Google Home Speaker vs Amazon Echo Dot Max heres how the two big smart speaker rivals compare

Date:
Wed, 01 Oct 2025 14:00:00 +0000

Description:
From AI smarts to subscription plans, this is how Google and Amazon's new smart speakers compare.

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Hot on the heels of Amazons Echo Dot Max and Echo Studio announcement, Google has just unveiled its own new smart speaker revamp marking the first one
since the Nest Audio in 2020. Say hello to the new Google Home Speaker.

Not only is the Google Home Speaker the companys first audio device in half a decade, its the first one built to accommodate the AI capabilities of Google Gemini. Google has designed [the speaker] from the ground up to be the ultimate audio experience for Gemini in the home.

Similarly, Amazons new Echo Dot Max and Echo Studio speakers are built for
the advanced Alexa+ voice assistant, which was announced earlier this year but is currently US-only. As well as new AI smarts, both Amazon and Google devices pack other benefits, including a revised sound system but how do
they compare overall? (Image credit: Jacob Krol/Future) Google Home Speaker
vs Echo Dot Max & Echo Studio

First, lets talk price and availability. The Echo Dot Max ($99.99 / 99.99 / AU$199) and Echo Studio ($219.99 / 219.99 / AU$429) speakers are available to preorder now for an October 29 release. The Google Home Speaker matches the Echo Dot Max at $99/ 99.99 (AU prices pending), but wont be available until spring 2026. However, Google has given a reason for the delay, stating 'the timeline for this new speaker is intentional.

'Our top priority is rolling out Gemini for Home in early access to the tens of millions of speakers and smart displays already in your homes, Google shared in its announcement.

Then theres the matter of AI smarts. In the case of the Echo Dot Max and Echo Studio, both will come equipped with Alexa+ while the Google Home Speaker
will accommodate Gemini for Home, but a subscription is required for both. (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

As mentioned, Alexa+ is US-only at the moment and will set you back $19.99 a month. Its indeed pricey, unless youre a Prime member in which case Alexa+ is included with your $14.99/ month subscription.

Though you can use Gemini for Home with the new Google Home Speaker to tackle every day tasks, youll need a Google Home Premium subscription to take advantage of advanced features such as Gemini Live. There are two different tiers; Standard ($10/ 8 a month or $100/ $80 a year) and Advanced ($20/ $16
a month or $200/ 160 a year).

The two new devices also draw comparisons with its 3D-knitted exterior and upgraded sound system, both adopting a 360 degree spatial audio approach. The new Echo speakers pack a 3x bass upgrade from the previous model and Dolby Atmos support the latter which the Google Home Speaker doesn't have.

That aside, both Google and Amazon are doubling down on their home theater improvements. You can connect up to five Echo Max Dot or Echo Studio devices with compatible Fire TV sticks to create a complete surround sound system,
and can hook the Google Home Speaker up to a Google TV Streamer, although you can only pair two. (Image credit: Jacob Krol/Future) Early verdict

At the moment its difficult to come to a solid conclusion as to whether
Amazon or Google will come out on top given the scarcity of the Google Home Speakers specs.

However, for me, the new Echo speakers have the upper hand. Thats not to say the Google Home Speaker wont deliver, but we'll have to wait until it's in
our homes to find out more. (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

When it comes to AI smarts, the Echo Dot Max and Echo Studio are the better deal money-wise, as Alexa+ is included with a Prime membership which a large majority of Amazon customers are already signed up to. Instead of paying just shy of $20 a month, Prime members will get access to Alexa+ features included in their $14.99 month subscription, saving you a bit of cash.

I imagine that this will be the main factor that customers will consider before purchasing, as both speakers are quite similar on the spatial audio front, but Im not ruling either one out until I have the opportunity to explore them in depth.

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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-speakers/google-home-speaker-vs-amazon-ec ho-dot-max-heres-how-the-two-big-smart-speaker-rivals-compare


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