By Rashmi Goel
The voice assistants offered by Amazon, Apple, and Google are more intelligent than ever before. Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant, which have been built into certain speakers, will answer your questions as soon as you ask them. Whether you are seeking information about the news headlines, the number of calories in a Mars bar (228), failsafe scones recipes, or whether the cat misses you while you are at work, Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant are ready to assist. Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant are not just modest sources of knowledge either. Speakers of this type can stream music over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, and, depending on the brand, can also connect to a number of different streaming services, such as Apple Music, Tidal, Deezer, and Spotify.
Smart speakers vary substantially in price, size, and sound quality, which all play a major role in how you choose which is right for you. In general, most can be hooked up to other speakers with superior audio hardware, so you are usually better off choosing a smaller speaker with similar functionality at a lower price. The range of choices available to those who are platform-independent could seem daunting at first. Fortunately, we have had full access to the voice control devices since they first appeared on the market. From incorporating a smart display to the ease of installation of multiple speakers, all of the important features of smart devices were considered.
Find out about the best smart speakers for every budget, from low-cost options to premium audiophile speakers.
Apple HomePod Mini
https://www.apple.com
This Apple smart speaker bridges a strange gap between competitors that cost $100 or more, such as Google's Nest Audio and the Amazon Echo, and smaller speakers such as the Nest Mini and Echo Dot. There are several useful features built into this little smart speaker, including audio handover, intercom, and stereo pairing. The speaker is visually pleasing as well as performing well. Apple's HomeKit platform is the only one capable of supporting Siri and HomePod Mini. The new Apple smart speaker is going to be a big hit if you're an Apple fan and if you use Siri as your smart assistant of choice and HomeKit as your smart home service. This smart speaker is an obvious addition to those who already own an iPhone, Apple TV or the original HomePod the Mini.
Amazon Echo Dot (4th Generation)
https://www.amazon.com
The sound is rich, detailed and automatically adjusts to any room. Provides lossless HD sound, available on certain streaming services such as Amazon Music HD. VOICE CONTROL YOUR MUSIC: Play songs from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, SiriusXM, among others. This feature requires an HD audio device. Hub to control compatible lights, locks, and sensors using voice commands. Set up compatible Zigbee devices or select Ring Smart Lighting solar bulbs and lights. Setting timers, alarms, and reminders is easy with Alexa. With multi-room music, you can synchronize music among Echo devices across different rooms. With fire TV devices that are compatible with Echo, you can experience home theater audio with scenes that come to life. Call others hands-free using the Alexa app or an Echo device. If you're cooking dinner, drop by other rooms or tell the whole house that it's ready. The controls are designed to protect your privacy - Amazon does not share your personal information with third parties. The microphone can be turned off for added privacy.
JBL Link Portable
https://in.jbl.com
The JBL Link Portable offers up to eight hours of strong, dynamic JBL 360-degree Pro sound. Stream music wirelessly or via Bluetooth in any room of your home. Make music requests, access Spotify, YouTube Music,, and Apple Music with the Google Assistant, and listen to music without interruption. Start by saying "Hey Google." The device is completely wireless, waterproof, and is durable enough to handle an accidental soaking or a few bumps and bruises. Easy-to-use, convenient charging is made possible by the cradle. Choose from six eye-catching colors (availability varies by region). Enjoy music while you relax. Experience crystal-clear highs, sharp mids, and powerful bass. A 360-degree transducer in the JBL Link Portable allows sound to be emitted from every angle. You can listen to music on the JBL Link Portable with ease.
Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 (2nd Gen)
https://www.bang-olufsen.com
There is ample volume to fill a room with the Beosound A1. The speaker has the largest bass woofer you'll find in a speaker of this type, providing punchy bass and great dynamics. This speaker's round design disperses sound in all directions, making it accessible to everyone. With a maximum playtime of 18 hours on the Beosound A1, you are almost certain to exhaust it before the device does. When the volume is turned up high, this little speaker can carry a marathon meeting or garden party for hours. It will not let you down. Beosound A1 features three microphones, positioned above the speaker for maximum clarity, making this the perfect speakerphone for catchups and meetings alike. It is even easier with Alexa Voice Assistant to interact, as you can choose a song, plan your day, or check the weather without even having to touch your device. These features would not be possible without a seamless connection. With Bluetooth 5.1 technology, the Beosound A1 offers a more secure connection that uses less power. Connecting to your devices is made faster by Microsoft Swift Pair and Google Fast Pair. Beosound A1 was designed to walk with you wherever you go and fit in just about anywhere. The fully dust and waterproof IP67 construction ensures you won't have to worry about spills or dust when you're cooking in the kitchen or outdoors. Aluminium perforated with a brushed finish. Water-resistant leather of the highest quality. Over a century of experience. Design-wise, the Beosound A1 manages to stand out while fitting in with the rest of the lineup.
