Short answer: the Amazon Echo Dot Max, if you are buying new. The Google Home Max ranks higher than it (#15 vs #5 of 14 powered desktop speakers, 3.6/5 vs 3.5/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Amazon Echo Dot Max is still sold new at $89.99.
Why pick the Amazon Echo Dot Max: A compact Alexa smart speaker with a 2.5-inch woofer and dedicated tweeter, an excellent far-field microphone and a balanced midrange for clear voices. Watch for: Engadget’s main complaint was that it is a real step down from the discontinued Amazon Echo (4th Gen) it effectively replaces at the same price: that older speaker paired a 3-inch woofer with dual 0.8-inch tweeters, against the Dot Max’s single 2.5-inch woofer and one tweeter, and frequencies felt smushed together without a clean bass-to-treble separation.
The case for the Google Home Max: The most capable driver set of Google’s own smart speakers, with two 4.5-inch high-excursion woofers and two 0.7-inch tweeters across six Class-D amplifiers. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Amazon Echo Dot Max lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Amazon Echo Dot Max lacks. The tradeoff: Discontinued by Google since 2020, so it can no longer be bought new; used and refurbished stock is what remains, and RTINGS calls its soundstage mediocre despite the driver count.
Buy the Amazon Echo Dot Max, since the Google Home Max is discontinued and only worth hunting down used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
A compact Alexa smart speaker with a 2.5-inch woofer and dedicated tweeter, an excellent far-field microphone and a balanced midrange for clear voices.
Amazon $89.99 eBay
The most capable driver set of Google’s own smart speakers, with two 4.5-inch high-excursion woofers and two 0.7-inch tweeters across six Class-D amplifiers.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Amazon Echo Dot Max | Google Home Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $89.99 each | $399 each Discontinued |
| Ranked | #5 of 14 in Small Size Powered Desktop Speakers | #15 of 28 in Medium Size Powered Desktop Speakers |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | No Battery | No Battery |
| IP Rating | None | None |
| Party Mode | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room, Alexa Home Theater) | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room, Chromecast built-in) |
| Power Input | External AC adapter | AC power cord |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes (2.4GHz/5GHz) |
| App | Yes (Alexa) | Yes (Google Home) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (far-field, mic mute) | Yes (6 far-field mics for Smart Sound room correction) |
| EQ | No | Yes (Media EQ + Room EQ, automatic via Smart Sound) |
| Power Bank | No | No |
| TWS | Yes (Wi-Fi stereo pairing via Alexa app) | Yes (Wi-Fi stereo pairing via Google Home app) |
| Drivers | 2.5in woofer, 1x tweeter | 2x 4.5in high-excursion woofers, 2x 0.7in tweeters |
| Inputs | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Aux, USB-C |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | No | No |
| TRS Input | No | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 3.9” x 4.4” x 4.9” (99 x 112 x 124 mm) | 7.5” x 13.2” x 6.1” (190 x 336 x 154 mm) (H x W x D) |
| Voice Assistants | Amazon Alexa / Alexa+ | Google Assistant |
| Streaming Services | Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, TuneIn | Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect, Pandora, TuneIn, iHeartRadio |
| Weight | - | 11.7 lbs (5.3 kg) |
| Amplifier Power | - | 6x Class-D amplifiers |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 4.2 |
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