Apple HomePod vs Google Nest:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Google Nest had more branded searches than Apple HomePod among smart speaker brands in New Zealand. Google Nest had about 2,260 branded searches, while Apple HomePod had 1,720. Google Nest made up 11.7% of all smart speaker brand searches we track, and Apple HomePod accounted for 8.9%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about smart speaker brands, Apple HomePod appeared in all five answers and Google Nest in three. Apple HomePod was mentioned before Google Nest in three out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Google Nest, about 31% more searches than Apple HomePod
Who does AI mention more?
Apple HomePod, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Apple HomePod, named ahead of Google Nest in 3 of 5 answers
Follow Apple HomePod vs Google Nest and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top smart speaker brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Apple HomePod appeared in all five answers. Google Nest was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Apple HomePod was listed before Google Nest in three out of five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Sonos1st
Amazon Echo2nd- Apple HomePod3rd
- Google Nest4th
Bose–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Amazon Echo5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Apple HomePod5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Sonos4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Google Nest3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Bose0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about smart speaker brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which smart speaker brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best smart speaker brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best smart speaker brand in New Zealand for music and voice control?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best smart speaker”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“voice assistant speaker”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is Apple HomePod or Google Nest more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Apple HomePod and Google Nest by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all five smart speaker brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Google Nest, Apple HomePod. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Bose | Sonos | Google Nest | Amazon Echo | Apple HomePod |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 41% | 23.8% | 16.5% | 11.4% | 7.3% |
| Nov 2025 | 41.1% | 27.4% | 14.2% | 11.3% | 6.1% |
| Dec 2025 | 39.4% | 25.2% | 14.4% | 14.6% | 6.4% |
| Jan 2026 | 37.6% | 25.4% | 17.8% | 11.7% | 7.5% |
| Feb 2026 | 37.1% | 25% | 18.3% | 12% | 7.7% |
| Mar 2026 | 36.5% | 29.2% | 16.1% | 10% | 8.2% |
| Apr 2026 | 37.1% | 28.8% | 16.6% | 10.3% | 7.2% |
| May 2026 | 38.7% | 25.6% | 18.8% | 9.2% | 7.8% |
| Jun 2026 | 39.8% | 24.1% | 19.5% | 8.4% | 8.2% |
| Jul 2026 | 40.9% | 26.4% | 14.1% | 9.7% | 8.9% |
| Aug 2026 | 40.8% | 27.9% | 14.7% | 8.7% | 7.9% |
| Sep 2026 | 39.7% | 29.9% | 11.7% | 9.8% | 8.9% |
How has the Apple HomePod and Google Nest comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Google Nest was ahead of Apple HomePod in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Apple HomePod’s share of searches among smart speaker brands in New Zealand moved from 7.3% to 8.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.5K to 1.7K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Google Nest’s share of searches among smart speaker brands in New Zealand moved from 16.5% to 11.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 3.3K to 2.3K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand smart speaker brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Apple HomePod gained share of searches among smart speaker brands in New Zealand, from 7.9% to 8.9%.
In September 2026, Google Nest lost share of searches among smart speaker brands in New Zealand, from 14.7% to 11.7%.
How are branded searches counted?
10 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Apple HomePod’s and Google Nest’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Apple HomePod
2 branded search terms
- apple homepod
- homepod
Google Nest
8 branded search terms
- google nest
- google nest audio
- google nest cam
- google nest hub
- google nest protect
- google nest thermostat
- google nest wifi
- googlenest
Other head-to-heads among smart speaker brands
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.