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I had a Google Nest Mini and an Amazon Echo 3rd Gen while I was at college – and this smart speaker is the clear winner for your dorm

Ashley Thieme

18 September 2025

Google assistant vs Alexa

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(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)

As the Autumn semester of college gets into the swing of things, you may be looking to add the final touches to your dorm room. When I moved into my college dorm, I forgot to bring my Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen) Alexa speaker from home, so I ended up ordering a Google Nest Mini.

My Amazon speaker eventually made it to college with me too, but after using them both for years, I know which one to recommend to everyone else.
Both of the speakers are pretty tiny, and won’t take up much space in your small dorm. Like most smart devices, they can both help with daily tasks like making lists, setting alarms and provide help from a smart assistant.

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(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
I’m going to go through what I love about both speakers and let you know which one is best to get the most out of your college dorm setup.

Amazon Echo Dot

(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
The Amazon Echo Dot gives all of the perks of larger Echo models at a fraction of the size and price. As I mentioned, Alexa has always been my go-to device at home. This is because of the simple access to third-party apps such as Spotify.
The speaker is also great for keeping on top of your Amazon orders and deliveries. This really came in handy when I was at college, as I could re-order essentials simply by asking Alexa.
Amazon now only sells the new version of the Echo Dot speaker, and while its functions and performance are pretty much the same, the design is very different. The new version of the speaker is shaped like a sphere and is therefore quite a bit bigger than the 3rd generation I was using at the time. This redesign also makes the speaker a lot bigger than the Google Nest Mini.

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The speaker is still bound in cloth over the speaker with tactile buttons on the top to control the volume, voice commands, and to mute the speaker. Of course, you don’t need to use the buttons, as you can simply ask Alexa.
The sound of the Echo Dot packs quite the punch if you need it to, but to make sure you get on with your roommate and neighbours, the speaker can also be used at very low volumes. I often used the low volumes to just have some background noise while catching up on work, and found the Echo very easy to control when doing this.

Amazon Echo Dot: $49 at Amazon
This compact speaker is an ideal choice for smaller rooms. Though it may be small, it is mighty. It can pack a punch with sound but is also capable of being whisper-quiet, so you don’t disturb your neighbours. Having Alexa just a shout away makes everything easier. Whether you need to quickly find out the weather as you get ready for the day or need to set a reminder, the Echo Dot is the perfect roommate.

Google Nest Mini

(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
The Google Next Mini added a lovely textured look to my dorm room, but it’s also small and discreet enough that it’s not going to get in the way if you are short on space. It is far more compact than the Echo Dot.

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Since the smart speaker is so small, it can sound tinny at higher volumes and won’t give much depth to songs. But when I was at college, I listened to music at low levels at all times because I was living in such close quarters with others.
I think the Google Nest Mini is a great option for anyone who uses Google organization apps like Google Calendar, as you are able to access the information on these instantly with the Google Voice Assistant. By just saying “Hey Google”, I was able to stay completely organised with all of my plans.
The controls of the Nest Mini are touch sensitive and are only the cloth over the speaker. They light up to guide you to the controls. I sometimes missed the controls as I much prefer a tactile button like the Echo Dot has, but the ultrasound sensing built into the Nest Mini made it easier to locate the buttons each time.
In my opinion, the design of the Nest Mini is more convenient for saving desktop space. It is pretty flat, and I never felt it got in the way.

Google Nest Mini 2nd Generation: was $73 now $59 at Amazon
As the name suggests, the Google Nest Mini is, well, small. But despite this, the sound it produces is really solid. The Smart features mean it can connect effortlessly with your Google ecosystem, seamlessly integrating your Google Calendar so you can simply say “Hey Google” and get all the information you need.

Which one is my winner?
Although I am a bit of an audio nerd, when I was in college, my main concern was saving space in my dorm. That’s why my choice is the Google Nest Mini. Being able to manage my time and classes using the Google Calendar integration is a real winner for me.
That’s not to say the Alexa isn’t great though, and it is a lot cheaper than the Next Mini.
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Ashley Thieme

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Staff writer, Reviews

Ashley is a staff writer on the the Reviews team at Tom’s Guide. She has a master’s degree in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University and a BA in Journalism, Media and Sociology. She has written for titles including Women’s Health UK, writing health and wellness stories, and Virgin Radio UK, specializing in entertainment news and celebrity interviews. She has reported on a variety of topics including music, literature, motorsport, entertainment and health, and has her own bookish newsletter, Ashley’s Reading Nook.She has previously reviewed live music events, books, and wellness products but finding the best way to listen to new music releases is essential for Ashley, so discovering the top audio equipment on the market is what she does best.When she is not testing out the latest tech, you can find her either curled up with a cup of tea and a good fantasy novel or out hiking.

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