The Best Smart Speakers for Your Home (2024)

The difference between a smart speaker and a regular bookshelf or portable Bluetooth speaker is that a smart speaker has a microphone that listens for voice commands, as well as a built-in voice assistant that fields your requests. Both are used to respond to commands such as “Siri, play ‘Mr. Blue Sky’ by ELO” and “Alexa, what is the weather outside?”

Smart speakers deliver music and weather on demand, but they also provide access to podcasts, audiobooks, news, and trivia, as well as shopping lists, schedules, calls, and much more. A smart display provides video for calls, calendars, and access to movies, TV shows, and other video. Smart speakers are also the linchpin of the smart home, allowing for easier control of devices by voice and consolidation of controls for devices (using one app or by grouping), and they often act as hubs for devices that don’t connect to Wi-Fi.

Before buying a smart speaker, you’ll need to decide which platform you prefer: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, or Apple Home/Siri. Sometimes it comes down to personal preference, and that preference may be to use multiple platforms, but each one does have its differences. (For a more detailed look at each platform’s media capabilities, see Frequently asked questions about smart speakers, below.)

Amazon Alexa

Amazon’s Echo smart speakers and screens work with the Alexa app, which is compatible with both iOS and Android devices. The digital voice assistant is known as Alexa.

Alexa supports the most smart-home devices. Currently, more than 140,000 smart-home products work with the Alexa platform; that’s far more than with Google Home (over 50,000) and magnitudes more than with Apple (around 1,200) combined. Alexa connects to devices via Skills within the app, though once enabled, many devices will connect to Alexa automatically, using an auto-discover feature called Frustration-Free Setup (FFS).

Echo speakers come in many shapes, sizes, and prices. Amazon offers the widest range of speaker options, including six models of speakers and five smart displays. By comparison, Google sells just two speakers and two displays, and Apple has only two speaker models.

The Alexa app can be frustrating. Of the three platforms, we find the Alexa app to be the clunkiest and least intuitive to use, despite having improved over time. In particular, Alexa continues to unearth and display devices I deleted years ago. It’s like I’m living in Groundhog Day, but it’s not funny, and there’s no Chris Elliot.

Amazon uses your activities to sell things to you. Alexa often tries to sell you things, whether it’s by following up your question with a purchase offer, reminding you of past purchases you may want to reorder, or just by streaming ads on displays.

Alexa will play music from more services. With a Prime subscription, you get access to Amazon Music. But if you already subscribe to Amazon Music Unlimited, Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, SiriusXM, and others, you can set one of those as your default music source. The Echo Studio includes spatial audio processing for a full, more immersive sound.

Apple Home/Siri

Apple HomePod and HomePod Mini work exclusively with the Apple Home app, which works only with Mac and iOS devices. The smart-home platform is sometimes known as HomeKit, and the digital voice assistant is Siri.

Apple is the most privacy-friendly platform. Both Alexa and Google publish lengthy privacy practices that explain what the company is doing with your data, but Apple has the best privacy policy of any of the major smart-home platforms. It’s written in easy-to-understand terms, and it specifically states that information collected by Siri is used solely to improve the platform—not to sell to third parties.

Apple Home is the most intuitive app. It’s generally easy to set up devices without needing to create special accounts, and Apple Home’s default home page can display live video, if you have cameras set up. Also, device icons are big and easy to find, and they can be rearranged as you like. Tapping anywhere on those icons opens up a device’s controls and settings; clicking to the left of the icon turns devices on or off.

Apple Home is less widely compatible. Of the three major smart-home platforms, Apple works with the fewest number of smart-home devices. We couldn’t get the company to confirm just how many are currently supported, but we counted around 1,200, compared with many thousands for Alexa and Google Home.

There are limited options. Apple sells just two models of speakers, both of which are more expensive than similar models from the competition, and it doesn’t sell a bona-fide smart display.

Siri takes her time. In my testing, Siri consistently took the longest amount of time to reply to requests, for everything from trivia questions to turning on lights. Other editors confirm they’ve had the same experience of delayed responses.

HomePods work best with Apple Music. Apple assumes that if you’re buying a HomePod, then you’re an Apple Music subscriber or have a collection stored in iCloud. But you can also play music through third-party services, such as Deezer, iHeartRadio, Pandora, TuneIn, and YouTube Music. If you want to stream Spotify or Amazon Music, you can use AirPlay to send an audio source directly from your phone.

