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
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
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
Smart Speaker FAQs
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.
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.
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.
