Smart speakers bring AI assistants like Amazon Alexa+, Google Gemini, and Siri to any room of your home. I've been reviewing smart speakers since the first Amazon Echo was released in 2015, so I can help you find the best one for your home, regardless of which voice assistant you prefer. Amazon's smart speakers still lead the pack, and the Echo Dot Max is the most well-rounded of the bunch, offering impressive sound for its size and wide interoperability with other smart home devices. The second-generation Apple HomePod is ideal if you use other Apple devices and love talking to Siri. If you prefer Google, I recommend waiting a few months to see how the upcoming Google Home Speaker fares. Until then, these are the best smart speakers I've tested.
Overview
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![Amazon Echo Dot Max]()
Best Alexa Speaker OverallAmazon Echo Dot Max
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![Amazon Echo Studio (2nd Gen, 2025)]()
Best-Sounding Echo SpeakerAmazon Echo Studio (2nd Gen, 2025)
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![Apple HomePod (2nd Generation)]()
Best Siri SpeakerApple HomePod (2nd Generation)
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![Sonos Era 300]()
Best for Multi-Room AudioSonos Era 300
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![Apple HomePod mini]()
Best Small Siri SpeakerApple HomePod mini
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![Amazon Echo Dot]()
Best Small Echo SpeakerAmazon Echo Dot
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![Sonos Move 2]()
Best Portable Smart SpeakerSonos Move 2
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![Amazon Echo Pop Kids]()
Best for KidsAmazon Echo Pop Kids
You Can Trust Our Reviews
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
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![Amazon Echo Dot Max]()
Best Alexa Speaker OverallAmazon Echo Dot Max
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Thanks to built-in Thread and Zigbee antennas, the well-rounded (and spherical) Echo Dot Max acts as a capable smart home hub. It's compatible with Matter and an impressive array of third-party gadgets. The AI-powered Alexa+ makes interacting with it to ask questions or control connected devices more seamless and conversational than ever. The Dot Max also has impressive sound quality, especially for its size. Music playing through it sounds full-bodied and well-balanced, with punchy bass. Moreover, you can put two to five of these speakers together to act as satellites in an Alexa Home Theater setup.
Who It's For
Alexa users: Go with the Echo Dot Max for its ideal combination of size, sound quality, smarts, and affordability. Other options on this list produce better audio for more money, or provide similar smarts for less, but the Echo Dot Max strikes a skillful balance. It's an outstanding smart speaker for nearly any room.
Specs & Configurations
Bluetooth Built-In Voice Assistant Amazon Alexa Channels Mono Multi-Room Physical Connections None Speakerphone Wi-Fi Learn More Amazon Echo Dot Max Review -
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![Amazon Echo Studio (2nd Gen, 2025)]()
Best-Sounding Echo SpeakerAmazon Echo Studio (2nd Gen, 2025)
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
With three times the bass of the Echo Dot Max, the Echo Studio has the best sound quality of any current Amazon smart speaker. It can play spatial audio, including Dolby Atmos and Sony 360 Reality Audio content. You can also pair it with up to four other Echo Studios and a compatible Fire TV media streamer to create a surprisingly effective Alexa Home Theater spatial audio system. Aside from listening to music or movies, it has an excellent list of credentials as a smart home controller. The AI-powered Alexa+ makes issuing commands more conversational than ever, and it features built-in Thread and Zigbee antennas, enabling it to act as a Matter hub.
Who It's For
Audiophiles: If you're an Alexa fan and want to prioritize sound quality without paying Sonos prices, opt for the Echo Studio. It's the best-sounding Echo speaker available.
Home theater enthusiasts: For Alexa Home Theater setups, I recommend the Echo Studio over the Echo Dot Max because it offers far superior directionality. Arranging four of them around my couch produced a compelling spatial audio field that did justice to Dolby Atmos content.
Specs & Configurations
Bluetooth Built-In Voice Assistant Amazon Alexa Channels 5.1 Multi-Room Physical Connections None Speakerphone Wi-Fi Learn More Amazon Echo Studio (2nd Gen, 2025) Review -
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![Apple HomePod (2nd Generation)]()
Best Siri SpeakerApple HomePod (2nd Generation)
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Apple's second-generation HomePod fixes most of what made the original a bit unappealing: It costs less, and Siri is much more useful. Apple's largest smart speaker offers impressive sound quality and volume, providing an enjoyable experience for movies and music. Excellent mic performance, Matter support, and sensors for temperature and humidity round out the package.
Who It's For
Apple acolytes: If you're a dedicated Apple user who wants a centerpiece Siri speaker with room-filling sound for controlling your HomeKit smart home, this is the HomePod to get.
