Best Smart Home Speakers for 2024
By Elisabeth Christ
Updated May 2024
In the ever-evolving world of smart home technology, choosing the right speaker can significantly enhance your daily routines and entertainment experiences. From managing tasks with voice commands to streaming high-quality audio, smart speakers have become a central part of modern homes. This article explores five of the best smart home speakers on the market: Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen), Amazon Echo (4th Gen), Sonos Era 100, Google Nest Audio, and Apple HomePod Mini. Each offers unique features and capabilities, catering to different preferences and needs. Let's dive into what makes each model stand out in the crowded smart speaker landscape.
Best Overall: Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)
✓ 1.73-inch front-firing speaker driver
✓ AZ1 Neural Edge processor integrated with a Dual-core MediaTek MT8515 silicon chip
✓ Bluetooth 4.2 and Wi-Fi 2.4/5GHz support
✓ Compact 3.9 inches in diameter design
Best for Budget: Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
✓ 3.0-inch woofer, dual-firing tweeters, and Dolby processing technology
✓ built-in Zigbee smart home hub
✓ AZ1 Neural Edge processor
✓ Low Power Mode available to reduce energy consumption
Best for Audiophiles: Sonos Era 100
✓ 24-bit resolution with 48 kHz sample rate audio playback support
✓ Beamforming technology for focusing audio capture on the source of sound
✓ Trueplay tuning technology capability
✓ WiFi 802.11b/g/n/ac, Apple AirPlay 2, and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity
Best for Google Assistant Integration: Google Nest Audio
✓ 75mm woofer and 19mm tweeter which deliver rich, full sound
✓ Google voice recognition technology capability
✓ Seamless integration with smart home devices
✓ Made from 70% recycled plastic
Best for Apple Users: Apple HomePod Mini
✓ Compact design with a diameter of just 3.3 inches
✓ Computational audio which analyzes and optimizes sound based on the music and its environment
✓ Seamless integration with Apple Music, Siri, and HomeKit
✓ Energy-efficient design, consuming less power than traditional speakers
#1 Best Overall: Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)
Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)
The Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) represents a subtle yet significant step forward in the evolution of smart home speakers. At its core, the device maintains its compact design, measuring just 3.9 inches in diameter, which makes it an unobtrusive addition to any room. However, the enhancements are not just skin-deep. The 5th Gen model boasts improved audio output, featuring a 1.73-inch front-firing speaker that delivers clearer highs and deeper lows compared to its predecessors. This improvement is particularly noticeable in smaller rooms where acoustics can be challenging.
Additionally, the device integrates seamlessly with Amazon’s Alexa ecosystem, allowing users to control smart home devices, play music, set timers, and access real-time information via voice commands. The introduction of a temperature sensor in this generation adds a practical twist, enabling more nuanced control over smart thermostats and potentially leading to energy savings.
Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)
From a technical standpoint, the Echo Dot (5th Gen) includes notable upgrades that enhance its functionality and user experience. The device supports dual-band Wi-Fi (802.11ac), which is crucial for maintaining stable and fast internet connections, essential for streaming high-quality audio without interruptions.
Furthermore, the inclusion of the AZ1 Neural Edge processor, that's integrated with a Dual-core MediaTek MT8515 silicon chip, not only speeds up Alexa’s response times but also makes the interaction feel more natural and less robotic. Privacy concerns, which have been a sticking point for smart devices, are addressed with multiple layers of privacy protections, including a microphone off button and the ability to delete voice recordings.
Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)
Best Overall
✓ 1.73-inch front-firing speaker driver
✓ AZ1 Neural Edge processor integrated with a Dual-core MediaTek MT8515 silicon chip
✓ Bluetooth 4.2 and Wi-Fi 2.4/5GHz support
✓ Compact 3.9 inches in diameter design
#2 Best for Budget: Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
The Amazon Echo (4th Gen) marks a significant evolution in Amazon's lineup of smart speakers, adopting a new spherical design that sets it apart from its predecessors. At its core, the device is powered by Amazon's proprietary AZ1 Neural Edge processor, which enhances the speed and efficiency of Alexa's responses.
