Introduction to Smart Speakers
Smart speakers have evolved significantly from their initial role as mere voice assistant housings. Today, the best smart speakers can perform a variety of tasks, including streaming your favorite music playlists, controlling your smart home devices, answering questions, setting reminders, and even functioning as intercoms within your home. Regardless of whether you are deeply invested in the Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri ecosystem, there is a smart speaker available that fits your specific setup and lifestyle.
From compact, bedside table-friendly models to premium, high-fidelity audio devices capable of filling a room with immersive sound, smart speakers come in diverse shapes and sizes. Some models also serve as smart displays, while others prioritize high-quality audio for music enthusiasts. Regardless of your budget or personal preferences, we have compiled a list of top options to help you find the ideal voice-powered companion for your home.
Table of Contents
Best Smart Speakers for 2025
Picking an Assistant: Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri
The first step for most individuals is to decide which voice assistant they prefer to use. Both Google Assistant and Amazon’s Alexa are well-supported options that continuously evolve with new features being added regularly. A few years ago, Alexa worked with more smart home products, but currently, virtually any smart device worth purchasing works with both.
Google vs. Alexa
The choice between Google Assistant and Alexa largely depends on personal preference. If you are already integrated into the Google ecosystem and use an Android phone, it makes sense to stick with Google Assistant. This is especially true if you have multiple Google-based smart devices in your home, as you can use Google Home to easily control and navigate your devices. However, while Alexa may not be as proficient at answering general knowledge questions, it synchronizes well with calendars from your Google account and works with perhaps the widest variety of smart home products. If you have never used Alexa or <a data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1;elm:affiliate_link;elmt:premonetized" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&featureId=text-link&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3BsYXkuZ29vZ2!————-
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Sonos vs. Apple
If you buy a Sonos device with a microphone, you can also use the company’s own voice assistant, voiced by Giancarlo Esposito. It’s focused purely on music control, so you won’t use it to do things like send messages or ask the weather forecast. But as a music assistant, Sonos Voice Control is generally quite fast and reliable.
As for Apple, you won’t be surprised to learn the HomePod and HomePod mini are the only Siri-compatible speakers on the market. It’s rumored that Apple will potentially release a new range of smart displays, like its HomePod with a touchscreen, sometime soon. Apple’s Siri has a reputation for not being as smart as Alexa or Google Assistant, but it’s totally capable of handling common voice queries like answering questions, controlling smart home products, sending messages, making calls and streaming music via AirPlay. Technically, Siri and Apple’s HomeKit technology doesn’t work with as many smart home devices as the competition, but it’s not hard to find compatible gear. And Apple has most definitely improved Siri’s functionality over the last couple years, with handy features like and Intercom tool and routines that take advantage of the built-in temperature sensor in the HomePod and HomePod Mini.
Smart Speaker FAQs
How do I connect my phone to smart speakers?
Connecting your phone to a smart speaker is usually quick and easy. Most smart speakers support Bluetooth, so you can just turn on Bluetooth on your phone, put the speaker in pairing mode (usually via a button or voice command) and select it from your phone’s Bluetooth menu.
If you’re using a speaker with a built-in voice assistant like Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri, you can also connect through the speaker’s companion app — the Alexa app for Echo devices or the Google Home app for Nest speakers. These apps let you link your phone over Wi-Fi, giving you more features like multi-room audio and voice control. Once you’re connected, you can stream music, make calls or even use your voice to control playback.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/best-smart-speakers-151515264.html?src=rss
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