Apple HomePod
Check price- Compact speaker that includes six microphones, an internal bass-EQ microphone and a top of the line woofer for uniform sound and bass
- Includes noise cancellation to speak to Siri with ease – even in a noisy room
- Automatically analyzes the room during set-up to analyze the walls and play rich, wide-ranged sound
Amazon Echo (2nd Generation)
Check price- Includes hands-free calling without using your cellphone
- Serves as a smart hub to connect to other smart home devices with ease
- Use the speaker as a home intercom to chat with family in other rooms using built-in microphones
Google Home Max
Check price- Compatible with both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to connect the speaker the way you choose
- Wireless connectivity to other speakers for a true home sound system
- Includes two woofers and customized tweeters to give a rich, balanced sound range
5 Best Smart Speakers
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Apple HomePod
Best All Around Smart Speaker
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Amazon Echo (2nd Generation)
Best Voice-Activated Smart Speaker
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Google Home Max
Best Sounding Smart Speaker
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Sonos One
Best for Multiple Speaker Connectivity
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Amazon Echo Dot
Best Value Smart Speaker
The Best Smart Home Speaker Features to Look For
mart 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.
- Two-way audio – This feature gives the ability to communicate with family members in different rooms using the smart speaker’s built-in microphone. Some smart speakers can serve as a home intercom or walkie talkie to communicate with others in the house through the speaker.
- Multi-tasker – Popular smart speakers have voice assistants that can handle ‘Routines.’ Your smart speaker’s built-in voice assistant can multitask on your command. You’ll be able to tell Amazon Alexa to play a song while turning on the lights when you tell it ‘Good morning.’ These custom shortcuts make the most of your smart speaker beyond crystal clear sound.
- Phone and video calls – Smart speakers with microphones and voice control often allow Wi-Fi calls. Simply use voice commands to dial a phone number or call someone in your address book to chat with clear sound and hands-free. Speakers that include a video display, such as the JBL Link View, maximize your smart speaker’s functionality when serving as a mobile device.
- Alarm clock – No more relying on the smartphone or old-fashion alarm clock. Smart speakers can wake you up to your favorite song instead of a generic chime. Using IFTTT (If This, Then That) commands, you’ll even be able to select what music is playing from your smart speaker when you arrive home.
The 10 Best Smart Speakers
Our take
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.
Stand-out features include
- Pair multiple Apple HomePods for a home sound system that communicates using Apple’s streaming protocol AirPlay
- Control the music, volume, and more using Siri voice commands
- Make crystal clear phone calls using the smart speaker
Our take
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.
Stand-out features include
- Uses Amazon Alexa to voice control your music and over 50,000 voice commands to check the weather, play music or make calls
- Includes seven microphones and a 2.5-inch woofer for 360-degree sound throughout the room
- Connects to other smart home technology to control your home using the smart speaker’s voice commands
Our take
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.
Stand-out features include
- Includes a 4.5-inch woofer for crystal clear sound with well-balanced bass
- Uses Smart Sound to automatically adjust the sound to match the room for a clear, equal sound
- Ability to play music the way you want with multiple connection options – Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or an auxiliary cable
4. Sonos One
Our take
Sonos’ Hi-Fi speaker uses Alexa for convenient voice commands and impeccable sound throughout the home. The small, but mighty speaker gives you complete control of your home through the Sonos app or Alexa using your mobile device.
Stand-out features include
- Pairs with the Amazon Echo to manage music, news, and other commands hands-free
- Plays over 30 streaming services including Amazon Music, Apple Music and Spotify
- Connect multiple Sonos speakers surround sound and an interconnected sound system throughout the home
5. Amazon Echo Dot
Our take
Amazon’s Echo Dot serves as a smart home hub for countless home automation devices ranging from thermostats to security systems conveniently. Use this smart hub to connect devices and make voice commands to control your home.
Stand-out features include
- Connect other Bluetooth speakers for true home surround sound
- Use voice commands to control music from streaming services
- Conveniently ask Amazon’s smart assistant for help with over 50,000 skills
6. Sony XB10 Portable Wireless Speaker
Our take
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.
Stand-out features include
- Water-resistant to play music wherever, whenever you choose
- 16-hour battery life to wirelessly enjoy your music longer
- Includes EXTRA BASS, a radiator designed to enhance your music’s bass
7. RIVA Concert Smart Speaker
Our take
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.
Stand-out features include
- Includes a 15-hour backup battery to enjoy music anywhere at home
- Ability to play music using a network connection, Bluetooth, Spotify Connect, and Apple AirPlay
- Use the RIVA Voice mobile app’s ‘Push-To-Talk’ feature to control the song and adjust the sound through your smartphone
8. COWIN DiDa Amazon Alexa Bluetooth Speaker
Our take
The COWIN DiDa Amazon Alexa Bluetooth Speaker features the Amazon Alexa Voice Service, allowing you to ask Alexa to play your favorite song, order a pizza, and more. This device features dual-stereo speakers and is portable for placing around your home and even taking with you while on-the-go. Use Alexa for voice control whenever you’re connected to Wi-Fi or over a cellular connection through mobile hotspot.
Stand-out features include
- Amazon Alexa Voice Service for voice control
- HD stereo sound with dual 7.5-watt acoustic drivers
- Easily portable and be carried with you while on-the-go
9. Harmon Kardon Voice-Activated Speaker
Our take
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.
Stand-out features include
- Includes Microsoft’s voice assistant, Cortana to control the speaker using voice commands
- Uses for echo cancellation and noise reduction for clear sound in noisy rooms
- Uses seven microphones for the speaker to hear your voice commands crystal clear
10. Ultimate Ears Speaker
Our take
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.
Stand-out features include
- Waterproof speaker with 16-hour battery life to play music anywhere outdoors
- Built-in Amazon Alexa for hands-free voice control of music, news and more
- 360-degree sound to hear music and news from your favorite streaming services with ease
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Show All Show LessSmart Speaker FAQs
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.
