Best smart speakers & displays: 12 top picks for smart homes

Who should buy the Amazon Echo Spot (2024)?

Alexa is the most popular voice assistant, and the 2024 edition of the Echo Pop is the best value in Amazon’s smart speaker lineup. While it’s not a true smart display, it is equipped with a touchscreen that can display the time, date, weather conditions, and other information. It can also show album art while streaming music (not that we recommend this speaker for that task). It’s also the smartest alarm clock you could hope for, capable of controlling your entire smart home.

Due to its great range of features and affordability, the Amazon Echo Spot is an excellent all-around option for most people. Its versatility makes it the perfect nightstand accessory or even a full-featured smart home controller.

Amazon Echo Spot (2024): Further considerations

There are less-expensive Echo smart speakers in Amazon’s stable, so if this is a bit out of your budget you may prefer to opt for one of those models. Alternatively, you’ll be well rewarded for spending a little more to step up to the 2024 edition of the Echo Pop if you can afford it.

The relatively poor audio quality when playing music means that it isn’t the best model for audiophiles.

Who should buy the Google Nest Mini?

Google Nest Mini smart speaker is capable, easy to use, and whip-smart thanks to Google Assistant. The affordability of the Nest Mini not only makes it a great option for those on a budget but it also means that you can buy more than one to place around your house if you’re so inclined.

The Google Nest Mini has an attractively low profile. In addition to supporting all Google apps, the speaker gives a user voice control for YouTube Music, Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, iHeart Radio, Deezer, and SiriusXM. Android users who depend on Google Assistant on their smartphones will appreciate being able to use the same commands with the Nest Mini.

Google Nest Mini: Further considerations

This small yet clever smart speaker is extremely affordable at just $49, which makes adding one (or another one, or yet another one) to your home a realistic prospect.

The sound quality isn’t much to write home about, though, and while Google Assistant offers better answers to general questions, Amazon’s Alexa devices are more suitable for full smart-home control.

Who should buy the Apple HomePod mini?

Apple has significantly polished the smart home experience for users who own devices that support its HomeKit ecosystem. The Apple HomePod mini offers the best audio quality in the small smart speaker category, a feature that goes a long way to justifying its higher price when compared to the Amazon Echo Dot and Google Nest Mini.

The Apple HomePod mini offers native support for Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, and Deezer, making it a solid choice for audio playback, especially when creating a stereo pair with a second HomePod mini. AirPlay 2 support allows you to stream Spotify, Tidal or Qobuz from another Apple device. Apple users who have invested in HomeKit-compatible smart home devices will appreciate the HomePod mini’s ability to control their home setup.

Apple HomePod mini: Further considerations

As is the case with all Apple products, it’s pricey. You’ll likely want to have additional Apple products or be an Apple-devotee to justify this over offerings from Google or Amazon. However, the sound quality is impressive and some nifty extra features help it stand out.

As for the larger HomePod (2nd Gen), that Apple shipped in 2023, we think it’s still too expensive for what it has to offer.

Who should buy the Amazon Echo Dot (5th gen)?

The Amazon Echo Dot (5th gen) offers all the same features as our top pick, minus the display, at a lower price. This makes it the perfect option for those on a budget or those looking to put multiple Alexa-compatible speakers around the home—the savings can add up when deploying speakers in locations where you don’t care about seeing the time or temperature.

Users who are looking for a cheap smart-home controller will also find that the Echo Dot is the most affordable, worthwhile option.

Amazon Echo Dot (5th gen): Further considerations

If you’re looking for a solid smart speaker at the lowest possible price, the Amazon Echo Dot (5th gen) lists for $15 less than the Amazon Echo Dot (5th gen) with clock. However, if you prefer to have a screen included than opting for our top pick, the Echo Spot, is the best option.

Just like the Spot however, the Echo Dot leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to listening to music. Also, Android smartphone users may want to check out the Google Nest Mini which provides better integration with Android devices.

Who should buy the Sonos Era 100?

Music lovers will want to note that the Sonos Era 100 delivers spectacular audio with a very small footprint, and the speaker supports both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections.

One Sonos Era 100 speaker offers outstanding sound, but invest in a pair and you’ll get outstanding stereo sound at a significantly lower cost than the B&W Zeppelin. If you want to create a multi-room audio setup, Sonos delivers an unparalleled experience. The platform that popularized seamless home audio has yet to be matched.

Sonos Era 100: Further considerations

Along with the speaker, you get access to the manufacturer’s own Sonos Voice digital assistant but can use Amazon Alexa if you prefer. Like all Sonos speakers, you can control playback with the company’s outstanding mobile app.

Also, while the Era 100 packs a punch, it’s really only meant for smaller spaces. If you have a larger room, you may want to consider purchasing multiple to fill the space.

Who should buy the Sonos Era 300?

Sonos adds support for Dolby Atmos surround sound for users who want a more immersive experience. It still delivers the same excellent smart speaker experience as the Sonos Era 100 and similarly outstanding two-channel sound in a stereo pair. The difference lies in the intended uses: The Sonos Era 300 is better suited as an entertainment speaker for TV, movies, and games. Users who need a smart speaker for these purposes should look no further.