Google Home

Google Nest devices work with the Google Home app, which is compatible with both iOS and Android devices. Confusingly, the smart-home platform and digital voice assistant are also known as Google Assistant and “Hey Google!”

Google Assistant provides the best answers.In my testing, Google consistently has the answer to questions more often than the other two platforms—thanks to the power of Google. Also, the digital voice assistant is more conversational than Siri or Alexa.

It has terrific integration with Google Calendar and services. Google devices can sync with Google Calendar, so you can ask about daily plans or add future events with the sound of your voice. The service isn’t automatic because, after all, maybe you don’t want your speaker knowing everything you’re up to. (If you want to sync the two, you’ll need to enable Personal Results in the Google Home app.)

It’s compatible with lots of smart-home devices—but it’s less useful. Though Google does support a decent amount of smart-home devices (over 50,000), it pales in comparison to Alexa. Also, I’ve found Google Home offers far fewer smart-home controls and automations for those devices, and it has recently removed several features that our staffers found to be valuable.

Google plays well with everyone, except Amazon. Google Home devices can stream music directly from Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, YouTube Music, and others. The one service that’s notably absent is Amazon Music, which can be streamed from your smartphone using Bluetooth.

Who this is for: If you enjoy having instant access to news, weather, music, and trivia, a smart speaker is ideal—ask, and you shall receive. Smart speakers also provide a convenient way to control smart-home devices, using voice commands instead of having to fiddle with an app. And they consolidate controls among different brands, so you can group and run devices with a single command. For instance, by saying “Alexa, good night,” you might tell all of the downstairs and outside lights to turn off, as well as adjust the thermostat. Because smart speakers can connect to one another, having a few around the house works as an easy-to-use intercom system—you can variously make announcements or (with some models) speak to housemates in real time.

Why it’s a pick: The Echo Dot (5th Gen) is an inexpensive and easy way to bring Alexa into your home—and that platform works with more smart-home devices than any other. It costs about half the price of Amazon’s flagship Echo, yet it includes almost all of the same features. The Dot is surprisingly loud for its size, so it’s a good fit just about anywhere. For about $10 more you can get one with a built-in clock.

Another good option: If you want to be a Google Home family, opt for the Google Nest Mini (2nd Gen). It’s about the same price as the Echo Dot and slightly smaller. It also does a lot of the same things as the Dot, but we don’t think the sound is as full, and the Google ecosystem isn’t as smart-home-friendly as Alexa’s.

Who this is for: Whether you’re a master chef, a spectator, a snacker, or still trying to figure out the toaster, a smart speaker is a surprisingly helpful tool in the kitchen. With a smart display on your counter, it’s far easier to follow recipes onscreen than using a smartphone or even a cookbook. A smart display can even do all the tasks you might do with voice commands and a regular Alexa speaker, including setting timers or getting quick conversions for measurements. A smart display is also a great secondary entertainment hub, allowing you to watch a movie or stream favorite audio sources, like books, podcasts, music, or the latest news.

Why it’s a pick: The Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) can cook up a massive library of recipes from a range of sources, including Allrecipes, BuzzFeed’s Tasty, and Food Network, among others. And Echo screens can walk you through recipes with audible directions. (Google Nest screens used to do the same, until a recent update removed that and a few other cooking features.) Miss something? Ask Alexa to repeat a step or to list specific ingredients. The 8-inch display makes it easy to follow along onscreen, if you prefer to have music playing while you create a culinary masterpiece.

Who this is for: A smart speaker may not bring you a glass of water, but it can help illuminate your way to a midnight snack. Just ask the digital assistant to turn compatible lights on or off, or program a nightly routine that will turn any or all of your smart devices off and tweak the thermostat as you’re getting into bed.

Why it’s a pick: The Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) has a feature called Sleep Sensing, which can track your sleep patterns, including whether or not you are meeting up with the Sandman in a timely fashion. The 7-inch display greets you with a summary of your sleep journey when you wake up each morning. It can also make recommendations on how to get a better night’s sleep, based on your quality of sleep. (Although this is currently a free service, Google says it does have plans to charge for it in the future.)

The Hub can be set to automatically transform into a dimmed clock face, which doubles as your alarm clock. We also appreciate that this smart display is one of the only ones we’ve tested that does not include a built-in camera, so you won’t have to worry about accidentally initiating a video call while lounging around in your PJs.

Another good option: The Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) with clock doesn’t have a proper screen (it has an LED matrix), and it doesn’t keep tabs on your sleeping habits. However, it does everything the Echo Dot does, which means it can turn Alexa-enabled smart devices on and off, and it can answer your 2 a.m. craving for wanting to know the actor who was in that movie you just watched. The LED display shows the time, and, depending on requests, it will pop up the current temperature, artist/song names, and more.

