Google Home Hub 1st Generation Repair

To help identify issues with your Hub, check out our troubleshooting guide.

Released in October 2018 and the first in Google's smart-display lineup, the Google Home Hub 1st Generation is powered by Google Assistant, and lives in the Google Nest's Internet of Things (IoT). An odd-looker in the realm of smart-displays, the Home Hub is a 7"x 4.6" touchscreen mounted on an ovular, mesh-covered speaker. Production stopped in 2021 following the release of the Google Nest Hub 2nd Generation, but can still be found new or used from $40-$90. Its successor, the Nest Hub 2nd Generation, retails for $99. While the Nest Hub 2nd Generation remains similar in appearance and performance to its predecessor, there are a few notable additions that might make it worth a few extra bucks:

• Soli sensor: enables gesture controls and sleep sensing
• Speakers: enhanced, providing up to 50% more bass than original model
• Display: lacks the 1st Generation's bezel, giving the device a more refined look
• Processor: updated, and providing slightly quicker voice-command processing
• Connected Home over IP (CHIP) support: software (still in development) that is supposed to increase compatibility of IoT across multiple smart-devices.

The Google Home Hub 1st Generation was rebranded in 2019 as "Google Nest Hub," even though the product remained identical, which made finding information concerning the device a bit confusing. Some retailers applied stickers to the original Google Home Hub 1st Generation's boxes to reflect the change, as seen in the photo at the top of this article, but many did not.

In short, the Google Home Hub 1st Generation and Google Nest Hub 1st Generation are identical products. If you're still unsure which generation you own, check the model number on the bottom of the device's rubber foot. If your device was manufactured pre-rebranding, the model number should be GA00515. Any Google Home Hubs 1st Generation manufactured after the official rebranding are identified with model number GA00516; but rest assured, they're the exact same product, and any guide for either should work for both of the devices.

By and large, the Google Home Hub 1st Generation was well-received by the public, and has outstanding reviews. Most of the Hub's negative reviews revolve around three main issues: frustration concerning unresponsive or inaccurate voice-commands; the screen being too fragile and prone to breakage; and software malfunctions. These negative reviews are outliers, however, as nearly every available source reviews the Home Hub at 4.5 stars or higher.

All in all, the Google Home Hub 1st Generation is an affordable, albeit basic display, and a must-have if your home is stocked with Google products. If better audio quality, a slightly refined display, and the Soli sensor features are a dealbreaker for you, go with the Google Nest Hub 2nd Generation.

• Google Home Hub 1st Generation
• 15W power adapter
• Documentation and startup guide

• Smart Display: 7" WSVGA voice-activated touchscreen
• Resolution: 1024x600

• Built in: 2 in Full-Range speaker
• Volume: controlled by voice command/buttons on the rear of the display

• Built in: Dual Far-field microphones; supports hand-free use via Google Assistant
• Mute: for extra privacy, there's a built in mute switch on the rear of the display; helpful if your Hub is chatting when no one's talking to it.

• Ultrasound sensing
• Ambient EQ light sensor

• DC power jack
• Hidden micro USB under rubber foot (no apparent user function)

• Wifi: 802.11b/g/n/ac (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz) Wi-Fi
  Note: WPA2-Enterprise is not supported.
• Bluetooth® 5.0

• Works with: Google Assistant, Hue, Nest, Ring, SmartThings, Wink
  • Note: this is not an exhaustive list of compatible features

• Depth: 2.65 in (67.3 mm)
• Width: 7.02 in (178.5 mm)
• Height: 4.65 in (118 mm)
• Power cable: 4.92 ft (1.5 m)

• Device: 16.9 oz (480 g) (not including charger)

• Charcoal
• Chalk
• Sand
• Aqua

• Indoor only: not built for the great outdoors

• Google's spec page
• Gearbrain on Nest v. Hub
• Bestbuy device page
• Another Hub v. Nest comparison/specs
• ElectronicExpress retail page

• Wikipedia page on the Nest lineup
• CNET review
• Tom's Guide Tom's Guide Review