Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) vs Google Nest Mini: Which is Better?
By Linus Tan
Updated April 2023
The Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) and Google Nest Mini are both incredible smart home speakers that offer a wealth of features and functionalities to smarten up your home.
In this review, we compare the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) vs Google Nest Mini in terms of price, design & specs, and sound & software to determine which is the better smart home speaker for you.
On our list
#1 Price
#2 Design & Specs
#3 Sound & Software
Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)
Designed for Alexa
✓ Alexa voice assistant
✓ Compact & versatile design
✓ Budget-friendly
Google Nest Mini
Built for Google Home
✓ Google Home assistant
✓ Minimalistic design
✓ Affordable price
#1 Price
Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) vs Google Nest Mini
The Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) and Google Nest Mini are both listed at the same price at US$49. Depending on the occasion and promotion available, you might be able to get one or the other at a more affordable price tag.
Therefore, when deciding between the two models, price won't be a deciding factor. Ultimately, the choice will depend on your preferences or specific needs for certain features, which we will explore now.
#2 Design & Specs
Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) vs Google Nest Mini
The Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) has a round shape and flat base, making it easy to place on most surfaces. Its small profile means it won't be too obtrusive in most spaces. The control buttons, including a general action button, volume control, and a "Mic Off" button that lets you easily disable the microphone and enable privacy mode, are situated at the top of the speaker. The light ring at the bottom of the speaker adds a touch of personality and glows when you interact with it.
On the other hand, the Google Nest Mini is even more compact than the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen). It has a round-ish shape with a flat appearance, resembling a squashed ball. It embraces a minimalistic design with barely any visible buttons, featuring a row of four circular LED lights that glow when you interact with it. You can increase or decrease the volume by tapping the sides of the speaker, and there is a Mic switch button at its base to protect your privacy.
#3 Sound & Software
Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) vs Google Nest Mini
When it comes to sound quality, you can't expect much from either the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) or the Google Nest Mini, given their affordable price tags. If audio is a major concern for you, you might be better off with something like the Sonos One (Gen 2). That said, there also isn't much to complain about with their sound quality. Both devices deliver clear vocals and decent bass, and for most people, they work great as a regular speaker.
The key difference between the smart home speakers lie in their voice assistant software. The Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) comes equipped with Alexa, which is a voice assistant developed by Amazon that is able to answer questions, control your smart home devices, play music, and much more. Alexa is also capable of integrating with other Amazon services such as Kindle and Amazon Music. Amazon’s smart home ecosystem is extremely large so you may favour this speaker if you are already fully integrated into their platform.
On the other hand, the Google Nest Mini has Google Assistant built-in. Google Assistant is a voice assistant developed by Google that can perform tasks similar to Alexa, such as answering questions, controlling smart home devices, and playing music. What sets Google Assistant apart is its integration with other Google services, such as Google Maps and Google Calendar, making it an excellent choice for users who rely heavily on these services. The Google Nest Mini's search ability is particularly noteworthy due to Google's vast amounts of search data. Additionally, its voice recognition ability is extremely handy as it can identify which family member is asking the question and respond accordingly, such as with calendar schedules.
Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) vs Google Nest Mini
Final Thoughts
Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) vs Google Nest Mini
When it comes down to the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) vs Google Nest Mini, it really boils down to the smart home automation infrastructure you are looking to build or have.
If you are using Android smartphones or prefer Google Home, the Google Nest Mini is the way to go. It will make your life much easier. If you want to automate your home using Amazon products, integrating with the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) will make things a lot smoother for you.
If you like to read more on smart home speakers, check out our other relevant guides here:
Best Smart Home Speakers
Apple Homepod Mini vs Sonos One (Gen 2)
Sonos One (Gen 2) vs Sonos One SL
Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) vs Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen)
Apple HomePod Mini Review
Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) Review
Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) vs HomePod Mini
Amazon Echo Dot vs Echo Pop
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