Specs & Configurations
Bluetooth Built-In Voice Assistant Apple Siri Channels Stereo Multi-Room Physical Connections None Speakerphone Wi-Fi Learn More Apple HomePod (2nd Generation, 2023) Review -
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![Sonos Era 300]()
Best for Multi-Room AudioSonos Era 300
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The Era 300 seamlessly integrates into any Sonos multi-room system, offering Alexa voice control and supporting Dolby Atmos spatial audio. It sounds excellent, too, especially when paired with a second speaker for more directional audio.
Who It's For
Audiophiles who want multi-room setups: The Era 300 is a centerpiece for any home with other Sonos speakers. It produces loud, detailed sound even on its own and looks more stylish than most other models on this list.
Specs & Configurations
Bluetooth Built-In Voice Assistant Amazon Alexa Built-In Voice Assistant Sonos Voice Control Channels Dolby Atmos (4 tweeters, 2 woofers) Multi-Room Physical Connections USB-C Wi-Fi Learn More Sonos Era 300 Review -
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![Apple HomePod mini]()
Best Small Siri SpeakerApple HomePod mini
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The HomePod mini is Apple's smallest and least expensive smart speaker option. It offers hands-free Siri voice control, solid sound for its petite size, and Apple AirPlay 2 support.
Who It's For
Budget-minded Apple fans: This is a small smart speaker for Apple users who rely on Siri instead of Alexa or the Google Assistant for everything they need. If you have an iPhone and have been careful to ensure all your smart home devices are HomeKit-compatible, this is ideal. You can also pair it with a second HomePod mini for stereo sound. Of course, if you aren't already on a first-name basis with Siri, you don't need to give it much thought.
Specs & Configurations
Built-In Voice Assistant Apple Siri Channels Mono Multi-Room Physical Connections None Speakerphone Wi-Fi Learn More Apple HomePod mini Review -
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![Amazon Echo Dot]()
Best Small Echo SpeakerAmazon Echo Dot
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The Echo Dot offers full hands-free Alexa access and delivers good audio quality for its size. Its powerful voice assistant lets you seek out sports scores, weather reports, and other useful information; set alarms and timers; search for and play music and audiobooks; control smart home devices; and make voice calls. Additionally, integrated motion sensors allow you to interact with the speaker with a tap, and it can also serve as an Eero mesh network node.
Who It's For
Budget-minded Alexa fans: The Echo Dot is ideal for smaller spaces where you want to use Alexa but don't require a large sound field. Its small size makes it a great smart speaker for a nightstand.
Specs & Configurations
Bluetooth Built-In Voice Assistant Amazon Alexa Channels Mono Multi-Room Physical Connections None Speakerphone Wi-Fi Learn More Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) Review -
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![Sonos Move 2]()
Best Portable Smart SpeakerSonos Move 2
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Unlike most smart speakers, the Sonos Move 2 can be used in the great outdoors thanks to its internal battery. It even has an IP56 rating, meaning you can take it to the beach and leave it out in the rain without worry. On the audio front, it produces powerful stereo sound with a pleasing mix of sculpted lows and highs. The slick, full-featured Sonos companion app is another highlight.
Who It's For
Decks, backyards, and beaches: If you're willing to spend a premium on a smart speaker you can take around your home or out to the beach, the Sonos Move 2 is a top choice. It gets loud, lasts up to 24 hours on battery power, and lets you choose between hands-free Alexa and Sonos Voice for assistance.
Specs & Configurations
Bluetooth Built-In Voice Assistant Amazon Alexa Built-In Voice Assistant Sonos Voice Control Channels Stereo Multi-Room Physical Connections None Portable Water-Resistant Wi-Fi Learn More Sonos Move 2 Review -
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![Amazon Echo Pop Kids]()
Best for KidsAmazon Echo Pop Kids
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The Echo Pop Kids includes a colorful faceplate (with Disney Princesses or Marvel's Avengers), a protective silicone skin, a two-year warranty, and a six-month subscription to the Amazon Kids+ service. That's a lot for just $10 more than the regular Echo Pop, especially when you consider that Amazon Kids+ gives you access to kid-friendly audiobooks, ebooks, games, and video content on Amazon's various Echo and Fire devices, plus all smartphones and tablets.
Who It's For
Kids: This is the best smart speaker for little kids thanks to its protective skin. You can get a full year of Amazon Kids+ with the slightly more expensive Echo Dot Kids, but that speaker is less likely to withstand being tossed around.
