Insignia™ - Voice™ Smart Bluetooth Speaker and Alarm Clock with Google Assistant - Gray

The Insignia Voice is a home alarm clock that offers google assistant with a 360 speaker for audio and voice playback. While it looks good in person and on paper there are some key features that it falls short in. Lets dive in and see if this is gonna be worth the buy for you. First impression out of the box is that this a pretty nice and sleek looking unit. The unit is not bulky or tall and takes up very little space on a night stand. Out of the box you will receive the Insignia smart clock and power cord. Once powered up you will notice all the display lights will come on. You have a center O button which acts as a pause/play button and action button. A + and - button are used to lower and raise volume and also control dimming features. On the back of the speaker is a mic button that serves as a mute and factory reset. Set up is very easy, once the unit is plugged in it will voice prompt you to download the Google home app which is free on the Playstore. Set up is very easy with no issues and took as little as 1 minute to complete. Once set up is complete the app will show you all the things you can do with your smart device. It will also allow you to set up a primary account for your music and video streaming for example if you have a Spotify account you can set it up as your primary music source this way when you say "Hey google play my hip hop playlist" it will automatically pull it from Spotify first and start streaming all the music you have in that play list. You can also hold down the + and - button which puts it into Bluetooth mode allowing the unit to sync up to your cellphone. I personally don't like this feature due to the fact that every single audio piece gets streamed through the speaker and eventually it gets annoying plus everyone around you can hear whatever it is you are watching. Now lets talk about one of the first issues i ran in to after initial set up was complete and that is the clock feature. I live in Denver and yet my clock was set to Eastern time zone. I tried several things to remedy this situation and could not find an answer. I called tech support and they told me that my phones time needed to be set to auto and then to proceed to do a factory reset on the unit itself. I did this and yet the time still remained two hours ahead. I then called back and they proceeded to tell me that it must be an issue with google and not the unit. I thought maybe after a couple of days it would sync up and display the right time. After two days it was still two hours ahead. This was very disappointing for a few reasons, one whats the point of using the alarm clock feature if my time is set two hours ahead and two this now defeats the purpose of being a smart CLOCK! After trying a few different things through my frustration i finally found a way to get the time to set properly. I had to manually set my time to Denver and turn off the Auto feature then do a hard reset on the clock in which it did finally set the right time, however i wanted to see if it would adjust the time if i adjusted my time and no, it did not. So i guess when daylight savings time comes around the corner im going to have the same issue again. This is very disappointing and is a clear example of a hardware issue and not an issue with Google Home. Lets move on and talk about the smart features of the Google Assistant. First off i just wanna say i have always been a big fan of android devices and the google assistant app. I actually use the Google Assistant quite a bit on my cellphone since it allows for hands free functionality. The Assistant on the Insignia Voice differs from the Assistant that can be found on your cellphone in many ways. The Google assistant on the Insignia Voice allows for some cool features like weather updates, sport updates, and much more other cool features. I mean heck you can even play trivia games with your Insignia Voice. However it does not allow for basic features that everybody does on a daily basis. What i mean by this is that you cannot have it read or send text messages, read emails, make phone calls and several other key things. The Google Assistant lets me know that it cannot do these features just yet but may be able to in the future. What i don't understand is why would you not implement these features into a smart device when these are features that everybody uses at least a couple times a day. Being able to play games and get sports updates is cool and all but i read my emails and text messages several times a day and this takes a bigger importance for me than some trivia game. I guess what this really comes down to is what you are hoping to get out of the Smart device in the way of a personal assistant. Sure it can put together a grocery list and set up reminders on a calendar for you, but how can you teach something to ride a motorcycle if it cant even ride a bicycle (metaphorically speaking of course.) Now lets talk about that 360 sounding speaker. This is a section i was actually very pleasantly surprised from. The sound quality is actually not too bad. When it plays whatever tunes you want it to, the sound quality can be heard equally from all sides of the room. And while this is not a expensive sounding speaker system i had no issues making out all my highs, mids and lows with very good clarity from my Insignia Voice speaker. Here's my final take away from this speaker. There are alot of cool features that the google assistant can do and to go in to detail on all of them would take up way too much space and time. While it does offer some cool things it also lacks some of the very basic features in every day life. My hope is that one day it will fix this with a firmware update allowing calls and text message play backs at the very least. What this is going to come down to as a buyer is rather or not something like that is going to bother you. The sound quality coming out the speakers however is pretty darn good. Pop on some of your favorite jams while your cooking or getting ready to go to work in the morning and you will find that sound quality is good enough for you to get in to your music and start singing and dancing along. The struggle of having to set the correct time and not getting proper information from tech support was very frustrating and the main reason i only gave this review 3 stars because at the end of the day i feel that this is a very average unit when compared to some of the other devices that are out there in the market at this price point. If you do decide to buy this my suggestion is to hold on your receipt in case you can't get your time to set properly and need to return the unit. All in all i feel that there are better units out there that can do a better job than this device but if your still curious to see if this is the right fit for you than by all means give it a shot.

