Many of us only use one brand of smart assistant in our home, as we assume that's the best and most convenient way to go about things. Besides, is it even possible to use two brands of smart assistants simultaneously? More specifically, can Amazon Alexa and Google Home, two of the biggest smart assistant speaker ranges, work together in one home?

Let's discuss whether you can link Amazon Alexa and Google Home, and whether that's really a good idea.

Why Use Amazon Alexa and Google Home Together?

The first question to ask here is: is it worth using Amazon Alexa and Google Home together?

Before we get into this, it's important to note that Amazon's smart speaker devices are called Echo, but the smart assistant software that powers them is called Alexa. We'll use the two terms here, as they're often used interchangeably. The same goes for Google Home, a smart assistant software, and Google Nest, the company's range of smart speakers.

The answer to the question above all depends on your lifestyle and preferences. If you like certain Echo features, but also enjoy what's offered by your Google Nest, you may want to take the best of both worlds. Maybe you like listening to Amazon Music and getting weather reports through Alexa, but you find Google Home works better when controlling your other smart home devices.

Because Alexa is compatible with more smart devices than Google Home, you may prefer the latter overall, but need the former to support all your smart home devices. Alternatively, you may already own both an Amazon Echo and Google Home speaker and want to get the most out of each. After all, you don't want a speaker you paid money for to be collecting dust when it could be helping you in your daily life.

Whatever your reason, using Alexa and Google together can be helpful. But does Google Nest work with Alexa?

How to Use Alexa and Google Home Together

Fortunately, you can use Alexa and Google together.

There isn't just one way to use your Google Home and Amazon Alexa assistants alongside each other. Let's discuss the different methods.

1. Third-Party Apps

But to use Google Home and Alexa together, it's handy to link each device to a third-party smart home hub or control center app.

Take Samsung's SmartThings, for example. This is a smart home hub software program that lets you control all your smart tech from one place. You can use the SmartThings app on your computer or smartphone to view all your smart devices, connect one to another, make changes, and more.

Using the SmartThings app is entirely free, and both Google Nest and Alexa devices are supported. Simply add the Google and Alexa smart assistant devices you'd like to use to the SmartThings app, and you can control both from there.

Download: SmartThings for Android | iOS (Free)

There are various other kinds of smart home hub apps you can use to link Google Home and Alexa, such as Yeti and Home Assistant.

Additionally, there's Matter, an open-source connection protocol for smart home tech. This software essentially allows different kinds of smart home devices to talk to each other, breaking down previous barriers that existed in cross-platform communication.

To use Matter, your smart home devices must be designed with built-in Matter support. Google and Alexa-powered smart devices work with Matter, and all you have to do is sign up for the service and add the devices you'd like. You need a Matter "controller" to use this protocol, but this can come in the form of a number of different smart home devices, such as Echo speakers. In other words, you don't have to buy a physical product to use this service.

On top of this, you'll need a main smart home app from which to control your Matter-supported devices. Many smart home apps are compatible with Matter, including:

• Google Home.
• Amazon Alexa.
• Apple Home.
• Home Assistant.
• Samsung SmartThings.
• Eve.
• Wiser.

But what about a direct connection? Can you link Amazon Alexa and Google Home together without a third-party app?

2. Direct Smart Assistant Connection

If you want to connect Alexa and Google Home directly, head to the Devices section of your Alexa app. Then select Add Device (+). You'll then be asked to select the type of device you're adding.

Make sure your Google Home device's Bluetooth is active so that it can be identified by the Alexa app. Because your Google Nest speaker is yet to be connected to Alexa, you'll need to head to the Other Devices section to find it.

When you find the Google device you want to pair with Alexa, click on it in order to initiate the connection. If no technical issues arise, you should soon have a wireless connection between your Amazon Echo and Google Home assistants.

Should You Stick to One Voice Assistant?

If you're currently using just one kind of voice assistant and are perfectly happy with what you get, there's probably no need to complicate things by adding a separate assistant to your smart home.

However, no smart assistant is perfect, so it's more than understandable if you prefer some features on one and different features on another. Sometimes Google Home lags, but Alexa is pretty snappy. Google Home offers multiple voice modes, whereas Alexa offers one female voice. We've already touched on other differences, such as Alexa's increased device compatibility over Google Home.

Whatever the specifics may be, if you want to use your Amazon Alexa and Google Home assistants together, there's nothing wrong with doing so. Just make sure you don't overwhelm yourself with a huge list of different smart assistants, as this can easily become overly complicated.

If you allow your children to use your home's smart assistant, maybe as part of a family intercom, make sure you let them know if you want to use two or more together to avoid confusion.

Alexa and Google Can Work as a Team

If you're looking to get the best possible experience out of your smart home, using two assistants together isn't a bad idea. Using the apps and methods discussed above, you can use Amazon Alexa and Google Home simultaneously, allowing you to get the best of both products.