Google Nest Audio vs Amazon Echo (2nd Gen) – Which One You Should Choose?

The process of finding an excellent smart speaker for your personal needs isn’t that easy. You should check out different speaker brands and compare them. Has your search narrowed down to between Google Nest audio and Amazon Echo (2^nd Gen)?

These two smart speakers are produced by reputable manufacturers. This assures you of long terms usage despite the speaker that emerges the top. We compare the sound quality, features and specifications. This will enable us to determine which among the two smart speakers has emerged the top.

Choosing the right smart speaker makes you enjoy listening to music. You should prioritize smart speakers over other devices because of their portability.

Google Nest Audio	Amazon Echo (2nd Gen)
PROS	PROS
It has Bluetooth. It is easy to carry. It has Google digital assistant. Its sound quality is okay.	It has Amazon Alexa assistant. It is portable. It produces a very powerful sound. It has an audio output jack.
CONS	CONS
Its sound gets distorted at full volume. It doesn’t have a battery. It lacks audio input or output port.	Its bass isn’t that filling. It lacks a battery hence limited to indoor usage.
CHECK PRICE	CHECK PRICE

Specifications	Google Nest Audio	Amazon Echo (2nd Gen)
Name	Nest Audio – Smart Speaker	Echo (2nd Gen) – Smart Speaker with Alexa
Brand	Google	Amazon
Built-In Speakers	Yes	Yes
Featured Streaming Services	YouTube, Spotify, SIRIUS, Pandora
Number of Microphones	3	7
Works With	Google Assistant, Nest, Hue	Amazon Alexa, Hue, Nest, SmartThings, Wink
Search Engine Used	Google	Bing
Streaming Media Player(s) Supported	Chromecast
Warranty	1 year	1 year

INTRODUCTION

Google Nest audio smart speaker favors indoor usage because it doesn’t come with a rechargeable in-built battery. This means it should be connected to power anytime you want to play music. The good thing is that it has a lengthy power cord that offers flexibility on the rooms you can place it.

This speaker also has a light weight which favors placing it at the top of surfaces. Google Nest audio smart speaker can be connected to wireless internet connection. This allows users to play music from different online platforms.

Google Nest Audio smart speaker has Bluetooth version 5 that is faster than the previous versions. The speaker allows you to pair it with other devices that have Bluetooth. Data transfer and pairing is faster. This Bluetooth version can also connect to two devices at the same time.

There are also different colors to choose from when selecting Google Nest audio smart speaker. This speaker has Google digital assistant that allows you to control it by using your voice. Therefore, you don’t have to physically operate your speaker all the time.  Google Nest Audio smart speaker can be used as one of the numerous speakers in multi-room sharing.

Amazon Echo (2^nd Gen) smart speaker has Amazon Alexa voice assistant that takes voice commands. This means you can operate it through your voice. Amazon Alexa does more than playing music. You can ask it for weather update, answers and latest news alert. This smart speaker has well placed microphones that help Amazon Alexa listen to voice commands.

This speaker has an audio output jack that can be connected to powerful devices for stereo sound projection. These devices range from sound bar and home theater receiver, among others. Amazon Echo (2^nd) can also be used in multi-room sharing if you want to play songs in different rooms in the house. This also projects stereo like sound.

This smart speaker also has Bluetooth that can be used to connect with other devices. You can play music from paired phones and pair this speaker with other speakers. Bluetooth only functions on devices that have Bluetooth.  

Amazon Echo (2^nd Gen) smart speaker can also be connected to wireless internet connection. This allows you to play music from different platforms like TuneIn, Pandora, Deezer and spotify, among others.

DESIGN

The shape of Google Nest audio smart speaker resembles a bar soap. It base is flat, making it favorable when placed straight upward on top of a surface. You will be impressed by the weight of this speaker that allows you to carry it around. It also permits users to carry it in their bag.

Google Nest audio smart speaker has its entire parts covered by a fabric. The fabric color varies depending on the speaker you have selected. Light green, black, white and pink are some colors the fabric can present itself. Once connected to power, you will notice some glowing LED lights at the top. They symbolize that Google digital assistant is active and waiting for voice commands.

There is a power adapter at the back of your Google Nest Audio smart speaker.  The position of the power adapter means you don’t have to move your speaker when charging it. You will also see the microphone mute button at back of the smart speaker. This button can be used when you want privacy from Google digital assistant.

You can use the top touch-sensitive part of the speaker to control it. The top area of Google Nest Audio smart speaker allows you to add volume, reduce volume or pause/ play a song.

Amazon Echo (2^nd Gen) smart speaker looks like cylinder. You are recommended to place it straight upwards on a surface for stability when playing music. The entire sides of this speaker are covered by a fabric material. It can be gray, silver, sandstone or charcoal color. You have the freedom of choosing any color that pleases you.

You will see some buttons at the top of Amazon Echo (2^nd Gen) smart speaker. These buttons are used when you want top physically operate the speaker. There are two volume buttons, one microphone mute button and one action button. The buttons arrangement is straightforward for anyone to understand them. There may be a glowing light at the top of the speaker when you power it on. It means that Amazon Alexa assistant is active and ready to take commands. You can use the mute button if you don’t want to use it.

There is also a power connector at the back of the speaker that should be connected to a power cord then to a socket anytime you want to play music. You will see an audio output jack next to the power connector. The jack can be used to connect the speaker with other powerful devices. Amazon Echo (2^nd Gen) smart speaker also has in-built microphones that help Amazon Alexa clearly get voice commands.

AUDIO

Google Nest Audio allows its users to play different audio formats through streaming or Bluetooth. MP3, WAV, FLAC, DSD, OGG Vorbis, AIFF and ALAC are some audio formats you can play with Google Nest Audio smart speaker. This smart speaker has a textile dome tweeter that is 19mm and a 75mm paper cone mid-woofer. These two significantly contribute to the quality sound projection of this speaker.

