Gone are the days of simple speakers that spread your favorite tunes throughout your home. Smart speakers are the future. That is, speakers with whom you can chat and interact, ask random questions, get weather updates, or control your smart home devices are just a part of what makes them great. become attractive.
The speakers available today have evolved over the years, and instead of having a basic design and one size, there are now a wide variety of speakers that interact with Amazon’s Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple’s Siri. Honestly, if you’re looking to buy one, you can quickly get confused trying to figure out which is best for you.
So to help you suitably equip your office with premium voice and audio control, ZDNet rounded up five smart speakers that meet a variety of needs and desires. Instead of diving into third-party designs, we tried to stick with Apple, Google, and Amazon’s own devices. That’s not to say we don’t like third-party designs – in fact, we’ve included one below – but a first-party purchase guarantees long-term support, up-to-date software, and more. Softness and compatibility.
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Featured: 4 colors optional | Compatible with hundreds of apps and services | Amazon Alexa voice assistant
Amazon is said to have started the whole smart speaker trend with its Echo lineup, and with the 4th generation Echo Dot continues to move the design of the product line and your conversations with Alexa, about front. Fabric-covered globe-like design with multiple color options, and if you’re comfortable placing the speaker in your child’s bedroom, you can buy Version for kids animal models.
There’s a light ring around the bottom of the Echo Dot that lets you know when Alexa is listening or when the microphone is muted. There’s a control on the top of the speaker that lets you adjust the volume or mute the microphone with a quick press.
At $27.99, it’s one of the least expensive options you’ll find for a smart speaker, and it doesn’t give up any features. You’ll still be able to use Alexa to control your smart home, ask for a joke, or make calls.
Advantages:
- Amazon’s smart home ecosystem is strong
- Fun design
- Good price
Defect:
- Sound quality is at a good level
Also: Best Amazon Echo: Which Alexa Device Is Right For You?
Amazon Echo Dot (4th Generation)
Featured: 5 color options | Google Voice Assistant | 2 built-in speakers and 3 microphones
Remember when all smart speakers looked the same? Thankfully, that’s changing, and the Nest Audio is a prime example of that. For $99, you get a pillow-like speaker that works with the Google Assistant, allowing you to control your smart devices, ask questions, and stream music.
There’s a built-in microphone switch that turns the microphone off completely for those concerned about privacy. It also has three far-field microphones, a 75mm woofer and a 19mm tweeter.
Nest Audio comes in five different color options.
Advantages:
- Unique design looks great
- Smart home ecosystem with Google Assistant
- Good sound quality
Defect:
Nest Audio
Featured: 5 color options | Siri Voice Assistant | Voice recognition
Apple released the HomePod Mini in late 2020, added a speaker with a more compact design and lower price than the original, and has now discontinued the HomePod. Near the end of 2021, Apple released three new color options for the HomePod Mini, bringing the total number of color options to five.
The $99 HomePod Mini doesn’t have the same sound quality you’ll get from its larger sibling. However, it is more than powerful enough to fill a room. It still boasts the ability to hear you from across the room, even when it’s blaring your favorite tunes.
It includes an ultra-wideband chip that works with iPhone 11 or later, making it easy to transfer music between your phone and the Mini – or vice versa. In addition, it also serves as a HomeKit hub with Thread support, allowing compatible accessories to stay connected.
Advantages:
- Tight Apple ecosystem integration
- Good price
- Theme support
Defect:
- Tight Apple ecosystem integration
- Good sound quality
Apple HomePod Mini
Featured: Amazon Alexa Voice Assistant | 5 built-in speakers | Dolby Atmos sound
Amazon’s largest Echo speaker is called the Echo Studio. It’s a premium choice with high fidelity sound and an equally premium price tag. For $200, however, you get 3D sound with a five-speaker setup and Dolby Atmos support. You can even pair the Studio with a second device to create a home theater-like setup.
Has all the native Alexa functionality you can expect from an Amazon device.
Advantages:
- Amazon’s smart home ecosystem is strong
- Excellent sound quality
- Can be paired for stereo sound
Defect:
Amazon Echo Studio
Featured: 2 colors optional | Google and Amazon Alexa voice assistants | Rated IP56
The Sonos Move has Alexa and Google Assistant built-in, and serves as a compatible AirPlay 2 or Bluetooth speaker. But what really makes the Move stand out is that it has a rechargeable battery with 11 hours of use, making it a great choice if you plan on moving in or around the office often. It also has a weatherproof body in case you get caught in the rain or take it to the beach on vacation.
Advantages:
- Integration with all smart home platforms
- Hand
- Battery life
Defect:
- Big and heavy for a portable speaker
- Expensive
Sonos Move
Our pick for the best smart speaker is the Echo Dot based on price, features, and compatibility. There’s also a specific Echo Dot Kids Edition so your little ones can have one in their room to help with homework or read them a story.
|
Smart speaker |
Echo Dot |
Nest Audio |
HomePod Mini |
Echo Studio |
Sonos Move |
|
Price |
$49 |
$99 |
$99 |
$199 |
$399 |
|
Smart home support |
Alexa |
Google Assistant |
HomeKit |
Alexa |
Alexa, Google Assistant, AirPlay 2 |
|
Bluetooth Support |
Right |
Right |
No |
Right |
Right |
|
Color |
Twilight green, coal, glacier, white |
Chalk, coal, sage, sand, sky |
White, yellow, orange, blue, space gray |
Black |
Black and white |
If you don’t currently have any kind of smart speaker in your home, then I suggest you start your search based on the type of smartphone you carry. If you have an iPhone, then Apple’s HomePod Mini makes a lot of sense. You’ll be able to send messages, listen to Apple Music, and control your HomeKit accessories through the small speaker.
If you have an Android phone then Nest Audio might be more suitable for you as it integrates tightly with the Google Home app and all supported smart home platforms.
However, Amazon’s Alexa offers support for an extensive list of smart home products, services, and devices. It’s a reliable solution for those who may have to split their family, with some using iPhones and others using Android devices.
Finally, what if you want something that supports all platforms and allows you to switch between them at will? Sonos Move will do just that.
|
Choose this smart speaker… |
If you want… |
|
Echo Dot |
Best overall selection. |
|
Nest Audio |
A quality smart speaker made by Google |
|
Apple HomePod Mini |
A compact smart speaker made by Apple |
|
Echo Studio |
A premium smart speaker with Dolby Atmos . sound |
|
Sonos Move |
A smart speaker that you can take with you anywhere |
That is a fair question. I’ve personally used and extensively tested every speaker on this list, giving me firsthand knowledge of the performance, build quality, and overall experience. When it comes to smart speakers from Google and Amazon, both companies allow third parties to build speakers that integrate with their respective voice assistants – I’ve purposely left most of those speakers out of this list. .
Usually those speakers lack any lasting support through software updates. The only exception is Sonos, which has a solid track record with supporting hardware and software for many years.
The smart speaker integrates voice commands with a voice assistant (like Amazon Alexa or the Google assistant). It can answer the questions you ask, give you the weather, play a certain song, and more without you having to do much.
Amazon’s Echo Studio has the best sound quality on this list because it’s compatible with spatial audio and Dolby Atmos. Plus, it has five built-in speakers instead of the usual two or three that other options have.
Here are some other options to consider:
