Lenovo Smart Clock 2 with Charging Dock and Google Assistant Review
GearBrain has tested many types of Smart devices that are compatible with Google Assistant. The first Smart alarm clock that worked with Google Assistant we tested was the Lenovo Smart Clock. This little Smart alarm clock was a viable Smart device designed for use in any room in your Smart home, but we felt it worked best in your bedroom. It did have a touchscreen interface which was a little quirky and it only came in one color. Recently, Lenovo sent us their 2 nd generation Smart clock, the Lenovo Smart Clock 2 to test. Over the past few months, we tested this new Smart clock to see what type of improvements the company made to this Google Assistant enabled device. And we were impressed with what we experienced. Here is our review of the Lenovo Smart Clock 2 with Charging Dock and Google Assistant.
What is Lenovo Smart Clock 2?
Lenovo Smart Clock 2 with Charging Station unboxed.
Lenovo Smart Clock 2 is the second generation of Lenovo’s Smart Clock. You can get it with or without a wireless charging pad for you to charge your Smart alarm clock as well as a smartphone and/or a wearable. It has a 4-inch LCD touch screen to showcase the time, weather and photos. You can even customize the face displays and adjust the brightness so it can function like a nightlight. It is wrapped in a fabric that comes in Abyss Blue or Heather Grey. The clock works on an Android 10 operating system and comes with a MediaTek MT8167S Processor (1.50GHz) and 1GB RM 8GB Flash.
Buy on Lenovo Site
Lenovo Smart Clock 2 Comes with Google Assistant Built-in
Lenovo Smart Clock 2 has Google Assistant Built-in to make set up a breeze.
The Lenovo Smart Clock 2 not only works with Google Assistant devices, but it also comes with Google Assistant built-in. What does this mean? It means this Smart alarm clock can function just like a Google Assistant Smart speaker and display. Once connected to your home Wi-Fi router (using either 5 GHz or 2.4 GHz connection), you can use the device’s Fairfield microphone array to make voice commands to any compatible Google Assistant devices. You can also play music from your smartphone using Bluetooth 4.2 connection. Lenovo added new and improved 1.5” 3W front-firing speakers with air duct design to provide better sound quality than the original Lenovo Smart Clock.
Besides good sound, this Smart clock also has a microphone mute toggle as well as volume controls (up and down). The mute button provides some privacy protection which is nice. Also, the two-way communication is helpful when you want to turn your Smart clock into an intercom by broadcasting your voice to other Google Assistant compatible speakers and devices, like a Smart TV with Google Assistant built in. A nice feature to have when you want to make sure everyone hears when dinner is ready.
Lenovo Smart Clock vs Lenovo Smart Clock 2. Which is Better?
Lenovo Smart Clock 2 is a new and improved version of the origiinal Lenovo Smart clock.
GearBrain tested both versions of Lenovo Smart alarm clocks in real homes and saw many similarities as well as differences. For instance, both Smart clocks work on either a 5 GHz or 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi connection and come with a one-year warranty. Both Smart alarm clocks can work on a Bluetooth connection however the original Lenovo Smart Clock works on a Bluetooth 5.0 connection while the new Lenovo Smart Clock 2 works on a Bluetooth 4.2 wireless connection. Each of these Smart alarm clocks have the same size speakers and displays, but the 2 nd Gen Smart clock does have an improved sound. The sound is a result a new and improved speaker.
Both Smart clocks come with a 4-inch display, however, Lenovo Smart Clock uses a LED display while the new Smart Clock 2 has an LCD touchscreen which you can also adjust the 2 nd Gen display’s brightness for it to work like a nightlight.
Buy on Lenovo Site
When we looked at the other features, we found the Lenovo Smart Clock 2 comes with better storage, processing power and memory than the Lenovo Smart Clock original. And the Lenovo Smart Clock 2 works on an Android 10 operating system versus the original having to use a Linux operating system.