Amazon Echo Dot with Clock
https://www.amazon.com
Echo Dot with clock is our most popular smart speaker with Alexa. Featuring a sleek, compact design, the audio is clear and balanced, creating a full, rich-sounding experience. This LED clock is ideal for your nightstand - it displays time, alarms, and timers. Alexa is ready to assist you - ask her to tell a joke, play music, answer questions, play the news, check the weather, set alarms, and more. With compatible devices, you can use your voice to control your smart home, adjusting the thermostat and locking the doors. As you walk into a room, you can initiate routines by turning on compatible lights, playing your flash briefing, or activating the coffee maker. Call friends and family regardless of whether they have the Alexa app or an Echo device. Drop in on other rooms or announce that dinner is ready to the entire household. The purpose of Amazon's privacy protection is to ensure that your personal information is not sold to others. Featuring multiple privacy settings and a microphone off button.
Google Nest Mini (2nd gen)
https://store.google.com
In the race for smart speakers, Google has done a commendable job of catching up with Amazon. The choice between the lowest-priced smart speaker devices from these two companies is essentially a matter of hairsplitting. The Google Nest Mini now has almost as many capabilities as Amazon's Echo Dot, making it an excellent alternative to the Amazon Echo Dot if you prefer the Google Assistant. Furthermore, Google Assistant is a little smarter than Alexa in terms of voice recognition. Moreover, it responds more readily to voice commands if you are unable to recall the exact name of the smart home device, and its grouped commands, called routines, work with a wide variety of smart home devices, as opposed to Amazon's similar routines. It can recognize multiple voices, so it will give different answers to you and your spouse if you ask about the schedules separately. However, Alexa can do this now as well. In the event that Alexa is your preferred voice assistant, you should consider the latest Echo Dot. Despite its low price, it offers all the Alexa capabilities and smart home integrations you could possibly need. As a whole, Google remains the frontrunner, and the Google Nest Mini is an excellent low-cost way to benefit from its advanced capabilities.
Sonos One (2nd Generation)
https://www.sonos.com
You can pair two Sonos One speakers to make a stereo audio or multiroom audio happen, but even a single speaker sounds wonderful, and it costs significantly less than other smart speakers that offer high sound quality, such as the Google Home Max. Furthermore, the Sonos One comes with both Alexa and Google Assistant built-in; just indicate which one you would like to use during setup. Sonos offers Apple AirPlay 2, so you can control the speaker with any Siri-enabled device, including the iPhone. With all this in mind, the Sonos One is a great-sounding, reasonably priced smart speaker that can be integrated into smart hubs that feature Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant,, or Apple Siri.
Amazon Echo Show 5
https://www.amazon.com
With Alexa at your fingertips, you can set alarms, set timers, view your calendar or news, make video calls with the 2 MP camera, or listen to music or watch shows - all with your voice. Make Alexa part of your nightstand - Begin your morning with a routine that turns your compatible lights on slowly. Wake up to the latest news, the weather and your favorite music. Control your smart home from anywhere with the built-in camera. The interactive display, your voice, or your motion can be used to control compatible devices such as cameras, lights, and more. With video calling you can connect with friends and family who have an Echo device with a screen or the Alexa app. Moreover, you can broadcast announcements to other compatible devices around the house. You can ask Alexa to play TV shows and movies from Netflix, Prime Video, and other services. It can also play your favorite music from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, and other services. Utilize Amazon Photos or Facebook to turn your home screen into a digital picture frame. Aims to protect your privacy - Amazon is not in the business of selling your personal information to other parties. The unit is equipped with multiple layers of privacy features, including a microphone/camera off button and a built-in shutter.
Ultimate Ears Megablast
https://www.ultimateears.com
Introducing our largest, loudest, and most beautiful speaker to date. The Ultimate Ears Megablast is incredibly powerful. Featuring 360-degree sound with stunning clarity and heart-pounding bass, this Wi-Fi/Bluetooth speaker will bring your music to life in all its glory wherever you are. Using wireless connectivity, the MEGABLAST from Ultimate Ears is integrated with Amazon Alexa and connects directly to the cloud. From virtually anywhere you have access to Wi-Fi or a mobile hotspot, you can control Alexa's skills and listen to your favorite music. To listen to music from Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, or TuneIn, or to check the weather, control your smart home, and enjoy Alexa's insane skills, simply say Alexa. The Ultimate Ears Megablast is incredibly powerful, fully waterproof, and ready to survive any adventure. No matter how wild things get- from the pool to the all-night party, the summer festivals to the winter slopes- your music will always be on point. The Megablast will ensure you never lose your music. Featuring unreal 16-hour battery life, this rugged, portable laptop keeps ongoing as long as you do. With a single charge, you can blast tunes from sunset beach parties to sunrise after parties. The Ultimate Ears POWER UP allows you to charge your portable Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Megablast speakers. Enjoy music or access any of Alexa's many skills while charging. With Megablast, you can also stream music from your smartphone or Bluetooth device when you are away from Wi-Fi. No party is complete without Megablast. It gets better all the time with the help of over-the-air software updates. Using the Ultimate Ears app, you can get the most recent updates and enjoy the ultimate wireless music experience. With the Ultimate Ears Megablast, you can connect directly to the cloud via Wi-Fi and have access to the latest music. You can stream music fast and stable, have a broad range of options for roaming, and take calls without affecting the music.
