Smart speakers act as handy home hubs, playing music or listening to voice commands from anywhere in the home. The latest AI advances have also given these speakers new tools to play with. They're especially useful home additions if you can link music streaming and other services, as well as smart home devices.
CNET's other experienced editors and I have tested the latest Wi-fi smart speakers from top brands, trying them in different spots around our homes and cranking up the volume to see what works. Here are the best models I recommend for different purposes. Also, if you're shopping during this Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale season, you'll find deals to get them without breaking the bank.
What's the best smart speaker overall?
Activating the mic button
Ty Pendlebury/CNETAmazon's latest primary smart speaker is the 2025 Echo Studio, designed for Dolby Atmos and ready for the Alexa Plus AI. While you'll need a high-quality streaming service to take advantage of the Echo Studio's sound, its one of the better-sounding smart speakers available, and I enjoy the upgrades that Alexa Plus brings. Alexa's smart home compatibility also remains the best in the game at this time. It's a little pricey at over $200, but I have seen big discounts for Black Friday and other events.
However, if you're more focused on audio quality than anything you may prefer my Sonos pick, and if you're more of a Google Home and Gemini person I've got a Nest device for you, too. Take a look at the full list to learn more.
Holiday buying advice for smart speakers
Smart speakers come in all shapes and sizes, but to make sure you're getting the best value for your money, try to look for bundles when shopping for one. A popular use for smart speakers is pairing them with smart lights and using your voice to change the vibe of the room you're in. For example, this $61 bundle pairs an Echo Spot with an Amazon Basics Smart Color Bulb.
With that said, if you're hoping to make the most of Black Friday deals for your holiday shopping, smart speakers make for a great purchase if you have a kid heading to college in your home or someone who's moving into a new place. These devices can act as alarm clocks, reminder machines, and more, use cases that make an impact.
Best smart speakers of 2025
Pros
- Large sound with Dolby Atmos support
- Alexa's excellent compatibility options with smart home devices
- Compact design
- Service upgrades available like Emergency Assist
Cons
- Amazon likes to charge extra for things like Alexa Plus and Emergency Assist
- Echo privacy options have grown slightly more limited over time
- Expensive compared to other Echos
Why I like it:
Amazon has many Echo speakers, and it can be tricky to determine what's the latest and greatest. My personal pick for 2025 is the new, somewhat Death Star-shaped Echo Studio. It includes notable speaker upgrades for Dolby Atmos support, and while it doesn't reach the heights of our favorite Sonos speakers, it's still enough to fill a room with music and even add a healthy amount of bass.
The Alexa app is mostly intuitive to use and connects very readily with music services as well as smart home devices, which you can control with voice commands. Alexa Plus, if you spring for it, is a more conversational and generally more intelligent version of the voice assistant, albeit with occasional response delays.
Finally, note that there are extra services you can add to your Echo speaker for a fee -- notably Alexa Emergency Assist, which costs around $6 per month and can listen for alarms or breaking glass while connecting you with a live emergency assistant on demand. Alexa Plus, Amazon's big AI upgrade is slowly rolling out to users and is free if you have a Prime subscription (otherwise, it's $20). Along the way, Amazon has also removed some privacy features that allowed you to prevent Echo from processing your voice data.
Who is this for:
Those who want an all-purpose smart speaker that's capable of playing music for a larger room while also getting a lot of voice assistant smarts, and is especially appealing for Prime subscribers.
Who shouldn't buy it:
People who don't like Alexa or Amazon's latest privacy practices and those willing to spend even more to get really top-tier sound -- or, conversely, those looking to stay under a $100 budget.
Pros
- Affordable
- Can connect to smart home devices
- Good sound for the size
- Display shows time, weather and more info
Cons
- Too small if you want to fill a room with sound
Why I like it:
I originally chose the Echo Dot with the LED clock for this pick, since it’s a versatile smart speaker that works great on a desk or bedside table. But because it was released back in 2022 and may be phased out soon, I’m replacing it with the newer Echo Spot.