Specs & Configurations
Bluetooth Built-In Voice Assistant Amazon Alexa Channels 1 Multi-Room Physical Connections None Wi-Fi Learn More Amazon Echo Pop Kids Review -
Compare Specs
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4.0 Excellent |
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4.0 Excellent |
4.0 Excellent |
4.0 Excellent |
4.5 Outstanding |
4.0 Excellent |
4.0 Excellent |
Best For | Best Alexa Speaker Overall | Best-Sounding Echo Speaker | Best Siri Speaker | Best for Multi-Room Audio | Best Small Siri Speaker | Best Small Echo Speaker | Best Portable Smart Speaker | Best for Kids | Best Alexa Speaker Overall | Best-Sounding Echo Speaker | Best Siri Speaker |
Channels | Mono | 5.1 | Stereo | Dolby Atmos (4 tweeters, 2 woofers) | Mono | Mono | Stereo | 1 | Mono | 5.1 | Stereo |
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Physical Connections | None | None | None | USB-C | None | None | None | None | None | None | None |
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Built-In Voice Assistant | Amazon Alexa | Amazon Alexa | Apple Siri | Amazon Alexa, Sonos Voice Control | Apple Siri | Amazon Alexa | Amazon Alexa, Sonos Voice Control | Amazon Alexa | Amazon Alexa | Amazon Alexa | Apple Siri |
Buying Guide: The Best Smart Speakers for 2026
How to Talk to Your Smart Speaker
Every smart speaker responds to a wake word or phrase, such as "Alexa" for Amazon Alexa, "Hey, Google" for Google Assistant, and "Siri" for Siri. Once the speaker indicates it's listening, you can ask whatever you want. The question then is how to ask.
All three voice assistants are fairly easy to talk with, but their base versions can trip up if you don't use the proper syntax. To achieve the best results, you need to speak to Alexa or Google Assistant in a specific way. This isn't a problem once you get used to the syntax, but the voice assistant too often gets confused if you use a term it doesn't know or phrase a command in an unfamiliar way.
Amazon is rolling out Alexa+ for its smart speakers, and Gemini is already available on Google's. Both upgraded voice assistants have much more conversational and natural language parsing thanks to large language model (LLM) AI. Alexa+ is included with Amazon Prime (or available on its own for $19.99 per month), while Gemini for Home requires a $10 Google Home Premium or $20 Google AI Pro monthly subscription.
As for Apple HomePod speakers and Siri? The rollout of Apple Intelligence has been amorphous and inconsistent, and Siri itself hasn't seen any LLM-powered conversational improvements like Alexa+ and Google Gemini offer.
Managing Your Smart Home With a Smart Speaker
Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri can now control nearly any smart home device. In the Alexa and Google apps, and with the Siri Shortcuts feature, you can set up rooms for multiple devices to control, plus configure multi-step routines, such as "I'm leaving the house." All three assistants support most major smart home device brands, though there are a few gaps among them.
The Amazon Echo Dot Max and the Echo Studio add support for the Zigbee smart home standard, which means they work with more third-party devices (and other Echo speakers in your home). Most newer smart home devices are Wi-Fi-based and hubless, or they work with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you shouldn't encounter compatibility issues.
If you intend to use Siri to control your smart home, ensure the devices you purchase are HomeKit-compatible and that you have a HomePod, iPad, or Apple TV to serve as a hub. These devices enable you to create rooms, groups, and multi-step routines, and to control your devices remotely—but only from iOS devices. Apple's Home app is gorgeous, but you have to be all-in with Apple for it to work well.
Matter is an emerging standard worth monitoring, though it isn't yet widely available for smart home devices.
You can also use Alexa, Gemini, Google Assistant, or Siri to control a TV or home entertainment center with a compatible TV or appropriate hardware add-on (for example, a media streamer like an Amazon Fire TV device for Alexa, a Chromecast or Android TV for Google Assistant, an Apple TV for Siri, or a Roku device for any of them).
Can You Use Smart Speakers for Phone Calls?
Amazon and Google assistants let you make free phone calls directly from your smart speaker. Google's voice assistants can call numbers in the US and Canada, but only to phone numbers in your Google Contacts. Alexa can call anyone in the US, Canada, and Mexico, but not toll-free numbers. You can also use Amazon Drop In to make voice calls to any friends or family with Alexa devices or the Alexa app, including different Echo speakers in your own home. The HomePod also functions as a speakerphone, but you can't ask Siri to make a call for you; you have to initiate the call from your iPhone.
How Do Smart Speakers Sound?
All smart speakers can play music from your phone, but if you rely only on voice commands, you are stuck with cloud services. The Alexa and Google assistants connect to Apple Music and Spotify Premium accounts, as well as to Pandora, TuneIn, and iHeartRadio for free. Alexa speakers also play Amazon Prime Music and Amazon Music Unlimited, while Google speakers can access YouTube Music. Siri on the HomePod and HomePod mini can play Apple Music and songs from your Apple Music account. For any of these services, you can just ask the smart speaker to start playing music from them.
Most smart speakers also support Bluetooth, as well as Apple AirPlay and Google Cast, allowing you to stream audio directly from your phone, tablet, or computer. A few feature 3.5mm ports, though some are output-only (for connecting to larger, non-smart speakers) and not intended as aux inputs.
Ultimately, the best smart speaker for you is one that has the voice assistant you want, along with the right power, size, and price for your needs. And if you also want video support, there are always smart displays, which are basically smart speakers with touch screens.