I've had two of these for two months now, and they are absolutely incredible. They sync well with my Philips Hue lights, and provide pretty good sound quality. Pros~ They can sync with other Google Homes or Chromecasts in you house. They sync well with Philips Hue lights. There is also a super stealthy USB port on the back if you'd like to charge something. It is an awesome alarm clock! I used to use a Home mini as an alarm clock, but really didn't work well since Google had to deactivate the top surface. This thing works seamlessly. You literally say 'Hey Google' then when, what time, and how to wake you up. Yes, you can specify how. I had it set to play NPR to wake me up. You can set it to wake you to a specific song, or playlist or the radio. I've definitely waken up better now then when I used my phone or a screeching alarm clock. And just tap the top to turn off. If you like sound playing while you fall asleep, (like me), then you can set up routines to activate when you say you are going to bed. Mine will say the next day's weather, then turn my lights off. It will then play cicadas and cricket sound, which are VERY convincing. There are others like a fan, water stream, thunderstorm, or just plain white noise. A nice touch is the proximity sensors on the top illuminate capacitive buttons when you wave your hand over it. Helpful in the dark. Design~ The size of the unit is pretty much the same size as the original Google Home. But, it definitely looks better. The more angular design and black color as opposed to white is definitely better looking and blends in to environments better. Cons~ Only a couple, and they are not a big deal. 1) The power brick is pretty big compared to other speakers, so you may want to think about that before putting it on a power strip, and 2) the clock face is a little too bright for me at night. It is adjustable, and I have it to its lowest setting, but it's a little bright.

I bought this speaker for $25 figuring for that price to get a decent speaker, clock and assistant in my bedroom I can't go wrong especially when Google Home Minis are usually around $35-50. I originally had a Echo Dot in my room and never owned a Google Home device. I will say that set-up is super easy. I have an iPhone and I had the Google Home app (I have a few Chromecast devices) and it recognized it immediately and turned on the time and then began an update that took just a few minutes. After that I was ready to go. I tried playing one of my Spotify playlists. Didn't work. It started playing a random playlist with a similar name. If I ask for a specific artist, album or song though it played just fine. The playlist issue seems to be a Google Home issues as well, not specific to this device. I will say though, for a small speaker the sound isn't bad. It also isn't great. It won't compare to a Sonos or other high end speaker. For $25 it sounds amazing. For $100, you'd be better off spending the extra $50 and getting the Sonos Play One and connecting a Echo Dot to it or Sonos One for an extra $100. It works great for bedroom audio and while it gets plenty loud, I wouldn't necessarily use it for a party. There is bass, but hardly any deep bass. The mids and lows sound ok but can get muddled. Again for $25 it's great for listening in the bedroom. I even set my Chromecast Audio back up on my speaker bar in my family room and now using the Home Group I can stream music to both my Insignia speaker and my Chromecast Audio at the same time giving me a multi-room option, which I do love. My only drawbacks to this device are the Spotify playlist issue (which seems to be a Google issue) and that when the alarm clock goes off, even when you stop the audio tone of the alarm, the clock on the front continues to flash and I have found no ways of stopping this. Hoping I can find a fix or with a firmware update because that kills the whole alarm clock functionality for me. I will say, in regards to Spotify playlists, my Echo dot plays my personal playlists with no issues. Not sure why Google can't, but hopefully this gets fixed with updates. My other complaint (again this is with Google and not Insignia) is that Google Home devices do not work with SiriusXM and my Echo Dot does. Again, could be fixed in the future with updates. Ultimately, for $25 you can't go wrong. You get a decent sounding speaker, a Google Assistant device and a clock all wrapped in one. Sure the alarm flashing sucks, but overall it's not a bad package. Hopefully with updates my complaints can be fixed. I would totally buy this again for $25, but for the original price of $100 it's not really worth it. Even at $50 it's questionable, but probably worth it.