The Spot has the same speaker as the Echo Dot but adds a small screen that displays more information when you ask questions or control smart home devices. It also doubles as a convenient alarm clock -- capable of answering questions, showing the weather and running your morning smart home routines.
Alexa Plus support and other Echo Show abilities are all included on this small speaker, and the sound is suitable for nearby music, even if it won't fill an entire room. Just note you won't be able to stream any videos on that small display: That's what full smart displays are for.
Who is this for:
People looking for a smaller, cheaper smart speaker that can serve as an alarm clock and other small tasks around the home. People who want a small speaker for their kids.
Who shouldn't buy it:
People who want truly big sound, people worried about a smart speaker eavesdropping in the bedroom (while Echo Spots have mute buttons, that also means you won't be able to use the voice assistant features).
Pros
- Improved function and sound
- Google Assistant is a knowledgeable voice assistant
- Wall mount option
Cons
- Not as many extra features as Echo Dots
Why I like it:
Google has done an admirable job of catching up to Amazon in the smart speaker race. At this point, picking between the lowest priced smart speaker devices from the two companies comes down to splitting hairs.
The $50 Google Nest Mini is a solid alternative to the Amazon Echo Dot if Google Assistant is your preference, with a similar price. Our tests have shown that Google Assistant (now being replaced by the more conversational Gemini) responds more flexibly to voice commands if you can't remember the exact name of your smart home devices and it's generally more knowledgeable about things you'd find on the internet.
Overall, Google has the intelligence edge, and the Google Nest Mini is a great, low-cost way to take advantage of those smarts. While the Nest Mini may not have as many additional features as the Echo Dot (for now), it does boast one important feature that the Dot doesn't: a built-in option to mount on a wall and save space, such as by a desk or in a kitchen nook. The Dot may have the slight edge in sound quality, though.
Who is this for:
People who want a speaker that can function as a nearby smart assistant on a desk or a wall to answer questions and schedule events.
Who shouldn't buy it:
People that want big sound and people who prefer to stay away from Google Assistant/Gemini.
Pros
- Sounds great for its size
- Compact and interesting design
- Lots of compatibility with Apple products
- Temperature and humidity sensor
- Much more affordable than the HomePod
Cons
- More expensive than other "mini" speakers
- Smart home support is lacking compared to alternatives
Why I like it:
The first HomePod was an eclectic Apple machine with amazing sound, but otherwise a bit disappointing, especially with the high price tag. The HomePod 2 is better in nearly every way, but still expensive at $300. The HomePod mini, however, is a compromise -- a smaller unit at a much more affordable price of around $100.
The HomePod mini offers Siri functionality, the ability to link with other minis, a temperature and humidity sensor for smart home control and retains some of the excellent sound quality of the larger HomePod -- making it a solid option for a nearby music player. It also includes some iPhone tricks, if you want to hand off music, etc.
Keep an eye on this one: Apple is upgrading Siri intelligence (currently slated for 2026) and we aren’t quite sure what advanced features will make it to the HomePod line. Also, there are rumors a HomePod mini 2 may be arriving this year as Apple plans on releasing a smart display and other home tech.
Who is this for:
People who love Apple and people who want a smaller speaker that still produces great audio close at hand.
Who shouldn't buy it:
People who don't like using Siri and don't have iPhones as well as people who want more smart home and entertainment compatibility than Apple Home currently provides.
Pros
- Incredible 6-driver sound
- Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and USB-C connection options
- Dolby Atmos support
- AirPlay 2 support
- Lots of audio adjustment options with the Sonos app
Cons
- Very expensive
- No more Google Assistant support
Why I like it:
This 300-watt speaker is a master of sound and streaming options, providing an amazing six-driver acoustic sound that can fill your whole house. Connection options include both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, plus the ability to pair with other Sonos speakers. There’s also a USB-C line for wired connections.
It’s no surprise this speaker also supports Dolby Atmos for enhanced environmental sound and top-notch performance on supported audio.
For best-in-class sound, you'll have to pay a premium price. Also, while this speaker supports Alexa, Sonos has dropped support for Google Assistant and now focuses more on its own Sonos voice commands. But you won’t find better sound, whether you want to pair with your entertainment system or add a central speaker for whole-home music.
