience with a higher-end, PC-powered VR headset, the Daydream is a great option if you’re just interested in trying out VR without spending a huge amount of money. It’s compatible with Daydream-ready phones, including Google Pixel 2, Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy S8, S8+ & Note 8, Moto Z & Z2 and more (there’s a full list here). And it’s very easy to use: you just have to download an app on your phone, place your phone inside the viewer, and you’re off, using the included controller to operate it. 

Google Cardboard

Google Cardboard is a (very) cheap and cheerful VR viewer

11. Google Cardboard

The original and still cheapest VR viewer

Specifications

Weight: 181g
Material: Cardboard
Requirement: iOS or Android smartphone with gyroscope (screen size: 4-6in)

Reasons to buy

+
Very cheap
+
Easy to use

Reasons to avoid

-
Clunky to operate
-
Limited functionality

Google Cardboard is an earlier, more rudimentary VR viewer from Google that's literally made of cardboard. But while it's been surpassed by the more sophisticated Google Daydream View (above), Google Cardboard is still available, and is super cheap. Of course, as you'd expect, it's also lower-spec and fiddlier to use. For example, you will need to remove your phone from the device to switch between applications, unlike on its successor. But on the plus side, that does mean it's compatible with a far wider range of phones.

Nest smart home kit

While Google products like the Pixel 2 and Pixelbook may get more attention, Google's been quietly reinventing home security products by incorporating new technologies such as voice recognition, facial recognition and real-time streaming. Read on to find out how protecting your home and family is becoming easier and more secure than ever.

Nest Hello

Nest Hello lets you answer your door remotely

12. Nest Hello

See who's at the door without being there

Specifications

Dimensions: 1.7 in x 4.6 in x 1.0 in (4.3 cm x 11.7 cm x 2.6 cm)
Weight: 4.28 oz (121.6 g)
Power requirements: 16V AC–24V AC; requires a 10VA transformer and wired doorbell
Video: HD UXGA 1600 x 1200, up to 30 frames/sec, H.264 encoding, HDR
Field of view: 160° diagonal
Night Vision: 850nm infrared LEDs

Reasons to buy

+
Facial recognition
+
Pre-recorded messaging

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
Subscription needed

Nest was one of the first companies in the UK to delve into the new and exciting world of smart home technology, and was bought by Google in 2014. Recently launched in the UK, the Nest Hello is a hardwired smart video doorbell with facial recognition. 

A camera and microphone enable you to not only see who’s at the door but have a conversation with them without actually being there. You can play a pre-recorded message to visitors through the app on the doorbell, and even have ‘conversation without speaking’  by selecting from a set of pre-recorded soundbites. 

That might sound rude, but if you’re in a meeting where you can type into your phone but don’t want to speak into it, that could be quite handy. Finally, if you take out a subscription service, the Nest Hello will use images of known faces that you share with your account, and use facial recognition to tell you who is at the door.

Nest Learning Thermostat

Control your home's heating with the Nest Learning Thermostat

13. Nest Learning Thermostat

Spend less money heating and cooling your home

Specifications

Screen diameter: 2.08 in (5.3 cm)
Sensors: Temperature, indoor humidity, proximity, near-field activity, far-field activity, ambient light
Memory: 512MB
Battery: Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery
Power consumption: Less than 1 kWh/month
Connectivity requirements: Wi-Fi internet connection, Nest app, phone or tablet running iOS or Android

Reasons to buy

+
Pays for itself over time
+
Good for the environment

Reasons to avoid

-
Upfront cost
-
Savings difficult to predict 

Nest Learning Thermostat aims to pay for itself over time by adjusting the heating and cooling of your house in ways that will save you money. Better still, some electricity providers will give you a rebate just for buying one. It learns over time what temperature you prefer and it’s estimated that the device will pay for itself within two years. Of course, that’s going to vary from person to person, depending on how inefficient their heating and cooling habits are in the first place. If you don’t feel you pay enough attention to how much money you’re burning, and want to help the environment at the same time, this clever Google device should help you sleep better at night.