Usually, you buy the Insignia brand and expect a mediocre product, as shortcuts are taken and price is considered before quality. Not so with this Smart Speaker; Best Buy's contract manufacturer has figured out how to make it inexpensive and be a high-quality product. I have other Google Assistant speakers in my home and while they're good, this one is honestly better in many respects. It was purchased under the guise of being an alarm clock and a Google Assistant speaker for the bedroom, with a focus more on the fact I picked up for a few bucks more than a regular alarm clock than anything else. So imagine my surprise when I connected my iPhone via Bluetooth and experienced excellent bass and treble response, especially for what I paid for the speaker. The sound quality isn't as good as a dedicated mid-range BT speaker or a high-end speaker with Google Assistant or Alexa in it, but it's actually a step up from two speakers I own that directly compete with this one. Setup is super easy with these speakers, just like with any other Google Speaker. You'll need your iPhone or Android device with the Google Home app installed to get it going, Once set up and connected to WiFi, you'll be able to say "Hey Google" and have it do pretty much anything you want a smart speaker to do; the only thing 3rd party Assistant speakers don't do that the actual Google Home speakers do is make phone calls, but chances are you won't miss that feature. Audio quality is good from pretty much any source. I tested with Bluetooth and Pandora, and both were crystal clear. You can also use Google Play Music, YouTube Music, Spotify, and Deezer (some services require a subscription). Chromecast Audio is also built in, so it can be a target for Chromecast Audio-compatible apps. It's only when you get to the upper limits of the device's volume level that you get audio distortion. Other nice features are a display on the front of the unit that shows a clock, outdoor temperature, volume level, and even the outside temperature; USB port for charging your phone or other device at night; touch controls for those times when you can't say "Hey Google, mute the music"; and a pleasant, modern aesthetic to the device's design. It also has dual-band WiFi connectivity to connect to your network with. If there's a drawback to this speaker, it's that it uses a wall wart instead of an internal power supply. That's not really even a con though, that's me nitpicking. All in all, the Insignia Voice Smart Speaker is a terrific value for what it is. I'd recommend it over most of the major brands, unless you need a water-resistant speaker or want something that will give you a hi-fi experience, in which case there are other options. But for a speaker that will sit by your nightstand, in your kitchen, in your bathroom, or somewhere else that a small speaker that responds to your voice makes sense, this is perfect for the job.

