With the holiday season rolling around, many families may consider adding additional technology to their homes. A voice control system is one popular technology to add to your home in 2022.
There are many voice control systems on the market. How can you choose the best voice control system for your home? Let’s talk about two of the most popular voice control systems: the Amazon Echo Dot and Google Home.
Amazon Echo Dot vs. Google Home Mini
Both the Amazon Echo Dot and Google Home Mini are voice-control systems that allow you to control various devices in your home using voice commands. They are both relatively affordable, and they both have a variety of features.
Google Home devices are powered by Google Assistant, a voice-activated assistant that can do various tasks, such as providing information about the weather or setting reminders.
On the other hand, the Amazon Echo Dot is powered by Alexa voice command, which is Amazon’s voice-activated assistant. Alexa has many built-in features, but she cannot do as many things as Google Assistant.
How to use voice control
Both the Amazon Echo Dot and Google Home Mini are voice-activated devices that allow you to control various devices in your home using voice commands. You can use voice control to turn on the lights, set a timer or play music.
To use voice control with the Amazon Echo Dot, you must first enable the “Alexa” skill. To do this, open the Amazon Alexa app on your phone and go to Menu > Skills. Then, search for “Alexa” and enable the skill.
Once the “Alexa” skill is enabled, you can start using voice control by saying, “Alexa, _____.” For example, you could say, “Alexa, turn on the lights.”
To use voice control with the Google Home Mini, you first need to link your Google account to your Google Home Mini. To do this, open the Google Home app on your phone and go to Settings > Devices > (Your device name). Then, tap on “Linked Accounts” and select your Google account.
Once your Google account is linked to your 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.”
Features
Some Google Home Mini features include:
- Control various devices in your home using voice commands (such as lights, TV, locks, etc.).
- Stream music, the news, sports and podcasts.
- Get information about the weather or set alarms.
- Ask Google to do multiple things at once without it getting confused.
- The 2022 Google Nest Mini has a 2X more substantial base and richer sound than previous models.
- The fabric on the speaker is made from recycled materials.
- Speak commands to Google from across the room with improved voice recognition.
Some of the features of the Amazon Echo Dot include:
- Control smart home devices in your home with your voice.
- Set reminders and create shopping lists.
- Stream music from your favorite apps such as Amazon Music, Apple Music or Spotify.
- Use Alexa’s unique features to order groceries or takeout.
- Browse hundreds of Alexa’s skills from the library on the Alexa app.
Price
One main difference between these two systems is their prices. The Google Home is more expensive than the Echo Dot. To some, that price difference is worth it for things such as the link between their Google Home Mini and other Google Nest devices, the Google Home app and a preference for the way that the Google Assistant performs tasks.
Voice recognition
Google has been working on voice recognition for a longer time, and has had more success with it. Google Home also has the advantage of its users being able to give multiple commands at once, which Alexa can’t do. Over time, the gap between the two will continue to slim, but as of now, Google Assistant is still further ahead.
Smart home compatibility
One of the main reasons people might choose the Amazon Echo Dot over the Google Home Mini is that Alexa has better smart home features. With Alexa, you can control a greater variety of devices in your home using voice commands. For example, using Alexa voice control, you can manage your lights, TV, locks and more. The Echo Dot syncs well with smart home systems, and many people like that an Echo Dot can both trigger actions and react to conditions in your home with its smart home routine, rather than the Google Home Mini, which can only trigger actions.
Which voice control system should you buy for your home: Google Home or Amazon Echo Dot?
It depends on what you are looking for in a voice control system and your budget. Overall, both the Amazon Echo Dot and Google Home are excellent voice control systems. If you prefer the features of the Google voice control system and don’t mind spending a bit more money, then go with the Google Home Mini. If you are looking for an affordable option or are planning to use the device for your smart home, then go with the Echo Dot.