If you’re like most people, you’re probably always looking for ways to make your life easier. One great way to do that is by upgrading your home setup with some new technology! A great way to do that is by adding a smart speaker to your arsenal. In this article, we will discuss the different types of smart speakers on the market, and help you choose the one that’s best for you. We’ll also give you a guide to setting up and using your virtual assistant!
There are a lot of smart speakers to select from, which might be intimidating at first. That’s why we’ve put up this smart speaker guide: we’ve evaluated the audio quality, design, and voice-assistant abilities of all the top options. Let’s see which smart speaker is rated highest right now.
Best for smart device control – Amazon Echo:
The latest Amazon Echo is a complete reinvention of the company’s flagship smart speaker. The new form is just one aspect of it: there’s actually better sound quality, a built-in smart home hub, and an improved neural edge processor that cuts response time for Alexa. So this is a significant step forward for Amazon’s voice assistant.
It isn’t flawless. When we put the Echo to the test, we felt it could be a bit louder, especially compared to other larger rivals such as the Apple HomePod and Google Home Max; Amazon does offer a considerably noisier Echo, the Echo Studio. Because Amazon likes to do things its own way, you can’t use Google Cast to send audio from your phone or add your Echo to an Apple HomeKit network – although many HomeKit devices are Alexa-enabled.
Best sound & build quality – Sonos One:
The best-sounding speaker on this list is the Sonos One, which offers rich and detailed audio in a package just slightly larger than an Amazon Echo. The speaker also features touch controls on top, allowing you to play, pause, and skip tracks without using your voice. You can also link it up with other Sonos speakers to create a whole-home audio system.
However, the One isn’t perfect. It’s one of the more expensive smart speakers on this list; but, it does work with AirPlay 2 – so you can add it to a network with HomePods and other Apple devices.
Best value – Google Nest Mini:
The new Google Nest Mini is the company’s smallest and cheapest smart speaker yet, offering much of the same functionality as the full-sized Google Home for a fraction of the price. The design is unassuming and understated, with a fabric covering that comes in four different colors.
The sound quality is decent for such a small speaker, and you can link multiple Nest Minis together to create a stereo system or use them as surround sound speakers for your TV. The Google Assistant is also on hand to answer your questions, control your smart home devices, and play music from popular streaming services.
The main drawback of the Nest Mini is its lack of a built-in battery, so you’ll need to place it near a power outlet. It also doesn’t have a line-out like the Echo Dot, so you can’t connect it directly to a speaker system.
Best for Apple users – Apple HomePod Mini:
If you’re an iPhone user and want Siri control of your smart speaker, then the Apple HomePod mini is the one for you. The latest version of Apple’s smart speaker is smaller and cheaper than the original HomePod, making it more affordable to add to multiple rooms in your home.
The sound quality is impressive for such a small speaker, with rich bass and clear mids and highs. And, like the Echo Dot, the HomePod mini has a line-out port, so you can connect it directly to a speaker system.
The biggest downside of the HomePod mini is its lack of compatibility with devices outside of the Apple ecosystem. So, if you don’t have an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you won’t be able to set up or use the speaker.
So, which of these smart speakers is the best for you? If you’re looking for a speaker with great sound quality and that can be controlled with your voice, the Sonos One or Amazon Echo are good options. If you’re an iPhone user and want a Siri-enabled speaker, then the Apple HomePod mini is the one to go for. And if you’re on a budget, the Google Nest Mini offers good value for money.
Leave a Comment