Smart home assistants have taken the world by storm.
These voice-activated virtual assistants make it so much easier to control smart home devices using simple voice commands. You can ask assistants to turn on lights, open window coverings, activate the security system or switch on the Air Conditioner on your way back from work.
With so many different options on the market, it can be hard to decide which assistant is right for you. So, which one is the best?
The most popular ones are:
Amazon Alexa
Apple Siri
Google Assistant
Let's take a closer look at these top three contenders.
Amazon Alexa
Alexa is presently the most widely used smart home assistant because of Amazon's Echo range of devices and their compatibility with a large number of home automation products.
Pros:
Amazon's Echo devices are simple to set up and connect in any location where you need to call upon Alexa.
The Echo Dot is one of the most affordable smart home controllers on the market, coming in at $50.
Alexa has 10,000+ skills, which is the most of any smart home hub.
Echo devices can be controlled with smartphones or tablets running both iOS or Android software.
Cons:
The Amazon Alexa app for iPhones and Android phones, which is necessary for configuring some smart home devices, can be somewhat inconvenient.
The speakers on Echo devices are typically subpar.
You can't interact with Alexa by using a phone, you must give commands directly to the speaker.
Amazon is not responsible for third-party Alexa-enabled devices. In other words, you are responsible for finding out what third-party home add-on firms can do with the information they collect from you.
Major Compatible Devices: Echo Dot, Echo and Echo Show.
Apple Siri
The Apple HomeKit smart home ecosystem is by far the most sophisticated, as it provides a much more holistic experience than the competition.
Pros:
In terms of data security and privacy, Apple sweeps away all the competition. The data from smart home devices (even security camera recordings) is encrypted and stored on your iCloud account without access to any third-party individual or company.
Smart home devices can be accessed from iPhone to Macbook, Apple Watch to Apple TV, AirPods to HomePod.
It features a seamless connection with all compatible gadgets. The integration of Apple's HomeKit into its mobile devices makes it much easier to link Siri with home equipment.
Cons:
Due to Apple's strict privacy guidelines, there aren’t many connected devices that work with Siri but quality products are being added to the list every year.
Siri is only available on Apple devices.
Major Compatible Devices: iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, HomePod Mini, AirPods, etc.
Google Assistant
Google Assistant powers the Google Home platform, another major contender to be your smart home ecosystem of choice.
Pros:
Google home brings the users, the complete Google Search experience that is unmatched by other smart home assistants.
It is proven to be the most accurate voice assistant in terms of understanding and answering queries.
Google Assistant is built into all smartphones running newer versions of Android.
Cons:
Google’s privacy policy and data collection terms with Google Assistant are vague and loosely phrased.
The audio quality of Google Home is rather poor.
There are far more Alexa-friendly smart home gadgets than there are with Google Assistant.
Major Compatible Devices: Google Home, Google Home Mini, Google Nest Hub, Android Smartphones, etc.
Fun fact: Wozart is the only manufacturer in India who makes devices compatible with all these platforms.