Amazon
Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
$99Cheaper
Released 2020-10
Best Smart Speakers · head-to-head
Amazon Echo (4th Gen) vs Google Nest Audio
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Amazon Echo (4th Gen) is cheaper at $99. Every spec and price links to its source.
Google Nest Audio
$99.99
Released 2020-10
Which is better: the Amazon Echo (4th Gen) or Google Nest Audio?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Amazon Echo (4th Gen) is the cheaper at $99.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices verified at capture; live price may differ.
Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Amazon Echo (4th Gen) | Google Nest Audio |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $99 | $99.99 |
| Brand | Amazon | |
| Released | 2020-10 | 2020-10 |
| Assistant | Alexa | Google Assistant |
| Drivers | 1x 3-inch (76mm) neodymium woofer, 2x 0.8-inch (20mm) tweeters | 1x 3-inch (75mm) mid-woofer, 1x 0.75-inch (19mm) tweeter |
| Smart home hub | Zigbee, Amazon Sidewalk | Chromecast built-in |
| Audio calibration | No | Yes |
| Aux or line out | 3.5mm audio in/out | — |
| Dimensions (in) | 5.7 x 5.7 x 5.2 | 6.89 x 4.89 x 3.07 |
| Multiroom | Yes | Yes |
| Release | 2020-10 | 2020-10 |
Sources — Amazon Echo (4th Gen): soundguys.com (verified 2026-06-15). Google Nest Audio: store.google.com (verified 2026-06-15).
What's the difference between the Amazon Echo (4th Gen) and Google Nest Audio?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (5 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.
- Assistant: Amazon Echo (4th Gen) Alexa vs Google Nest Audio Google Assistant
- Drivers: Amazon Echo (4th Gen) 1x 3-inch (76mm) neodymium woofer, 2x 0.8-inch (20mm) tweeters vs Google Nest Audio 1x 3-inch (75mm) mid-woofer, 1x 0.75-inch (19mm) tweeter
- Smart home hub: Amazon Echo (4th Gen) Zigbee, Amazon Sidewalk vs Google Nest Audio Chromecast built-in
- Audio calibration: Amazon Echo (4th Gen) false vs Google Nest Audio true
- Dimensions (in): Amazon Echo (4th Gen) 5.7 x 5.7 x 5.2 vs Google Nest Audio 6.89 x 4.89 x 3.07
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
Four whitelisted testers — What Hi-Fi, SoundGuys, Tom's Guide and Reviewed — hands-on reviewed the exact 4th-gen Echo. Consensus: a well-rounded, great-value Alexa smart-home hub with a distinctive orb design and punchy bass, but recessed treble and mids, and sound clearly bettered by pricier rivals like the Sonos One. (4 sourced reviews, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Distinctive spherical/orb design with classy build and finish; Excellent Alexa smart-home hub with built-in Zigbee and broad device compatibility; Stronger, punchier bass and improved sound versus previous Echo generations.
Flagged: Recessed or undercooked treble/highs; Mids/vocals sound compressed or less clear than rivals; Audio quality clearly bettered by pricier rivals (Sonos One, Bose).
Google Nest Audio
All four whitelisted testers (SoundGuys, Tom's Guide, What Hi-Fi, TechRadar) reviewed the exact 2020 Google Nest Audio. They agree it is a responsive, reliable Google Assistant smart speaker with an attractive, compact design that sounds decent for its size, but underwhelms as a pure audio product: weak low-end and, for two outlets, treble that turns harsh at volume. Only SoundGuys reported a measured figure (low-end extension from 90Hz); the other three are qualitative. (4 sourced reviews, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Google Assistant voice pickup and smart-speaker features work reliably and clearly; Attractive, compact, unobtrusive design; Clear vocals and strong midrange for its size.
Flagged: Weak low-end; lacks bass punch and weight; Not room-filling and doesn't get very loud; Treble turns harsh or grainy at higher volumes.