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Wondering if you really need a smart speaker in your home? Are you scrolling through the web looking for the best smart speaker on the market?
Well, I’m not going to sit here and blow smoke about which speaker is the best.
I’d be lying if I told you that the Echo is better than Google Nest Audio or Apple’s HomePod is the overall best.
While each speaker has its own attributes, I can only give you my opinion and experience over the years on each speaker’s pros and cons.
The Evolution of the Smart Speaker
As we move into the new year, I can’t help but realize how much we’ve invested in making our home smarter.
Building a smart home is no longer a fantasy but has now become a reality, thanks to the affordability of smart home technology.
We are now able to activate our everyday household chores through voice. For example, we can now have our smart vacuum clean our floors or our lawn, mow by a smart lawnmower.
While the Echo was the first in the limelight, it has started a trend for others to follow and compete in this market.
Amazon launched the Echo back in June 2015, a year later, Google released Google Home (Google Nest), and then Apple follows with The HomePod.
While Amazon and Google have solidified their places in this growing market. Apple released the HomePod a few years later which is now lagging behind the two devices.
Smart speakers pros and cons
While smart speakers like the Echo, Google Nest, and HomePod have similar features, each has its pros and cons in certain areas in the market.
It’s up to the consumer to say which speaker or assistant is best to serve them. So, let’s break down each device, the pros, and cons.
Amazon Echo
Let’s start off with Amazon Echo, which you can find on Amazon.
We own several Echo’s in our home, the Echo, the Echo Dot, the Echo Show 8, and the Echo Flex that’s in our Basement.
The Echo is connected to Amazon’s personal assistant Alexa, that provides information, such as your shopping list, news, play’s music, weather, sports scores, and much more.
Alexa also comes with several skills and features such as turning on and off your TV (If your television includes HDMI-CEC, check your TV manual for more information), dimming lights, and etc.
Which are All controlled with your voice.
You can ask Alexa anything as she is always getting smarter with hundreds of supported commands.
Privacy concerns
Over the past few years, Amazon had been widely publicized with consumer’s privacy.
From the amount of data they collect or pay employees around the world listening to recordings such as personal information.
Also, sharing with law enforcement that involves handing over user data.
Since the leaks, Amazon has released several privacy improvements to delete voice recordings and data to help consumers to have more control over their data.
Amazon Echo best features
E-commerce
Amazon’s principle of customer obsession rather than competitor focus allows Amazon to be the biggest e-commerce online retailer in the world.
This is where Alexa shines when it comes to its features.
For example, Alexa voice shopping allows you to ask Alexa to place orders for products from your Amazon order history or Amazon cart.
But to enable, you need to sign up as an Amazon Prime member.
You can also receive notifications from Alexa when you need to restock on your last order.
Package delivery
You can receive delivery notifications when an Amazon package is delivered to your doorstep.
When a yellow Ring flashes on your echo speaker, you will ask, “Alexa, what are my notifications?” Alexa will announce what package was delivered.
Prime Music
You can play your favorite music from Amazon Music. With over 60 million songs you pretty much play anything.
You can even play from Spotify, Pandora, and iHeartRadio.
Emergency services
Do you need help with keeping your home and family safe? Alexa Guard can help you call emergency services through Alexa Guard Plus.
With Alexa Guard, you can add an extra layer of protection to your home security. You can enable the free skill or sign-up for the premium service.
Grocery shopping
Since Amazon owns Whole Foods you can easily create a shopping list and have Amazon Fresh deliver your goods to you.
You can also use Alexa skills to sync all your lists with selected third-party apps.
Home Security
Combine Echo with Ring products for hands-free home monitoring.
If enabled, when a motion is triggered from your Ring doorbell, your Amazon Echo will flash yellow or announce someone is at the front door.
The Echo not only flashes yellow but several other colors to alert you on different things, depending on the issues.
Design
The next-generation Echo looks better than the previous versions and is more affordable than most of its competitors.
Alexa Con’s
The Echo is not a portable speaker (most smart speakers), you have to keep it plugged in at all times. Which means you cannot take it outside.
