Amazon Echo Dot (5th Generation) vs Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) Smart Display (2026)

✍️ By the 247Verdict Editorial Team📅 Updated 05 October 2026

Which is better? We compared both on score, owner ratings, pros and cons.

Amazon Echo Dot (5th Generation)

8.8/10 Great

4.6★ (89,000 owners)

The world's best-selling smart speaker. Improved bass. Motion sensing. £55 smart home entry point.

Full Review

Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) Smart Display

9.0/10 Excellent

4.7★ (19,600 owners)

7-inch display, Google Assistant, sleep sensing, smart-home dashboard, no camera. The hub for Google homes.

Full Review

At a Glance

	Amazon Echo Dot (5th Generation)	Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) Smart Display
247Verdict Score	8.8/10	9.0/10
Owner Rating	4.6★ (89,000)	4.7★ (19,600)
Verdict	Great	Excellent

Quick Verdict

Both are strong choices, but the Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) Smart Display edges ahead with a 9.0/10 vs 8.8/10. 7-inch display, Google Assistant, sleep sensing, smart-home dashboard, no camera. The hub for Google homes. That said, the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Generation) is worth considering if The world's best-selling smart speaker. Improved bass. Motion sensing. £55 smart home entry point. Check the current price on Amazon →

Pros & Cons Side by Side

Amazon Echo Dot (5th Generation)

Best value smart home entry point available
Improved audio quality vs Gen 4 — noticeably better bass
Built-in motion sensor can trigger smart home automations
Works with virtually every smart home ecosystem
Eero built-in extends your network (Pro version)

Audio quality trails Sonos One significantly at twice the price
Privacy considerations around always-on microphone
Alexa's responses can feel slower than Google Assistant

Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) Smart Display

7-inch display turns voice answers into visual ones — recipes, weather, calendars
Controls and visualises smart-home devices from one dashboard
Sleep Sensing tracks rest without a wearable (no camera, for privacy)
Excellent for Google Photos slideshows and YouTube
Strong value with 19,000+ reviews

Tied to the Google ecosystem — less useful in an Alexa household
No camera means no video calls
Speaker is good, not audiophile-grade

FAQ

Which is better, Amazon Echo Dot or Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen)?

Is the Amazon Echo Dot worth the extra cost?

The Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) Smart Display matches or exceeds it at a potentially lower price point.

Who is the Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) best suited to?

The world's best-selling smart speaker. Improved bass. Motion sensing. £55 smart home entry point.

Who is the Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) best suited to?

7-inch display, Google Assistant, sleep sensing, smart-home dashboard, no camera. The hub for Google homes.

What are the main downsides of each?

Amazon Echo Dot (5th Generation): Audio quality trails Sonos One significantly at twice the price; Privacy considerations around always-on microphone. Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) Smart Display: Tied to the Google ecosystem — less useful in an Alexa household; No camera means no video calls.

Do owner ratings agree with our verdict?

Largely, yes — Amazon Echo Dot (5th Generation) sits at 4.6★ from 89,000 verified Amazon owners, and Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) Smart Display at 4.7★ from 19,600.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.