Impressively, the textile dome tweeter has a class D amplifier which is always on. This is why Google Nest audio smart speaker always projects quality sound anytime it is on. The design of the tweeter helps in even sound distribution in a room.

This smart speaker also has DAC that can play audios that have 24 bit resolution. DAC can also attain a sampling rate of 48 kHz. Google Nest Audio smart speaker also has microphones that help it hear voice commands.

Amazon Echo (2^nd Gen) smart speaker can also play different audio formats, both through streaming and Bluetooth connection. AIFF, MP3, OGG Vorbis, FLAC, WAV, ALAC and DSD are some audio formats you can play with this speaker.

This speaker comes with an integrated amplifier which is always powered on. Therefore, you will always enjoy quality sound when playing music. Amazon Echo (2^nd Gen) speaker also comes with Dolby processing feature. The amplifier and the Dolby processing feature will make you enjoy the tonal variations in a song at 360 degrees in a room.

Amazon Echo (2^nd Gen) speaker also has a tweeter and a woofer drivers. The tweeter driver can release a frequency of between 2,000 to 20,000 Hz when playing song. These two drivers also use the down firing technology when operating. This smart speaker can also be used in multi-room. Multi-room sharing allows you to wirelessly enjoy the same song in different rooms. Amazon Echo (2^nd Gen) smart speaker also has microphones that assist Amazon Alexa hear voice commands.

BATTERY

Google Nest Audio smart speaker dully depends on a power cable to function since it lacks a battery. You will have an easy time using this speaker because of its 6 feet long feet power cord. Its length permits you to use in different rooms and on surfaces that may be a distant from the socket.

Google Nest Audio smart speaker has an output voltage of 16.5 V, 2.5A and input voltage of 100-240V, 50/60 Hz. You will be impressed by the bend resistant material used on the outer part of the power cord.

Amazon Echo (2^nd Gen) smart speaker also doesn’t have a battery. This means you should plug its 5 feet power cord to power anytime you want to use the speaker. Its input voltage is between 100-240V, 50/60 Hz. This power cord also has an output voltage of 15V, 1.4A. The outré material used on the power cord protects users from shock at any given time.

CONNECTION

Google Nest Audio smart speaker can be connected to wireless internet connection. This speaker allows you to stream audio music from different online platforms by using Google digital assistant. Deezer, iHeartRadio, spotify, Pandora and TuneIn are some online platforms you can use to stream different audio songs.

This smart speaker also has Bluetooth that can be used to pair with other device. Google Nest audio smart speaker has Bluetooth version 5 which pairs with devices and transmits data faster. It is estimated that its speed is 2mbps when transferring data. Ensure your device is near the speaker for Bluetooth pairing to be effective.

Amazon Echo (2^nd Gen) smart speaker can be connected to Wi-Fi internet and stream music at a rate of between 16kbps to 384kbps. You will be able to stream music from different platforms if connected to a wireless internet. Amazon music, Pandora, spotify, Audible and TuneIn are some platforms you can stream music from.

You can also use the audio output jack and connect it to more powerful speakers. This allows you to project stereo sound at any given time. Sound bar and home theater are some devices you can connect with the audio output jack.

Amazon Echo (2^nd Gen) smart speaker can also be connected through Bluetooth. Always ensure your phone or device is within the recommended distance for connection to take place. 50 meters radius is recommended.

WEIGHT

Google Nest audio smart speaker has dimensions of 3.5 inch diameter, 5 inch width and 7 inch height. The dimensions of this smart speaker will give you an easy time carrying it around and handling it.

This speaker has a weight of 2.9 lbs. The weight will give you an easy time moving around with it. In fact, you can carry it on your bag while on the move.

The weight of Amazon Echo (2^nd Gen) smart speaker is 2.1 lbs, which allows you to place it on top of surfaces. You will also have an easy time moving around with it.

The dimensions of this speaker are 6 inches height, 3.5 inches width and 4 inch depth. This adds extra comfort when handling Amazon Echo (2^nd Gen) smart speaker.

CONTROL

Google Nest Audio smart speaker can be controlled through Google digital assistant through your voice. There are microphones that are keenly listening to voice commands and immediately executing them. Google digital assistant can hear voice commands while on the other end of the room.

This smart speaker can be controlled through the tap interface at the top and the microphone mute button. You should physically operate the button for commands to be accepted. The top interface of the speaker allows you to pause or play music. You can also power up or down the volume of Google Nest audio through the tap interface.

Alexa application is one of the ways you can control your Amazon Echo (2^nd Gen) smart speaker. This application can be downloaded from Google and app stores. The layout and interface of Alexa application is simple for everyone.

You can also control Amazon Echo (2^nd Gen) smart speaker through Amazon Alexa. Amazon Alexa keenly listens to voice commands through the help of in-built microphones. Therefore, you can use your voice if you don’t want to physically operate the speaker.

There are also physically buttons at the top of the speaker which you can use to operate the speaker. The buttons are four, making it easy for you to understand their functions.

MOBILE USAGE

Google Nest Audio smart speaker can be connected to mobile phones that have Bluetooth. Once connected, you will be in a position to send texts and make calls to contacts saved only on the phone through Google digital assistant.

You will be in a position to make calls and send messages to phones linked to it through Bluetooth. Calls and messages are limited to contact list when using Amazon Alexa.

Verdict

In terms of sound quality, Amazon Echo (2^nd Gen) smart speaker outshines Google Nest Audio speaker. Amazon Alexa is also more powerful, giving you an easy time controlling the speaker with your voice.