But there are third-party speakers that are portable and waterproof.
The sound performance of an Echo is good but not as impressive as some of the other smart speakers.
The Echo can answer your questions, but it’s not Google.
When it comes to search, Google is King. Google has so much data it will be difficult for anyone to catch up to their search capabilities.
Google Nest
Google Nest (Home) has been giving Amazon a push every year, from the Mini to the Max!
We were first introduced to Google Nest (Home) Mini when it was on sale at Target (Black Friday). And to be honest, it’s our favorite smart speaker in the beginning.
You can also find the latest Google Nest Audio at Best buy.
The experience was so great, I decided to do some research on home automation and the rest is history.
Now, we have dozens of smart home gadgets around our home.
Privacy concerns
When it comes to privacy this is the most common question we hear, do they invade your privacy?
Yes, as they are always on speakers, which means they can be listening and collecting your data.
A few years ago, Google was caught secretly recording people’s conversations after you said the wake word without the user’s knowledge.
But this issue has been fixed and resolved.
If not all, but most smart speakers have some type of microphone listening.
Usually, Google will only wake up and record after you say the wake words, such as, “Okay Google/ Hey Google”. But there are incidents it will answer even if you haven’t called it.
You can also press mute on the devices, so it’s not listening.
Amazon, Google, and especially Apple has gone to great lengths to keep your information local and private.
Google and Amazon said, your conversations are encrypted, so it should be fairly safe. User privacy is a serious concern but there are several things you should know before building a smart home.
If privacy is a concern, you can delete your voice from Amazon by going to Manage My device and with Google Home, you can alter your permission by simply limit the data it collects here. I recommend that you do this.
Google smarter
Let’s face it, Google is smarter. Yes. Amazon is better in its own right plus they had a head start in hardware development.
But thanks to Google search engine and the data derived from it, Google is just better when it comes to answering your questions.
Google Nest best features
Access to Google search engine
Google’s massive knowledge base, allows Google the ability to provide factual responses to your questions.
Google contains millions of data about people, places, and things. This is where Google has an advantage over its competitors.
Google Assistant is conversational
Google is great at answering questions. Google Assistant can understand follow up questions and responses to questions much better than any other voice-controlled assistant on the market.
Chromecast Integration (Audio)
You can stream the entertainment you love straight from a small screen to the TV with Chromecast with Google TV.
Awesome Design
Google Nest Audio or mini looks like it belongs in a modern home with a matching piece of audio devices
Sound Quality (Google Max)
Amazing speaker with powerful bass. You can pair all Chromecast audio or Google Nest devices, and play music around the house.
YouTube Music
Easier for you to just say out loud what you’d like to listen to on your television, especially if you are a heavy YouTube user.
Broadcast to multiple speakers
Are you always calling your kids to come down for “dinner time” but no one never hears you?
Broadcast allows you to send out a message that will play on any other assistant-enabled speakers in your home.
Voice Recognition
Google learns your voice by asking you a few key phrases that “wake up” the device. Google Home technology analyzes different vocal characteristics.
Hands-Free Calling
You can dial anyone in your contacts and local businesses for free as long they’re in the US.
The people you’re calling need to be stored in your Google contact list or in Google’s cloud. You can even call using your own personal number.
Google Nest Cons
Google Nest is Limited to Third-Party Support
Google Assistant is quickly catching up to Amazon but with Alexa, you can expand your abilities by enabling a whole line of “skills.”
Google can’t read, send text or email messages
Until a future update, you have to use your phone.
Don’t have an audio output port
You will have to purchase an additional device, such as the Chromecast to stream to external speakers
Doesn’t hear good from a distance
Your range may vary but currently not as good as its competitors.
Apple HomePod
Apple HomePod is not only smart but delivers high-quality sound speakers.
The HomePod features a seven-speaker array of tweeters, a four-inch subwoofer, and a six-microphone array, which puts it right in class with the best speakers in its price range.
Apple was late with introducing a smart speaker but has been in the smart assistant market since Steve Jobs announced Siri in 2011.
