We may earn a commission if you make a purchase from the links on this page.
Over the recent years, smart speakers have grown exponentially in popularity. Shopping, setting reminders, getting your daily news and even switching the lights off is easier than ever with a smart assistant such as Amazon Alexa. Even non-tech savvy people won’t have problems figuring out how to use a device that understands natural speech, so smart speakers also make for great gifts for almost anyone.And while the whole thing started on your phone, with the introduction of Siri on the iPhone, to be followed by Google Assistant and others, smart speakers with the same functionality proved to be even more convenient for many users and families, and a great addition to the home. Especially now that it’s difficult to interact with friends and loved ones face-to-face, using a smart speaker to connect could be invaluable.
Are you interested in getting one, or several smart speakers for your home? Let’s take a look at the best smart speakers available right now.
Sonos One (Gen 2)
Smart assistants: Google Assistant and Alexa | Dimensions: 6.36 x 4.69 x 4.69 in. | Weight: 4.08 lbs. (1.85 kg)
If you’re looking for great sound quality for streaming music, in a generally well-built smart speaker with not just one but two choices for a voice assistant – Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant – the Sonos One is arguably your best pick.
It sports an appealing, minimalistic and compact design that can easily blend with your décor, and if you own two Sonos One speakers, you can pair them for a stereo sound experience.
Apple HomePod and HomePod mini
Although Apple’s Homepod features the smart assistant Siri, which lacks in some functionality behind the competition, the HomePod makes up for it by having fantastic high-fidelity sound with deep bass.
Apple also boasts that its HomePod is the more secure, privacy-respecting option, plus it’s arguably the best and most obvious choice for users who are already deep into the Apple ecosystem. You need an iPhone to activate the HomePod, so if you’re using an Android phone, this smart speaker isn’t an option.
But if you are an avid iPhone user, you’ll be able to enjoy plenty of great features, from streaming podcasts, to Ambient Sounds, which fills the room with soothing sounds of the forest, or ocean waves. Obviously, you can also enjoy a fantastic Apple Music experience, everything Siri has to offer, and more.
Amazon Echo (4th gen)
Amazon’s fourth generation Echo speaker comes in a new spherical shape and features clear and crisp audio with solid bass. On board is Alexa, which is arguably the most capable smart assistant out there.
Ask Alexa to play a song or a genre from your favorite app, be it Apple Music, Spotify, or another one and it just will, with no compatibility issues. Ask it to add items to your shopping list, or for the daily news, or use it to control your smart home lights, thermostats, and more – it can do it all. Great as a gift too.
Amazon Echo Dot (4th gen)
Smart assistant: Alexa | Dimensions: 3.9 x 3.9 x 3.5 in. | Weight: 0.6 lbs. (0.3 kg)
The Echo Dot features the Alexa functionality from the previously-mentioned Echo, but in a much smaller body, for a lower price. This makes it a great choice for most rooms where music streaming isn’t a priority, but you still want to have Alexa handy when needed.
Despite its price, it still looks good and can play your music if asked to, songs just won’t sound as rich as they would through a full-size Echo. For helping you in the kitchen with recipes, or to control your smart home devices, or to entertain the kids with Amazon FreeTime – the Echo Dot is a smart choice.
Amazon Echo Studio
If looking for the best smart speaker experience from Amazon for, say, an entertainment room – the Echo Studio it is. It features the familiar Alexa experience and 5 built-in speakers for powerful bass, dynamic midrange and crisp highs.
Dolby Atmos technology enables a multidimensional audio experience to its already impressive sound. For music lovers who seek a great music listening experience, as well as the convenience of a smart assistant that’s compatible with a huge number of apps and services, the Echo Studio is one of the best smart speaker to get right now.
