Google's new $99 Nest Audio will go head to head with Amazon's redesigned Echo — here's how to preorder the smart speaker

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• Google's Nest Audio is a $99 smart speaker controlled by Google Assistant, and it's available for preorder now.
• The Nest Audio joins the $49 Nest Mini in Google's growing smart home device family, and it will compete with Amazon's redesigned Echo.

Less than a week after Amazon revealed a redesigned update to its Echo smart speaker, Google has launched its own $99 smart speaker, the Nest Audio. Google revealed Nest Audio alongside two new Pixel phones and an updated Chromecast with Google TV during a video presentation titled "Launch Night In" on September 30.

Nest Audio is the latest addition to Google's growing smart home brand, replacing the Google Home speaker released in 2016. Nest also offers the $49 Nest Mini smart speaker, which replaced the Google Home Mini in October 2019. The Nest device family uses Google Assistant to manage devices and includes the Nest Hub display, security cameras, alarms, thermostats, and a Wi-Fi system.

Nest Audio price and release date

Google's Nest Audio will launch on October 5, and preorders are available now from Google and Best Buy.

Google says Nest Audio will start appearing on retail shelves on October 15, but some people have already reported being able to buy one in stores. We'll add more purchase options once they become available.

Nest Audio specs and features

Nest Audio is 6.89 inches tall and comes in five colors: black, light grey, coral, light green, and sky blue. The smart speaker is covered in fabric and offers touch controls along with Google Assistant capabilities. For added privacy, a single switch allows you to turn the microphone off.

Multiple Nest Audio and Nest Mini speakers can network together to create a stereo system or provide multi-room playback with Google Assistant. Google says the Nest Audio's 75 mm woofer and 19 mm tweeter will make it 75% louder than the Google Home, with 50% stronger bass. It's unclear if Nest Audio will support Bluetooth playback from other devices, though the Nest Mini does.

Nest Audio will compete directly with Amazon's redesigned Echo smart speaker, which releases October 22 for $99. For most smart home shoppers, your preference between Amazon's Alexa virtual assistant or Nest's Google Assistant will likely determine which speaker you choose. However, it is notable that Nest Audio does not have a USB-C port or 3.5 mm headphone jack for auxiliary input or output to other devices, while the Echo and the $50 Echo Dot both have a 3.5 mm port.