To manage the home automation with voice commands you need to use a virtual assistant, choosing between Alexa or Google Home. These are the main technologies available today for residential home automation, with which to control all the devices connected in the home with the voice in a practical and functional way.
Let’s see what are the main features of the two systems to understand if Google Home or Alexa is better , with the best smart speakers to buy to make the home smart.
Alexa vs Google Home: features and differences
First of all, it is important to clarify what these two technologies are. Alexa is the virtual assistant developed by Amazon, an artificial intelligence software integrated into many smart devices, including the Amazon Echo smart speakers . The voice assistant of the Mountain View company is instead Google Assistant , which is inserted natively in all Google Home smart speakers , such as Nest Hub and Google Home Mini.
These are therefore two ecosystems that are very similar to each other, although they present various substantial differences. Alexa undoubtedly boasts a larger and wider range of compatible devices , with many companies offering smart products that support Amazon’s voice assistant technology. This is especially true in the field of residential home automation , a sector in which Alexa is undoubtedly the most used technology for this type of application.
Obviously, Google Home and Google Assistant also allow you to manage the smart home, using voice commands to control the connected devices from a distance, however the number of compatible products is certainly lower than those that support Alexa. However, Google Home is more efficient in interacting with people , showing the level reached by Google in the field of AI and language understanding, know-how obtained thanks to the experience gained with its web search engine.
Better Alexa or Google Home?
It is difficult to uniquely determine whether Alexa or Google Home is better, in fact both technologies are valid and offer similar functionality. The choice is completely personal and linked to the type of use to be made of these systems, also taking into account the compatibility of their devices. In general:
- Alexa and Amazon Echo are recommended for the smart home and those who have Amazon devices at home;
- Google Assistant and Google Home are recommended for the quality of the interaction and for those who own multimedia services and Android devices.
Here are a number of things to consider when choosing between Google Home and Alexa .
- Smart home : for the home automation Alexa is more efficient than Google Home, in fact it boasts a wide range of compatible smart devices, with many products sold directly by Amazon for the smart home, in addition Alexa supports the Zigbee hub compatible with most part of smart home appliances.
- Media Services : Alexa works best with all Amazon Prime apps like Prime Music, Audible, and Prime Video, including platforms like Apple Music and Tidal. Google Home boasts higher compatibility with Google ecosystem apps like YouTube and Google Play Music, plus it also supports Spotify and Apple Music via Google Chromecast.
- Interaction with the virtual assistant : for the quality of the voice assistant technology, Google Home certainly offers a more advanced and precise system, able to interact naturally and provide precise answers to voice commands. Alexa is also a very efficient technology, however Google’s experience in the field of language understanding stands out.
- Smart speaker : Google Home works with Google Nest and Google Home Mini smart speakers, audio speakers with models also equipped with a touchscreen display. Alexa is offered with the Amazon Echo smart speakers, a more complete and varied range with more options to choose from.
- Price : with Amazon Echo it is possible to take advantage of a wider price range, with cheap products up to the most exclusive and expensive top of the range. The Google Home proposal is less structured, remaining within the average price range.
The best devices for Alexa and Google Home to buy
To use Alexa and Google Home, a smart speaker must appear, choosing whether to focus on the Amazon Echo devices or on the Google Home smart speakers. Here are the best devices for Alexa and Google Home available on the market.
Amazon Echo Dot 3a gen
The entry level device for Alexa is the third generation Amazon Echo Dot , proposed in anthracite fabric with the drop-in function, through which it is possible to automatically associate the device with other Amazon Echoes present in other rooms of the house. It features a 41mm speaker , 3.5mm AUX audio output and integrated dual band Wi-Fi module, plus it is compact in size and weighs just 300 grams .
Why buy it? It is the cheapest smart speaker to have Alexa at home without spending too much.
Main features
- Driver da 41 mm
- Weight 300 grams
- Dual band Wi-Fi module
- 3.5mm audio output
Amazon Echo Dot 4a gen
The new version of Amazon Echo Dot is proposed in the fourth generation , confirming the compact size of the smart speaker to optimize space in the home and reduce clutter. It is available in anthracite, icy white and cerulean colors and models, plus it supports HD audio quality offered by music streaming services such as Amazon Music. It has a 41 mm front diffusion driver, plus you can also choose the version with built-in digital clock .
