How to Choose the Best Devices to Use with Google Home

Google Home is slowly making its way into millions of houses and apartments. It’s so seductive to control your lights, vents, curtains, vacuums, and whatever with voice commands, with just one device to rule them all. It may be your phone or a specialized home speaker, or a dedicated tablet. But, well, if you have an Android phone, you can control your smart devices from it. The problem is how to choose the best devices for Google Home integration.

Best in the Nest

Compatibility is the key. Though all the certified devices are supposed to be compatible with Google Home, things get complicated when you need to connect them into a system and set dependencies – for example, turn on the lights when it gets dark, or open windows when someone is detected in the room. Google Nest devices are the easiest to build this sort of if-this-then-that interaction.

In general, it’s better to choose components from one vendor. This does not grant their compatibility, especially if the devices are from different generations. But the chance they won’t be compatible at all gets significantly lower.

Control is Everything

Can you control these devices with voice commands? Does it require being in the same network as the control center? Can you command the device when away and online? Or program it to send you reports? It’s especially important with cameras, microphones, and various sensors, but having your vacuum cleaning the room periodically and reporting you about the job done is also a great thing.

Face the Security

How are these devices protected? Can anyone control them with voice commands, or do they recognize you? If the devices are sensitive (for example, they are meant to protect you from trespassers), who can control them at all?

Some devices need to recognize the owner in order to unlock, so they have facial recognition modules. Indeed, you can be good with simple voice recognition which is supported by Google Assistant. On any device with an Assistant installed, you can teach it to recognize your voice. For most devices, this security level is sufficient.

Do It in Style

Not only should your home appliances be smart and useful; they also need (at very least) not to be ugly. Luckily, most manufacturers try to make them neutral in color and shape, so they are compatible with as many interior designs as possible. But there are (in most cases) multiple devices in each class, so you can tell which you like more.

Have you built your smart home with Google Home/Nest? Are you satisfied? Did you ever feel that collector’s fever? And what about comparison with Amazon, Apple, or other platforms? Let’s have a discussion in comments!