
Let's say you were vacillating between the Google Home Mini and the Amazon Echo Dot and wanted to choose whichever has the best sound quality. Here's what senior associate editor Ty Pendlebury had to say: My colleagues in New York from CNET's audio team put the Mini through some more rigorous tests, and also came away impressed. Music playback was more passable with the Home Mini, too - though, like the Dot, you really shouldn't plan on using it for anything more than close-range, casual listening.

By comparison, the Home Mini makes the Google Assistant sound warmer and more natural. With the Echo Dot, Alexa's voice is a little tinny-sounding, and music playback not much better than what you'd get from your phone. The difference is clear when you listen to the two assistants speak.

Sure enough, it sounded stronger than I expected - and noticeably stronger than the Echo Dot - as I began testing it out.

Still, Google made a point of saying that people would be surprised by how much sound the Mini can put out. Small speakers like the Mini aren't going to replace your full-scale home audio setup anytime soon. Close, but Home sounds louder and more crisp. Here’s a sound comparison: Google Home Mini vs.
