Amazon, Google, and Apple are all makers of quality smart speakers, and the rivalry between them is a dream come true for potential buyers since they will be spoilt for options. To help you with these options, see our list of 5 Best Smart Speakers:
1. Amazon Echo Dot (3rd gen):
Picking the best smart speaker is difficult nowadays, but if you need something close, the Amazon Echo Dot (3rd gen) stands out.
Must Read: 5 Ways Your Amazon Echo Can Help Keep You Healthy
Amazon’s voice assistant is definitely better than Google Assistant and Apple’s Siri. This speaker appears and sounds better than ancient versions at the same price. It provides lots of features that will dazzle you.
2. Sonos One:
This speaker lets you pair 2 units to play Stereo sound or multiroom audio, but even one sounds amazing. It is not as costly as its competitors but the sound quality you get here is better than several other speakers you will find out there.
Must Read: How To Set Up Google Assistant On Your Sonos Speaker
Sonos One is home to Alexa and Google Assistant, you just have to select which one you would prefer to use for your voice commands during setup.
3. Google Nest Mini:
Amazon used to be king of the smart speaker world, however, Google is no longer lagging behind. Right now, choosing between the Amazon Echo Dot or the Google Nest Mini is very confusing because they both provide massive smart speaker service.
Must Read: How To Set Up Google Home Devices As A Single Stereo Speaker Output
Google Assistant is now almost as good as Alexa and this makes it a brilliant alternative to the Amazon Echo Dot for potential owners.
4. Amazon Echo Plus (2nd gen):
Making up your mind on which assistant you need at the center of your smart home could be difficult. Alexa and Google Assistant work with several devices and they both help you to organize and control them easily.
Must Read: How To Update Amazon Echo Device Software: Check For Updates Too
Google Assistant is smarter but Alexa works with more smart home devices and makes setup with voice commands simpler. For this reason, the Echo Plus is a great choice, and it comes with Alexa to send alerts if your smart speaker detects smoke or glass breaking.
5. Apple HomePod:
This one from Siri adapts its sound to the room you’re in and its music sounds amazing for all kinds of songs. With Siri, it can also be used to control your smart home products with the sound of your voice. Owners can even receive phone calls on their iPhone devices with it.
More Information On Smart Speaker:
A smart speaker is a type of speaker and voice command device with an integrated virtual assistant that offers interactive actions and hands-free activation with the help of one “hot word” (or several “hot words”).
Some smart speakers can also act as a smart device that utilizes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and other protocol standards to extend usage beyond audio playback, such as to control home automation devices.
This can include but is not limited to, features such as compatibility across a number of services and platforms, peer-to-peer connection through mesh networking, virtual assistants, and others.
Each can have its own designated interface and features in-house, usually launched or controlled via application or home automation software. Some smart speakers also include a screen to show the user a visual response.
A smart speaker with a touchscreen is known as a smart display. It is a smart Bluetooth device that integrates a conversational user interface with display screens to augment voice interaction with images and video.
They are powered by one of the common voice assistants and offer controls for smart home devices, feature streaming apps, and web browsers with touch controls for selecting content. The first smart displays were introduced in 2017 by Amazon (Amazon Echo Show, Amazon Echo Spot).
The built-in microphone in smart speakers is continuously listening for “hot words” followed by a command. However, these continuously listening microphones also raise privacy concerns among users.
These include what is being recorded, how the data will be used, how it will be protected, and whether it will be used for invasive advertising.
Further, an analysis of Amazon Alexa Echo Dots showed that 30–38% of “spurious audio recordings were human conversations”, suggesting that these devices capture audio outside of strictly after hot word detection.
There you have it – a comprehensive list of best Smart speakers. If you have any personal favorite or other recommendations, feel free to drop them in the comment section below.