Alexa vs Google Home: Which Assistant Is Better In 2022

The best method to check what the differences are between Alexa and Google Home, in addition to reviewing the catalog of both companies, is to capture their specifications in a table.

Alexa or Google Home? When a user decides to buy a smart speaker, he comes across this dilemma. Both are major players in the burgeoning market for voice assistants, offering a new way of interacting with technology through commands.

Amazon owns Alexa. The initial version of this software appeared in  2014. Mainly, it is integrated into devices marketed by the North American giant, such as the Echo or the Fire TV. His name was chosen because it included the letter X, a consonant with a precise sound that is easy to recognize. This would make things much easier for the speech recognition system, minimizing false positives and increasing the chances of triggering listening. Unlike other similar solutions, such as Siri, Amazon has decided to open up its technology to other companies, allowing Alexa to integrate countless speakers, screens, clocks, and other devices marketed by third parties.

For its part, the  Google Home platform is a home automation solution that uses Google Assistant. Indeed, we don’t need to tell you who owns the service. Yes, Google has been developing its voice recognition engine since 2016 (two years after Amazon launched Alexa). Since then, we have seen how the company has substantially improved the functionality of its assistant. We have also seen it integrated into many devices, such as Android phones, tablets, Chromebooks, or Wear OS watches. It is even possible to run this software on third-party speakers.

In short, both  Alexa and Google Home (and Google Assistant)  are two very valid options. But which one is better? In which cases is it convenient to choose one platform or another? The following sections focus on the functionalities of both assistants, focusing mainly on the speakers marketed by Amazon and Google.

However, many people may wonder, “But what’s the difference?” Here, we tried to compare the differences between these two big smart speakers by classification. In this way, we will try to help you choose the best option in each case. Let’s start!

Amazon Echo devices with Alexa

Before diving into the differences between the two platforms, we review the devices that Amazon markets with Alexa.

Echo Dot

The  Echo Dot is one of the cheapest speakers that Amazon sells, including Alexa, with an official price of 59 euros. It is available in three colors, anthracite, greyish blue, and white. The materials used are friendly to the environment, with 50% of the plastics being recycled. The fabric that opens the speaker has been 100% recycled. In addition to being the cheapest option, it is also the smallest. Its speaker is  41mm and is front-facing. Since its third generation, there is a version with a built-in digital clock, making it ideal to be placed on the bedside table. It has a 3.5mm jack output to use external speakers.

Echo show

When we talk about the  Echo Show, we refer to a whole range of smart screens. They come in different sizes,  from 5 to 15.6 inches. In all cases, they are devices with multiple microphones and speakers, so in this sense, they work in the same way as the Amazon speakers. However, its operating system also allows you to display elements on the screen, such as notes, photos, weather forecasts, etc. They are also capable of playing content from  Netflix and Prime Video.

Echo Flex

If, until now, we have talked about smart speakers and screens with Alexa, now we take a radical turn towards one of the most specific concepts. We refer to the  Echo Flex. It has a small 15mm speaker mainly used to interact with Alexa. In the same way, it includes microphones, so it will perfectly understand any command. And, of course, add a 3.5mm jack to use with additional speakers. What is your mission? This Echo is designed to take  Alexa to every corner of the house without spending too much. Its official price is  29 euros, although it is easy to find it below 20 euros. Thanks to jack output and Alexa, it is also ideal for equipping a music system with intelligence.

Echo Studio

For users looking for the best sound without giving up the full potential of a voice assistant, Amazon has designed the  Echo Studio. Among its specifications, the support for  Dolby Atmos, it’s 51 mm tweeter, the three 25 mm midrange speakers, and the  133 mm woofer stand out. Of course, its high fidelity sound makes its price shoot up to  199 USD, making it one of the most expensive Echo. To improve the control of light bulbs and sockets, it supports  Zigbee.

Echo Auto

We put an end to this list with one of the most original devices from Amazon. The Echo Auto is specially designed to be installed in cars. It is linked to the car’s sound system, while its eight microphones allow access to Alexa commands. Its official price is 59 USD.

