Best Smart Home Hubs for 2024

The Google Nest Hub Max is a popular smart display, but there are a few things to keep in mind. First off, you'll need a [Google Duo](https://www.shopsavvy.com/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fk%3DGoogle%2BDuo%26tag%3Dssw.ans.tx-1-20) account to make video calls. If you're already using another service like [Skype](https://www.shopsavvy.com/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fk%3DSkype%26tag%3Dssw.ans.tx-1-20) or [Zoom](https://www.shopsavvy.com/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fk%3DZoom%26tag%3Dssw.ans.tx-1-20), this could be inconvenient since they aren't supported directly by the device. On the topic of the camera, it has its pros and cons. It's great for video calls and home monitoring, but some folks worry about privacy. The good news is that there's a physical switch to turn off the camera and microphone if you ever feel uneasy. Another point to consider is app and streaming service support. While it works seamlessly with [YouTube](https://www.shopsavvy.com/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fk%3DYouTube%26tag%3Dssw.ans.tx-1-20) and [Google Photos](https://www.shopsavvy.com/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fk%3DGoogle%2BPhotos%26tag%3Dssw.ans.tx-1-20), integrating services like [Netflix](https://www.shopsavvy.com/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fk%3DNetflix%26tag%3Dssw.ans.tx-1-20) sometimes isn't as smooth. Lastly, the sound quality is fine for everyday use but might not wow audiophiles. If you're expecting top-tier sound, you might be a bit disappointed compared to standalone speakers. So, while the Google Nest Hub Max comes with a lot of handy features, including hands-free video calls, control via the [Google Home](https://www.shopsavvy.com/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fk%3DGoogle%2BHome%26tag%3Dssw.ans.tx-1-20) app, and integration with Google's ecosystem, it's good to be aware of these common concerns.

Yeah, you can use the Google Nest Hub Max as a security camera, but there are a few things to keep in mind. The manufacturer says it has a 6.5 MP camera, which means you get pretty clear pictures during the day or wherever there's good lighting. So, it's great for keeping an eye on things in well-lit areas. But, according to our research, it doesn't have night vision. This means it can't really capture clear images in the dark because it doesn't have the infra-red tech for that. If you mainly need it for daytime security, it should do the job fine. You can stream live video and get alerted when it detects motion, which is super handy for checking up on things when the sun's out. But, if you're after 24/7 monitoring, especially in darker spots at night, this device might not cut it. For that, you might want to look into other cameras that have night vision. There are plenty out there that are built for low-light conditions. So, in a nutshell, the Google Nest Hub Max works well for daytime surveillance, but keep its night vision limitations in mind if you're after round-the-clock security.

The Google Nest Hub Max has pretty solid sound quality for everyday use. From what we've gathered, it has stereo speakers with a 30W subwoofer and two 10W tweeters. This setup gives you clear highs and decent bass, which works well for listening to music, watching videos, and making video calls. While it might not rival high-end speakers, it excels for a smart display. People have found the audio to be clear and strong, especially for voice assistant tasks and casual listening. So, if you're after a smart display with good sound, the Google Nest Hub Max should do the trick.