As a family, we are heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem from iPhones, iPads, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and Macs so it’s only a matter of time we will go all-in to purchase Apple’s HomeKit products.
But Apple has some major catching up to do before we can transition into a HomeKit ecosystem.
Privacy concerns
When it comes to data privacy, Apple is the best! For years Apple has been standing up for the rights of consumer privacy and it’s only getting better.
Each year Apple has steadily made it harder for third-parties to collect data from us.
But how is Apple able to protect your privacy compare to its rivals (Amazon and Google)?
Your data related to your home is encrypted and stored in Apple’s iCloud Keychain of your device. Your data is also encrypted in the transition between your Apple devices you control in your home.
Siri is smarter than Alexa
Yes, it’s true, Siri is smarter than Alexa according to a test by Loup Ventures.
The high marks for Siri aren’t shocking, since Siri uses the Google search engine to pull answers to common questions.
But with that being said, all voice assistants are improving rapidly. So, who knows, things can change in the future. Don’t get too comfortable Apple!
Apple HomePod best features
Privacy
Of course this Apple superpower. As I mentioned above Apple protects your privacy more than other tech companies will.
Amazing Sound quality
The HomePod audio quality is premium, it fills a room with a clear separation between all elements of music tracks. The HomePod can compete with a higher premium speaker such as the Sonos One.
Apple Music
Apple Music has over 60 million songs and is integrated with the iTunes library. If you purchased via the iTunes store or uploaded to iTunes, Apple Music will give you the option to freely browse your own music alongside Apple standard catalog.
Also, Apple Music 1 which premier radio stations that run nonstop music mixed by DJ’s on live radio shows.
Create Stereo HomePod sound
If you have more than one HomePod, you can create a stereo pair to enhance your sound for multi-room audio.
Make Calls on HomePod
First, enable personal requests. Now, Just say, Hey Siri, call [Name]” or you can also say, “Hey Siri, answer my phone” to pick up.
Send and read messages
You can have Siri send messages through the HomePod, Just say, “Hey Siri, send a message to [Name]” or have Siri read your latest text messages.
Use HomePod as A TV speaker
If you have an Apple TV or AirPlay connected to your TV, the HomePod can be paired with third-party sets. So, no more crapy TV speakers.
Apple HomePod Cons
Price
The HomePod is much more expensive than its competitors. If you are considering the original HomePod, just keep in mind you’re paying for premium sound, not a “smart speaker.”
The good news! Apple just announced the HomePod mini which is still pricy but much more affordable. You can find the HomePod mini at your nearest Apple store or Best Buy.
Lacks third-party Bluetooth capabilities
Other smart speakers support thousands of third-party Bluetooth products, HomePod lacks this capability.
Only for iPhone and iOS users
If you are not part of the Apple ecosystem and own an Android phone, skip this device. You won’t be able to use HomePod.
Siri can get smarter
Due to Apple’s strict privacy protection for consumers, it lacks data collection.
While most virtual assistants collect as much of your data as possible to train their AI, Apple does the opposite by giving consumers more control over their data.
Also, Apple released Shortcuts to allow developers much more Siri integration and updates to Siri’s text to speech engine. So, all-in-all, Siri still has some catching up to do.
Limited to third-party streaming service
Currently, HomePod does not support Spotify. Only supports Pandora and Apple Music.
Final note
So now that we’ve covered your options for the best smart speakers on the market, what are you going to do?
Do you shop on Amazon? Are you an Amazon Prime member? or do you own several Ring products around your home? Well, the Echo may be the best pick for you.
Do you search a lot on Google? do you prefer Android over iOS? Maybe, Google Nest can be the right fit for your home.
Are you heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem? Are you an Apple Music subscriber? If yes, Apple may be at the top of your list.
It all depends on your own personal preference
Overall I think they all have outstanding quality features that can fit your smart home. The only way to find out is by giving it a try!
You’ll thank me later.
It's great to see that you have come across my website. I hope you explore it thoroughly. The website caters to regular consumers who have an interest in home automation. I am based in the Tri-state area and enjoy the latest smart tech along with my wonderful wife and three energetic boys.
