Short answer: the Amazon Echo Pop, if you are buying new. The Google Home Max ranks higher than it (#15 vs #14 of 14 powered desktop speakers, 3.6/5 vs 2.4/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Amazon Echo Pop is still sold new at $45.98.
Why pick the Amazon Echo Pop: A compact 0.4 lbs (195 g) half-sphere Alexa smart speaker with strong voice pickup, a mic mute button and Matter and Sidewalk smart home support. Watch for: PCWorld’s earlier review was blunt: despite a larger 1.95-inch driver on paper, it sounded flat and tinny with only a hint of bass next to the smaller-driver Echo Dot, and called the value proposition a hard no; RTINGS’ more recent test agrees on the underlying tradeoff, noting it can’t reproduce as much low bass as the Amazon Echo Dot Max and doesn’t get very loud.
Why pick 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 Pop lacks. It has an adjustable EQ, which the Amazon Echo Pop 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 Pop if you want one new; the Google Home Max is discontinued, so only look for it used.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
A compact 195 g half-sphere Alexa smart speaker with strong voice pickup, a mic mute button and Matter and Sidewalk smart home support.
Amazon $45.98 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 Pop | Google Home Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $45.98 each | $399 each Discontinued |
| Ranked | #14 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) | Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room, Chromecast built-in) |
| Power Input | External AC adapter | AC power cord |
| Stereo | No | No |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs (195 g) | 11.7 lbs (5.3 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes (2.4GHz/5GHz) |
| App | Yes (Alexa) | Yes (Google Home) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes (mic mute switch; no motion or temperature sensor) | 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 | 1.95in driver | 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 | 3.8” x 4.1” x 3.6” (96 x 104 x 91 mm) (H x W x D) | 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, Deezer, Pandora, iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, TuneIn | Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect, Pandora, TuneIn, iHeartRadio |
| Amplifier Power | - | 6x Class-D amplifiers |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 4.2 |
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