Another difference we noticed between these two Lenovo clocks is the wireless charging station. The original Lenovo Smart clock does have a port to charge your smartphone or devices. However, you can add to the Lenovo Smart Clock 2 a wireless charging pad. It will allow you to not only charge your smartphone on a Magsafe compatible charging dock, but you could also charge other Smart devices like a smartwatch or fitness tracker. Just connect the charging cord to the back of the charging pad.
Overall, the Lenovo Smart Clock 2 has a better sound, touch control, processor, storage, nightlight capabilities and connectivity then the original Lenovo Smart Clock. And when you add the new charging capabilities, this 2 nd Gen Smart clock will shine in any bedroom or room in your home.
How to Setup Lenovo Smart Clock 2
Connect Lenovo Smart Clock to Google Home app using the touchscreen display.
Setting up Lenovo Smart Clock 2 is extremely easy. It really is “a plug and play” Smart device and the set-up process is as easy as setting up any Google Assistant enabled device, like Google Nest Mini or Nest Hub 2nd Gen. Just unbox your Smart clock, plug it in and connect it to the Google Home app. On the Google Home app home screen, select the “” button and then “Set up device.” You will need to select “New Devices” next. (Tip: don’t select Works with Google”. Even though the Smart clock is made by Lenovo, it’s considered a Google device and not a “Works with Google” product.)
When you select “New Devices” on the Google Home app, Google will start to look for the Lenovo Smart clock and add it to your app. You will need to name it and select the room the device will be used. Naming. your device is an important step and needed for when you want to use voice commands on the device.
Once installed, you can set up display themes, notifications, sound levels, alarms and all the other features you want on your Smart alarm clock. Set up time will take only a few minutes.
Buy on Lenovo Site
How much does the Lenovo Smart Clock 2 cost?
The new Lenovo Smart Clock 2 has a retail price of 69.99 but is available on the Lenovo website for only 59.99. If you would like the Lenovo Smart Clock 2 with the charging station, its retail price is 89.99 but available on the Lenovo site for only 79.99.
We have seen Lenovo Smart Clock 2 and Lenovo Smart Clock 2 with Charging Dock available on the following retailer’s sites at attractive prices:
- Best Buy – Smart Clock 2 and Smart Clock 2 with Charging Dock (click on each to see current price)
- Walmart. Smart Clock 2 and Smart Clock 2 with Charging Dock (click on each to see current price)
- Other consumer electronics retailers
Buy on Lenovo Site
Lenovo Smart Clock displays local weather on its display.GearBrain
Testing Results. How well did Lenovo Smart Clock 2 perform during our testing
After testing the Lenovo Smart Clock 2 in a real home with normal connectivity, we found it to work exceptionally well. Set up was quick and easy. Choosing the display themes as well as the brightness was also simple. When we played music, the sound was decent, especially for a Smart alarm clock. It reminded us of the sound quality from a quality portable Bluetooth speaker with no app to adjust the sound quality.
One interesting function we noticed during testing was how the Lenovo Smart Clock 2 interacted with Google Assistant compatible cameras and video doorbells. Like all Google Assistant Smart displays, you can ask Google to live stream video from cameras and video doorbells. Even though the Lenovo Smart Clock 2 has a small touchscreen display, it can’t stream video from your cameras. We would have liked to see this functionality, especially if you are using the Smart clock in your bedroom. How many times at night do you hear a sound outside and want to quickly see what’s going on. Having the ability to ask Google to live stream from your outdoor security camera onto the Lenovo Smart Clock 2 would be a great feature and something Lenovo and Google should consider in next generations.
What we liked most about Lenovo Smart Clock 2 was the wireless charging pad. Having a charging pad tied to your alarm clock nice. My wife and I often fight over the charging cord we have in our bedroom, especially when we need a little juice for our smartphones before starting the day or going out. Having this Magsafe compatible charging dock with an additional USB-A port to add another charging cord to power up another smartphone or maybe a wearable, smartwatch or fitness tracker, helps us both. However, there is additional cost for this accessory.
