Both Alexa and Google Assistant are pretty good at these tasks, but Alexa can do more things, especially when it comes to controlling smart-home gear. But they’re also digital assistants that can be used to control smart devices, order products online, and much more.

Simply say a trigger word and tell it what you want to listen to, and it starts playing. If you’re new to smart speakers, the Amazon Echo Dot and Google Nest Mini (2nd Generation) are low-cost yet full-featured devices, making them great for trying out these platforms.Īs music-listening devices, voice-controlled speakers are convenient for people who like to always have music or podcasts around them but don’t want to fuss with a smartphone to select their channels or playlists. We’ve tested the major voice-activated smart speakers and displays, and for most people the only ones worth considering are Alexa and Google Assistant devices. Smart speakers and displays are good for anyone who wants a digital assistant to play music, answer silly questions, deliver news reports, and turn the lights off, pretty please.

Alexa playlists