Audio Pro Addon C5A
https://us.audiopro.com
This Addon provides the same great Hi-Fi sound as our original Addon C5, but with the added ability to control your speaker with your voice. Alexa, the voice-activated speaker from Amazon, can play your favorite song in addition to doing numerous other tasks; such as supplying you with the weather forecast, controlling your living room lights, and answering questions. Alexa is the ideal smart home assistant. Featuring the same Hi-Fi sound quality as our original Addon C5, but with the ability to control your speaker simply by voice. Amazon Alexa lets you ask your speaker to play a song, and it can also give you information about the weather, control your living room lights, and answer any questions that you may have. The Addon C5A allows you to control your music using only your voice. Alexa is the perfect smart assistant for your home. Featuring multiroom audio and multiuser capabilities. Users can group and play simultaneously, or set the stereo pair to left and right. It's as simple as pressing a button. By pressing a button while playing content, you can save your favorite radio station or playlist. You can play all your music through Airplay®, Spotify Connect®, and Bluetooth®.
Harman Kardon Citation 100
https://in.harmankardon.com
Citation 100 combines technological innovation and a sophisticated and beautiful design for home audio entertainment. The durability of this premium blend wool fabric is enhanced by its dirt repellent and flame retardant properties. Harman Kardon has been dedicated to delivering luxurious audio experiences for over 65 years that allow listeners to experience music deeply and immerse themselves in the moment. Citation is the first premium product of its kind to be offered worldwide and is the world's ultimate expression. A full house audio experience can be achieved by adding extra Citation speakers to the Citation 100. It is possible to play the same or different music in different rooms and to control the music from a tablet or smartphone. A compact smart speaker, the Harman Kardon Citation 100 fills any room with a powerful sound and fits in any space. Citation 100 is an innovative device that seamlessly blends innovation in home audio with attention to detail in design to provide a professional look and powerful audio. With the built-in Chromecast, it is possible to stream high-definition music in high quality and to over 300 music services. The Google Assistant lets you control your Citation 100 with your voice for hands-free help around the house. Using the power of your voice, you can play music, answer questions, organize your day, control your smart home, enjoy entertainment, and more!
Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Generation)
https://www.amazon.com
There is much more for you to see, with an HD screen that is designed to move with you, video calls, recipes, and shows are always within reach. The speakers deliver premium directional sound. Stay in frame with the 13MP camera with auto-framing and motion to make sure you're always in focus. Install compatible Zigbee devices or smart products without a separate hub. With Alexa, you can check security cameras, turn on lights, or adjust thermostats. When you're away, view your home through the built-in camera by using the Alexa app or other Echo Show devices. So Play your favorite shows, music, and podcasts from Prime Video, Netflix, Amazon Music, Spotify, and more using Alexa. Cook along hands-free with step-by-step instructions, set timers, and add ingredients to your grocery list with the ultimate kitchen companion. Amazon Photos and Alexa combine for an ideal pairing - displaying your memories. It is possible to convert your home screen into a digital frame, share your favorites, and even take photos. Prime members receive unlimited photo storage. Amazon takes your privacy seriously - we do not wish to sell your personal information to anyone. Featuring multiple privacy features such as a mic/camera off button and a built-in camera shutter. You can disable motion at any time.
Bose Smart Speaker 500
https://www.amazon.com
Simple but powerful. Stereo sound fills any room, while voice control lets you access millions of songs. Bose Smart Speaker 500 boasts two custom drivers that aim in opposite directions to bounce sound off walls. Stereo performance is unlike any other smart speaker, with a soundstage wider than any other smart speaker. At your fingertips, you'll find millions of playlists and albums. You can control your music, get information, manage your day, and more with Alexa. And with Alexa only, you can make or take calls to Bose smart products, Amazon Echo products, and anyone in your contacts list - hands-free, phone-free, and free of charge. The technology doesn't have an issue with it. The speaker hears even when the volume gets loud thanks to an 8-microphone array under the surface. Whenever you want, you can turn off voice access. Using the mic-disable button disables all microphones, and you can still use the other features of the speaker. Control goes beyond voice. Bose Music app allows you to play, pause and skip tracks, as well as manage them all from the app. There are six presets for playlists, Internet radio stations, and more, so your favorites are at your fingertips. There are so many options for what you want to hear. With integrated Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Apple AirPlay 2 compatibility, you can play Spotify®, Amazon Music, and Pandora, or play anything from your mobile device. On the Bose Smart Speaker 500, you can listen to sounds that are compatible with your devices. You can browse your music on the Bose Music app and seamlessly hop between stations, playlists, and services. The Bose Smart Speaker 500 can also be controlled this way. You can set up presets so that the music you love is always close at hand. You can also personalize their experience. The speaker has a seamless, anodized aluminum body that lends a refined appearance to any room.
