Which Google Products Are Actually Worth Buying? A Buying Guide

Google's consumer product range is smaller than you might expect, but each item punches above its weight in value. The Google Home Smart Speaker at £69 is genuinely one of the cheapest smart speakers that actually works, while the Fitbit Inspire 3 and Fitbit Charge 6 are where Google has invested seriously post-acquisition, delivering fitness tracking features that rival devices costing £50–100 more.

Why Google?

Google entered the smart home market in 2016 with Home, building on two decades of search and AI expertise. In 2021, they acquired Fitbit, inheriting a 13-year legacy in wearable fitness tracking. What sets Google apart: tight ecosystem integration (your fitness data flows into Google Fit, your smart speaker controls your entire home setup), aggressive pricing to drive adoption, and commitment to software updates. Unlike some competitors, Google actually maintains their devices for years—the original Home still receives new features.

Top Picks

Google Home Smart Speaker — £69

Best for: budget-conscious smart home entry and kitchen use. At this price, it's the most accessible Google Assistant speaker available. The sound quality isn't premium (single 40mm driver), but voice recognition is excellent even in noisy kitchens. Perfect for smart light/heating control, timers, and Google Search integration without splurging on a Nest Hub.

Google Fitbit Inspire 3 Health & Fitness Tracker (Lilac Bliss/Black) — £99.95

Best for: casual fitness tracking and sleep monitoring. The Inspire 3 is the entry point to Fitbit's ecosystem. 8-day battery life (significantly longer than rivals), 24/7 heart rate monitoring, and stress tracking cover the essentials. The smaller form factor suits smaller wrists. No GPS—you'll need your phone—but the price reflects that honestly.

Google Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker (Coral/Champagne Gold or Porcelain/Silver) — £159.95

Best for: serious fitness enthusiasts wanting built-in GPS and more advanced metrics. Built-in GPS eliminates phone dependency for running/cycling. Adds EDA stress measurement (electrodermal activity—it genuinely detects nervous system response), Blood Oxygen SpO2 tracking, and a larger 1.04-inch AMOLED display versus Inspire 3's basic LCD. 14-day battery life. The dual colour options (Coral/Champagne Gold or Porcelain/Silver) mean it works as a genuine everyday watch, not just a fitness tracker.

Quick Comparison

| Product | Price | Best For | Standout Feature | |---------|-------|----------|------------------| | Google Home Smart Speaker | £69 | Smart home entry, kitchen control | Budget-friendly Google Assistant device | | Fitbit Inspire 3 | £99.95 | Casual fitness tracking, sleep monitoring | 8-day battery, lightweight form factor | | Fitbit Charge 6 | £159.95 | Serious fitness, runners, cyclists | Built-in GPS + AMOLED display, 14-day battery |

What to Look For

• Battery life matters more than you think. The Inspire 3 lasts 8 days, Charge 6 lasts 14 days. If you're charging every other day, you'll abandon it. Rivals like Apple Watch last only 1–2 days; Google's advantage is clear.

• GPS capability depends on your sport. If you run outdoors without your phone, built-in GPS (Charge 6 only) is non-negotiable. If you're gym-based or walk with your phone, Inspire 3's reliance on smartphone GPS is fine—and saves £60.

• Display quality affects usability. The Charge 6's AMOLED screen is bright and readable outdoors; Inspire 3's LCD is dim in sunlight. For outdoor athletes, this matters.

• Ecosystem lock-in is real. Google Fit integration is seamless if you use Android. iPhone users get Fitbit's app instead, which works but lacks Google's deeper health insights. Pick based on your phone OS.

The Bottom Line

Google's product lineup is lean but solid. Start with the Google Home Smart Speaker at £69 if you want affordable smart home basics, or jump straight to the Fitbit Charge 6 at £159.95 if serious fitness tracking is your priority—its 14-day battery and built-in GPS justify the price. Skip the Inspire 3 unless you have a very small wrist or want to save £60; the Charge 6 offers better value per feature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Google Home speaker actually smart, or is it just a voice assistant?

It's both. The Home speaker is a fully functional Google Assistant device—it learns your routines, controls smart lights/plugs/thermostats, and plays music from Spotify or YouTube Music. It's not as customisable as a full smart hub like the Nest Hub (which adds a touchscreen), but for £69, the smart home capabilities are genuine, not gimped.

Do I really need built-in GPS on a fitness tracker?

Not if you always carry your phone. The Inspire 3 will track your running route via smartphone GPS fine. But if you run without your phone, go hiking, or cycle commute, built-in GPS (Charge 6) saves you from carrying it and gives more accurate distance/pace. The £60 difference is worth it only if you'll actually use it 3+ times weekly.

Are Google Fitbit trackers compatible with iPhone?

Yes. Both Inspire 3 and Charge 6 work with iPhone via the Fitbit app. You won't get deep Google Fit integration (that's Android-only), but all core features—heart rate, sleep, step tracking, workouts—sync perfectly. iOS users get a fully functional tracker, just not the Google ecosystem advantage.

How long do these products receive software updates?

Google commits to 3+ years of software updates for Fitbit wearables post-launch. The original Home speaker (2016) still receives new features today. This is better than most fitness tracker competitors, which often abandon devices after 1–2 years. Updates are automatic; no action required from you.