Amazon Echo Dot Max vs Google Nest Audio

For most buyers the Amazon Echo Dot Max is the better rounded pick. It adds a Zigbee coordinator, Thread border router and Matter bridge, plus presence and temperature sensing and 6 GHz Wi-Fi. The Google Nest Audio is the better reviewed of the two and the stronger pure music speaker for a Google Home setup.

The ecosystem and the hub inside. The Amazon Echo Dot Max runs Alexa and can coordinate Zigbee, Thread and Matter devices on its own; the Google Nest Audio runs Google Assistant, carries only a Matter bridge, and cannot join an Alexa setup.

The Amazon Echo Dot Max can, with a Zigbee coordinator, a Thread border router and a Matter bridge. The Google Nest Audio has a Matter bridge only, so Zigbee and Thread accessories still need another hub.

Only the Amazon Echo Dot Max, which has a temperature sensor and ultrasound presence detection. The Google Nest Audio has no motion, temperature or humidity sensors.

Alexa households that want deeper sound and a built-in smart home hub for Zigbee, Thread and Matter devices, and anyone who wants temperature or presence triggers without buying a separate sensor.

Google Home households that want a fuller sounding speaker than a Nest Mini, easy grouping with other Nest speakers and a microphone that can be switched off, and that do not need Zigbee or Thread built in.