Lenovo Smart Clock 2’s charging station comes with a USB-A port for you to charge additional Smart devices.GearBrain
The Lenovo Smart Clock 2 is a new and improved version of the 1st Gen Lenovo Smart Clock as well as Lenovo Clock Essential. Though both Smart alarm clocks were worthy Smart devices, the newer Lenovo Smart Clock 2 comes with more power, storage, better sound and if you want a wireless charging dock to make your life easier.
If you are an Amazon Alexa house, you might not like this Smart alarm clock. Even though, many Smart devices in your home might be compatible with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice platforms, Lenovo Smart Clock 2 is not compatible with Alexa. Also, you are better off looking at the Amazon Echo Dot with Clock if you want a Smart alarm clock. It has a comparable speaker and can function like a Smart alarm clock at an attractive price (only 34.00). However, you don’t get a touchscreen display.
Another challenge for the new and improved Lenovo Smart Clock 2 is when you compare the device to other Google Assistant Smart speakers and displays. Users will find the Nest Hub has a better performing touchscreen and you can live stream video from your compatible security cameras and video doorbells. But, this Smart speaker and display comes at a higher cost. Also, the size of the Smart display might be a little too much for your nightstand. There is also the Google Nest Mini which is inexpensive right now (only 24.99) and can function like a Smart alarm clock. However, it doesn’t have a display which can function like a nightlight and provide photos and visualized weather reports.
Overall, if you are a Google Assistant home and want to add a Smart device that can play quality music, function as an intercom, works with Google Assistant Smart speakers and displays, has built-in privacy protection (i.e., a mute button and no camera) and has a Magsafe compatible wireless charging dock, the Lenovo Smart Clock 2 is the Smart clock we recommend for your Smart home.
- Google Assistant built-in
- Quality sound
- Powerful processor
- Magsafe compatible
Buy on Lenovo Site
Check out The GearBrain, our Smart home compatibility find engine to see the other compatible products that work with Lenovo and Google Assistant enabled devices.
The 3 Best Charging Stations of 2023
Emmeline Kaser is a tech writer and former editor for Lifewire. She writes and edits commerce content about consumer technology for Lifewire.
Most people should buy the SIIG 90W Smart Charging Station. Why get this one? It can charge ten devices simultaneously, enough for most people and families.
Best Overall
SIIG Smart 10-Port USB Charging Station
This got our top pick because people have more than one device nowadays. And if you have a family of three or more, you already know how many devices need to be charged at any given time. The SIIG has eight slots for a smartphone or tablet, a non-slip deck for a phone or smartwatch, and 10 USB ports.
There’s no wireless charger in here, which is a real miss, and the slots are a bit narrow, so if you have a fat case around your phone, there’s a chance it won’t fit (and any Airpods case won’t fit, either). That said, our testing found the slots do an excellent job of holding phones, tablets, and small laptops.
Number of Ports: 10 | Power Output: 5V/2.4A | Type of Ports: USB-A
Best for Mobile Devices
Satechi Dock5 Multi-Device Charging Station
The Satechi Dock5 Charging station is one of our favorites on this list. There aren’t a lot of ports, but the ones it has are powerful. You’ll get 10W of wireless charging on the Qi pad in front. Each USB-A port outputs 12W of power, and the USB-C port’s output is 20W of power delivery. That’s a lot of juice for this tiny station. It also has a small footprint, so it doesn’t take up a lot of room. This charging station does not include cables, which we’d like to see considering how expensive it is.
Number of Ports: 4 | Power Output: 10W/12W/20W | Type of Ports: USB-A, USB-C, Qi wireless charging
Best Secure Charger
Apple MagSafe Charger
- Secure connection
- Qi charging works on any wireless accessory
- Support 15W Fast charging
- Does not come with a charging brick
- Some cases affect Magsafe
- Expensive for what it is
MagSafe chargers snap onto the back of an iPhone and charge the device. They’re small and easily portable.
