Home LivingSmart HomeWhy I’m switching from Google Assistant to AlexaI’m ditching Google Assistant in favour of Amazon Alexa – here’s whyWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Home LivingSmart HomeWhy I’m switching from Google Assistant to AlexaI’m ditching Google Assistant in favour of Amazon Alexa – here’s whyWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
I’m ditching Google Assistant in favour of Amazon Alexa – here’s why
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Brandon Romanchuk / Unsplash)
(Image credit: Brandon Romanchuk / Unsplash)
Whether you have multiple smart home devices dotted around your home or just one hub that takes care of everything, you need to choose a virtual assistant to start creating your own smart home. From asking what time it is to locking your front doors, a virtual assistant makes your day-to-day life significantly easier and stress-free. But which one should you choose?
AlexavsGoogleAssistant is a fairly common debate. AlongsideAppleHome, the two make up the top three most popular voice assistants available today. Built into some of thebest smart speakersand compatible with multiple devices, both virtual assistants excel in different areas.
As anAndroiduser, I’ve tried out both Alexa and Google Assistant, and I have to say Alexa is my winner… here’s why.
Google Assistant vs Alexa: what’s the difference?
Both virtual assistants do much of the same thing but they have different areas that they excel at. With Alexa, the Amazon virtual assistant is brilliant for controlling and customising your smart home and linking up multiple devices. It’s also better with general requests and tends to be quicker and more responsive. In comparison, Google has a better search and knowledge (what with being connected to Google Search) and is more equipped to handle complex requests and questions.
Choosing between the two will completely depend on what you want to get out of them. For more details on both virtual assistants, check outhow to start a smart home with Google Assistantandhow to start a smart home with Alexa.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
(Image credit: charlesdeluvio / Unsplash)
(Image credit: charlesdeluvio / Unsplash)
Why I’m choosing Alexa over Google Assistant
There are many things to consider when adopting a voice assistant but these are the key factors that make Alexa a winner in my eyes. For more details on entertainment, privacy and communication, make sure to check out our full comparison guides onAlexa vs Google AssistantandChromecast vs Fire TV Stick.
Devices
Verdict:Alexa
Before we get into compatibility, I’m going to talk specifically about Amazon products with Alexa and Google products with Google Assistant.
On the Amazon website, there’s a dedicated page calledEcho & Alexa deviceswhere you can find a full range of smart speakers, displays, streaming sticks, and smart home devices. The types of Amazon Alexa devices you can buy include Echo Dots, Echo Pop, Echo Studio, Echo Shows,Fire TV sticks,Fire TVCube, Amazonsmart plugs, wireless routers, subwoofers and amps. Amazon also owns Ring and Blink who sellvideo doorbells, indoor and outdoorsecurity camerasand other smart security products.
Google has many of its own smart home products which are under the Google Nest name. At theGoogle Store, you can find Google Nest smart displays, speakers, security cameras, video doorbells andsmart thermostats. Google also offers Wi-Fi systems, smoke and CO alarms andChromecast with Google TV.
Both Alexa and Google Assistant cover the main smart home categories but in terms of usability, features and functionality, Alexa takes the crown. Its products tend to be more straightforward and easy to use, and the sheer amount of them cover anything you could possibly want. Having said that, Google Assistant isn’t too far behind.
Compatibility
Verdict:Alexa
Alongside its own line of products, Alexa and Google Assistant are both compatible with other devices. To find out if your product is compatible with Alexa or Google Assistant, look for ‘Works with Amazon Alexa’ and ‘Works with Google Assistant’ branding.
Alexa is compatible withPhilips Hue smart lighting, Ecobee and Tado smart thermostats, Arlo cameras, TP-Link smart plugs, Yale and Ultion Nuki smart locks,Sonosspeakers, and many more. Google Assistant is also compatible with Philips Hue, Arlo and Tado, and works withDyson vacuum cleaners, Roku streaming sticks, Nanoleafsmart bulbs, and JBL, LG and Harman speakers.