If you like the idea of Sonos but can't handle the price tag, take a look at the more affordable Sonos Era 100, which can't match the 300's sound but is available for $250.
Who is this for:
Buyers who can pay top dollar for high-end sound and want a speaker that can do a little of everything.
Who shouldn't buy it:
People who need Google Assistant/Gemini, people who want to save even a little bit of money.
Pros
- Portable
- Connects to voice assistants via Wi-Fi
- Great Bose sound
- Some water resistance for temporary outdoor use
Cons
- Very expensive
- Needs to be in Wi-Fi range
- Dependent on battery life
Why I like it:
We’ve got a full list of the best portable Bluetooth speakers, but the Bose Smart Speaker (latest model) stands out as a particularly smart option with its ability to link a built-in microphone to your Wi-Fi so you can talk to your voice assistants and control your music streaming. The excellent Bose sound quality certainly doesn’t hurt, either.
Battery life for this model is around 12 hours and at 2.3 pounds it’s easy to carry around. With limited IPX4 resistance, this speaker can go outside for short periods of time, but it’s most at home in the home, office or garage.
If you’re looking for a less expensive option, the latest Bose SoundLink Home has many of the same features but is more affordable.
Who is this for:
People who want a smart speaker they can also carry around the house or out onto the patio.
Who shouldn't buy it:
People who would rather save money on a simpler Bluetooth speaker, or who already have one.
Best smart speakers compared
| Best smart speakers | Amazon Echo Studio (2025) | Amazon Echo Spot | Google Nest Mini (2nd-gen) | Apple HomePod mini | Sonos Era 300 | Bose Portable Smart Speaker |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $220 | $80 | $49 | $99 | $479 | $399 |
| Voice assistants | Amazon Alexa/Alexa Plus | Amazon Alexa/Alexa Plus | Google Assistant | Apple Siri | Amazon Alexa, Sonos Voice | Built-in mic for voice assistant linking |
| Internal speakers | 1x 3.75" high excursion woofer, 3x full-range drivers | 1.7-inch front-firing speaker | 40mm driver | Full-range driver, dual passive radiators | Six class-D drivers, four tweeters, two woofers | Dynamic driver -- Bose keeps the details under wraps |
| Wireless | No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Connections | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Matter/Thread | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Matter | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Matter | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Thread, P2P | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, AirPlay, USB-C, Sonos Arc/Beam | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, AirPlay, Spotify Connect |
| Review score | Ongoing | Ongoing | 8.2/10 | 4.1/5 | 4/5 | N/A |
The grass isn't always greener on the other side.
John Carlsen/CNETThe smart speakers above are our current favorites, but you still have other options if you're looking for something specific in audio performance. Read our breakdown of Alexa versus Google Assistant versus Siri if you'd like to learn the pros and cons of each and decide on a smart home device based on its platform as well. Options that didn't make this list include:
Apple HomePod: I really like the HomePod's sound, which is possibly the best in the business, but it's simply too expensive for the average budget at over $250 to $300 -- which is why Apple released a mini version. The smaller HomePod doesn't have quite the same incredible sound, but it's a whole lot more affordable, which is why it ended up on the list.
Echo Dot 4: I really like this Echo Dot and use it in my house, but it's starting to become an older model and I'm not sure how much longer Amazon is going to sell it with new models like the Echo Dot Max now exist.
Echo Show 11: This smart display offers surprisingly good sound with its updated design, but it's more focused on the 11-inch screen, which is why it ended up on my picks for best smart displays instead.
Sonos Era 100: The Sonor Era 100 has incredible sound for its $199 price, but if you really want an elite model, why not go all the way and get the better Sonos Era 300? I chose the highest-end Sonos option for this list if your budget isn't a problem, but the 100 is still an option for those who like Sonos features but want a lower cost.
Bose SoundLink Home: Bose's home speaker sounds great but the "Home" moniker is a bit misleading. This is a portable Bluetooth speaker that doesn't have any smart capabilities and can't even link with the Bose app, so it's a thumbs down for this list.
