Choosing between Google Home and Alexa for smart home control can be challenging, especially when integrating with Home Assistant. This article compares both systems based on personal experience using them with Home Assistant, primarily focusing on functionality within a German-speaking context via Nabu Casa.
Setup and Integration with Home Assistant
Setting up either Google Home or Alexa with Home Assistant via Nabu Casa is generally straightforward. However, Alexa’s functionality is significantly limited without the custom component Alexa Media Player. While installing this component via HACS is simple for experienced users, beginners might find it daunting. Manual setup for both systems is more complex, requiring numerous steps but remaining manageable with clear instructions. Google Home wins this round due to its more accessible initial setup for novice users.
Both platforms seamlessly integrate with most Home Assistant device classes, including scripts and scenes. Custom commands for triggering scripts via routines are also supported on both. Therefore, entity integration offers no clear winner.
Smart Home Control Experience
Google Home allows for intuitive voice commands with various phrasing options achieving the same result. Grouping devices works flawlessly. However, the lengthy wake word and verbose responses can be cumbersome.
Alexa requires more precise commands and struggles with ambiguity, particularly when controlling multiple similar devices like lights. Integrating blinds into room groups with Alexa can lead to unintended closures when turning off lights. Furthermore, stopping these blinds via voice command is not natively possible. Google Home emerges as the clear winner in smart home control due to its superior natural language processing and more reliable device control.
Text-to-Speech and Notifications
Alexa, utilizing Alexa Media Player and Alexa Actions, significantly outperforms Google Home in TTS and notifications. While Google Home relies on casting TTS messages with limited voice customization options, requiring potentially complex setup with Google Cloud for higher quality voices, Alexa offers robust TTS functionality without additional configuration. Google Home’s mandatory wake-up sound and interruption of media playback during notifications further detract from its user experience. Moreover, Google Home lacks support for actionable notifications. Alexa is the undisputed champion in this category. However, it’s crucial to remember that Alexa Media Player relies on unofficial APIs, while Google Home utilizes the standardized cast feature, potentially impacting future stability.
Intents and Smart Displays
Both platforms support intents, but setup is slightly simpler with Google Home. However, Google Home’s verbal preface (“starting test {my service}”) before executing intents renders them impractical. While Alexa wins by default, neither system provides a satisfying intent experience.
Casting Lovelace dashboards to Nest Hubs offers a significant advantage for Google Home in the smart display arena. Although Echo Shows support text notifications, this comparison lacks extensive testing with Echo Show devices. Thus, Google Home takes the lead based on current experience.
Voice Match and Other Features
Google Home excels in voice customization with its robust voice match feature, enabling personalized experiences like separate Spotify accounts and user-specific routine triggers. However, setting up individual routines for each household member across multiple apps can be tedious, and occasional voice recognition issues can be frustrating.
Beyond Home Assistant integration, several factors might influence your decision. Fire TV offers superior cross-platform search functionality compared to Android TV but lacks casting support. Alexa’s performance on phones and in cars is subpar, while Google Assistant excels in these environments. Both platforms integrate well with Spotify. However, Prime Music on Google devices is poor, and YouTube Music’s compatibility with Alexa is limited. Google Assistant leverages its powerful search engine for general knowledge and trivia, significantly outperforming Alexa. While both companion apps have their shortcomings, the Home Assistant companion app often mitigates the need for them. Finally, Alexa’s drop-in feature provides a superior intercom experience compared to Google Home’s message-only functionality.
Conclusion: Which is Right for You?
For a reliable voice-controlled execution system for Home Assistant, Google Home is the preferred choice. If you prioritize two-way communication and more conversational interactions, Alexa might be a better fit. Undecided? Consider a third-party speaker supporting both platforms. Ultimately, the best choice depends on individual needs and priorities.
