Combating Smart Speakers – Conclusion – Recap

A relatively new category of products, such as smart speakers, is still difficult to evaluate because there is very little comparative material. We have, of course, tested Google Home and Amazon Echo, but if Home Max and HomePod are high-end products, you should probably see them as the middle class. In our opinion, it makes no sense to add numbers to these smart speakers, but of course we can compare them very well.

If we have to designate a winner, we simply choose Google Home Max. This is first because we think it seems best for us as publishers, although there is always something to debate. In the blind test, the clear picture has emerged that the Home Max reproduces the sound more faithfully, with a better controlled bass, better halftones and a more balanced ensemble.

The Google Home Max also has the advantage in terms of adjustability and even more important: the support of third-party services. You can link several different Home Control devices and use more music services such as Spotify, you can easily control a video service like Netflix and if something can not be controlled, you can still make it work easily by a detour. The assistant is also well spoken, he knows more and he can recognize the voices, so you get tailored information.

Nevertheless, the HomePod also has its advantages. It's not too big and it sounds good enough for its size, your privacy at Apple is better guaranteed, the touch screen offers more features and the Home application is simple and effective, and Home Control devices react a little faster.

In general, these smart speakers have more value added than I thought when I offered them housing. Meanwhile, I continually ask for pictures with vague terms, I get the latest weather and traffic information, turn off the lights while I have my hands full and I play sets with my voice. Although the latter can now only be done with Google Home, the HomePod can also be an excellent choice, but only if you mainly use Apple services.

The latter is at the same time the biggest criticism we have about HomePod: the restrictions it imposes on you. Hope that Apple will see this soon and that this smart speaker can quickly more than now. According to us, Google already has a considerable length of time with regard to the Google Home platform itself, but also largely with this particular speaker: Google Home Max