The magnets secure the MagSafe charger to the back of the phone, so you can’t accidentally knock it off the stand. Plus, it uses Qi, so you can use it on any phone that accepts wireless charging (though there are no magnets to align the coils on other phones).
That’s all pretty cool, but the MagSafe charger is just a Qi charger with magnets. At about 40, it’s pretty expensive for what it is. But this is a good pickup if you don’t mind paying the Apple Tax and need a wireless charger for your iPhone.
Number of Ports: 0 | Power Output: 15W | Type of Ports: Qi
If you want to primarily charge phones and another gadget or two with a cable, the SIIG 90W Smart charging station is excellent.
What to Look For in a Charging Station
Some things to look for in a charging station include the number of charging ports available, the types of ports, and the number of slots to hold your devices. All those cables can get messy, so a built-in storage area for cable length is also good. Also, pay attention to the available finishes so that the charging station can match your decor.
Specialty vs. Generic
If you only expect to charge a few devices at a time—like an iPhone and an Apple Watch—it’s worth checking out options that look great, too. If you want more versatility, opt for a more generic model capable of holding several different-sized devices with many charging ports.
Quick Charge
Look for a charging station that supports Quick Charge if you have an Android phone capable of taking advantage of the extra power. If you have an iPhone that supports fast charging via USB-PD, many great options also support that standard. Before you buy, check to see if a unit’s capabilities fit your needs.
Wireless Charging
Even if none of your devices support wireless charging, investing in a charging station that does could pay off. If this seems like an exciting feature, choose a model with a variety of traditional charging ports and a wireless charging pad.
While USB-A (the rectangle) is the most common, more charging stations are adopting the faster and more versatile USB-C connector (the flattened oval).
You do have to wonder how all that power gets sent to your phone without a cable, but rest assured that wireless charging is completely harmless to humans and other electronic devices. Yes, wireless charging uses electromagnetic radiation, but the fact of the matter is virtually all modern electronics, even sensitive ones like pacemakers are shielded against the relatively low levels of electromagnetic radiation that wireless chargers give off.
This depends on the type of connection you use as well as the device you’re charging, a phone typically won’t take as long to top off as a tablet (smaller battery, faster charge). And micro-USB won’t charge a device as fast as USB-C or Lightning connections.
What Is Smart Charging
Smart Charging means you can intelligently manage how your electric vehicle charges by connecting it to the grid.
When a vehicle is ‘Smart charging’, the charger is essentially ‘communicating’ with your car, the charging operator and the utility company through data connections. In other words, whenever you plug in your EV, the charger automatically sends them important data so they can optimize charging.
Thus, Smart charging allows the charging operator (be it an individual with a charger at their home or a business owner with multiple charging stations) to manage how much energy to give to any plugged-in EV. The amount used can vary depending on how many people are using electricity at that time, putting less pressure on the grid. Smart charging also prevents charging operators from exceeding their building’s maximum energy capacity, as defined by local grid capacities and their chosen energy tariff.
What’s more, Smart charging allows utility companies to define certain limits for energy consumption. So, we don’t overload the grid by using more energy than we are producing.
This saves everybody time and money and, most importantly, economises energy to help us to better protect the planet’s precious resources.
How Does Smart Charging Work in Practice?
Smart charging is all about connecting charging points with users and operators. Every time an EV is plugged in, the charging station sends information (i.e. charging time, speed, etc) via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to a centralized Cloud-based management platform. Additional data may also be sent to this Cloud. This can include, for example, information about the local grid’s capacity and how energy is currently being used at the charging site (house, office building, supermarket etc.). The mass of data is automatically analyzed and visualized in real-time by the software behind the platform. It can then be used to make automatic decisions about how and when EVs are charged.