Nest Protect

Guard against smoke and CO2 with Nest Protect

14. Nest Protect

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm with web smarts

Reasons to buy

+
Colour coded alerts 
+
Smart home interoperability

Reasons to avoid

-
High price
-
Expensive option for large homes

Nest Protect is a smart smoke and carbon monoxide alarm that can connect to your smartphone, sending you updates when you're away from your home. It also offers spoken alerts and links up to other devices in your smart home, so for example you might want the lights to come on automatically when there’s an emergency. There’s also a circular LED that provides colour-coded alerts: yellow means smoke or carbon monoxide haven’t reached critical levels; red means you need get out now. It all adds up to superior peace of mind that your home, you and your loved ones will be protected, whether you’re home and away. 

Nest Cam Indoor

See what's going on in your home remotely with the Nest Cam Indoor

15. Nest Cam Indoor

A security camera for the web age

Specifications

Dimensions: 4.5in x 2.9in x 2.9in
Weight: 213g
Camera sensor: ⅓-inch, 3-megapixel color sensor
Zoom: 8x digital zoom and enhance
Video: Up to 1080p (1920 x 1080) at 30 frames/sec H.264 encoding
Night vision: High–power infrared LEDs (850nm)
Connectivity requirements: Wi-Fi connection; Nest app; Recommended: Phone or tablet running iOS or Android with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)

Reasons to buy

+
Stream footage online
+
Get customised alerts

Reasons to avoid

-
Basic modelIQ
-
May require subscription

Nest does a great line in security cameras that can stream footage to your phone, 24 hours a day, and the Nest Camera Indoor is the basic model. As with all the models in the range, you get 1080p HD footage, night vision, two-way audio, customised alerts, and compatibility with a number of smart home devices, such as the Philips Hue smart lights. A good, solid device for anyone who wants to monitor their home’s security in real time. However note that beyond a trial period, you will need a subscription to access certain features and to record and store video to the cloud: full details here.

Nest Cam Outdoor

The Nest Cam Outdoor is constructed for use outside the home as well as in

16. Nest Cam Outdoor

Smart security camera suitable for external use

Specifications

Dimensions: 2.8in x 2.8in x 3.5in
Weight: 313g
Camera sensor: ⅓-inch, 3-megapixel color sensor
Zoom: 8x digital zoom and enhance
Video: Up to 1080p (1920 x 1080) at 30 frames/sec H.264 encoding
Night vision: High–power infrared LEDs (850nm)
Connectivity requirements: Wi-Fi connection; Nest app; Recommended: Phone or tablet running iOS or Android with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)

Reasons to buy

+
Rugged built
+
Waterproof

Reasons to avoid

-
Requires wired connection
-
May need subscription service

As you might expect, the Nest Cam Outdoor is essentially the same as the Nest Cam Indoor, but with a rugged build and waterproof (IP65 rated), making it suitable for use outside of your home too. This is a wired camera so will require installation. Also bear in mind that it needs to be within range of your wireless router, which restricts what you can do with it, and that you will need the subscription service to take use some of the camera’s features and to record video to the Cloud. 

Nest Cam IQ Indoor

The Nest Cam IQ Indoor comes with facial recognition smarts

17. Nest Cam IQ Indoor

Security camera with facial recognition

Specifications

Dimensions: 4.9in x 2.9in x 2.9in
Weight: 357g
Camera sensor: 1/2.5-inch, 8-megapixel (4K) color sensor
Zoom: 12x digital zoom and enhance with 4K sensor
Video: Up to 1080p (1920 x 1080) at 30 frames/sec, H.264 encoding, HDR
Night vision: High–power infrared LEDs (940nm)
Connectivity requirements: Wi-Fi connection; Nest app; Recommended: Phone or tablet running iOS or Android with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)

Reasons to buy

+
Facial recognition
+
4K sensor

Reasons to avoid

-
Most expensive in range
-
Needs subscription 

The Nest Cam IQ Indoor improves on the Nest Cam Indoor is two main ways. Firstly, it has a 4K sensor which means that you can zoom in in finer detail to your footage (although note that this is still streamed in 1080p).  It also comes with facial recognition technology, so it can let you know if someone caught on camera is a familiar or unfamiliar face. Be aware, though, that you will need the subscription service to use these headline features, and to record video to the Cloud. 