I did read a lot of the reviews before I purchased mine so I was concerned that this might be a waste of money. But I have really wanted a Google Home with the a screen of some sort. Don't like having to ask Google for the time. So when I saw this in an email it got my interest. I love my Google Homes and minis. They are almost essential for a smart home. The only downside of them to me is no basic display. Just a clock and weather were all i was wanting. So this fits what I have wanted for about a year. I'm not going to rehash the complaints of others although I will say some are more valid than others. I have not had an issue with random noises, volume fluctuations or time zones. I did notice that night mode is not available on this unit. Not too much of a problem since you can set the master and alarm volumes separately. I know that is rather new for the Google units so maybe it will show up in a later update. My main purpose for the Voice was as a bedroom alarm clock replacement. Display is good for this and easily visible from 10-12 feet. I wish the temp would display constantly, but I know that that part of the display is used for other functions so I can live with it. I give it 5/5 for replacing my bedside clock. For those reviews bemoaning the sound quality I think you're being pretty unfair. It is not quite as good as the Google Home but far better than the Home Mini. If you are wanting a high-end immersive sound then you need to look at some of the other devices designed for that. Sonos makes a very nice unit but you are going to pay for it. Or wait for the Google Home Max to come out. No free lunch, but the sound is fine for the average user. I'm comfortable with giving 4 stars. I would hope that the good people at Insignia listen to the suggestions of their customers and look forward to seeing what the 2.0 version looks like. Not that this one is bad, but there is room for growth.

This is my first smart home device! I love it! I use it daily. Just by speaking I can add things to my calendar, set an alarm, set reminders, set a shopping list, have it read my plans for the day, read me the news, ask it will it rain, ask where a particular movie is playing, etc etc. I have it play the sound of a brook for when I am sleeping. I bought a smart plug for my bedroom lamp (by Belkin WeMo) which synced perfectly so all I have to say is "Hey Google, turn off the light" (or turn on the light). I had to change the "nickname' from Wemo to "light" so I could say turn of light vs turn off Wemo. Now I don't have to walk in the dark and feel for my lamp in order to turn it on. Lol. The speaker looks nice as well! This model does not have a recharable battery, which is fine for me since I won't need to take it from room to room. I did not buy it for music playing, which sounds pretty nice, but don't expect Bose...it's not that, but it's way better then your cell phone playing music that's for sure! I bought it for convenience of turning on my light and enjoying the features of the smart speaker. I'm so happy with it. I got it for a great sale price as a Deal of the Day promotion. I bought one for my daughter for her home and I bought an extra...for "just in case". Lol. Oh, and for those that do not have internet at home and just hot spot on your cell, you can use it thru hotspot. You need 2 devices, 1 being your cell and the other a iPad or tablet. Download foxfi and the foxfi pda net apps to your cell. Turn on the "Wi-Fi hotspot" on your cell from foxfi. Use foxfi as your WiFi. On your cell turn on your hot spot from your carrier. Download the goggle home app to your iPad or tablet. Sync up the speaker and set it up thru your iPad or tablet using the Goggle Home app. On foxfi make sure to set the timer to none so your WiFi hotspot doesn't time out. It works great! I turn off my carrier hot spot when I leave the house. I turn it back on when I get home. The only thing is that you do need to wait a few mins for it to sync back up. I can't justify paying for internet since I have unlimited data and hotspot. Using just my cell meets my needs for now. However if I ever decide to expand on more home smart devices, I will have to bite the bullet. But as for now, it's not necessary. Most people have internet at home so setup will be breezy. This great speaker is a VERY nice alternative to Goggle Home. As of now (March 2018), this Insignia Voice Speaker does not make calls, send or read texts, but I did read somewhere that they are working on that now...so in the future it won't be an issue. As of now, the Goggle Home device does do that. I got mine at such a great price, it was worth buying. At regular price tho I would have most likely went with Goggle Home since it would be just a few bucks more.

