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The popularity of smart speakers has grown exponentially in recent years. Shopping, setting reminders, getting your daily news, and even switching the lights off are all now easier than ever — just say the command! Also, smart speakers are easy to use and make great gifts for almost anyone.
Are you interested in getting one, or several smart speakers for your home? Let's take a look at the best smart speakers available in 2023.
Smart assistants: Google Assistant and Alexa | Dimensions: 6.36 x 4.69 x 4.69 in. | Weight: 4.08 lbs. (1.85 kg)
With Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant as two voice assistant options, the Sonos One might be the best choice if you're looking for a high-end speaker from a reputable brand that also goes well with the furniture at your home.
It sports an appealing, minimalistic and compact design that can easily blend with your décor, and if you own two Sonos One speakers, you can pair them for a grander stereo sound experience.
Sonos One (Gen 2)
Voice Controlled Smart Speaker with Amazon Alexa Built-in
Smart assistant: Siri | Dimensions: 3.3 x 3.9 in. | Weight: 0.76 lbs. (0.3 kg)
As is to be expected, Apple's Homepod mini features the smart assistant Siri, which may lack in some functionality behind the competition.
However, Apple boasts that its HomePod is the more secure, privacy-respecting option, plus it's arguably the best and most obvious choice for users who are already deep into the Apple ecosystem and use Apple Music. You need an iPhone to activate the HomePod mini, so if you're using an Android phone, this smart speaker really isn't an option.
But if you are an avid iPhone user, you'll be able to enjoy plenty of great features, from streaming podcasts to Ambient Sounds, which fills the room with soothing sounds of the forest, or ocean waves. Obviously, you can also enjoy a good Apple Music experience. In fact, new subscribers get 6 months of free Apple Music when they buy this speaker.
Since the HomePod mini is small and portable, in addition to being affordable, it will likely blend well in most rooms in your home. If you're curious about the bigger Apple HomePod (not the mini) – Apple isn't selling that one anymore, nor do most vendors, so it's hard for us to recommend it over the mini. For now, Apple seems to have its focus set on this smaller smart speaker.
Apple released the HomePod (2nd Gen) on January 2023. The second-gen HomePod offer supports advanced computational audio and Apple's Spatial Audio feature, which makes the sound more immersive. Of course, it also comes with Siri on board, and just like the Homepod mini, you can use it only with an iPhone or iPad.
When you purchase a HomePod (2nd Gen), you'll receive Apple TV+ for free for 3 months and Apple Music and Apple News+ for up to 4 months at no cost.
Apple - HomePod (2nd Generation)
Get an Apple HomePod (2nd Generation) from Best Buy
Smart assistant: Alexa | Dimensions: 5.7 x 5.7 x 5.2 in. | Weight: 2.1 lbs. (0.97 kg)
Amazon's fourth generation Echo speaker comes in a new spherical shape and features clear and crisp audio with solid bass. On board is Alexa, which is arguably the most capable smart assistant out there.
Ask Alexa to play a song or a genre from your favorite app, be it Apple Music, Spotify, or another one and it just will, with no compatibility issues. Ask it to add items to your shopping list, or for the daily news, or use it to control your smart home lights, thermostats, and more – it can do it all. Great as a gift too.
The Echo can also also be used as an intercom, for talking to people in other rooms in the house (if they also have Echo devices) and for making family announcements.
Smart assistant: Alexa | Dimensions: 3.9 x 3.9 x 3.5 in. | Weight: 0.6 lbs. (0.3 kg)
According to Amazon, its fifth-generation Echo Dot is its "best-sounding Echo Dot yet." It offers an improved audio experience, and just like its predecessor, it lets you stream songs directly from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, or via Bluetooth.
Of course, being an Amazon smart speaker, you also get Alexa on board. The Echo Dot 5 also lets you set up routines triggered by built-in motion or indoor temperature sensors. For example, you can create a routine for the smart speaker to automatically turn the lights on when you walk into a room.
If you are concerned about your privacy, the Echo Dot 5 also has multiple layers of privacy controls, including a button that lets you turn off the device's microphone so that no bad actor can hear your conversations with your loved ones.
Echo Dot 5: Now 30% OFF at Amazon
The Echo Dot 5 smart speaker offers an improved audio experience, comes with Alexa on board, and lets you create routines triggered by built-in motion or indoor temperature sensors. And now, the speaker is discounted at Amazon by 30%.
Smart assistant: Alexa | Dimensions: 8.1 x 6.8 in. | Weight: 7.7 lbs. (3.5 kg)
If looking for the best smart speaker experience from Amazon for, say, an entertainment room – the Echo Studio it is. It features the familiar Alexa experience and 5 built-in speakers for powerful bass, dynamic midrange and crisp highs.
Dolby Atmos technology enables a multidimensional audio experience to its already impressive sound. For music lovers who seek a great music listening experience, as well as the convenience of a smart assistant that's compatible with a huge number of apps and services, the Echo Studio is one of the best smart speaker to get right now.
Amazon Echo Studio
High-fidelity smart speaker with 3D audio and Alexa
Smart assistants: Alexa | Dimensions: 4.31 x 6.68 x 8.01 in. | Weight:
4.65 lbs. (2.10 kg)
Bose's Home Speaker 500 is also another amazing smart speaker you can shortlist. In addition to its stylish design, this speaker from Bose packs amazing and loud sound and supports Amazon's Alexa. You can also pair the Home Speaker 500 with other Bose smart speakers and soundbar for an even greater multi-room listening experience.
You can also download the Bose Music app, which lets you control your Home Speaker 500 and even play music directly from music services.
Bose Home Speaker 500
Get the Bose Home Speaker 500 smart speaker from Amazon
There we have them – the best smart speakers you can buy right now. Whether you're looking for smart speakers that sound good while playing tunes, or are interested in having a virtual assistant, be it Google Assistant, Alexa or Siri, anywhere in your house – hopefully you found the one.
But if you're still looking, perhaps for something else, you may also find helpful the following picks:
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