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Chapter 3: Assistants Around the House

A voice assistant is at its best when your hands are busy: timers while cooking, a shopping list as you notice the milk is low, a video call to someone who finds phones fiddly.

3major assistants
5setup steps
8 minreading time

3.1 The three big assistants

Most homes use one of three ecosystems: Amazon Alexa (Echo speakers and Echo Show displays), Google Assistant (Nest speakers and displays), or Apple's Siri (HomePod and iPhone). All three handle the basics well. The right choice usually depends on the phone you already own and the services you already pay for, not on which assistant is "smartest". Each company is also adding newer generative AI features, so expect assistants to become more conversational, and expect occasional confident errors to come with that.

3.2 Jobs they handle reliably

  • Kitchen timers, unit conversions and "how many grams in a cup of flour".
  • Shared shopping and to-do lists that sync to everyone's phone.
  • Reminders for bins, medication times and appointments.
  • Playing radio, podcasts and music hands-free.
  • Routines: one phrase such as "good night" can switch off lights and set an alarm.
  • Hands-free calling, which can be a lifeline for an older relative living alone.
Grandmother smiling during a video call with her family on a tablet in her living room
Smart displays can make video calls one-tap simple for relatives who dislike small screens.

3.3 Setting up a new speaker safely

  1. 1
    Update first. Install the companion app, connect the device and let it finish its firmware update before anything else.
  2. 2
    Lock purchases. Turn off voice purchasing or require a PIN, so a child or a TV advert cannot order anything.
  3. 3
    Set voice history. In the Alexa app's privacy settings or Google's My Activity, choose automatic deletion of recordings after a set period.
  4. 4
    Add guests carefully. Use guest mode or limited profiles for visitors and children.
  5. 5
    Know the mute. Every major speaker has a physical microphone mute. Show everyone in the house where it is.

3.4 Is it always listening?

Mainstream speakers listen locally for their wake word ("Alexa", "Hey Google", "Siri") and only send audio to the company's servers once they think they have heard it. False wake-ups do happen, which is why reviewing your history now and then is worthwhile. You have the right to see and delete this data; in the UK and EU, the GDPR gives you the right to request a copy of personal data a company holds about you.

Safety noteThink twice before linking door locks, alarms or garage doors to voice control. If you do, require a spoken PIN for unlocking, and never let voice commands disarm security when nobody is home.

3.5 Plugs, bulbs and the Matter standard

For years, smart plugs and bulbs only worked with one brand's app. Matter, a standard from the Connectivity Standards Alliance that launched in 2022 and is backed by Amazon, Apple, Google and Samsung, aims to let devices work across ecosystems. When buying new gear, the Matter logo on the box is a useful sign that you will not be locked in. Older devices may still need their own apps, so check before you buy.

Finally, put the router and the assistant accounts behind strong, unique passwords with two-step verification. A smart home is only as secure as the accounts that control it.

Portrait of Maya Okafor, editor of Chapter 3
Maya Okafor
Chapter editor · reviewed February 2026