Top Picks: Ideal Smart Speakers for Each Aide
Smart speakers are a dime a dozen, but picking the best one gets trickier by the day. Your choice of voice assistant is crucial, and there are three worth considering: Amazon's Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple's Siri. This guide covers our preferred speaker for each assistant, although our recommendations might differ depending on the assistant you prefer.
Google-powered smart speakers are our go-to choice, edging out Amazon's offerings. Google's ecosystem may not have the same variety of speakers, but we adore the Google Nest Audio ($75) for a stellar sound experience, especially for stereo sound and two speakers on a budget. For a smart display, our top pick is the Google Nest Hub Max ($230), delivering impressive visuals and great sound quality. Amazon offers the Echo Dot (5th Gen) ($50) as our favorite budget smart speaker and excels in making smaller speakers with fantastic sound.
So, hop aboard and discover the best smart speakers that market has to offer. For more recommendations tailored to your preferences, check out our guides for the Best Alexa Speakers, Best Google Speakers, Best Smart Displays, Best Bluetooth Speakers, Best Soundbars, and Best Sonos Speakers.
Updated June 2025: We've reorganized this guide and its picks.
Our Favorite Smart Speaker - Google Nest Audio ($75)
Google Assistant is our go-to smart speaker and helper of choice. The Google Nest Audio, our top pick, boasts a pillow-like shape and outstanding sound perfect for small to medium-sized rooms. It's even better when used as a stereo pair for impressive audio quality at an affordable $200 price point.
The Nest Audio can handle regular tasks like setting timers, playing music, and answering queries, like You'd search on Google. It also effortlessly integrates with other Google-friendly smart devices via the Google Home app. Google's ecosystem is user-friendly, seamlessly integrating with various products, both from Google and other manufacturers.
Best Smart Display - Google Nest Hub Max ($230)
A smart display offers the best of both worlds: voice control or a simple tap. Our favorite smart display is the Nest Hub Max, which doubles as a stylish digital photo frame. It excels in displaying photos from Google Photos, but it's easy to create and add albums for non-Google Photos users, too.
The Hub Max boasts easy smart home control, allowing you to adjust lights and see your doorbell feed right on the device. It has a built-in hub, making it compatible with Matter over Thread and Wi-Fi, and it delivers surprising sound quality for its size, especially for casual use in the kitchen or for setting ambiance during game nights.
Best Budget Smart Speaker - Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) ($50)
This tiny speaker from Amazon is our favorite low-cost offering. The fifth-generation Echo Dot provides excellent sound quality for such a small speaker. Its compact form makes it perfect for use in offices, dorm rooms, or even bathrooms for listening to tunes in the shower. We also love the Dot With Clock ($54) version, featuring a digital clock, although availability has been scarce this year.
Read our Best Alexa Speakers, Best Google Speakers, and Best Smart Displays guides for more detailed recommendations. Whether you're after Bluetooth speakers, soundbars, or Sonos speakers, our guides have got you covered.
- In addition to smart speakers, this guide also recommends checking out the Best Bluetooth Speakers, Best Soundbars, and Best Sonos Speakers for a variety of audio needs.
- For a budget-friendly AI-powered smart gadget, the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) ($50) offers impressive sound quality considering its size, making it suitable for various spaces such as offices, dorm rooms, or even bathrooms.
- If you're in search of an AI-enabled smart-home device that delivers both visuals and exemplary sound quality, the Google Nest Hub Max ($230) is an excellent smart display choice, boasting a stylish design and functionality as a digital photo frame.
