Google's current range focuses on two areas: smart displays for home control and Fitbit fitness trackers for health monitoring. The Nest Hub Max (£150–£229) is the standout smart display, whilst the Fitbit Charge 6 (£129.95) offers the most complete fitness tracking experience. Both are genuinely useful rather than gimmicky, though your choice depends on whether you prioritise home automation or personal health data.
Why Google?
Google has owned Fitbit since 2021 and manufactures the Nest Hub range through its hardware division, giving them control over both software and hardware integration. They specialise in voice-activated smart home devices and wearable health trackers, leveraging their AI expertise and massive data infrastructure. What sets them apart: their products tie directly into the Google ecosystem (Gmail, Calendar, Maps, YouTube), meaning your smart display can show weather during your morning routine, and your fitness tracker syncs seamlessly with Google Fit. Founded in 1998, Google's hardware strategy is relatively young compared to their search dominance, but they've quietly built a competitive range that prioritises integration over flashiness.
Top Picks
Google Nest Hub Max Smart Display — £229
Best for households that want a central smart home hub with video calling and entertainment.
The Nest Hub Max is a 10-inch touchscreen that controls your smart home devices, displays Google Photos, streams YouTube, and handles video calls via Google Meet. Unlike cheaper smart displays, it has a built-in camera for video calls and can recognise household members. The audio is decent for a display (not a replacement for a standalone speaker, but adequate for music and podcasts). At £229, it's the premium option in Google's display range, and the price reflects the camera and larger screen.
Google Nest Hub Max Smart Home Assistant — £150
Best for voice-first users who want smart home control without video calling or a large screen.
This is the budget version of the Nest Hub Max, stripped back to the essentials: a smaller 7-inch display, voice control via Google Assistant, and smart home automation. You lose the camera and larger screen, but gain a more compact device suited to kitchens or bedside tables. At £150, it's a straightforward smart home hub that controls lights, thermostats, and other connected devices without unnecessary extras.
Google Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker — £129.95
Best for people who want comprehensive health tracking and Google ecosystem integration in one wearable.
The Fitbit Charge 6 tracks steps, heart rate, sleep, exercise (with 40+ workout modes), and stress levels. It has a small AMOLED screen, 7-day battery life, and syncs directly with Google Fit. Two colour options: Coral/Champagne Gold or Porcelain/Silver Aluminum. This is the most feature-complete tracker in Google's current lineup and works well whether you're monitoring general fitness or specific health metrics like SpO2 (blood oxygen).
Google Fitbit Inspire 3 Fitness Tracker — £79.95
Best for budget-conscious buyers who want daily activity tracking without advanced health metrics.
The Fitbit Inspire 3 (Lilac Bliss or Black) tracks steps, calories, exercise, and sleep, with a 10-day battery life. It lacks the advanced heart rate and stress monitoring of the Charge 6, but it's half the price and lighter to wear. Ideal if you just want to track daily movement and workout consistency without deep health analytics.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Price | Best For | Standout Feature | |---------|-------|----------|------------------| | Nest Hub Max (10") | £229 | Video calls + smart home control | Built-in camera, larger screen | | Nest Hub Max (7") | £150 | Voice control + smart home | Compact size, affordable entry point | | Fitbit Charge 6 | £129.95 | Comprehensive health tracking | AMOLED screen, 40+ workout modes | | Fitbit Inspire 3 | £79.95 | Budget-friendly daily tracking | 10-day battery, lightweight design |
What to Look For
- Display size and use case: The 10-inch Nest Hub Max suits kitchen counters or living rooms; the 7-inch version fits bedside tables or smaller spaces. Consider where you'll actually place it.
- Camera requirements: Only the £229 Nest Hub Max has a camera. If video calling or family recognition matters, you need this model; otherwise, the £150 version handles everything else.
- Fitness tracking depth: The Fitbit Charge 6 monitors heart rate variability, stress, and SpO2 — useful if you're optimising health metrics. The Inspire 3 skips these; choose based on whether you need that data.
- Battery life matters: Fitbit Inspire 3 lasts 10 days between charges; Charge 6 lasts 7 days. If charging weekly annoys you, go for the Inspire 3.
The Bottom Line
Buy the Fitbit Charge 6 (£129.95) if you want the best all-around fitness tracker with deep health insights and Google ecosystem integration. Buy the Nest Hub Max 10-inch (£229) if you prioritise a smart home control hub that also handles video calls. Both are genuinely useful and offer better value than competitor equivalents at similar prices. The smaller Nest Hub Max (£150) and Fitbit Inspire 3 (£79.95) are solid budget alternatives if you're willing to sacrifice camera functionality or advanced health metrics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Google Fitbit good value for money?
Yes, the Fitbit Charge 6 at £129.95 delivers solid value—it includes heart rate, sleep, stress, and SpO2 monitoring alongside 40+ workout modes, with direct Google Fit integration. You're paying for comprehensive tracking rather than flashy design. The Inspire 3 at £79.95 is even cheaper and suits casual fitness tracking.
Can you use Google Nest Hub Max without internet?
No. Smart displays require continuous internet to function. They need WiFi to stream content, control smart home devices, and process voice commands through Google Assistant. A wired Ethernet connection or strong WiFi signal is essential.
Do Fitbit trackers work with non-Google phones?
Yes. Fitbit trackers work with both Android and iOS via the Fitbit app. However, they integrate most seamlessly with Android phones that have Google Fit installed. iPhone users can still sync data and track health metrics—you'll just miss some automated Google ecosystem features.
Should I buy a Google smart display or a smart speaker?
Buy a display if you want to see calendars, YouTube, Google Photos, or video call. Buy a speaker-only device (Google Home or Nest Audio) if you only need voice commands and audio output. Displays cost more but are genuinely more useful for home control and information display.