Google Nest devices

Surely, Amazon’s generous variety with its Echo has caught your attention. If you are more inclined toward Google devices, the  Google Nest (formerly known as Google Home), you will quickly notice less choice. 

Nest Mini (formerly Google Home Mini)

The  Nest Mini is the smallest smart speaker in the Google store. It has a diameter of less than 100 mm and comes in two colors, chalk, and charcoal. Its transducer is 40 mm and incorporates three long-range microphones, with which the capture of voice commands is ensured. Its official price is  39 USD.

Nest Audio

Nest Audio is the name chosen for the variant with the best sound in Google’s catalog of smart devices. A speaker with a slim design, with a height of 175mm that is marketed in the same colors as its little brother, namely chalk and charcoal. The musical virtues come from the hand of two speakers, one for bass of 75 mm and one for treble frequencies of 19 mm. The number of microphones is the same as the previous case, but the price is not. This Nest Audio comes out for  99 USD.

Nest Hub

And if Amazon has its Echo Shows, Google has the  Nest Hub. Again, the lack of variety is noticeable because, in this case, it is a device with a single variant. Its screen diagonal is  7 inches, integrates an outside temperature sensor, and is available in two colors. Yes, you guessed it,  chalk and charcoal finishes. The functionalities are expanded concerning the Nest speakers. The panel shows the user’s interest information, the current playback, and more. Its price is  99 USD.

Which is better?

After everything analyzed, you may already have a clearer idea of ​​which devices are best suited to your needs. But which one is the best? Next, we analyze some issues you should know to make the best decision.

Features

If you are looking for a versatile voice assistant,  Alexa is the right choice. Why? Google Home is indeed compatible with many services, but Amazon allows third parties to develop skills or abilities for your assistant. It still helps you manage your smart devices, turn the TV on and off, or remotely control your PC. The possibilities with Alexa are practically unlimited, while with the Google assistant, the options fall short.

Compatibility

Both  Google Home and Alexa are compatible with the two prevailing operating systems in the mobile landscape, iOS, and Android. This allows them to meet the needs of most users, who will be able to control their speakers and displays very simply with their phone. Something similar happens if we talk about household products. It is a field in which this binomial of assistants is noticeable, and most of the light bulbs, plugs, and other accessories are compatible with both platforms.

Available devices

The catalog of  Echo speakers and displays is overwhelming, especially compared to the products that Google offers. There is no doubt that Amazon covers the market better by offering products for all types of users.

Third-party solutions

When we talk about third-party products, we mean speakers, displays, and other gadgets with Alexa or Google Assistant built-in. The  Amazon assistant is much more open in this regard, and it is easy to find it in all kinds of products, including this Netgear Orbi Voice that we already told you about a long time ago. Both Alexa and Google Assistant are available on watches, televisions, and mobile phones.

Market share

It was estimated in 2019 that the Amazon assistant had a  share of 65%. This means that the number of compatible services, devices, platforms, and products is greater with Alexa than with Google Assistant.

Home control capacity

You won’t have too much trouble controlling your home with both wizards. Most innovative products are compatible with both platforms and integrate seamlessly with routines and voice commands. In this case, we believe they are in a technical tie.

Ecosystem

Amazon and Google strive to develop robust ecosystems from their smart devices feed. With Alexa, you can control your photos, your music on Amazon Music, and your books on Audible. On the other hand, Nest devices integrate with services such as YouTube Music, Google Photos, or Keep. The correct choice, in this case, will depend, to a large extent, on the digital services that you use in your day to day.

Price

Finally, we come to a fundamental question: the price. The price of the cheapest device with Alexa, the Echo Flex, is  29 USD, compared to  39 USD for the Nest Mini. To these prices, we must add the aggressive discounts applied by the two companies, with minimum prices of 14 dollars and 29 dollars respectively. In this case, our recommendation is none other than to periodically consult their respective official stores to hunt for the best price.