Alexa or Google home

Nannytone

I'm thinking of buying one of the above mainly to play music.
I already use Chromecast so wondered if Google home was the obvious choice ?
They both seem pretty similar but to be honest I don't really know that much about  either

RumRat

Both have their plus and minus points.....I have both, well, one Alexa and six Google home devices, over time I used Alexa less and less to the point of turning it off. Not particularly because it wasn't good, but, obviously, I used Google more. One of the main differences is the knowledge base, Google seemed to answer the questions Alexa got stuck on....Music choice was a little better on Google as well.
Most people will recommend whichever one they have, I would say if you are already into the Android, Chromecast area, go for Google.  

JJ_Egan

OP is that free music or paid for ??

rach_k

As a family, we prefer Alexa to chat to but for playing music (we use Spotify) they're both pretty much the same.  

We have a mixed house - Google Nest Protects (smoke alarms), 2 Google Dots, 2 Chromecasts, 2 Amazon Echos, Sonos speakers with Alexa enabled... and I still haven't really worked out which is better.  I'd have a look at the features of each and see which you *might* potentially be interested in at some point.  We started out just using them for music but the other features have crept into our lives!

Another thing to consider is whether you want a more music-focused speaker that is Google/Alexa enabled.  We have Sonos speakers because we wanted them for music first and foremost and the speakers were better for that.  With Sonos, you can choose Alexa or Google (only one set up at a time though), although not all features are enabled.  

Nannytone

I only really use the Chromecast now to cast my tablet screen onto the television. I am registered blind but but on the 42-inch telly I can just about make out what is on the screen.
I mainly want the Alexa or Google home just so that I can speak to it rather than on having to struggle trying to find what music I want on the Spotify app

ballyblack

Either will do that simple job. I prefer Google Home as i believe its better at searching info from the internet. Also i have an android phone to which it syncs and speaks my schedule in google calendar etc

Nannytone

I bought a Google home in the end. It's doing exactly what I needed thanks everyone for your help