Smart home speakers give homes the best smart technology and sound in one device. Today’s smart speakers serve as a voice assistant, phone and music player all-in-one. The best speakers offer balanced bass and cost-effective control in one smart home device.
Best All Around Smart Speaker
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Best Voice-Activated Smart Speaker
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Best Sounding Smart Speaker
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Sound quality is key. It determines how well voice assistants hear and respond to your commands, and how well music plays throughout your home. For the best smart speaker sound quality, look for one that has multiple tweeters and woofers to handle the range of high to low frequency. Tweeters support high frequency, while woofers support the base. But, it all comes down to the sound you prefer. If you’re into the music’s bass, you’ll want to look into speakers with multiple woofers like the Google Home Max with two 4.5-inch woofers. Or for a sweet spot, consider the Sonos One with one mid-woofer and one tweeter to catch high to low frequencies evenly for a balanced sound.
Smart speakers are designed to be connected for a smart home sound system. When buying a smart speaker, check for compatibility to other smart speakers and devices. Over time, you’ll be able to connect other speakers throughout rooms in the house and power them all using voice assistants. The Amazon Echo is the best-valued smart speaker because it gives the ability to add more Echo smart speakers and smart technology.
It’s important to know what you’ll be using your smart speaker for most. Will you host parties where the sound is the star of the evening? Or will you use the smart speaker to conveniently take phone calls while cooking? Depending on your daily use, some features will matter more than others. For example, if you’re using your smart speaker for voice commands and to play tunes every once in a while, the Amazon Echo may be a more affordable option that’s easily expandable to create a home sound system later.
Smart speakers aim to provide convenience and control while having fun with smart technology. There are a few smart speaker features to consider for maximum ease and efficiency.
Best All Around Smart Speaker
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The Apple HomePod smart speaker allows Siri voice commands through the speaker. You’ll even have the power to tell Siri which music you love to better generate song suggestions hands-free. The smart home speaker includes AirPlay to listen to books, podcasts or songs through the speaker with ease.
Best Voice-Activated Smart Speaker
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The Amazon Echo includes voice recognition to play music and make phone calls on your command. Amazon Alexa gives the power to play songs on your favorite streaming services throughout your home or select rooms. This smart home speaker connects to other Echos and Echo Dots.
Best Sounding Smart Speaker
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The Google Home Max has the ability to control your other smart home devices, respond to voice commands and streaming services. This smart home speaker also connects to Chromecast Audio to pair other speakers for balanced sound throughout your home.
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This compact, clear sounding speaker includes two Class-D amplifiers and a mid-woofer for stereo sound. The Sonos One can be controlled using a number of streaming service mobile apps, the Sonos app or Apple AirPlay for your convenience. It also includes Amazon Alexa for hands-free voice commands from the small, but mighty, smart speaker.
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This smart home speaker is the best value for smart tech features. Connect two Echo Dot speakers together for true, surround stereo sound throughout the home. This small, but mighty speaker allows free calling, music streaming and voice commands.
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Sony’s smart speaker is designed to be perfect for the home or on the go with a 16-hour battery, Bluetooth and waterproof design. The speaker has a frequency range from 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz to hear music crystal clear.
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RIVA’s Concert smart home speaker uses Amazon Alexa for voice commands and hands-free control. This smart speaker automatically creates a home intercom system using the Drop-In functionality to use two-way audio throughout the home with ease.
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JBL’s smart home speaker is designed to provide clear video and sound using built-in microphones and video display. This speaker automatically connects to Google Assistant, Chromecast, and other music streaming services for an easy-to-use, multipurpose speaker with crystal clear sound.
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The Invoke smart speaker includes Microsoft’s virtual assistant to control your music and home hands-free. Invoke pairs with Spotify, iHeartRadio and TuneIn streaming devices to play your favorite tunes. The smart speaker includes three woofers and tweeters to play every range of frequency your favorite tunes have.
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The MEGABLAST speaker is known as the Ultimate Ears’ loudest and most powerful smart speaker available. Your music can play on Wi-Fi within 330 feet of the speaker, and 150 feet for Bluetooth connectivity. You’ll be able to hear your tunes, Amazon Alexa and more with 360-degree balanced sound and bass.
What is a smart speaker?
A smart speaker is an all-in-one speaker powered by smart technology and a network connection. Smart speakers have the ability to follow voice commands, stream music and control other smart home devices using an app or built-in voice assistant for convenient control.
How does a smart speaker work?
In short, smart home speakers connect to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or other wireless connections to work. After connecting to the protocol, you’ll need to download the smart speaker’s mobile app to your smartphone for easy control. Once you’ve completed set-up, the smart speaker will play music and respond to your voice commands using the wireless connection. As you buy more smart speakers, your sound system will work the same way.
How much should I pay for a smart speaker?
Some smart home speakers can be quite pricey – some upwards of $500.00. Most music lovers get a great sounding smart speaker, for around $100-$150.00. These normally include a voice assistant and other smart features to offer more than convenience than simply great sound and bass. If you’re unsure where to start, consider a more affordable smart speaker that includes upgrade features and the ability to connect with other speakers. Over time, you’ll be able to buy and connect more speakers to create a smart sound system the way you choose.
Smart speakers allow you to enjoy the convenience and leisure of high-quality sound with a voice assistant to conveniently play music or call friends through the speaker hands-free. They also allow you to easily control your home and music within range using a mobile app.
With smart speakers, there’s no need to open multiple streaming apps to play your favorite music or podcast. Popular streaming services are compatible with smart speakers to conveniently play your podcast regardless or favorite tune through one speaker.
Smart home speakers are the perfect way to jumpstart your smart home without a big investment. With a speaker and voice assistant, you’ll be able to enjoy the luxuries of smart technology at an affordable price before making the decision to buy more smart home products.
Shopping for the best smart speaker is a fun, easy way to dive into today’s technology. Start by browsing Amazon’s best smart speakers for a range of sound and features. Check out our experts’ top picks for music lovers and smart tech geeks alike, too.
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