Difference Between Google Nest Mini and Amazon Echo Dot

The Google Nest Mini and the Amazon Echo Dot are the two most popular entry-level smart speakers from two of the world’s most valuable companies dominating the smart speaker segment right now. They both cost around $50 but you can usually get them for as less as $30 on sale. They are the most convenient ways to use your voice to stream music and media and control smart home devices. But, which one would you prefer – the Nest Mini or the Echo Dot? We bring you an unbiased comparison between the two smart speakers.

Description of Google Nest Mini

Google Nest Mini is the latest addition to the smart speaker lineup from the search giant Google. The Nest Mini is your best companion if you work from home every day and it’s super cheap. It is a voice-controlled smart speaker that sounds better with 40% stronger bass than the original Mini. It is a compact speaker powered by Google Assistant that places the hands-free operation at new levels. Apart from playing music and media, you can control things like the thermostats, smart lights, and other compatible smart home devices with just your voice. It can help you with your everyday tasks such as setting timers and reminders, and answering general search queries.

About Amazon Echo Dot

The Amazon Echo Dot is the trimmed down version of the original Echo but without the high quality sound that the Echo has. Like the Nest Mini, the Echo Dot is a voice-controlled smart speaker powered by Amazon’s virtual assistant technology, Alexa and can be operated by voice, even from a distance. The Echo Dot instantly connects to Alexa to play music, control your smart home devices, answer your general search queries, and give news and weather updates. It is basically a hockey puck-shaped speaker and a compact version of the original Echo. Though not as powerful as the Echo, it delivers crisp vocals and balanced bass for a full sound.

Difference between Nest Mini and Echo Dot

Design

 – Both the smart speakers are fairly similar in design with the same round pucks and almost similar in size, but they differ slightly in aesthetics. Google takes a more minimalist approach with the device being completely covered in a recycled plastic mesh and the only physical switch on the device is the mute button underneath the device. Amazon Echo Dot is a refreshingly compact design with four far-field microphones at the top whereas the Nest Mini has three microphones underneath it. The Echo Dot retains the iconic color-changing LED around its base.

Connectivity 

– The Echo Dot has been around for much longer than the Nest Mini. Google lets you control how sensitive the Nest Mini is to hearing the hot word, which is the phrase you use to summon the assistant on the device. For Echo, you can actually change the trigger word. Each smart speaker has a companion app that you can download on both Android and iOS to manage the speakers. Alexa has better and more features like whisper mode, doorbell concierge, and Blueprints to make your own Alexa skills.

Sound Quality

 – Both the speakers allow you to stream music and media over Wi-Fi as well over a Bluetooth connection. They sound pretty similar in terms of sound quality, but the Nest Mini sounds a bit more clear and crisp with a slightly more bass than the Echo Dot. The competition is close and it’s hard to tell which one sounds better with one having more upward firing speaker than the other. Besides, both the speakers support Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio, Tunein, Sirius XM, and Deezer.

Note: If you’re outside the U.S., you should check to see what services will run on these speakers in your home country.

Google Nest Mini vs. Amazon Echo Dot: Comparison Chart

Summary

Both the devices are amazing smart speakers that can be paired with other similar speaker groups so you can group Google speakers together or Amazon speakers together to create a complete home audio solution. Both the speakers also allows you to control a host of other smart home devices like thermostats, smart lights, robotic vacuum cleaners, smart blinds, smart plugs, Wi-Fi routers, and home security systems. The Echo Dot, however, has tons of skills available for the device while the Google’s offering is relatively smaller at this point.

Which is better Amazon Echo or Google Home Mini?

Both are great smart speakers but the Echo has tons of skills available for the device and it supports more music streaming services than the Home Mini. But there are areas where the Home Mini shines, like it has the power of the Google ecosystem, which is a great advantage.

Is Echo Dot and Google Nest same?

Both the Echo Dot and Nest are two of the most preferred smart speakers from two of the world’s most valuable companies dominating the smart speaker segment. Echo Dot is powered by Alexa whereas the Nest is powered by Google Assistant, which is relatively easier to work with.

Is Google Nest Mini similar to Alexa?

Google Nest Mini is a smart speaker powered by Google Assistant whereas Alexa is Amazon’s very own smart digital assistant that powers up Amazon Echo devices.

What’s the difference between Nest Mini and Google Mini?

The Nest Mini has bass that is twice as strong as the original Google Mini, plus the addition of a third microphone is a major bonus. The Nest Mini is better for listening to music and watching videos.

Is there a monthly fee for Alexa?

Alexa is the brain behind the Amazon Echo devices. There is no monthly fee required to use Alexa on any of the Alexa-enabled devices.

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