Movie lovers can also use the Sonos Era 300 as surround speakers with a Sonos soundbar.

Sonos Era 300: Further considerations

To appreciate the Sonos Era 300’s immersive audio, you’ll need to subscribe to a streaming service that supports Dolby Atmos. Apple Music, Amazon Music HD, and Tidal subscribers will be able to enjoy these speakers, but Spotify users may want to opt for the less-expensive Sonos Era 100.

Who should buy the Amazon Echo Studio?

The Amazon Echo Studio speaker offers excellent spatial audio support for Amazon Music HD and sounds even better with a second speaker for a stereo pair. The speaker can do double duty as a Zigbee smart home hub. Two can be paired for stereo, and if you crave deep bass, you can add Amazon’s beefy Echo Sub to the mix (actually, you can add an Echo Sub to many Amazon Echo models).

Users who prefer Amazon’s Alexa or have already bought in and need a higher-quality speaker option will find that the Echo Studio is a great option.

Amazon Echo Studio: Further considerations

Amazon has limited immersive audio support to its Amazon Music HD service, so you’ll need to have a full commitment to the Amazon ecosystem to take advantage of the Echo Studio. Amazon Music HD competes with Tidal, Qobuz, and Apple Music on the top tier of music streaming services (and costs less!), so the service is worth a look if you’re already an Alexa user and want a higher-quality speaker option.

Who should buy the Sonos Move 2?

If you’re looking for a speaker to use in the backyard or something you can pack in the car for a trip to a vacation spot, then the superior audio quality makes the luggable Sonos Move 2 worth the upgrade over the truly portable Sonos Roam. If you use Apple Music, Amazon Music, or Deezer to stream your tunes, you’ll appreciate the ability to use those services with either Alexa or Sonos Voice Control.

Sonos Move 2: Further considerations

The Sonos Move 2 offers true stereo audio and exceptional battery life, but that comes at a cost. The speaker weighs more than 6 pounds and won’t really fit into a small bag. That said, the impressive sound stage and support for simultaneous Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections make this heavy speaker worth the extra effort.

Who should buy the JBL Authentics 300?

We dig the JBL Authentics 300’s retro design aesthetic as much as we appreciate its dynamic, toasty-warm musicality. But the factor that sets it apart from other smart speakers is its ability to respond to both the “Alexa” and “Hey Google” wake words interchangeably.

Anyone who loves JBL’s characteristic “West Coast sound” will feel right at home with the JBL Authentics 300. The same goes for smart home dwellers who don’t want to choose between the Alexa and Google Assistant ecosystems.

JBL Authentics 300: Further considerations

In our testing we found that sound performance is more dependent on proper placement within a room than some other smart speakers—the soft dome tweeters have less reach and stamina when placed incorrectly.

Additionally, JBL hasn’t published an IP rating for the Authentics 300 so don’t even think about leaving this portable outside in the rain.

Who should buy the Sonos Roam?

A portable speaker should be, you know, portable. The Sonos Roam is the perfect size to stuff in a backpack while delivering the excellent audio experience you’ll get from the company’s larger speakers. Users who need a speaker on-the-go will appreciate its portability and light weight. It’s also waterproof so you can bring it camping or out to the pool without worrying about any accidental water incidents.

Sonos Roam: Further considerations

There’s a lot of competition in the portable speaker category, with plenty of excellent options priced less than $100. It’s the smart speaker features that justify the extra cash for a Sonos Roam. If you’ve integrated voice assistants into your daily routine and regularly ask Alexa for intel, you’ll appreciate being able to take that convenience with you (connect it to a mobile hot spot if you’re out of Wi-Fi range).

Who should buy the Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen)?

The Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd gen) doesn’t offer a best-in-class audio, video, or smart hub experience, but all of those features are good and no other device does as good a job of providing an all-in-one Alexa experience.

The Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd gen) adds a screen and cameras to the smart speaker experience. If you’re using it for video calls, it’s 10.1-inch display can track your movement and rotate so that it always faces you as you move around a room. The audio output is excellent, and there’s an integrated Zigbee smart home hub.

Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen): Further considerations

If you want an even bigger display, consider the Echo Show 15, but read our Echo Show 15 review to understand why we didn’t pick that model in this category.

Also, if you already have the previous 2nd-gen model then an upgrade might not be needed—unless you feel that improved display quality is something you can’t live without.

Who should buy the Google Nest Hub Max?

Android users know that Google Assistant has been closing the gap with Alexa, and it’s now a formidable competitor to Amazon’s smart assistant. The Google Next Hub Max offers surprisingly robust sound. Its smart home capabilities don’t quite match what’s on offer with the Echo Show 10, but it’s perfect for homes that are using Nest thermostats and security cameras. In fact, the Next Hub Max even does double duty as a Nest camera.

Google Nest Hub Max: Further considerations

If you’re a committed YouTube user, the Google Nest Hub Max offers an integrated app and the best viewing experience (Amazon Echo Show users must use the Silk browser to access YouTube).

Ultimately, whether you choose the Echo Show or Google Nest Hub Max is going to come down to which ecosystem you prefer. We prefer Alexa for smart home control features, but Google Assistant isn’t too far behind and can already offer better question-and-answer style responses.