However, plenty of third-party brands like Sonos, Pure and Marshall make excellent options while Apple fans are likely to want a HomePod, which runs on Siri. You can see the list of the top 10 smart speakers we’ve tested below along with a buying guide below that.
Best smart speakers 2022
What is a smart speaker?
In simple terms, a smart speaker is an audio speaker that you can talk to and interact with as you might already do with your smartphone.
Affordable Compact Good sound
Similar to Gen 1
Existing owners won’t need to upgrade but it’s a great place to start if you’re buying your first smart speaker. The Nest Mini is compact, cute and comes in a range of colours so can neatly sit almost anywhere in the house. Let’s not forget that it’s extremely affordable (and often on offer) and despite being so small, sounds very good with more punch than you’d expect.
HD & 3D audio Good value
Plain design
The Studio doesn’t only do hi-res audio: it also supports so-called 3D audio. Currently, it can play Dolby Atmos and Sony 360 Reality Audio, which can be both music and video soundtracks. Best of all, it’s way cheaper than rivals from Apple and Google.
Great sound Stereo pair possible Solid build quality
Devisive design Degrades at high volume
More importantly, Google has hit the sweet spot here with an affordable price (lower than when the Home first launched) and you can save money when buying pairs. These can be put in different rooms or you can create a stereo pair. The Nest Audio provides excellent build and more importantly, sound quality with impressively rich and warm profile and more power than you’d expect for its compact size. Our main complaint is how the quality degrades at high volumes but you shouldn’t need to pump it that high anyway.
Fun design Powerful processor Smart hub
Still not the best sound
Sound quality is better with improved bass but is still behind the Nest Audio. If you’re already locked into the Alexa ecosystem then get the Echo Studio if you can afford the difference. An important upgrade is an integrated smart hub, meaning you no longer need the Echo Plus. Despite small downsides, the Echo 4 is a great value-for-money option.
High-quality sound Great design & build Google & Alexa
More expensive than rivals
It’s more expensive than many other smart speakers but it’s possibly worth the extra – compared to non-Sonos rivals it offers much better build quality and top-quality sound. The design is stylish with useful touch-sensitive buttons on top and still compact despite the big sound on offer. The additional lure here is how good Sonos is once you have them in multiple rooms around the house. The firm remains the market-leader in multi-room audio.
Impressive audio Compact size
Not as smart as rivals Only compatible with Apple devices
Siri is also getting smarter, with new features like Announce that lets you send voice messages to other HomePods, iPhones and other devices in the home, and it’s better at handling general knowledge requests now, but it’s still a way behind what Google Assistant and Alexa offer. However, you’ll need an iPhone or iPad for setup and an Apple Music or Pandora subscription if you want Siri to handle music playback and it only supports AirPlay for playback from other devices, ruling out support for Android and Windows devices.
Alexa responds quickly Improved bass
Sound quality not the best Light ring easily blocked
For a little extra it’s likely worth getting the model with an integrated clock for bedsides and kitchens as it also shows timers. Either way, you benefit from improved sound quality compared to the 3rd-gen as well as a more powerful processor. It remains the most affordable way of filling your house with Alexa speakers and you can create a stereo pair with two.
Excellent sound Thoughtful IP67 design Lots of smart features Wireless charging
Bluetooth limited to streaming Battery life behind Bluetooth rivals
It’s the smallest and cheapest Sonos speaker to date and packs amazing sound quality into a tiny body that you will barely notice it’s in your bag. Designed to work in multiple orientations, it’s also durable with IP68 waterproofing. Various clever bits of tech are on offer including the ability to swap between Bluetooth and Wi-Fi seamlessly. It supports Alexa and Google but you’ll need to be on Wi-Fi for them to be accessible.
Excellent sound Supremely stylish Bass & treble controls
Heavy No Google Assistant
Alexa can be slightly slow to respond at times, and occasionally unreliable. You’ll have to speak slowly and clearly. While the bass is a boon on the Uxbridge, the middle and upper range don’t sound muddled. In fact, the audio is clear and rich and fills the room, despite the speaker being fairly small. It’s sure to glam up any bookshelf, while also producing equally impressive sound.
Phycial mic shut-off Bluetooth Portable
A little expensive No Google Distortion at high volume
Its key advantage lies in its flexibility, with a choice of three modes of listening depending on your situation. It’s also great if you value privacy, with an option to physically deactivate. It’s held back by a slightly high price and underwhelming set of microphones, but if money is no object you can’t go too far wrong with the DiscovR. We list the best Google Home/Nest devices here.
What should I look for?
There’s also whether the design fits in with your décor. Some come in a set range of colours while others have interchangeable covers. Size, of course, will have an impact on audio quality so if you want to play a lot of music then it will be worth spending a bit more on a bigger model. The Sonos One and Apple HomePod are two options. There’s also the question of whether you have products that play nicely with the smart speaker. If you have a Google Chromecast then it makes sense to get a device with Google Assistant, for example. Find out how we test audio. Tech Advisor’s Reviews Editor, Chris has been reviewing all kinds of tech for over 10 years and specialises in audio. He also covers a range of topics including home entertainment, phones, laptops, tablets and more.