Wiim Pro: The Wiim Pro is an interesting smart speaker receiver if you already have speakers you like and want to give Alexa/Google/Siri capabilities, but it's not actually a smart speaker itself, so it didn't make this list. I'm also waiting on the Wiim Sound -- due out later this year -- which is its own standalone smart speaker and could win a spot if it tests well.
Google Nest Audio: The Google Nest Audio is Nest's latest larger smart speaker attempt. There's nothing wrong with it, especially with its $100 price tag, but I liked the design and sound of other larger smart speakers if you want to go big. For Nest fans, it's still a viable option. Ultimately, I chose the smaller Nest Mini as a great desk side companion.
Denon Home 150: I chose the more versatile Sonos over the A/V-friendly Denon brand for this list. However, if your home entertainment system uses Denon products and you're very happy with them, it's well worth investigating this $199 smart speaker from the same maker.
If you’re still shopping, let’s review some of the most important factors for choosing a smart speaker.
Price
Smart speakers range greatly in price, so consider your budget before deciding. Generally, the better the audio the more expensive the speaker, and our Sonos Era pick is a great example. But you can get tons of smart features for under $50 if audio isn’t a priority. Smart speakers are often on sale, too.
Preferred voice assistant
Do you use Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri the most? Or do you not really care? Find a speaker that supports the voice assistant you like. And if you have a smart home, check to see what platforms your smart devices support. You can control things like smart plugs and smart lights with speaker commands, or connect features like temperature sensing to compatible thermostats (like the Amazon Thermostat and the Echo Dot 5).
Size of room
If you want a smart speaker for a small space, like a desk where you work, a garage bench, a reading nook or a small bedroom space, then the size of the speaker doesn’t really matter. But if you want to fill a large living room, open-floor plan or high-ceiling kitchen, you’ll want a larger speaker noted for 360-degree or room-filling sound.
Entertainment system connections
Smart speakers often pair well with entertainment systems -- check out our best soundbars to learn even more. If that’s an important feature to you, check if the speaker can pair with your current speaker system, your smart TV, your computer or other tech you use for entertainment. It’s not quite surround sound, but it can get you an added dimension of sound or broadcast sound into other rooms.
Portability
Most smart speakers are wired. However, some can be mounted, and some like Echos have third-party battery add-ons to make them portable. Consider if you’ll be moving the speaker around.
Linking speakers
Many smart speakers have the ability to link together if you get two of them, allowing for bigger sound, multi-room sound and other tricks. If that’s a goal, look for speakers that link easily (most on our list can do it).
From left to right: The $50 Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen), $40 Amazon Echo Pop and the $50 Google Nest Mini.
Ty Pendlebury/CNETI've spent over 100 hours testing a dozen different smart speakers in all kinds of situations, and I'm not the only expert at CNET who's doing it. But how does that work, exactly? We take smart speakers through several different important tests, including:
Setup and controls
Smart speakers should be easy to plug in and connect with an app for a straightforward setup. The most complicated part should be entering your Wi-Fi password and then deciding on a few preferences.
This is the time where we test the size, weight and overall design of the speaker, seeing how it looks and how it fits in our spaces. Controls are especially important, since they should be easy to understand and use, with options for power, volume and muting at a minimum. Apple's HomePods, for example, have beautiful glowing touch controls, but some prefer more grounded buttons.
Two Echo Dots -- including Dot with Clocks -- can be linked on the Alexa app to make a stereo pair.
Chris Monroe/CNETAudio quality and voice assistant accuracy
Sounds and mic pickup are two of the most important aspects of smart speakers. So we connect our Bluetooth and streaming services over Wi-Fi and experiment with both modes to see how everything sounds. We test both at a few feet away, and 30 feet away to mimic an across-the-room experience. We also test the call-making abilities if smart speakers let you dial a friend, evaluate how well reminders work and try out other key features.
App interface
We consider how easy smart speaker apps are to use, whether it's a common platform like Alexa or a unique app like the Sonos app. We look for intuitive menus and easy access to features like connecting other apps to the speaker, making calls, enabling privacy features and other various tricks.