For compatibility, it’s completely up to you what kind of products you want to use in your home. If you’re looking for smart home devices, Alexa is the clear choice as it has access to more smart products, but Google Assistant has merits for connecting to vacuums and speakers. As you tend to invest in a smart device with a virtual assistant for more control over your home, this is why Alexa wins here.
(Image credit: Argos)
(Image credit: Argos)
Voice commands and recognition
Verdict:Tie
‘Hey Alexa!’ and ‘OK Google!’ are all you need to start using voice commands with Alexa and Google Assistant. From there, you can ask them to do almost anything from starting timers and reading the news to locking your doors and deleting your browsing history. As mentioned above, Alexa is better with general requests whereas Google can take care of more complex requests, although you’ll need to speak clearly and be specific.
Both Alexa and Google Assistant have strong voice commands and recognition, and both could improve in some areas which is why I’m calling it a tie. If you want to find more commands to ask your virtual assistants, check out theGoogle Assistant commands you didn’t know aboutand theAlexa commands you need to know.
Smart home
Verdict:Alexa
For me, Alexa wins for smart home hands down. The amount of smart devices that Amazon creates and are compatible with is far greater than Google Assistant and the automation and schedules are more streamlined and speedy (although Google Assistant is still admirable when it comes to smart home).
Price
Verdict:Alexa
Amazo’s wide range of Alexa-enabled devices are incredibly cost-effective. While most of Google Assistant products are budget-friendly, Amazon starts its prices from as little as £34.99 and during big sales seasons, its popular products are hit with huge price cuts.
And that’s why I’m switching from Google Assistant to Alexa! Google Assistant only narrowly falls short and it’s still an incredibly impressive virtual assistant that has great value and is exceptional for building a smart home around. But for ease, better smart home control and price, Alexa wins for me.
Take a look at our deals widget below to save money on your next Amazon Alexa and Google Nest device.
Today’s best Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) and Google Nest Hub Max deals14 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆$49.99View$49.99View$85ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) and Google Nest Hub Max deals14 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆$49.99View$49.99View$85ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) and Google Nest Hub Max deals
14 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆
14 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆
☆☆☆☆☆
$49.99View$49.99View$85View
$49.99View
$49.99View
$49.99View
$49.99
$49.99
$49.99View
$49.99View
$49.99View
$49.99
$49.99
$85View
$85View
$85View
$85
$85
Show More Deals
Show More Deals
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
TOPICSAmazon Alexaamazon fire tvGoogleAmazon
TOPICS
Samsung Galaxy S25: every leak, rumour and spec we’ve heard before the launch eventThis is everything we’ve heard about the new handsets
This is everything we’ve heard about the new handsets
This case turns your iPhone or Android phone into an e-reader, but there’s a catchActually, there are a couple…
Actually, there are a couple…
Waking up for work is tough in the winter – but smart tech can help you avoid that snooze buttonHow smart tech makes winter mornings run smoother
How smart tech makes winter mornings run smoother
Withings’ smart mirror combines a smartwatch and scales into a full-length health scannerWithings debuts new conceptual smart health mirror at CES 2025
Withings debuts new conceptual smart health mirror at CES 2025
LG’s latest smart lamp grows indoor plants and sets the mood – but you might not get oneLG combines smart lighting with indoor gardening
LG combines smart lighting with indoor gardening
Samsung announces new AI home screens for its smart fridges and laundry appliancesSamsung previews its CES launches, including new AI Home screens
Samsung previews its CES launches, including new AI Home screens
I’m a smart home expert – these are the best smart home releases from 202411 smart home releases from 2024 actually worth buying, including Amazon Echo and Google Nest
11 smart home releases from 2024 actually worth buying, including Amazon Echo and Google Nest
Homey launches affordable smart home hub for less than $200It’s available to preorder from today
It’s available to preorder from today
Hisense’s CES smart home launches have been revealed – and they’re about to make household chores a lot easierThere are five new products altogether
There are five new products altogether
New study reveals the huge security flaw that homeowners are overlooking in the winterYale experts reveal how safe your home is in the winter – and how to improve your security
Yale experts reveal how safe your home is in the winter – and how to improve your security