Who this is for: If you love to rock out, or you regularly entertain, you need a smart speaker with more powerful sound. A larger speaker with more drivers will give you more room-filling sound and better bass. And some can connect to your TV or media streamer.

Why it’s a pick: Sonos and Bose both make speakers that support Alexa and Google Home, but we prefer the Amazon Echo Studio because it responds to voice commands far faster and more reliably. And it sounds better than the typical smart speaker because it has a front-firing 1-inch tweeter; three 2-inch midrange drivers (two side-firing, one up-firing); and a 5.25-inch down-firing woofer. It also has more manual controls and a cheaper price tag than another one of our favorites, the Apple HomePod.

Another good option: If you’re ensconced in the Apple ecosystem, the Apple HomePod (2nd generation) would be a great addition to your setup. It features five tweeters and a 4-inch woofer, but it also has support for Matter and Atmos spatial audio. However, it doesn’t work with Android or Bluetooth devices. And the Echo Studio has better bass, better manual controls, more smart-home compatibility, and a lower price tag.

Who this is for: Kids are great listeners when it comes to a bedtime story or music, but not so much when it comes to requests relating to chores and homework. A smart speaker can handle all of those tasks, playing audio, answering random questions, and belting out alarms for waking up and keeping tabs on study sessions. And when paired with another speaker or your smartphone, it can also act as an intercom you can use to let them know it’s dinnertime.

Why it’s a pick: The Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition is almost exactly the same as the regular Echo Dot, except it comes in designs that would appeal to a lot of kids (and probably plenty of adults, too). There are two designs available: Dragon and Owl. This speaker is also kid-friendly out of the box, with responses and filters geared toward ages 3 through 12. This Dot includes a free year of Amazon Kids+, a subscription that typically runs $5 per month for additional audio books, games, Morning Routines, Alexa skills, and more.

Who this is for: I was surprised to discover how many of my Wirecutter peers already have a smart speaker in the bathroom! But it makes sense, since it’s the place where you may want to catch up on the morning news or your podcasts, and setting a timer ensures your shower doesn’t run too long. It’s also the place where you’re thinking about things you need to add to your to-do or grocery list. Of course, the sound quality will be dependent on how big your bathroom is and whether or not it’s tiled. Either way, smaller options (like what we recommend) won’t be too bassy or take up much space.

Why it’s a pick: Measuring 3.9 by 3.3 by 3.6 inches, the Echo Dot (5th Gen) is perfect for squeezing into smaller spaces, even if they’re slightly echoey. It can deliver everything you might need when soaking in a tub: music, podcasts, rain sounds, access to shopping lists, and timers. It even allows you to check the status of your home security system without having to reach for your robe. But it’s not waterproof, so keep it away from the sink and shower.

Another good option: If you’ve built your smart home around Google Home, it makes sense to stick with the Google Nest Mini (2nd Gen). It’s more compact but doesn’t sound as full, and it doesn’t work with as many smart-home devices as Alexa does.

Who this is for: Bigwig executives have no trouble keeping track of meetings, deadlines, birthdays, and soccer practices. That’s because they have trusty assistants doing all of it for them. For the rest of us, a smart speaker is a worthy alternative. You can use one to keep track of your daily calendar, connect to video calls, play white noise or music, reorder coffee supplies, and remind yourself to get up and move around every so often.

Why it’s a pick: The Google Nest Hub Max integrates well with Google Calendar, so you have at-a-glance access to your schedule and Google notifications. Its 10-inch screen displays sharp-looking video calls via a built-in Nest camera. I was especially impressed with the stunning image quality of photos (versus Amazon’s cropped ones); you can serve them up via your Google Photos account, as well as sources like Getty Images, NASA, and more. The Hub also offers video from a range of sources, so it’s easy to call up news programming and your favorite YouTube channels. And the audio performance is dramatically more powerful than that of the much smaller Mini.

Another good option: If you don’t have much desk space to spare, the Amazon Echo Show 5 is the smallest smart screen out there, measuring just 5 inches diagonally. The screen isn’t as nice as the Google screen, but it does keep track of appointments, set timers, make phone calls, and allow for control of thousands of smart-home devices. One shortcoming is that the image quality isn’t as nice, especially when displaying photos, which are often cropped.

This article was edited by Jon Chase and Grant Clauser.