Google Nest Mini vs. Echo Dot Clock
Have you considered getting a Google Nest Mini or an Echo Dot Clock? Do you know the differences or which one will work best for you? This post will go through their primary differences and will help you decide which is the right device for you.
The first versions of the Google Nest Mini and the Echo Dot were both released in October 2018. They were both updated in October 2019. This will focus on the latest versions of these two products.
Favorite Features
My personal overall feature of both of these devices is the ability to control smart home devices. More on that later. Here are some other of my favorite features:
Google Nest Mini:
- Full access to Google Search and can even answer follow up questions based on the previous questions.
- Example:
– OK, Google, Who is Post Malone?
– OK, Google, How old is he?
Echo Dot with Clock:
- The wake word can be customized
- Alexa Guard
- With Amazon Prime ordering products is super fast
- Access to Audible
Device Hardware
Google Nest Mini:
- Comes in 4 colors – Sky, Chalk, Charcoal and Coral
- 3 Touch Controls – Volume Up/Down, pause/play/cancel
- 4 lights on top to indicate listening and volume level
- Built-in mount
- 3 far-field microphones
- Bluetooth capabilities for stereo pairing
- Create a home speaker group to play on all Chromecast Audio speakers in the house
Echo Dot with Clock:
- Comes in ONE color – The Sandstone
- 4 buttons – Volume Up/Down, Mute and Action
- Status ring on the top
- 4 built-in microphones
- Bluetooth capabilities for Stereo Sound Pairing
- 3.5 mm jack
- Digital display – easily see Time, Temperature or Timers
Sound Services
Both of these devices can be used to play various music services (see below). Overall, if you are an audiophile, neither of these speakers are going to impress you at all. But for the rest of us that just like to listen to music or play ambient sounds, it works very well!
Sound quality hardware updates:
– The Nest Mini offers 40% more bass than the original Google Home Mini.
– The Echo Dot Clock has the same sound quality as its predecessor.
Google Nest Mini:
Supported Free Radio Services
- Pandora
- Spotify
- Google Play Music
Paid for Music Services
- YouTube Music
- Google Play Music
- Pandora
- Spotify
- Deezer
- Sirius XM Radio
Other hands-free audio services
- Google Podcasts
- Audiobooks from Google Books
- TuneIn or iHeart Radio
- Different news categories
Echo Dot with Clock:
Supported Free Radio Services
- Pandora
- Spotify
- Simple Radio
- MyTuner
- My Radio
Paid for Music Services
- Amazon Music
- Apple Music
- Pandora
- Spotify
- Deezer
- Sirius XM Radio
- Tidal
- Gimme
- VEVO
Other hands-free audio services
- AnyPod
- Stitcher
- Audible Audiobooks
- Podcasts with TuneIn
Bluetooth
Not much to compare here, they both have the same capabilities.
Google Nest Mini:
- Bluetooth 5.0
- Can be used as a Bluetooth speaker from your phone
- Can provide audio to another Bluetooth device such as a Soundbar
Echo Dot with Clock:
- Bluetooth (version not specified)
- Can be used as a Bluetooth speaker from your phone
- Can provide audio to another Bluetooth device such as a Soundbar
Calling/Communication
Google Nest Mini:
- Broadcast a message to other Google speakers
- Call any number (US, or Canada)
- Call specific Google Home devices
- Use Google Duo to make voice calls to anyone else that uses Google Duo
Echo Dot with Clock:
- Make announcements across your other Echo devices to announce a message
- Connect to another device as an intercom system via Drop In
- Call any number in the US, Canada, Mexico and UK using Echo Connect
- Use Alexa Calling to make voice calls
- Send messages to another Echo Device
The second part of this comparison is covered in this video on the Dial Home Tech channel.
Smart Home
Both of these devices can connect to thousands of different bulbs and services for SmartHome control.
Google Nest Mini:
- Connect to thousands of devices
- Pair to hub like SmartThings or Hue bridge
- Create custom routines to control multiple devices with one command
- Connects directly to 6 C-Life by GE light bulbs
Echo Dot with Clock:
- Connect to thousands of devices
- Pair to hub like SmartThings or Hue bridge
- Create custom routines to control multiple devices with one command
Smart TV Control
For this feature, additional hardware is required. There are some TVs that will natively support one or the other. Please see the manufacturer’s manual to find out which one it supports.
Google Nest Mini:
- Control Roku, Chromecast, Xbox and more
- Turn TV on/off
- Play Netflix, YouTube, YouTube TV, Sling TV, Hulu or look at Google photos all hands-free
- Chromecast plugged into TV can be added to audio groups
Echo Dot with Clock:
- Control Fire TV stick, and some supported TVs
- Turn TV on/off
- Play Hulu, and Netflix
Skills, Actions
Skills or Actions are 3rd party applications that can be run from the Google Nest Mini or the Echo dot.
Google Nest Mini:
- Thousands of different games and actions
- Ask it to read a story with you and as you read it will change background music (only works with certain books)
- Find out all the actions in the Google Home app under Explore
Echo Dot with Clock:
- 100K+ skills
- Diego’s favorite skill: Remotely start car
Accounts and Services
Google Nest Mini:
- Create shopping lists in Google Keep, Any.do, google shopping and more
- Order items from stores like Target and Walmart
Echo Dot with Clock:
- Order Groceries, electronics, house items, etc from Amazon with a single voice command
- With IFTTT you can add items to the grocery list that is synced to phones (Find out more here https://ifttt.com/ )
Kid Friendly
As a parent, this is one of my biggest concerns with smart home tech because I can’t always monitor everything my kids do on the internet.
Google Nest Mini:
- Set audio filters
- Create scheduled digital well being time
- Kids games such as freeze dance and Mickey mouse adventure
Echo Dot with Clock:
- FreeTime – adjusts the content so songs, jokes, games and more are kid-friendly
- for a $2.99 a month fee you can add even more parental controls
- Thousands of kid-friendly books, movies, TV shows, education apps, audiobooks, games, etc.
- Fun ad-free radio stations and playlists
If you still can’t decide, just get one of each. 🙂 Buy them here:
If there are any features we missed, or if you have any questions about either device, please leave a comment below.
