Of course, not allowing direct connections with external speakers is the exact sort of thing that could stunt the Mini's sales in the first place. I wouldn't be surprised if Google eventually changes things via software update to allow for Bluetooth connections, especially if the Mini struggles to keep up with the Dot during the holiday buying season. The Mini has no line out jack at all, and its Bluetooth radio only accepts incoming signals. Google will point out that you can use the Mini to cast audio to any speaker with a Chromecast Audio dongle attached, but that feels a bit stingy to me given that the Dot can connect directly with speakers using a simple 3.5mm auxiliary cable or using Bluetooth. Of course, we wouldn't use either of these if we had a choice - the Oontz is the better of all three and makes music sound like music, plus it's portable and will accept a line-in.

The Mini is louder, sounds smoother with music and has decent bottom end for a device the size of a hockey puck. Vocals are edgy, bass is non-existent and it doesn't go very loud. The Echo Dot can be used to listen to music but we wouldn't advise it. We threw each speaker some rock tracks and some folk and found that the Home Mini is the undeniable victor of the two smart speakers. We tested the two devices against each other and threw in the $35 Cambridge Soundworks' Oontz Angle 3 Plus as a comparable Bluetooth speaker. 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.

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