Amazon Echo is one of the most famous smart speakers in while 2018 released apple, homepod is the smaller player. When comparing Amazon Echo and Apple HomePod, finding out which device is best for you depends on several things, including the features that matter most to you and the other devices and services you want to use. We have reviewed these products to help you make your decision.
General conclusions
Amazon Echo
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Compatible with third party products and many Apple products.
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Supports more devices and technologies than HomePod.
Apple HomePod
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Compatible with Apple products.
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The best sound quality available.
Both devices do the same things — play music, control smart home devices, respond to voice commands and send messages — but they don’t do them the same way or equally well. Your decision may depend in part on the technology you already own and use.
Intelligent Assistant: Echo is the most experienced
Amazon Echo
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Alexa is more accurate when answering questions.
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Comes pre-installed with many third-party skills.
Apple HomePod
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Siri is deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem.
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Limited third-party skills.
What makes a smart speaker smart is the built-in voice assistant. For HomePod it is Siri . For Echo it is Alexa . To get the most out of these tools, you need the one that can do the most. This is Alexa. While Siri is good, Alexa is better.
Alexa can do more things thanks to skills created by third party developers. HomePod only supports a few third-party skills. In addition, tests have shown that Alexa is more accurate in answering questions and responding to commands than Siri.
Streaming music: it’s a tie
Amazon Echo
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Built-in support for Spotify, Pandora and others besides Apple Music.
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Play Apple Music via Bluetooth.
Apple HomePod
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Built-in support for Apple Music.
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Playing other services via AirPlay.
Both the Echo and HomePod support a variety of music streaming services, so the speaker you prefer depends on your preferred music provider. Echo offers built-in support for all the big names among which Spotify and Pandora, except Apple Music . However, you can play Apple Music on Echo via Bluetooth connection.
HomePod only has built-in support for Apple Music, but plays all other services using AirPlay . If you’re an Apple Music power user, HomePod provides a better experience as it supports Siri voice commands and provides better sound quality, but Spotify fans may prefer the Echo.
Sound quality: HomePod is the clear winner
Amazon Echo
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Decent sound quality.
Apple HomePod
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The best sounding smart speaker on the market.
Without a doubt, HomePod is the best smart speaker on the market. Apple is obsessed with delivering superior sound quality and designed the HomePod primarily as a music accessory. It emphasized sound over smart features.
If sound quality is most important to you, get a HomePod, but the Echo’s speaker isn’t bad, and the device’s other features can make up for some of the lesser sound quality.
Smart home: Echo supports more devices
Amazon Echo
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Supports most smart home device standards except HomeKit.
Apple HomePod
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Supports only HomeKit smart home technology.
One of the big promises of smart speakers is that they can sit at the center of your smart home and use your voice to control your lights, thermostat, and other Internet-connected devices. In this regard, the speaker you need depends mostly on the other smart home devices you have.
HomePod supports the Apple standard HomeKit (which is also used on iOS devices like iPhone). Echo does not support HomeKit, but it does support other standards, and a wide variety of smart home devices support Echo-compatible features.
Messaging and calls: it’s a connection
Amazon Echo
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Echo is calling.
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Sends SMS text messages.
Apple HomePod
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HomePod receives transferred calls from iPhone.
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Sends SMS text messages and secure Apple iMessages.
Both Echo and HomePod can help you communicate by phone or text message. Although the way they do it is slightly different. HomePod doesn’t make calls on its own. Instead, you transfer the call from your iPhone to your HomePod and use it as a speakerphone. Echo can make a call from the device, and some Echo models support video calls. For text messages, both devices offer pretty much the same features, except that the Echo doesn’t send messages using secure Apple iMessage platform like HomePod does.
Form factor and home use: Echo wins a prize
Amazon Echo
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Various device designs.
Apple HomePod
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Only one model.
HomePod is a new device of the same size and shape. Echo is more varied and offers different models for all kinds of uses. Is it a cylindrical Echo or Echo Plus, echo dot the size of a hockey puck Echo Spot in the style of an alarm clock, echo show , video oriented and a fashion-focused tool called Echo Look. Overall, the Echo is more versatile in size, shape, and focus.
Multiple Users: Echo
Amazon Echo
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Distinguishes voices and responds accordingly.
Apple HomePod
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Does not distinguish between multiple users.
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Possible privacy issue.
If there is more than one person in your home who wants to use a smart speaker, the Echo is your best bet. This is because Echo can distinguish between voices, recognize who they belong to, and react differently based on that recognition. HomePod cannot do this.