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They're essentially smart home hubs that can help you order groceries, turn on the television or lights, or listen to your favorite tunes at an acceptable volume, among other things. The top buttons on the Echo Dot allow you to control the volume, mute the microphone, and bring up Alexa with a simple press of your finger. This gives it a little boost on usability, simply because the buttons are easy to see. The Google Home Mini also has buttons, but they're cloaked beneath the fabric covering, so you have to know where they are . There’s no lack of music service options on either of these speakers, but whatever you play will sound better on the Dot.
With beefed-up sound at the price of a standard Echo model it's well worth looking at the third-gen Echo if you're thinking of buying a new smart speaker. However, lots of users who have put the two devices head-to-head believe Google Assistant could be the smarter of the two. Learning experience, and wider variety of voices than Alexa, it has the biggest potential for the future. Having said that, Alexa tends to be better when it comes to support for a wider range of devices, as well as better smart home integration. So if you have a lot of smart home devices already, Alexa might be your best bet.
For Amazon Alexa Echo Dot 3rd Generation Outlet Wall Mount Hanger Holder Stand
The Mini is louder, sounds smoother with music and has decent bottom end for a device the size of a hockey puck. Of course, we wouldn't use either of these if we had a choice -- the Oontz is the better of all three and makes music sound like music, plus it's portable and will accept a line-in. The Dot's biggest advantage over the Mini is the 3.5 mm stereo output port which allows you to connect it to your own speakers. Plug in the Dot, and you can add voice controls to your own sound setup. You can do that with the Mini or the Home too, but you need to buy an extra Chromecast audio streamer.
Alexa also still beats Google Assistant when it comes to compatibility, so there’s a greater chance of your smart devices actually working with the Dot. Smart home routines connect a variety of settings for smart devices under a single command. It’s a great way to prepare a smart house for the morning, set the mood for an evening dinner, get the family ready for bed, and a lot more…all you have to do is set them up. Alongside hardware connectivity, both devices can also access “skills” or “actions” that deliver enhanced features like news reports, recipes, reservation bookings, jokes, quizzes, and more. Again, the Echo Dot leads here, with a plethora of different types of skills available for the device .
Why is Google Home Mini better than Amazon Echo Dot?
Both are priced to be excellent introductions to smart home speaker technology , so you’ll want to consider the other elements that differentiate them before adding one to your cart. Once your Google account is linked to the Google Home Mini, you can start using voice control by saying OK Google or Hey Google, followed by your command. For example, you could say OK Google, turn on the lights or Hey Google, turn off the lights.
Instead of the traditional hockey puck look, it's now a ball with a flat, rubber bottom to keep it from sliding. If you're looking to bring some smarts into your home, we've got two great candidates right here. We're going to be comparing these two speakers side by side to see how they each perform. Speak commands to Google from across the room with improved voice recognition. If privacy is a concern, the Echo Dot includes a button that turns off the microphone and disconnects it from the internet. You’ll need an Android or iOS smartphone and a strong WiFi network with an internet speed between at least 30 to 50 Mbps .
Can Alexa make phone calls?
The Google Home Mini has no physical buttons, but rather just a sliding switch for privacy and special “zones” on the device that you can tap to adjust volume. Google wants users to have a true hands-free experience using the Google Assistant voice control. That said, both can connect to mainstream smart home tech like Philips Hue lighting, smart locks, power outlets and more. While Alexa control is available on more than 12,000 devices, Google is quickly expanding its offerings. Odds are the tech you need to sync with can be found on both lists. The Google Home Mini has 360-degree sound and a 1.57-inch driver.
A tech enthusiast for as long as he can remember, he definitely has favorite operating systems and devices, but uses as many others as he can anyway, just to stay caught up. In the case of the Echo Dot, you can choose from Sandstone, Heather Gray, Charcoal, and Plum. Charcoal is also an option for the Google Home Mini, as is Chalk, and two fun colors; Coral and Aqua. Now, unlike the Echo Dot, this device does not have a 3.5 millimeter jack.
What Do These Speakers Have in Common?
Google Home devices are powered by the Google Assistant, a voice-activated assistant that can perform various tasks, such as providing weather information or setting reminders. Grant Clauser is the senior editor for the smart-home and audio/video categories. He has been reporting on technology since 1999 and has been an invited speaker at events including CES and CEDIA. He has completed certification classes from THX, ISF, and Control4.
Casting is better than nothing, but it’s not as commonplace as using Bluetooth or a cable. We think more people may like the softer, rounded look of the Home Mini more than the Echo Dot, though neither is something to set in the middle of your dining room table. The Echo Dot comes in white or black, while the Home Mini comes in white/light gray, dark gray, or red/orange with matching fabric covers. At best, they disappear into the background equally until they light up upon hearing their names. While the Echo Dot features a hockey puck-shape with fabric-covered sides and button on top, the Google Home Mini has a puck-shape and encases its touch-sensitive controls beneath a fabric.
Both home automation devices must be connected to power full time, unless you use a third-party battery dock. The Echo Dot connects to its power supply with a barrel connector, while the Google Home Mini uses a USB power supply. Both shopping options can shop by recognized voice, but Alexa provides an additional security code option you can enable for safety. Google Assistant, meanwhile, uses the Google Shopping platform, so it has a wider reach.
Best On-Demand Streaming Services 2022 If you’re looking for great on-demand content, check out our top five best streaming services... Because of the speaker configurations inside the Echo Dot, it sounds better than the Nest Mini. And as far as music, they're both pretty comparable to each other. Now, looking at a smart home, essentially pick your assistant. But as far as the device hardware, the Echo Dot did get an upgrade this year, where the Nest Mini is still running on 2019 hardware.
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