The Echo (4th Gen) boasts a robust sound profile, thanks to its 3.0-inch neodymium woofer, dual-firing tweeters, and Dolby processing that collectively aim to deliver crisp vocals and dynamic bass response. However, while the sound quality is commendable for a speaker of its size and price point, audiophiles might find it lacking compared to more specialized high-end speakers in the market. The device supports a myriad of streaming services, including Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, and others, making it a versatile hub for audio entertainment.
Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
From a technical standpoint, the Echo (4th Gen) integrates seamlessly with a wide range of smart home devices, supporting Zigbee, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and Amazon Sidewalk. This makes it more than just a speaker; it's a central node for home automation, capable of controlling lights, thermostats, and other IoT devices directly via voice commands or through the Alexa app.
The inclusion of multiple layers of privacy protections, such as a microphone off button and the ability to delete your voice recordings, addresses some of the privacy concerns that users might have. Despite its capabilities, the device does not support high-resolution audio formats like those from certain competitors, which might be a drawback for users seeking the highest audio fidelity.
Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
Best for Budget
✓ 3.0-inch woofer, dual-firing tweeters, and Dolby processing technology
✓ built-in Zigbee smart home hub
✓ AZ1 Neural Edge processor
✓ Low Power Mode available to reduce energy consumption
#3 Best for Audiophiles: Sonos Era 100
Sonos Era 100
The Sonos Era 100 emerges as a noteworthy contender in the compact home speaker market, blending Sonos' signature sound quality with smart, adaptable features. At its core, the Era 100 boasts two angled tweeters and a single mid-woofer, a configuration that ensures a wide soundstage and precise audio reproduction across a variety of genres. The speaker supports a frequency response from 50 Hz to 20 kHz, which is quite typical for speakers in this class, but it's the clarity at the higher end of this spectrum that distinguishes the Era 100.
Connectivity is robust, featuring both WiFi and Bluetooth 5.0, allowing for seamless integration into existing home networks and direct streaming from devices. Additionally, the Era 100 is compatible with Apple AirPlay 2 and supports voice commands via multiple platforms, including Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, making it a versatile option for users entrenched in different ecosystems.
Sonos Era 100
From a design perspective, the Sonos Era 100 maintains a minimalist aesthetic, available in matte black or white finishes, which should complement most home decor styles. The dimensions, standing at 7.18 x 4.72 x 5.14 inches, make it compact enough for small spaces yet substantial enough to deliver room-filling sound. The build quality is solid, with a weight of approximately 2.2 kg (4.85 lb), suggesting a well-constructed device that could withstand the rigors of daily use. On the technical side, the inclusion of Trueplay tuning technology, which adapts the speaker’s sound to the acoustics of the room, is a significant plus, particularly for audiophiles looking to optimize audio performance in varied environments.
However, it's worth noting that while the Era 100 offers considerable improvements over its predecessors, such as the Sonos One, it does not dramatically redefine the capabilities of compact smart speakers. The price point, specifically at $249, places it within a competitive market segment, challenging similarly priced offerings from Bose and JBL.
Sonos Era 100
Best for Audiophiles
✓ 24-bit resolution with 48 kHz sample rate audio playback support
✓ Beamforming technology for focusing audio capture on the source of sound
✓ Trueplay tuning technology capability
✓ WiFi 802.11b/g/n/ac, Apple AirPlay 2, and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity
#4 Best for Google Assistant Integration: Google Nest Audio
Google Nest Audio
The Google Nest Audio, a successor to the Google Home, positions itself as a mid-range smart speaker that aims to blend into the everyday life of its user with more than just its minimalist design. At approximately 6.89 inches tall and weighing around 1.2 kg (2.65 lb), the device is built with a sustainable fabric cover and houses a 75mm woofer along with a 19mm tweeter, a setup that promises an improvement in sound quality compared to its predecessors. The technical specs reveal a quad-core A53 1.8 GHz processor clocked at 1.8 GHz which facilitates Google Assistant responses and connectivity features.