Chromecast

Thanks to Chromecast, millions of us no longer have to watch our favourite TV streaming shows on our laptops but can enjoy them on our full-sized TV sets. But there's no longer just one Chromecast, but three. We explain what they are, and which one you need.

Chromecast Ultra

The top of the range Chromecast for video streaming

18. Chromecast Ultra

Stream 4K to your TV

Specifications

Resolution: 4K Ultra HD and high dynamic range (HDR)
Dimensions: Device: 58.20mm x 58.20mm x 13.70mm not including cable and accessories
Connection: HDMI Micro-USB, plus data ethernet port on the power adapter for hard-to-reach Wi-Fi spots in your home

Reasons to buy

+
4K content
+
HDR

Reasons to avoid

-
Pointless without a 4K TV
-
Hogs Wi-Fi bandwidth

Google's range of Chromecast devices plug into your TV’s HDMI port, allowing you to stream content to it with your home Wi-Fi. The latest and greatest model, as you’d expect from the name, is the Chromecast Ultra. The main benefit of this more expensive model is that you can stream 4K and HDR content. Obviously, to do that you’ll also need a 4K TV, a source of 4K content, and a fast Wi-Fi network. 

Chromecast

The original Chromecast is still perfect for streaming in HD

19. Chromecast

Stream 1080p video to your TV

Specifications

Resolution: 1080p
Dimensions: Device: 51.9mm x 51.9mm x 13.49mm (not including cables or accessories)
Connection: HDMI Micro-USB

Reasons to buy

+
Cheap
+
Faster than 4K streaming

Reasons to avoid

-
No 4K or HDR support
-
Not future-proof

If you don’t have a 4K TV, or are happy to stream in 'just' 1080p HD video, then the basic Chromecast is the obvious option. Beyond the lack of 4K and HDR support, it does pretty much everything the Chromecast Ultra (above) does, but at a lower price. Because 1080p takes up less data, you won’t need to worry so much about your Wi-Fi network keeping up either. 

Chromecast Audio

Chromecast Audio does for your music system what Chromecast does for your TV

20. Chromecast Audio

Stream audio to your multiroom speakers

Specifications

Output: Stereo analog output
Optical digital output: High-Resolution Audio: 96KHz/24-bit
Dimensions: Package: 124.4 x 42.85 x 124mm
Device: 51.9mm x 51.9,, x 13.49mm (not including cables or accessories)
Audio cable: 146mm (5.7in)
Weight: 30.7g

Reasons to buy

+
Cheap 
+
Easy to set up

Reasons to avoid

-
Doesn't support Apple Music 
-
No Amazon Prime Music on iOS

In the same way that the Chromecast and the Chromecast Ultra make it easy to stream video to your TV, the Chromecast Audio is a Google product makes it easy to stream music to speakers and home audio systems. You can stream from Android devices, and it works with some iPhone and iPad apps, although not all, most notably Apple Music or Amazon Prime Music (this is, however, supported on Android). It also offers voice control via the Google Assistant. In short, this is a great Google device for controlling your multiroom music, unless you rely heavily on particular music services that are unsupported.

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Tom May

Tom May is an award-winning journalist and editor specialising in design, photography and technology. Author of the Amazon #1 bestseller Great TED Talks: Creativity, published by Pavilion Books, Tom was previously editor of Professional Photography magazine, associate editor at Creative Bloq, and deputy editor at net magazine. Today, he is a regular contributor to Creative Bloq and its sister sites Digital Camera World, T3.com and Tech Radar. He also writes for Creative Boom and works on content marketing projects.