Braun LE01 wireless speaker
https://www.braun-audio.com
The LE01 is integrated into the Google ecosystem, which means that you can control it locally with Google Assistant, and the speaker's onboard mics ensure we're heard from across the room. As soon as we say "Hey Google," a clean line of four white LEDs will illuminate from behind the grille at the top right of the LE01, indicating that Google heard our request and is processing it as we speak. When you turn off the microphones, these LEDs glow orange. It is truly incredible how flexible the Braun Audio companion app is, allowing us to choose placement modes and adjust EQs for treble and bass. With Braun LE01, you can place it in a corner, an alcove, on a cabinet, or even on the floor. Making sure you select the correct placement profile (in case you need to move your speaker later) is important, and the EQ optimization, while subtle, is nonetheless a welcome addition. Tidal Connect and Spotify Connect cannot be streamed directly from LE01 - you will need to use Chromecast through your device's app. Furthermore, the LE01 provides Apple AirPlay 2 connectivity, Bluetooth 4.2, and a 3.5mm aux-in port for physical tethering –but note that it does not support aptX or aptX HD, and it is not an access-all-areas UPnP streamer.
Amazon Echo Studio
https://www.amazon.com
A powerful bass, dynamic mid-range, and crisp highs are produced by 5 speakers. This speaker system features Dolby Atmos for additional clarity, depth, and space. Providing music, news, and answers - Alexa is ready to assist you. You can access songs from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, Tidal, and more with voice commands. Access 75 million songs in lossless audio formats, such as HD or Ultra HD, as well as selected songs in spatial audio formats, including Dolby Atmos. Customizable sound quality - Automatically detects your room's acoustics and fine-tunes playback to be as clear as possible. Zigbee-compatible device hub - You can control your Zigbee devices with Alexa. With Drop-In and Announcements, you can use your Alexa device like an intercom and speak to any room in the house. The company isn't in the business of selling your private information to third parties. Comes with multiple privacy controls, including the ability to turn off the microphone.
Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin
https://www.bowerswilkins.com
Wireless smart speaker Zeppelin reimagined for streaming. A wide range of smart, connected features and services make this product both elegant and functional. Streaming with Zeppelin is supported by Apple® AirPlayTM 2®, Bluetooth aptXTM Adaptive, and Spotify Connect - plus the Bowers & Wilkins Music App. Zeppelins use proprietary loudspeaker designs from Bowers & Wilkins. Alexa is built-in to Zeppelin: just ask for your favorite song. The software is upgradeable as well, so you can keep up to date with new services as they appear. Enjoy your favorite music in up to 24-bit high-resolution quality from Deezer, Qobuz, TIDAL, and more with built-in access to a wide range of streaming services. The Bowers & Wilkins Music app also provides seamless control over podcasts and radio stations.
Sonos Move
https://www.sonos.com
With the weather-proof, drop-resistant Sonos Move portable speaker, you can enjoy your music anywhere. As you listen to music, Trueplay adapts and balances your sound. Built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Airplay, and the Sonos app allow streaming from any smart device. Deep bass, wide soundscape, and automatic Trueplay tuning perfectly balances the sound for your location and what you're listening to. Voice commands let you play music, search for news, set alarms, and ask questions. Voice assistants aren't necessary. Connect this speaker to a smartphone, tablet, or another Bluetooth device. Connect this speaker to your home Sonos system to stream over Wi-Fi. The battery lasts up to 10 hours. Your device is protected from humidity, rain, snow, dust, salt spray, UV rays, and extreme heat. Tuned to sound good with speaker drivers and acoustics. Easily configures, installs, and controls your Sonos speakers. Compatible with iOS 11.4 and later. Plays back-vocal frequencies faithfully, plus deep, rich bass. A crisp, clear high-frequency response that disperses evenly for a 220° coverage area. This audio chime lets you know that the Sonos Move heard you. It uses noise cancellation and a far-field array of microphones. When the microphone is active, you can see an illuminated LED indicator light. Volume up/down, previous/next track, play/pause, and microphone status are controlled by touch. A light indicates the microphone status, speaker status, and voice feedback.