Amazon Alexa vs Google Home: How Do They Compare?

Juan Ci and Vantage_DS/Shutterstock

On a basic level, Amazon Alexa (left) vs Google Home (right) is a draw. They both offer audio streaming, voice queries and smart home control. But, if you’re looking for the specifics that set them apart, then this breakdown will help you decide which system is right for you.

What to Know About Amazon Alexa

With over 60,000 skills, Amazon Alexa is one helpful personal assistant. The device allows you to order pizza from Domino’s, check your credit card balance, tune your guitar, discover exclusive Prime deals, make purchases for Prime members and more. As far as ease of use, the Amazon Alexa can be a bit frustrating to talk to. You need to be patient and learn the preferred syntax.

Best Amazon Alexa Devices

Amazon Alexa has a plethora of devices to choose from, from the budget- and space-friendly Echo Dot to the impressive sound quality and screen size of the Echo Show. Here’s a list of some of the most popular options:

• Echo Dot ($29.99): Amazon’s most compact smart speaker that fits perfectly into small spaces.
• Echo ($99.99): Amazon’s flagship smart speaker that connects to Alexa to play music, set alarms and timers, answer questions, control smart home devices, etc.
• Echo Plus ($109.99): The device’s built-in Zigbee hub allows you to easily set up and control compatible smart home devices, and it has an improved sound for streaming music.
• Echo Spot ($129.99): This compact Echo device features far-field voice recognition to watch the news, see music lyrics, weather forecasts, to-do and shopping lists, browse and listen to Audible audiobooks and more.
• Echo Show ($229.99): Echo Show features premium speakers with Dolby processing for a crisp, stereo sound. It also boasts a beautiful 10.1-inch HD screen for watching videos, movies and TV shows. Check out more of our favorite Alexa accessories.

What to Know About Google Home

It should come as no surprise that Google Home is great as a search engine. Ask it questions you’d type on Google, and you’ll be sure to get quick, clear responses that are on target with what you’re inquiring about. Google is also great at translating, ambient sounds and making restaurant recommendations. Perhaps its most exciting feature is the integration with all of Google’s apps, allowing you to access your Google Calendar, Gmail, Google Maps and more.

Best Google Home Devices

When it comes to Amazon Alexa vs Google Home, both devices offer smart speakers that range in price, size and sound quality. Here are the top Google Home products:

• Google Home Mini ($29): This is a powerful little helper that’s great for answering questions, streaming music or podcasts and controlling smart home devices.
• Google Home ($69): Equipped with all the essentials, the Google Home is a baseline smart speaker that features audio streaming of music, podcasts, audiobooks and more and it can be used for voice calls, to ask questions and for smart-system control.
• Google Home Hub ($99): You’ll notice a new name attached to the Google Hub. Nest joined Google’s hardware team last year, and over the coming months, you’ll begin seeing changes across products, including the Google Home Hub now called the Nest Hub. It’s smaller than the Echo Show, so it’s not ideal for watching movies, but it can serve as a digital photo frame, works with Google Calendar so you can see your schedule at a glance, has YouTube integration for you to follow a recipe and more.
• Google Home Max ($229): The largest Google Home device, the Nest Hub Max is a great choice if you’re looking for a high-quality speaker, holding two woofers and two custom tweeters, which make for sharper audio and distinct base. It features all the other Google Home basics.

What Devices Work with Amazon Alexa vs Google Home?

In terms of what works with Amazon Alexa vs Google Home, they both offer seemingly endless options.

Some standout products that are compatible with Amazon Echo include:

• ADT Pulse
• BAF
• Belkin Wemo
• Control4
• Crestron
• D-Link smart plug
• Ecobee
• Emerson
• Ecovacs
• Garagio
• Gogogate
• Honeywell Lyric
• IFTTT
• Kwikset
• Insteon
• Leviton switches
• LG
• LIFX
• Lightify
• Logitech Harmony
• Lowe’s Iris
• Lutron Caseta
• Neato
• Nest
• Netatmo
• Philips Hue
• Rachio
• Ring
• Roomba

Some standout products that are compatible with Google Home include:

• ADT Pulse
• Belkin Wemo
• Ecobee
• Emerson
• Ecovacs
• IFTTT
• Lenovo Smart Home
• LG
• LIFX
• Logitech Harmony
• Lutron Caseta
• Nest
• Philips Hue
• Ring
• Roomba