I was extremely excited when Lenovo first showed off the Smart Clock Essential. As a simpler, cheaper version of the Smart Clock, one of our favorite smart home gadgets , it seemed like an easy winner.

Easy-to-read display, Built-in USB charging port

Auto-brightness is unreliable, Inconsistent voice commands, Manual alarms are awful, Poor value

At its core, the Lenovo Smart Clock Essential is simply a Google-powered smart speaker with a built-in alarm clock. It’s easy enough to operate and there’s even a nightlight on the back. You can adjust its various settings using your voice.

Simple clean design; Decent smart home control; Built-in nightlight; Can tap to snooze; Affordable

No ambient light sensor; Have to adjust brightness with voice; Not much cheaper than the more feature-rich Smart Clock

The Lenovo Smart Clock disappointed us with its lack of video features for a smart display, as well as poor audio quality. The Lenovo Smart Clock Essential is a slightly different story. It’s a smart speaker that has a clock on it, and at $49.99, it costs much less than the Smart Clock or any other smart display. It works well as a way to access Google Assistant with your voice, but it suffers from the same disappointing sound quality as the Smart Clock. Still, it’s a capable alternative to a conventional clock radio, and Google Assistant remains excellent for voice control. That said, the Amazon Echo Dot With Clock offers far better sound in a similar package and price.Design The Smart Clock Essential looks no different from any other modern, big-readout digital clock radio. It measures 2.5 by 4.8 by 3.3 inches (HWD) and weighs 11.5 ounces, with a rounded, rectangular glossy black face holding a white alphanumeric LED readout. The time appears in big characters in the middle, wit...

The Lenovo Smart Clock Essential is a bedside-friendly Google Assistant smart speaker that offers plenty of useful features, but quality audio isn't one of them.

Big, easy-to-read time display; Works with Google Assistant voice commands; Night-light functionality

Weak audio quality; Display doesn't show timers

“The Lenovo Smart Clock Essential will wake you, but it's a snoozer knowing what else is out there.”

Compact design; Clearly displays the time; Affordable price; USB port for charging gadgets

No way to set alarm through Google Home app; Requires a firm tap to snooze; Not great for music playback

Though we miss the more visual card style of larger Google Home devices, the Lenovo Smart Clock gets your bedroom connected in an unassuming, useful form factor.

Compact design; Great smart home features; Surprisingly good sound

UI loses visual flair; Lack of camera may disappoint

First came the smart speakers, then came the smart speakers with displays – and the Lenovo Smart Clock is one of the most compact smart displays yet, going head to head against devices like the Amazon Echo 5 and the Google Nest Hub. Is this a device worthy of a place in your growing smart home?

Lenovo Smart Clock review: Priced at Rs 5,999, the Lenovo Smart Clock powered by Google Assistant is a good option for those looking fo...

The Lenovo Smart Clock is undoubtedly the cutest smart display out there, but it takes more than soft-touch charm to earn a spot on the nightstand. The $79 addition to the company’s smart display range is now the cheapest way to get the Google Assistant with a touchscreen, but it’s actually an...

Cheapest Assistant-powered smart display so far; Small; cute design is perfectly nightstand-sized; Display won't disturb your sleep; USB charging port on back is useful

Nest Hub isn't much more expensive after promotions; Not every Assistant reply uses the display; No Google Photos screensaver

: Available from 3 June in the UK, Lenovo’s Smart Clock is a brilliant bedside companion

Very small; Cheap; Sounds good

No Google Photos on homescreen; Can’t be woken by radio without setting up routines

The Lenovo Smart Clock is a fairly simple concept - a Home Mini with a screen - but slick design, a simple interface, and smart features around screen brightness make it a surprisingly compelling offering.