Google Home Speaker vs. Amazon Echo Dot Max: I compared the $99 smart hubs by the specs

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ZDNET's key takeaways

• New Google Home Speaker arrives June 25 for $99.
• It directly rivals Amazon's $99 Echo Dot Max.
• Google may be smarter, while Amazon may sound better.

Google just announced the new Google Home Speaker, which will officially go on sale on June 25. This is a $100 smart speaker that will come with a generative AI-powered Gemini for Home onboard, 360-degree sound, and the ability to double as a smart home hub.

The speaker is directly competing with the newer Amazon Echo Dot Max, a $100 smart speaker (though it's currently on sale for $65) that comes with Alexa+ built in. Alexa+ is Amazon's take on a generative AI-powered virtual assistant that, like Gemini, can handle complex tasks, answer questions, and generate content.

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Considering that both speakers are similar in price and features, the question of which is better is inevitable. Since the Google Home Speaker isn't officially available until next week, we'll compare each device's specifications to help you decide. 

The next-level AI assistants

When you consider that both the Google Home Speaker and the Echo Dot Max feature generative AI assistants, which are already a big upgrade from the command-and-response format previously used by the classic Alexa and “Hey Google,” it's worth breaking down how each assistant operates and reacts to your commands.

I've used both Gemini for Home and Alexa+, and both are quite capable smart home assistants. Though I haven't used the Google Home Speaker yet, Gemini for Home in the Google Home app is slightly more conversational than Alexa+ in my interactions, giving me better, more complete answers and more information in response to general questions while making fewer mistakes.

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Google invests far more in consumer-facing AI and generative AI tools than Amazon does. It's only natural that, given how much Google supports emerging AI technologies, Gemini can handle complex requests, understand corrections mid-sentence (which Alexa+ doesn't), and answer multi-step questions by quickly reasoning through several pieces of information one after another.

How the audio performance compares

One of the biggest differences we expect between the Echo Dot Max and the Google Home Speaker is that Amazon tends to place greater emphasis on audio performance than Google does with its smart speakers. Both speakers offer a redesigned audio experience compared with older generations, but the Echo Dot Max features enhanced audio with a dual-speaker design and stronger bass than the older Echo Dot.

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In comparison, Google doesn't place much emphasis on its audio specifications, simply stating that the Google Home Speaker offers balanced 360-degree audio for podcasts and music. While I will certainly test these speakers side by side once I have the chance, I trust that the Echo Dot Max, designed to deliver an elevated audio experience with booming, room-filling sound, may win this battle.

Smart home integrations

On the smart home front, it's easy to recommend a Google Home Speaker if you mostly use Google products and an Echo Dot Max if you primarily use Amazon Alexa smart home products, but this would oversimplify the comparison. 

The Amazon Echo Dot Max speaker doubles as a Matter hub, just like the Google Home Speaker. While you can natively connect brand-compatible smart home devices to both speakers, you can also connect other previously incompatible brands through Matter.

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Sticking with Google's tendencies, the Google Home Speaker also doubles as a Thread border router, meaning you can use it with Matter over Thread, not just Matter over Wi-Fi like the Echo Dot Max speaker. This can improve local connectivity and add an extra node to your smart home's Thread network. 

Since the Google Home Speaker is powered by the new Gemini for Home, you can easily get information about the Nest cameras in or around your house, such as by asking Gemini for a home summary or searching your Nest camera history. Alexa can also do this with Ring cameras, but both Google and Amazon require a subscription to your home security system.

Home entertainment integrations

Historically, these small speakers have often been used with home entertainment systems. As far as sound and integrations go, the Google Home Speaker works with a Google TV Streamer to act as a speaker for your television. However, between the Echo Dot Max and the Google Home Speaker, Amazon's speaker offers more extensive home theater integrations.

Amazon supports multiple configurations for Echo speakers, including a stereo pair, 2.1 audio, a full wireless home theater, and Dolby Atmos-capable audio. Google lets you pair up to two Google Home Speakers with a Google TV Streamer to create a small home theater with stereo sound.

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Amazon offers a wider variety of Echo speaker tiers, including a dedicated wireless subwoofer (Echo Sub) for higher-end audio when combined with the Echo Studio and even a Fire TV sound bar. 

Writer's choice

Until I've tested the Google Home Speaker, I can't in good conscience reach a verdict on which smart speaker is the better choice between it and the Amazon Echo Dot Max. Based on the specifications and what we already know, the Google Home Speaker seems like a good option for users who primarily need a smart speaker to talk to and give commands. The Echo Dot Max, however, seems like a speaker for those who primarily want to listen to it.