Why buy it? Compact smart speaker for Alexa and the smart home.
Main features
- 41mm Front Diffusion Driver
- Weight 328 grams
- Dual band Wi-Fi module
- 3.5mm audio output
- Available with smart watch
Amazon Echo Show 5
In addition to traditional smart speakers, Amazon also offers devices for Alexa with touchscreen displays, including the entry level device is Amazon Echo Studio 5 . It is a device with speakers and 5.5-inch display, with a 2 MP camera and integrated Alexa, available in anthracite, white and blue. With the camera it is possible to monitor the house , with a cover to cover the sensor and ensure maximum privacy depending on the circumstances.
Why buy it? Smart screen with easy-to-use and not too bulky touchscreen display.
Main features
- Driver da 41 mm
- Dual band Wi-Fi module
- 3.5mm audio output
- 5.5 inch HD screen
- The camera is 2 MP
Amazon Echo show 8
The best-in-class smart screen is the Amazon Echo Show 8 , a proposed second-generation 2021 model with HD display, integrated Alexa, and a 13MP sensor camera . This device features a resolution of 1280 × 800 pixels, has two 51 mm speakers, an 8-inch touchscreen display and the built-in dual band Wi-Fi module , with a powerful MediaTek MT 8183 processor and the frame functionality to view your photos at scrolling.
Why buy it? HD smart screen with great value for money.
Main features
- Due driver da 51 mm
- Weight 1037 grams
- Dual band Wi-Fi module
- 8-inch touchscreen
- The camera is 13 MP
Amazon Echo Show 10
The top of the range among smart screens for Alexa is Amazon Echo Show 10 , an HD display with motion sensor and 13 MP camera with sensor cover. For audio quality it features two 25mm tweeters and a 76mm woofer, has a 10.1 inch screen and integrated Zigbee hub . This Amazon device allows you to use the Visual ID system, the screen is rotatable and guarantees high acoustic performance.
Why buy it? The top-of-the-range smart display with powerful speakers and HD video resolution.
Main features
- Due tweeter da 25 mm
- Woofer da 76 mm
- Dual band Wi-Fi module
- 10.1 inch touchscreen
- The camera is 13 MP
- Integrated Zigbee hub
Amazon Echo Studio
To listen to music at home with superior audio quality, the right device is Amazon Echo Studio , the flagship product of the Seattle-based company’s range of smart speakers. This device offers Hi-Fi stereo audio , with 3 51mm midrange speakers, 1 25mm tweeter and 1 133mm woofer, for a deep and immersive sound. Do not miss the 3.5 mm jack audio input, the mini-optical, support for the Dolby Atmos format and integration with the Zigbee hub for the smart home.
Why buy it? The best smart speaker for Alexa with high quality Hi-Fi sound.
Main features
- 25 mm in 1 tweeter
- 3 midrange da 51 mm
- 1 woofer da 133 mm
- Dual band Wi-Fi module
- Dolby Atmos
- Integrated Zigbee hub
Google Nest Mini 2 gen
Among the smart speakers to use Google Assistant at home, the cheapest product is the second generation Google Nest Mini, a small and compact device with good audio quality despite its size. It is made of recycled material to ensure greater environmental sustainability, has a modern and elegant design, can be hung on the wall to save space and allows you to interact with all the multimedia services of the Google ecosystem.
Why buy it? Small and affordable smart speaker for Google Home.
Main features
- Wi-Fi module
- Bluetooth 5.0
- Chromecast integrated
- Touch controls
- Quad-core processor
Google Nest Hub 2 gen
The most complete smart speaker for Google Home is the second generation Nest Hub , equipped not only with speakers but also with a 7-inch HD touchscreen . The device has a motion sensor, a temperature detector and an ambient sensor, with which it is able to optimize the functions for residential home automation. It’s really simple to set up and use, with connectivity that includes the Wi-Fi module and Bluetooth 5.0 .
Why buy it? The best Google Home smart speaker with smart screen.
Main features
- Wi-Fi module
- Bluetooth 5.0
- Chromecast integrated
- Touch controls
- 7-inch touchscreen