Thanks to this, charging operators can control and regulate energy usage easily and remotely through one platform, website or mobile application. Other features and benefits are also enabled. For instance, EV owners can use a mobile app to monitor and pay for their charging sessions from anywhere, any time.
Most Relevant Smart Charging Features
Power Sharing
Power Sharing, also sometimes referred to as load balancing or levelling, allows network operators or businesses with multiple chargers onsite to distribute the available energy capacity proportionally across all active EV charging stations. As available power is limited at each site, normally more demand for energy would mean expensive electrical infrastructure upgrades. Smart charging means power can be optimally distributed so that such upgrades can be avoided. You can check out the video below to see how this is achieved.
Following the example in the video above, let’s imagine the following situation: Your office building has a maximum power availability of 44kW and each EV charging point has a maximum power output of 22kW. There are several cars that want to charge at the same time. With Power Sharing, one car can charge at 22kW. the maximum capacity that your charging point allows. If a second EV plugs-in, both cars can still charge at their maximum capacity of 22kW, as together, they don’t eclipse the building’s maximum power availability of 44kW. However, once a third car plugs in, capacity will be distributed accordingly so that all three cars will now charge at 14kW each. If a fourth EV joins, the number goes down to 11kW per vehicle and so on.
Power Boost
Power Boost, also referred to as peak shaving, is a feature of Smart charging that prevents you from exceeding your house’s maximum energy capacity. Reaching or going over your maximum energy capacity is not a good idea. It can mean that you are charged extra by your energy provider for using more electricity than planned, especially if you go on to use energy-heavy devices, like a washing machine or dishwasher, later in the month. Power Boost helps you to avoid this by balancing the load dynamically among the charger and the rest of the devices in the house. W hen it looks like you’re reaching maximum capacity, your Smart charging control system will automatically reduce how much power is being consumed by your car. It can even pause the charging session altogether until enough power becomes available again. This way, you never go over your energy limit.
Dynamic Power Sharing
Dynamic Power Sharing combines Power Boost and Power Sharing. As mentioned above, installing new charging points at any given site implies an increase in the overall power demand. This is an expensive and often inefficient option.
Dynamic Power Sharing (DPS) allows a building’s demand to be monitored and measured against its maximum allowable energy capacity. When demand is lower than maximum capacity, the remaining available power is given to the charging network. Furthermore, the Smart charging system will automatically distribute the available energy evenly among all chargers. In contrast, if the building’s demand is equal or greater than its maximum permitted value, no power will be supplied to the charging stations. By taking advantage of lows in the building’s overall energy demand, the charging network’s demand can be satisfied without ever having to increase the installation’s overall power, by contracting higher power or even laying new lines, or exceed the site’s maximum energy capacity.
What’s the Difference between Smart charging and Bidirectional Charging?
Smart charging allows charging point owners and grid operators to manage their charging points remotely and, through this, to optimize energy consumption and costs. For instance, setting your charging to start at night when rates are lower.
Bidirectional charging. on the other hand, is where energy can flow both into an EV and out of it via a special bidirectional charger, often referred to as V2G (vehicle to grid). This means that the EV battery can both take energy from the grid and give energy back to it. You can check the video below to see how this works in practice.
What Is Smart Charging
Smart Charging means you can intelligently manage how your electric vehicle charges by connecting it to the grid.
When a vehicle is ‘Smart charging’, the charger is essentially ‘communicating’ with your car, the charging operator and the utility company through data connections. In other words, whenever you plug in your EV, the charger automatically sends them important data so they can optimize charging.
Thus, Smart charging allows the charging operator (be it an individual with a charger at their home or a business owner with multiple charging stations) to manage how much energy to give to any plugged-in EV. The amount used can vary depending on how many people are using electricity at that time, putting less pressure on the grid. Smart charging also prevents charging operators from exceeding their building’s maximum energy capacity, as defined by local grid capacities and their chosen energy tariff.
