Best smart speakers in 2025
The rise of the smart home has brought a ton of exciting gadgets into our lives, perhaps none as impactful as the smart speaker. What started as a novelty — a speaker that could answer basic questions and play music on command — has quickly become a central command center for many households. Imagine walking in the door after a long day, and with just a voice command, the lights come on, your favorite playlist starts, and the oven begins preheating for dinner. No more fumbling for switches, remotes, or your phone. Smart speakers do more than enough to justify choosing them over thebest Bluetooth speakers.
But with so many options flooding the market, choosing the right smart speaker can feel overwhelming. While the newMatter standardis starting to make universal compatibility the future, we’re not quite there yet. Most smart speakers are integrated into just one or two smart home ecosystems. So, you’ll have to consider that when choosing betweenGoogle Home,Apple HomeKit, andAmazon Alexa-enableddevices.
If you don’t yet have a smart home, you have a lot more flexibility with the options on this list; otherwise, you’ll want to look at compatibility before considering anything else. That said, there’s something that will work for everyone’s needs, so read on for the best smart speaker picks.
Top speakers for smart home voice control
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Good looks, great sound
The JBL Authentics 300 wireless smart speaker merges sublime sound with retro flair. This speaker packs a wallop, delivering a powerful yet balanced sound. With Alexa and Google Assistant, plus multiple wireless and wired connectivity options, it offers versatility without sacrificing quality.
Simply put, we loveJBL’s Authentics 300wireless smart speaker. Actually, this beauty even earned our Editor’s Choice Award. Admittedly, it’s definitely more expensive for a best overall pick, but you truly get what you pay for.
While aesthetics are not the most important aspect of a smart speaker, the 300’s vintage is a thing of beauty. Of course, it’s not hard to find cheaply made retro Bluetooth speakers on Amazon. However, most of these speakers will sacrifice sound quality for appearance — and they’re not smart speakers either. The 300 looks and feels substantial with its beautiful black leatherette and gold trim that’ll make your granddad all nostalgic. It’s a beast, too, weighing close to 11 pounds. You can certainly use the 300 for a picnic or outdoor dinner party, but we don’t recommend taking this speaker on your next mountain hike or camping trip.
Most of the 300’s bulk is under the hood, where you’ll find 25mm tweeters, two (that’s right) 5.25 woofers, and a sizable 6.5-inch down-firing passive radiator. All this to say, the 300 is loud. Really loud. And we don’t mean the type of loud that produces an indiscernible garble of muddy lows and overly bright highs. The 300 delivers a balanced sound. You’ll enjoy a deep bassandclear mids. All this power comes at a cost, however. Don’t expect to get more than 8 hours of battery life from this behemoth.
One of the 300’s biggest draws is that it’s a smart speaker. Alexa and Google Assistant are accessible through the speaker’s sensitive microphone, so feel free to turn on the porch light or surf through your Prime Music playlist. Connectivity options are also abundant, with the 300 supporting wired (USB-C, Aux, Ethernet) and wireless (Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi) connections — additionally, the 300 supports Airplay, Spotify Connect, and even the audiophile-worthy Tidal Connect.
A big way to blast your favorite tunes wherever you go
The JBL Authentics 300 is bulky and pricey. But the 300 justifies the cost with its solid performance, extensive features, and distinctive design. Given the 300’s ability to produce a powerful 100W of sound, it’s an attractive option for enthusiasts willing to invest in quality and style.
Pricey but worth it
While costly, the Sonos Era 300 has been one of the best-sounding standalone wireless speakers worth investing in over the last few years. It’s visually interesting but not dorky-looking; it also delivers an impressive punch and atmosphere thanks to high-end spatial audio and Dolby Atmos streaming support.
Some of today’s great speakers have been around a while, but new faces, like theSonos Era 300, are raising the bar. Granted, it’s a bit of a tough sell for everybody, thanks to a $450 price tag. But it’s possible to safely consider it more of a high-end speaker with smart technology than simply a portal for issuing voice commands to your smart home devices. The audio geniuses at Sonos carefully developed its hardware and physical shape to not only make the most of a bookshelf-size speaker but also make some music sound better than ever.
Sonos takes some risks that pay off with its latest speaker
Case in point, if you use Apple Music, Tidal, or Amazon Music, its Dolby Atmos support gives you access to spatial audio playback, which simulates surround sound using a little bit of tech wizardry. And, should you have the cheddar to pick up a pair, it’s possible to use them together for immersive, real surround sound, which is extremely rare among smart speakers. If sound quality is important to you, it doesn’t get better than the Sonos Era 300.
Ideal for smart entertainment centers
The Echo Pop is an Alexa-powered smart speaker that offers decent sound and listens for commands well, making it an affordable and stylish way to deploy Alexa around your home. Sadly, though, it cuts some useful features found in the slightly more expensive Echo Dot.
Amazon has breathed some new life into its speaker lineup with theEcho Pop, an Alexa-enabled speaker that provides most — but not all — the capabilities of the slightly more expensive Echo Dot in a unique new design. While it’s not for everyone, it has a certain appeal if you feel the classic orb-like Echoes are getting a bit stale or simply don’t fit in anywhere in your home. The classic Charcoal and Glacier White colorways are joined by new Lavender Bloom and Midnight Teal options that may complement more decor.
Simpler and cheaper. Wait, what do you mean it’s not cheaper?
Beyond the design, the specs of the Echo Pop are similar to the Echo Dot, with the same type of single front-firing speaker that can easily pump out enough volume to fill the smaller rooms where most folks are likely to place it. The volume can get quite loud for small spaces, but as one would expect from a speaker at this price, it distorts a bit at those higher volumes. However, the most serious omissions in the Echo Pop compared to its pricier counterpart are the temperature and motion sensors that can be used to power Alexa home automation routines.
While a $10 price difference may not seem like much for a single speaker, it adds up quickly if you want to deck out your entire home with Alexa voice assistants in every room. If the lack of sensors isn’t a deal-breaker, the Echo Pop is the most affordable way to do this, especially once it begins seeing the same regular discounts as the Echo Dot.
Great audio and smart features at a cost
Unlike some smart speakers, the Sonos Era 100 was designed to play music every bit as effectively as it helps you control your smart home. And, despite offering impressive sound quality, it’s not nearly as expensive as other high-end options from big-name audio manufacturers.
Like its more costly sibling, theSonos Era 100is very much a music-first speaker that also features Alexa built-in. But at $200 less than the Era 300, it’s a lot more palatable to most people. Despite its size, it boasts a stereo configuration, in addition to a room correction feature that listens to the surrounding space (once, during setup through your Android or iOS device’s mic) and adjusts the audio accordingly. While it could be a tiny bit louder, it still makes more noise than most other smart speakers.
If this speaker proves anything, it’s that the new ‘era’ of Sonos is going to be a good one
Realistically, it’s such a good choice that we strongly considered giving it the Premium Pick since it’s cheaper than the Era 300, but it sounds similarly great. Even though it doesn’t quite match up to that one, it’s still a great high-end choice for many folks.
A smarter alarm clock
The new Amazon Echo Spot (2024) delivers all the Alexa features we’re familiar with at an affordable price. Considering the value, it packs an excellent speaker, a small, usable display, and snappy performance, ready to hear your commands and deliver the information you request.
As one of the most space-efficient options in Amazon’s Echo lineup, theEcho Spotdelivers all the functionality you’d expect from a smart speaker while adding the convenience of a nice, easy-to-read display that fits perfectly on a bedside table or office desk.
The display offers a handy clock feature, making it perfect for those who want a smart speaker with an always-on clock that’s visible throughout the day and night. While the brightness is generally sufficient during the day, the screen can be a bit dim in low-light conditions or from off-angles, which may slightly affect readability at night. Still, it’s a great companion for bedside use, functioning as an alarm clock or a quick info hub.
The Echo Spot doesn’t just look good — it sounds good, too. Though it can’t match high-quality speakers, it delivers clear and enjoyable sound that’s great for casual listening in smaller spaces like a bedroom or home office.
Upgrade your speaker with a small display
As an Alexa-enabled device, the Echo Spot offers the full range of voice control features, from music playback and smart home control to information retrieval and communication. However, the small screen doesn’t significantly enhance the Alexa experience compared to screenless Echo devices. Overall, the Echo Spot is a decent option for those seeking a compact smart speaker with an integrated clock display.
Straightforward, user-friendly, and effective
It’s compact and reasonably priced, but the Nest Audio sounds better than both might indicate, and it performs smart features better than any other Google-enabled speaker. We highly recommend getting a pair for stereo or multi-room playback.
Its streamlined design doesn’t scream “speaker,” but rest assured that it punches well above its weight class regarding sound quality and performance. Larger, completely re-engineered drivers (compared to its predecessor, Google Home) and precise digital and acoustic tuning throughout the speaker actually make it sound a lot bigger than it is. And if you pick up two, you can easily pair them for an impressive stereo experience or multiroom playback.
A pair of Nest Audio speakers is so good, you probably don’t need Google’s biggest speaker
Sound quality is only half the battle with smart speakers. In terms of design and performance, this one’s even easier to recommend. In our hands-on Nest Audio review, the mics picked up basically everything we said, with no need to shout or repeat ourselves, even when playing music at a high volume. It responds almost instantly to commands (depending somewhat on your internet connection), and the Bluetooth connectivity is as good as any Android device we’ve used. If you look hard, there’s a disappointing lack of a line-in audio plug, but that’s really the only noticeable issue. If you’re a Google Assistant user, this is the one for you.
Packs a punch
The Roam 2 is an affordable entry into Sonos' ecosystem with its superior portability and sound. Its superb sound quality is enhanced by TruePlay technology for environment-tailored audio, and it supports Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. The speaker’s battery lasts up to 10 hours and offers two ways to recharge — USB-C or Qi wireless charger.
TheSonos Roam 2is a portable smart speaker that, at first glance, might seem nearly identical to its predecessor, the original Roam. And in many ways, it is. The design is very similar, with a durable, triangular shape that’s easy to grip and boasts an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance. The new thing this time around is a dedicated Bluetooth button, which was missing on the first-gen Roam.
When it comes to audio quality, the Roam 2 doesn’t offer any significant improvements over the original Roam. That being said, the Roam already impressed us with its ability to deliver clear, balanced sound, rivaling other portable speakers like the JBL Flip 6. The Roam 2 remains a great-sounding speaker considering its size.
Same speaker, same sound, new Bluetooth button
What sets the Roam 2 apart from typical Bluetooth speakers is its Wi-Fi support, allowing for high-quality streaming and smart home integration. It also works seamlessly with Apple’s AirPlay 2, making it versatile for various ecosystems.
However, this versatility comes at a cost. At $179, the Roam 2 is a pricey option, and the limited improvements over the original Roam might make you question the value. Battery life, while decent at 10 hours, is also on the lower end for portable speakers of similar size and price.
Great for Alexa; OK for music
The latest evolution of Amazon’s original game-changing smart speaker, the Echo Dot (4th Gen), improved significantly on the 3rd-gen model and is one of the most versatile Alexa speakers out there. Its drivers make it pretty good for your favorite tunes, and much like the last one, it also looks neat.
The big advantage the 4th-generation Amazon Echo has over its smaller relative is the size and speaker driver construction. It’s significantly louder and clearer than the Echo Dot and actually reproduces your favorite music respectably. It also has a 3.5mm audio output jack, so you can route it through a larger, wired speaker setup if you want. For the 4th generation, Amazon also improved the hardware, which majorly reduced the amount of time you have to wait around for a response from Alexa (the 3rd gen wasn’t exactly slow, but every little bit helps).
Get an incredible sounding speaker for nearly the price of its smaller, spherical sibling
If you want something that looks great, sounds good, and works perfectly but don’t want to spend a ton, the Death Star-evoking Echo is worth a look. But if your favorite genres include a lot of drums or low-end, consider looking for something more entertainment-focused.
Offering ultra-compact Google Assistant access
They don’t get any smaller or more affordable than the most recent Nest Mini, which sports upgraded processing hardware and an additional microphone that significantly improves answer speed and accuracy compared to its predecessor, the Google Home.
A direct answer to the Echo Dot, the second-generation Google Nest Mini is a tiny little guy meant to receive voice commands, answer questions, and casually play some music. It’s clear from the size that you won’t get high-fidelity playback or booming bass (quite the opposite), but it’s loud enough to use voice commands and listen to the responses from across the room. Speaking of loudness, you’ll rarely have to adjust the volume, as the Nest Mini does that for itself, detecting how noisy the room is and adjusting itself automatically.
Given the Mini’s size and cost, it’s no surprise that it is the best choice for people who want quick access to Google-based voice assistance without grabbing their smartphone or tablet.
Compact, cinematic sound
The Bose Smart Soundbar 600 may be slim, but it’s plenty loud and ready to turn your living room into a mini-theater. While it won’t produce true surround sound, the 600 packs 5 Dolby Atmos enhanced speakers. Plus, the built-in Alexa and Google Assistant make control seamless. you’re able to even link to other Bose speakers via SimpleSync for multiroom audio.
Bose is no stranger to home theaters, but it took them until 2011 to introduce their first soundbar, the Cinemate 1 SR. They’ve made some great strides since then, and Bose’s Smart Soundbar 600 is a testament to this. At their core, soundbars are compact powerhouses, capable of room-filling sound, depending on the size of the room, of course. The 600 is certainly a space saver, though it’s far from tiny. It measures 27.5 inches with five speakers with upward-firing drivers, which help throw sounds in all directions. It’s not true surround, but if you place the 600 in an enclosed room, it’s a worthy substitute for the real thing. The Dolby Atmos processing doesn’t hurt either.
The 600 produces enough low-end that you won’t be missing your subwoofer. However, we’d recommend getting one if you plan on using this soundbar in a larger room. The 600 also features a Dialogue Mode, so voices come out crisp and clear. And while audiophiles may squirm at the thought of using a soundbar for music, the 600 will please all but the most discerning ears. Sure, you won’t get a ton of bass, but it’s more than fine for casual listening.
Above all, the 600 is a smart speaker that plays nice with Apple Airplay 2, Spotify Connect, and, yes, even Chromecast. And there’s this feature called Voice4Video that may explain why 600’s remote is a cheap little plastic thing; it’s like Bose is encouraging you not to use it. But that’s fine because, with one command to the built-in Alexa or Google Assistant, you can control everything, including your apps, cable box, and much more.
This isn’t a smart feature per se, but we like the convenience of Bose’s SimpleSync tech. Via Wi-Fi, you can group all your favorite Bose gear, so you can enjoy music in any room. Naturally, you’ll also have Bluetooth as well if you’d prefer some private listening with yourBose headphones.
The Bose’s Smart Soundbar 600 won’t replace a full-fledged home theater system, nor does it try to. It’s a great pick for anyone looking to avoid clunky receivers and speaker wires but still would like a cinematic experience.
How to pick the best smart speaker for you
It’s easy to get bogged down by all the choices out there, so keeping things simple is a priority. For starters, consider a speaker that supports your preferred ecosystem, whether it’s Google, Amazon, or Apple. Then decide whether you want music to sound great or just need simplified, smartphone-free voice control. Plenty of picks that fulfill the latter, like the Google Nest Mini, the Echo Spot, and the Echo Pop.
If you’re looking for a good balance of features and affordability, the Echo Pop often emerges as the best value, especially when it’s on sale (which seems to happen frequently). For most users already familiar with Alexa, it’s a cost-effective way to add voice control and smart home functionality to their space.
However, if sound quality is paramount, the JBL Authentics 300 takes the crown as the best overall pick. It’s a larger, more premium speaker that sounds fantastic and works seamlessly with Alexa and Google Assistant. The Authentics 300 also offers a wider range of connections, including Ethernet, USB-C, and aux input, adding to its versatility.
For those seeking a truly premium audio experience, the Sonos Era 300 is the way to go. It supports Dolby Atmos, delivering a cinematic soundscape for music, movies, and TV shows. While it’s a significant investment, the Era 300’s audio quality and support for spatial audio make it a compelling choice for audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts. You can even pair two Eras together for an even more immersive experience, but that’ll also double the price. But no matter what you choose, all these speakers are solid choices. You really can’t go wrong.
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