For just a few more dollars, Lenovo's Smart Clock improves on the Google Home Mini with an always-on display for showing the time.

Responsive Google Assistant ; USB port for charging separate device ; Visible display with good viewing angles

Limited use of display ; Weak sound quality ; Doesn't work as digital photo frame

“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

If you're just looking for an alarm clock with Google Assistant, the Lenovo Smart Clock will satisfy. If you want a smart display with good sound or useful video features, look elsewhere.

Inexpensive; Attractive; Google Assistant works well.

Poor audio quality; No video playback or photo frame functionality; Little visual information from Google Assistant.

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

Wish I got something else but was convinced I was only getting this mainly as a bedside table clock. Speaker quality is atrocious and cant hear u say ok google when it is delivering music. Now sitting in our spare bedroom.

The Lenovo Smart Clock does is job brilliantly thanks to a slick design that features everything one would want from an alarm clock. With the physical privacy shutter and the USB charging port, it is an excellent bedside gadget.

Great clock design; Good sound quality; Charging port; Privacy audio shutter

Display brightness significantly lower than competitors; Fewer Skills Than Alexa

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

fully embraced the smart display, and whilst many vendors are yet to take their first tentative steps, the Chinese tech firm is already rolling out a new variation on the theme, and it's really rather good.

The Lenovo Smart Clock with Google Assistant is an excellent night stand companion. It generally shows your selected clock face, but if you swipe right on the screen you can access information about the weather, your calendar, your upcoming alarms, and whatever music you are listening to.

Responsive IPS touchscreen; Small and sleek design; Google Assistant-enabled; Compatible with multiple devices; Clear audio; Easy set-up

Limited features; Lack on on-board camera (this may be a plus for some of you); Google Assistant occasionally unresponsive

Lenovo's Smart Clock and Amazon's Echo Spot are appealing because they combine conveniences of a virtual assistant with a piece of technology that almost everyone needs. Tiny smart displays could make useful smart alarm clocks purely because we all need something to wake us up each morning.

Small design that fits easily on a desk or nightstand; USB port for charging other devices; No camera; Speakers get quite loud, and sound quality is decent for such a small device.

Slow performance; Currently can only show feeds from Nest home security cameras; Google Home app is still a mess; Cannot show all of the visual information that the larger Nest Hub or Smart Display can.