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PCMag supports Group Black and its mission to increase greater diversity in media voices and media ownerships. Whether you have light or dark decor, either speaker line will have something complementary. The Echo and Echo Dot are both available in black, blue, or white versions; the Nest Audio comes in black, blue, green, salmon, or white, while the Nest Mini has black, blue, salmon, and white models. "At night, I just say, 'Hey Google, turn off my bedroom lights,' and the room goes dark," she wrote. Upgrade your lifestyleDigital Trends helps readers keep tabs on the fast-paced world of tech with all the latest news, fun product reviews, insightful editorials, and one-of-a-kind sneak peeks. Shop your favorite products and we’ll find the best deal with a single click.
So if you have a lot of smart home devices already, Alexa might be your best bet. Remember that you can’t expect magical thins from this smart speaker cum smart hub, its integration to a limited extent. Both voice assistants are neck and neck, though we give Google Assistant a slight edge thanks to its better natural language recognition. It doesn't have the number of third-party skills Alexa does, but it's still robust, and easier to talk to.
Prices gone down
You can also pair both devices with the Echo Sub, a subwoofer that can help you add some bass to your listening experience. Stepping down from those models, the Echo Dot has a bit of an edge over the Nest Mini, which has fairly weak bass and midrange. Of course, these smaller speakers are much more suitable for nightstands and desks than serving as a room's main audio device. I’ve been PCMag’s home entertainment expert for over 10 years, covering both TVs and everything you might want to connect to them.
We consider a lower weight better because lighter devices are more comfortable to carry. A lower weight is also an advantage for home appliances, as it makes transportation easier, and for many other types of products. It offers higher transfer rates, improved reliability, and improved power consumption. More microphones result in better sound quality and enable the device to filter out background noise. If you can only afford the entry-level devices, and music remains a top priority for you, go for the Google Home Mini, which sounds a lot better than the Echo Dot. Unless you hook up a Dot to another speaker over Bluetooth or the 3.5mm jack, it's just too thin and harsh to fully enjoy.
Already own Smart-hub? Then go for Amazon Echo only.
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. There is a control panel on the device body, so you can easily access the volume control or remote without having to interact with a cable or another device it's connected to. Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data transfers between devices placed in close proximity, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves. A passive radiator is a type of driver that doesn't have a voice coil and a magnet.
The Echo Show 8 sits between the two extremes, with an 8-inch screen that has the same 1,280-by-800 resolution as the Echo Show and Nest Hub Max, for the sharpest picture. The Echo Plus’s built-in Zigbee compatibility and temperature sensor are the standout differences between the Echo and the Echo Plus. This feature factors into the price difference, though, with the standard Echo costing about $50 less than the Plus model. PCMag.com is a leading authority on technology, delivering lab-based, independent reviews of the latest products and services. Our expert industry analysis and practical solutions help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.
Amazon Echo Studio Review
This allows you to set up your smart home easily and efficiently, without having to purchase an extra hub for more control and functionality. Smart speakers streamline the way you control smart-home devices, letting you use voice commands instead of fiddling with an app. It is compatible with Apple's Siri voice assistant, allowing you to use voice commands to control the device from other Apple HomeKit-compatible devices. Alexa and Google Assistant are two of the leading voice assistants out there. Here's how the smart speakers that use them stack up against each other.
This comes down to the way that the Skill was created by the manufacturer. On simple information searches, Google Assistant attempts to answer more questions, offers a bit more contextual information, and usually gives a longer answer. The Echo Show comes with a web browser that you can launch using your voice, although you need to put your fingers on the screen to go further. It has faster transfer rates and improved security compared to its predecessors – a, b, and g.
Pricing and availability (and the Echo 4th gen)
The Plus and the new Echo both have the same cylindrical shape, and they have the exact same dimensions at 5.8 inches tall and 3.9 inches in diameter. The action button, volume control, privacy switch, and power cord are all in the same spots. Currently, the biggest difference is the colors that each comes in. The Echo 3 is available in charcoal, heather gray, sandstone, and twilight blue.
The Echo Show 10 is unique among these models with its motorized base that can rotate the screen to follow you as you use it. After spending some time testing it, I was surprised at how intuitive and useful the feature is. The other smart displays require you to stand in a specific area if you want to see the screen, while the Echo Show 10 automatically moves to follow you throughout the room. For the midrange models, the Echo and Nest Audio sound similar, with generally good audio quality that can easily fill a room. The Nest Audio lacks a bit of bass, while the Echo doesn't have much treble finesse, but both still offer high-quality sound considering their size and price. If you use any stand-alone Echo device (non-Plus), you’ll be able to use Alexa skills to perform some basic functions on your compatible smart devices.
Alexa's Drop In feature only works with other Alexa-enabled devices. With Google Assistant, your Google Home can control your Philips Hue lightbulbs, Honeywell thermostat, Nest security camera, and smart TV (as long as it's compatible). Check out our roundup of things Google Assistant can do for more info, or head to the Google Assistant partners page for all the brands Google Home can work with. Also purchasing the Echo Plus will save spending extra $100 for a smart hub bridge. As the updates keep coming I expect NEW Echo Plus to be more and more powerful, with additional functions and Alexa skills, but as on now its basic as smart-home hubs go.
When different devices are connected to the same network, data can be transferred easily between them. 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. 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.
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