A smart speaker can do more than just play music these days. Many speaker models are getting smarter. A good smart speaker can bring you voice-activated internet searches and connections to all your devices. Some smart speakers do a better job than others when it comes to understanding your voice commands — whether you’re speaking from across a noisy kitchen or whispering from your bed.
We tested the most popular smart speakers like the Echo, Nest, HomePod and Sonos Era that run on Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa or through Apple’s ecosystem. Here are our favorites.
What’s the best smart speaker?
Amazon Echo speakers are among the most affordable and easy-to-set-up smart speakers out there. That’s why the fourth-gen Amazon Echo is our pick for the top smart speaker overall. It’s likely to best meet the needs of most households. Although it’s a few years old, the device features improved sound quality over the previous generation is compatible with an assortment of smart devices and goes for the relatively affordable price of $100 (although it can often be found on sale for $80 or less).
The fourth-generation Echo might not be the best pick for your particular home. Almost every smart speaker allows you to control the lights, play music, ask questions, set reminders and much more with simple voice commands. The decision may simply come down to which brand you’re already invested in. If you have an affinity for a particular company’s products, whether you’re devoted to Amazon, Apple or Google, picking a speaker is easy.
For platform-neutral folks (or those looking to switch things up), our top picks aside from the fourth-gen Amazon Echo, are the second-gen Google Nest Mini, the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen), the Apple HomePod Mini and the new Sonos Era 100. Find out why below.
Best smart speakers of 2025
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We give the smart home edge in the best smart speaker category to Amazon, thanks to Alexa and the $100, fourth-generation Amazon Echo.
The latest Echo (not to be confused with the fifth-gen Echo Dot or Echo Pop) combines the usual Alexa smarts with a speaker that sounds great and has a built-in Zigbee radio. That’s a nice inclusion that’ll let you connect Zigbee lights, locks, sensors, and other devices to your setup without the need for a separate hub device.
The Echo is even useful while you’re away, as Alexa can send alerts if your smart speaker’s microphones detect the sound of glass breaking or a smoke alarm.
What helps the Echo clinch first place is its sound quality: This speaker offers loud, room-filling sound with plenty of clarity and bass control. While there are even better-sounding speakers, such as the Sonos Era 100 and the Echo Studio, neither can beat the price of the Echo.
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If you’re in the market for a budget smart speaker, they don’t come any more feature-packed than the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen). It offers a wealth of capabilities including a temperature sensor, an Eero mesh extender and the ability to tap it like an alarm clock.
The Echo Dot (5th Gen) also sounds better than other speakers at the price, including the Echo Pop and Google’s Nest Mini, with plenty of vocal clarity and decent bass weight. Its microphones are sensitive enough to hear you from across the room, even with another speaker playing.
While Google’s Nest Mini is a little more sophisticated in terms of its responses, the Amazon Echo Dot is better in every other respect and is the best smart speaker for under $50.