5 Things Your Amazon Echo Can Do That a Google Nest Can't

It's no longer futuristic to call out a request to a robot in our homes. Smart speakers have become so commonplace that many people have several. There are three main players in the smart speaker space: Amazon Echo, Google Nest and Apple HomePod, with the most common being from Amazon and Google.

The two tech giants have dialed in their speakers well in terms of what each can and can’t do. So well, in fact, it can be difficult to decide which one you should pick when looking at them side by side. 

I’m here to tell you the five things an Amazon Echo smart speaker can do that a Google Nest smart speaker can’t. While both options can help you with your smart home needs, Echo gets the edge for me because it gets a few things right where Nest struggles.

1. Amazon Shopping

This feature is handy for Amazon power shoppers.

Amazon Echo devices are designed to shop, buy and update users about items they purchase from Amazon. Although the idea of buying products from Amazon using your voice may seem far-fetched, the brand has the process down to a science. You can even take steps to stop your kids from running up a big Amazon bill.

While you can search for Amazon products using Google, you won’t be able to buy anything or be notified of purchases from the online retail juggernaut if you use one of its Nest speakers.

In addition to shopping and buying on Amazon through your Echo, your smart speaker can also notify you when your order has shipped, been sent out for delivery or been delivered. These features may not be used daily, but being able to ask Alexa to reorder batteries is so nice.

2. Whisper

The whisper feature is one of the most underrated tasks that an Amazon Echo can do, and Google Nest speakers can’t do it. 

If you have ever needed to ask your smart speaker to set a reminder, add something to your shopping list, turn off a light or need your voice assistant to do something in the middle of the night when you don’t want to wake everyone, you’ll love this feature.

When you first wake Alexa, do so in a whisper. Then, any sound or response from your smart speaker will be quiet, or it will whisper back to you. I’ve often used this to set a late-night alarm and not wake my wife.

It’s a simple feature, but it has a big impact on how and when you use Amazon Echo speakers. It allows you to set a quick reminder or add a surprise snack to your shopping list quietly. It’s also just fun to do.

Here’s how to enable Amazon Whisper.

3. Access to Amazon Prime Music, SiriusXM and more

Amazon Primemembers have access to bonus services, including Prime Music. Amazon has made significant strides in its music service to compete with the best music streaming services, and accessing it through your Echo device is a breeze.

You get access to a free version of Amazon Prime Music on your smart speakers (with ads), but it’s a seamless experience when using your Echo. Paid subscriptions are available starting at $10 a month, which removes ads and provides more features. 

Along with Prime Music, Echo users get access to other streaming services that Google Nest users don’t. You can access Wondery, SiriusXM, Tidal and more using only your voice.

4. More device options

Google currently offers four Google Assistant speakers – Nest Mini (2nd Gen), Nest Audio, Nest Hub (2nd Gen) and Nest Hub Max. The newest model in the lineup is the Next Hub (2nd Gen), released on March 30, 2021. In contrast, Amazon has nine current models of smart speakers and smart displays:

• Echo Pop
• Echo Spot (2024)
• Echo Dot (2022)
• Echo Studio
• Echo (4th Gen)
• Echo Hub
• Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen, 2023)
• Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen, 2023)
• Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen)

Not to mention the Amazon Echo Frames, Echo Buds and Echo Auto. There are also third-party smart speakers with Amazon Alexa built-in. Oh, and don’t forget the kid-specific speakers, too. 

Having more choices when buying a smart speaker is great because it gives you more options for access to your voice assistant. It also changes how you use these devices. It is the booming sound of Echo Studio or the easy smart home control you get from the Echo Hub. Google used to have more options, but now there are no more third-party Google Assistant speakers. Google still supports some third-party speakers, but not to the level it once did and they don't have the number of options that Amazon offers.

5. Smart home compatibility

Many people intend to use a smart speaker with their smart home. While Google Assistant speakers and Amazon Echo speakers can both connect to and control a slew of devices and brands, Amazon works with more.

According to a report from Statista, as of July 2020, Alexa is compatible with over 100,000 devices, compared to Google’s current estimate of 50,000. 

The more devices you can connect to your Echo device, the easier it is to build the smart home you want without facing compatibility issues.

With so many smart home devices on the market, some will work best with Google Nest and some with Amazon Echo. However, you’ll have more options with Amazon devices. 

Aside from the products your Echo speaker can connect with, the speakers themselves have sensors and functionality that Google Nest speakers don’t. For example, the Echo Dot has a built-in temperature sensor that can tell you how warm or cool it is in the room and be used to trigger automations, making it a better companion to smart thermostats, heaters and fans.

The Echo Dot, along with other Echo speakers, can connect with Eero routers, some of the best mesh Wi-Fi routers you can buy, to act as Wi-Fi network extenders, strengthening the signal throughout the home.