Despite its robust build, the Nest Audio supports only 802.11b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi and lacks the newer ax standard, which might be a drawback for users with cutting-edge home internet setups. Additionally, its performance in multi-room audio setups is commendable, though it faces stiff competition from other brands in terms of synchronization and range.
Google Nest Audio
From a sound perspective, the Google Nest Audio offers clarity and richness that is noticeable, especially in mid-range frequencies, making it suitable for genres like jazz and vocal-heavy tracks. The adaptive sound technology, which adjusts the audio output based on the environment, is a subtle yet impactful feature, although its effectiveness can vary depending on the room's acoustics. The device integrates seamlessly with most Google services and smart home devices, which is a plus for users already invested in the Google ecosystem. However, the absence of a 3.5mm jack and limited Bluetooth codec support might deter audiophiles looking for more connectivity options.
In terms of privacy, Google asserts that the Nest Audio is designed with multiple layers of security to protect user data, but the always-on nature of the device could still raise concerns among privacy-conscious users. Overall, the Google Nest Audio stands as a competent smart speaker that offers a balanced mix of sound quality and smart features, though it may not completely satisfy users seeking the cutting edge in technology or audiophile-grade sound.
Google Nest Audio
Best for Google Assistant Integration
✓ 75mm woofer and 19mm tweeter which deliver rich, full sound
✓ Google voice recognition technology capability
✓ Seamless integration with smart home devices
✓ Made from 70% recycled plastic
#5 Best for Apple Users: Apple HomePod Mini
Apple HomePod Mini
The Apple HomePod Mini, a compact yet powerful device, stands as a testament to Apple's commitment to sound engineering and smart home integration. Measuring 3.3 x 3.9 inches dimensions, this 345 g spherical speaker is equipped with a custom-designed full-range driver and dual passive radiators, which deliver a surprisingly robust sound profile given its diminutive size.
The HomePod Mini utilizes computational audio to optimize sound output for its environment, a feature powered by the Apple S5 chip. This allows the speaker to adjust its performance in real-time, ensuring rich acoustics that are well-balanced across a variety of genres. Despite its advanced technology, the HomePod Mini supports only 802.11n Wi-Fi and not the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard, which might be a drawback for users with newer routers that optimize for the faster standard.
Apple HomePod Mini
On the smart home front, the HomePod Mini integrates seamlessly with Apple's ecosystem, leveraging Siri for voice commands which allows for control of a wide array of HomeKit-compatible devices. The introduction of the U1 chip in the latest models enhances this functionality by enabling ultra-precise location sensing, making handoff features smoother when transferring audio from other Apple devices.
However, its reliance on the Apple ecosystem can be a double-edged sword; non-Apple users will find its functionality limited compared to more agnostic devices like those from Amazon or Google. Additionally, while the intercom feature and multi-room audio are impressive, they require multiple HomePod Minis, which can escalate the investment considerably. Priced at $99, it sits competitively within the market, though its full potential is only unlocked within the confines of Apple's walled garden.
Apple HomePod Mini
Best for Apple Users
✓ Compact design with a diameter of just 3.3 inches
✓ Computational audio which analyzes and optimizes sound based on the music and its environment
✓ Seamless integration with Apple Music, Siri, and HomeKit
✓ Energy-efficient design, consuming less power than traditional speakers
Compare Smart Home Speakers
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right smart home speaker largely depends on your existing tech ecosystem and what you value most in a speaker—be it sound quality, design, or smart features. If you're already invested in a particular tech ecosystem, like Amazon's Alexa, Google's Assistant, or Apple's Siri, it might be best to choose a speaker that aligns with your current devices for seamless integration. However, if sound quality is your top priority, the Sonos Era 100 might be the perfect fit. Consider your personal needs and preferences to make the best choice for your smart home.
If you like to read more on smart home speakers, check out our other relevant guides here:
Apple Homepod Mini vs Sonos One (Gen 2)
Sonos One (Gen 2) vs Sonos One SL
Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) vs Google Nest Mini
Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) vs Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
Apple HomePod Mini Review
Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) Review
Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) vs HomePod Mini
Amazon Echo Dot vs Echo Pop
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