What’s more, Smart charging allows utility companies to define certain limits for energy consumption. So, we don’t overload the grid by using more energy than we are producing.
This saves everybody time and money and, most importantly, economises energy to help us to better protect the planet’s precious resources.
How Does Smart Charging Work in Practice?
Smart charging is all about connecting charging points with users and operators. Every time an EV is plugged in, the charging station sends information (i.e. charging time, speed, etc) via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to a centralized Cloud-based management platform. Additional data may also be sent to this Cloud. This can include, for example, information about the local grid’s capacity and how energy is currently being used at the charging site (house, office building, supermarket etc.). The mass of data is automatically analyzed and visualized in real-time by the software behind the platform. It can then be used to make automatic decisions about how and when EVs are charged.
Thanks to this, charging operators can control and regulate energy usage easily and remotely through one platform, website or mobile application. Other features and benefits are also enabled. For instance, EV owners can use a mobile app to monitor and pay for their charging sessions from anywhere, any time.
Most Relevant Smart Charging Features
Power Sharing
Power Sharing, also sometimes referred to as load balancing or levelling, allows network operators or businesses with multiple chargers onsite to distribute the available energy capacity proportionally across all active EV charging stations. As available power is limited at each site, normally more demand for energy would mean expensive electrical infrastructure upgrades. Smart charging means power can be optimally distributed so that such upgrades can be avoided. You can check out the video below to see how this is achieved.
Following the example in the video above, let’s imagine the following situation: Your office building has a maximum power availability of 44kW and each EV charging point has a maximum power output of 22kW. There are several cars that want to charge at the same time. With Power Sharing, one car can charge at 22kW. the maximum capacity that your charging point allows. If a second EV plugs-in, both cars can still charge at their maximum capacity of 22kW, as together, they don’t eclipse the building’s maximum power availability of 44kW. However, once a third car plugs in, capacity will be distributed accordingly so that all three cars will now charge at 14kW each. If a fourth EV joins, the number goes down to 11kW per vehicle and so on.
Power Boost
Power Boost, also referred to as peak shaving, is a feature of Smart charging that prevents you from exceeding your house’s maximum energy capacity. Reaching or going over your maximum energy capacity is not a good idea. It can mean that you are charged extra by your energy provider for using more electricity than planned, especially if you go on to use energy-heavy devices, like a washing machine or dishwasher, later in the month. Power Boost helps you to avoid this by balancing the load dynamically among the charger and the rest of the devices in the house. W hen it looks like you’re reaching maximum capacity, your Smart charging control system will automatically reduce how much power is being consumed by your car. It can even pause the charging session altogether until enough power becomes available again. This way, you never go over your energy limit.
Dynamic Power Sharing
Dynamic Power Sharing combines Power Boost and Power Sharing. As mentioned above, installing new charging points at any given site implies an increase in the overall power demand. This is an expensive and often inefficient option.
Dynamic Power Sharing (DPS) allows a building’s demand to be monitored and measured against its maximum allowable energy capacity. When demand is lower than maximum capacity, the remaining available power is given to the charging network. Furthermore, the Smart charging system will automatically distribute the available energy evenly among all chargers. In contrast, if the building’s demand is equal or greater than its maximum permitted value, no power will be supplied to the charging stations. By taking advantage of lows in the building’s overall energy demand, the charging network’s demand can be satisfied without ever having to increase the installation’s overall power, by contracting higher power or even laying new lines, or exceed the site’s maximum energy capacity.
What’s the Difference between Smart charging and Bidirectional Charging?
Smart charging allows charging point owners and grid operators to manage their charging points remotely and, through this, to optimize energy consumption and costs. For instance, setting your charging to start at night when rates are lower.
Bidirectional charging. on the other hand, is where energy can flow both into an EV and out of it via a special bidirectional charger, often referred to as V2G (vehicle to grid). This means that the EV battery can both take energy from the grid and give energy back to it. You can check the video below to see how this works in practice.