The best Amazon Alexa smart speakers

If you’re a fan of the high-performing Alexa voice assistant, versatile app, and easy connection to Amazon and smart home devices, then you definitely want a smart speaker with Alexa built-in. But which one? Amazon, of course, has its own line of Echo speakers designed to work with Alexa, but they’re not the only brand to support Alexa for simple voice commands.

For this list, we’ve focused on the best smart speakers you can find with Alexa built-in. With these speakers, you can call your contacts, play music from your favorite streaming service, set up smart home routines, and even let Alexa help guard your home. Just look!

Sonos One (2nd Gen)

Best Alexa speaker for the smart home

The Sonos One is an all-around incredible smart speaker designed to stand on a shelf or counter and fill a room with sound. With Alexa you can also use the various functions of the language assistant, e.g. B. answering questions or scheduling reminders and timers. The speaker also works with Google Assistant, so you don’t have to pick a favorite unless you want to.

Like most smart speakers, the Sonos One requires a Wi-Fi connection for voice assistants to work, but it also supports Airplay 2 and other tech, as well as simple app controls for when you don’t feel like using your voice. It can also be easily connected to another Sonos speaker or speaker system, allowing for innovative setups, from using it as part of a home theater system to connecting two speakers together for a more stereo-like sound.

Sonos One (2nd Gen)

Best Alexa speaker for the smart home

Amazon Echo (4th generation)

Best Alexa speaker for Amazon fans

Amazon’s flagship Echo device doesn’t disappoint with its new bullet-like design that still offers great 360-degree sound for its size. The speaker works solely through the Alexa app, so you don’t have to worry about juggling apps to get what you want.

The rounded design is also in the speaker’s favor, making it easy to place anywhere and giving it graceful indicators like the LED base for showing notifications and more. Amazon also has both a battery base accessory so you don’t have to hold the speaker near an outlet, and a wall mount if you don’t want to place the Echo on a counter – options rarely typical of smart speakers.

Amazon Echo (4th generation)

Best Alexa speaker for Amazon fans

Amazon Echo Studio

Best Alexa speaker for audiophiles

Those who are primarily interested in sound may already have invested in a quality audio system, or started listening to more spatial audio songs: the Echo Studio is a great companion for this setup, with its music focus and larger five internal speaker design to cover bass, middle and treble more fully. The speaker also contains sensors that can adapt the sound to nearby acoustics, no matter where you place the speaker.

For those who have a variety of smart devices, the Studio is also one of the few Alexa speakers capable of supporting the legacy Zigbee Smart protocol, which can be important for controlling specific devices in your home. This is also a good time to mention that Alexa lets you choose a default music service to play, including Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal, and more, making issuing song-related commands a lot easier.

Amazon Echo Studio

Best Alexa speaker for audiophiles

Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen)

Best Alexa Smart Display

The Echo Show line adds a touchscreen to the smart speaker, and that can be more useful than you’d expect. With the display, you can video chat with family, watch tutorials, stream shows, ask for visual information (everything from what a ripe melon looks like to this week’s weather forecast), and more. If that sounds like a good addition to Alexa to you, you might want an Echo Show. While the Echo Show 15 is the largest model, the wall mount design isn’t the best for audio, but the Show 10 includes a speaker base that’s still capable of 360-degree sound while offering viewing benefits.

Oh, and on those Echo Show design updates, the smart display now swivels on its base and has a feature that can track and move you around to help you stay centered in the camera during video calls. This rotating feature is definitely not for everyone, but don’t let that put you off: it’s easy to adjust the display to the angle you like best.

Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen)

Best Alexa Smart Display

Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen)

Best Budget Alexa Speaker

Those looking to save some cash and go smaller will appreciate the Echo Dot, Amazon’s pint-sized speaker option. The new design is a copy of the 4th generation Echo speaker (mentioned above), but smaller. It can’t produce as much sound as the larger version, but it’s still an excellent little desktop companion and can replace an old radio or bedside clock (with the version containing an LED clock cleverly integrated into the fabric is). .

Like the larger version, Amazon can also sell the Echo Dot with a battery stand or wall mount. There’s also a kid’s version with a new skin and a free trial of Amazon’s kid-friendly program.

Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen)

Best Budget Alexa Speaker

Bose HomeSpeaker 500

Best high-end Alexa speaker

If you want something of everything, you will finally find the perfect solution in this Bose model. It’s a big speaker that produces really immersive sound and supports both Alexa and Google Assistant. There are also more sound options than most smart speakers, with touch panel presets for your favorite music options and customization via the Bose Music app.

The speaker even has a small mini display that can show the current song and some album art, making it easy to show off at parties and other gatherings. But all of these features come at a price, and it’s no surprise that this is the most expensive speaker on our list.

Bose HomeSpeaker 500

Best high-end Alexa speaker

Looking for something more portable that still works with Alexa? Take a look at our current top picks for portable smart speakers. You will likely find some options that support voice assistant.

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