Third-party connections and smart home
Digging a little deeper, we connect smart speakers to compatible devices like smart plugs and smart lights, and see how easy it is to control them with voice commands, as well as how many third-party devices support this kind of control. If smart speakers can pair with each other or entertainment systems, we also give this a try and see if there are any latency issues, dropped connections or other problems.
Hear every play call by linking your kitchen smart speaker to your TV.
Plus ACCFirst think about how you use voice assistants and where. If you’re setting timers, asking about measurements or listening to tunes while you cook, the kitchen is an obvious spot. Setting wake up alarms and getting weather reports? Consider your bedroom. Putting on music for a party or ambience? A central location on counter or shelf is a good bet. And if you’re setting reminders, asking questions or making calls, a spot beside your computer may be best.
The $299 HomePod Gen 2 in black and white.
Candice Greene/CNETWinter 2025: Amazon's latest Echo speaker snagged a top spot on the list, and I replaced the older Echo Dot with the newer Echo Spot model that occupies a similar role in the home. I’m eagerly looking forward to testing Google Home’s upcoming smart speaker, set to release in 2026.
I went back and forth on whether to choose the HomePod 2nd-gen or HomePod mini for the current list, but ultimately landed on the more affordable HomePod mini. Buyers with bigger budgets shouldn't dismiss the larger HomePod; I certainly enjoyed testing it. Apple may have other HomePod surprises for us this year, too.
Yes, as long as you can pair two speakers together. Nearly every Amazon Echo smart speaker can stereo pair with another Echo speaker. The list is quite long, so take a look at Amazon's
All of Google's smart speakers can be stereo-paired, as long as they're identical models. Google's Nest Audio speaker is the best bet for stereo pairing, and a two-pack of these speakers often provides a discount off the $99-per-speaker MSRP.
You'll be able to set up the speakers in your Google Home app and tell Google which speaker is right and which is left. Bass and treble settings are also adjustable from the Home app.
Apple's HomePod and HomePod Mini can be paired with identical speakers for left- and right-channel stereo listening. You can also pair your HomePods with your Apple TV for surround sound theater. The smaller speakers won't blow you away, but it's a nice extra feature.
If building out a stellar home theater system is your biggest smart speaker priority, Sonos offers the best audio quality, in our opinion. Two Sonos speakers (of the same model) can be stereo-paired, or you could trade up for its excellent selection of smart soundbars (Beam or Arc) or general soundbars.
Generally, we rate Google as having the best internet-related answers along with smooth scheduling options. Google also has the big advantage of switching to the more conversational Gemini AI, while Alexa and Siri's big AI updates have been significantly delayed.
Otherwise, Alexa performs very well with smart home control questions and basic tasks, but can be a bit lost when it comes to specific internet questions.
Siri, on the other hand, is very fast and excels at friendly, useful responses (like questions about the weather, etc.), but doesn't always have the same access to data as the other voice assistants. Ultimately, it's about what you prefer the most.
For fun, here's our deep dive into each assistant's "personality."
In our testing of Apple, Amazon and Google smart speakers, we found the Amazon Echo Studio offers the most when it comes to sheer volume. The Sonos Era 300 is close behind with powerful sound, and it’s currently our top pick for best sound quality in large rooms -- especially if you plan to use it in a stereo pair or as part of a home theater setup.
Amazon smart speakers can play music from free or paid subscription tiers on Pandora, Spotify and other popular music streaming platforms. In addition, if you have an Amazon Prime account, you can play music from the vast Prime Music catalog without additional fees.
Google smart speakers have similar music streaming options, but while Amazon requires a paid Prime subscription for ad-free listening via Prime Music, Google favors YouTube Music, and occasionally offers free tiers to use it on Nest devices.
No, you do not need Amazon Prime to use an Echo speaker. However, you do need an Amazon account when using the Alexa app. When Alexa Plus is released, you'll need a Prime subscription or a separate subscription fee to use that advanced version.
Yes, smart speakers depend on internet connectivity for most of their functionality.