*This review is not sponsored. I am a personal tech reviewer.* SOUND: The Insignia Smart Speaker is a solid option for entry into the smart speaker market. The volume and sound on this device vastly outperforms the Google Home Mini. While low-range isn't perfect (as expected for the price point), the device puts out a fair amount of bass. At full volume, the speaker can fill a medium-sized room with audio. It certainly isn't Bose or Sonos quality. And, it isn't meant to be. Smart Features: The speaker essentially does everything that the Google Home Mini does, but with a small display. It does however have a few limitations such as lack of voice calling. However, this speaker can and should act as a supplement to any smart home set-up, not as as the primary device. It processes requests quickly and accurately. I have not yet utilized the alarm clock features. However, note that alarm clock features cannot be controlled remotely from the Google Assistant app. Additionally, apps like Spotify can be streamed to the device (as well as multi-room control). The volume control buttons and on-screen controls allow for control of the volume from the speaker rather than having to push the volume button or shout volume commands. My only gripe is that the weather indicator will not stay Microphone: Microphone performs well! While it doesn't utilize the same "360" microphone technology as the Google Home product line, it still manages to hear prompts and requests. That said, like the Google Home Mini, if the volume is at a high/max volume, the device will not hear you unless you come very close and raise your voice considerably. That said, if you are planning to play music at those volumes, you should be switching to the free stock Android Google Assistant (and iOS app) for home control. Display: The small digital LED display is perfectly-sized for the device. As a nightstand device, which is how I use it, the brightness of the display does not disturb my sleep while also being bright enough for use in a well-lit room. The digital led on the top of the speaker for the volume controls and play/pause are very useful with a futuristic vibe. Build: The product has a quality, sturdy build with rubber mats on bottom to prevent sliding. The device will sit in one spot (due to requiring power source) so moving it around is easy, but if portability is a big issue (which it shouldn't be for a smart home speaker) then upgrade to the newer version. Rating: I rated it 4 out of 5 stars because this is a quality, entry smart home product. Placed in a pre-existing (budding) smart home set-up, this device acts a wonderful supplement for smart home connection from the bed. To receive a five out of five rating, the device would require improved microphone, weather indicator, and better packaging.

Overall, this speaker with Google Voice Assistant works very well. Just like on an Android phone, you simply say, "OK Google" and begin asking any question you have. The female voice assistant will either give you an exact answer or perform a Google search and read the primary result back to you. For example, if you ask Google, "OK Google, what time does Disneyland open tomorrow?" She will tell you the exact operating hours for Disneyland for the requested day. But if you ask, "OK Google, at what age should my child stop sucking his thumb?" Google will respond by reading you an answer from a reputable website. The Voice Assistant also performs very well when asked to turn on or off my WiFi connected house lights. A few of my lights are connected using TP-Link light switches, and others are connected using WeMo light switches. If your lights are not already setup in the Google Assistant app, you are guided during the speaker setup to add them to the Home Control portion of the app. Adding them allows you to control your lights and other connected devices, (Nest Thermostat, Roomba, WiFi outlets, etc.) using your voice either through your phone or through the Insignia speaker. Since the speaker is setup on my nightstand, my wife loves to ask Google to turn off the bedroom light, instead of having to get out of bed to physically turn it off. A few limitations include not being able to manually adjust the time displayed on the front of the device. Other users have inquired about this option and Insignia's tech support has responded in forums that they are not able to change the time because the device syncs with Google time servers. Hopefully someday there will be an option to manually adjust the time, so if you're like me, you can set the clock ahead a few minutes to help with getting out the door early. Another limitation is the device's inability to place phone calls yet. When you ask Google to call someone, it responds that the feature is not currently active. Hopefully this feature will also be added in future software updates. And the final limitation is the speaker quality (not really though). If you're very particular about the sound quality of the music being played through your speakers, then this unit will not satisfy you. However, if you just want to enjoy music without concern for high quality sound, then this speaker will do just fine. The sound it does produce is good enough and can get loud if you crank it up. The bass isn't all that strong, but again, this is not a device meant for an audiophile. It will meet the needs of most people. Ultimately, I am very satisfied with this speaker. It's a reasonably priced speaker and home assistant. It's perfect for a bedroom night stand or living room clock (or anywhere else you can plug in this unit). If Insignia continues to update the features on this speaker, it will easily get a 5-star rating. Still, if I could give it 4.5 stars, I would.