Looking to add a smart speaker to your house? Here’s which to choose, whether you’re an Alexa, Siri, or Google fan.
Like the Google smart display above, the Echo Show 11 has a camera for video calls. It also has a physical camera cover you can switch over the lens to confidently know that you are disabling it. To use the digital photo frame, you can upload your own images, but the process is a pain, and the crops are terrible. I typically use Amazon’s own image collections as my screensaver for a prettier result.
The Echo also has ads, which is a big downside compared to the Google Nest Hubs, and it also annoyingly serves content on its ever-moving slideshow that feels disruptive rather than informative. You’ll get tons of slides about news and sports, recipe suggestions, suggestions on how to use Alexa, and ads interspersed as well. The only way to disable them is to toggle off each individually or flip on Photo Frame mode. But even that only lasts a few hours, so I have to toggle it on repeatedly. I typically turn on Amazon’s premade photo collections, and my favorite setting uses seasonal photos.
| Supported voice assistant(s) | Amazon Alexa, Alexa+ |
| Dimensions | 5 x 7.2 x 10 inches |
| Speaker array | Two full-range drivers and a 2.8-inch woofer |
| Microphone array | Five microphones |
| Audio options | Compatible with Bluetooth and services like Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, and SiriusXM. |
| Extra features | 11-inch touchscreen; 13 MP camera with a cover and auto-framing |
| Warranty/return policy | Limited one-year warranty, extended warranty available for purchase; 30-day returns |
Comparing Our Favorite Smart Speakers
| Model | Supported Voice Assistant(s) | Dimensions (H x W x D) | Speaker Array | Microphone Array | Audio Options | Extra Features | Warranty / Return Policy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Echo Dot Max | Amazon Alexa, Alexa+ | 4.3 x 4.3 x 3.9 inches | One 0.8-inch tweeter and one 2.5-inch woofer | Four microphones | Compatible with Bluetooth and services like Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, and SiriusXM. Capable of lossless high definition. | Has a built-in smart home hub and tap controls | Limited one-year warranty, extended warranty available for purchase; 30-day returns |
| Google Nest Audio | Gemini for Home, Gemini Live (with subscription) | 6.89 x 4.89 x 3.07 inches | 75 mm woofer and 19 mm tweeter | Three far-field microphones | Compatible with Bluetooth and Chromecast, and services including Apple Music, Pandora, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and more | Can sync with another Nest speaker for a stereo pair | Limited one-year warranty, returns with 15 days of receiving product |
| Apple HomePod Mini | Siri | 3.3 x 3.9 inches | Full-range driver and dual passive radiators | Four microphones | Compatible with Bluetooth and AirPlay, and services including Apple Music, iCloud libraries, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, and Audacy, and other third-party services | Touch controls, built-in smart home hub | Limited one-year warranty |
| Google Nest Hub Max | Gemini for Home, Gemini Live (with subscription) | 7.2 x 9.9 x 4 inches | Two 18mm 10W tweeters and a 75mm 30W woofer | Far-field microphones | Compatible with Bluetooth and Chromecast, and services including Apple Music, Pandora, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and more | 10-inch touchscreen; 6.5-megapixel camera with 127-degree wide field of view and auto-framing; Quick Gestures recognition with camera; doubles as digital photo frame | Limited one-year warranty, returns with 15 days of receiving product |
| Amazon Echo Show 11 | Amazon Alexa, Alexa+ | 5 x 7.2 x 10 inches | Two full-range drivers and 2.8-inch woofer | Five microphones | Compatible with Bluetooth and services like Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, and SiriusXM. | 11-inch touchscreen; 13 MP camera with a cover and auto-framing | Limited one-year warranty, extended warranty available for purchase; 30-day returns |
Honorable Mentions
-SOURCE-Nena-Farrell.jpg)
Photograph: Nena Farrell
There are tons of smart speakers available for purchase. Here are a few more that I like:
