6 Best Smart Speakers, According to Our Testing

When we test smart speakers, we evaluate ease of use and performance both in our Labs and with consumer testers at home, using the following criteria:

✔️ Ease of use: We set up each smart speaker and note the number of steps required to do so. We also play music on each speaker and execute different commands, noting how well it works. We also test how easy it is to use the app, voice assistant commands, connect to Spotify and change the volume.

✔️ Accuracy: We check the accuracy of each voice assistant device by asking five specific questions including, "What’s the weather like tomorrow in NYC?" and "What's the square root of 1,156?" The accuracy of each response is then scored (a correct answer receives one point, a similar answer receives half a point and a wrong answer receives no points).

✔️ Sound quality: When testing performance, we assess overall sound quality as well as the sound quality at maximum volume. We play four different songs on each speaker, including rock ("These Days" by the Foo Fighters), piano ("Nocturne en Mi Bémol Majeur, Op. 9 No. 2" by Frederic Chopin), bass-heavy ("The Hills" by The Weeknd) and blues ("Don't Wanna Fight" by Alabama Shakes), then rate each one. We also play a YouTube video over each speaker using Bluetooth and record the frequency registered from three feet away.

We also have consumers test speakers and rate the sound quality. Testers listen to the four songs and are asked to rate the overall sound quality. Speakers are placed behind a thin sheet so testers aren't biased by the brand or look.

✔️ Style: After consumer testers finish scoring the sound quality, they are allowed to look at the speaker to rate it for its appearance. We also measure the total dimensions of each speaker as well as the footprint to ensure listed dimensions are correct.

After all Lab and consumer testing was completed on the 24+ models we tested, the resulting data points (over 1,000!) were tabulated in order to arrive at our final results.

Keep the following factors in mind when looking for the right smart speaker to fit your needs:

✔️ Overall use: When purchasing a smart speaker the first thing you’ll want to do is consider how you’ll be using it. Is this a speaker that will sit in your living room and play music when friends are over? Do you want to be able to take your speaker with you as you travel? Is this a speaker you want in your kitchen so you can ask your voice assistant for measurement conversions, recipes, etc.? The answers to these questions will help determine which features are most important such as great sound quality or portability.

✔️ Size: When considering the overall use, you’ll also want to consider the size. The size is typically a good indicator of how loud each speaker can get. In a larger space, you’ll likely want a bigger speaker but in a smaller space, a smaller speaker may work well.

✔️ Compatibility: It is important to note the compatibility of your speaker when choosing an option. If you have other smart devices in your home, you may want to check the voice assistant compatibility of devices already in your home. Some smart devices don’t support certain voice assistants or streaming services, which can make setup difficult if you’re using two different voice assistants.

✔️ Wi-Fi vs. Bluetooth: Some smart speakers have both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, but for those that only have one or the other you’ll want to consider the pros and cons of each if you’re only choosing one. Setup using Bluetooth is generally much faster and easier but you’ll have to reconnect each time if you go out of range. Wi-Fi setup is more of an initial time commitment but you won’t have the hassle of reconnecting when you return to your speaker.

Smart speakers are used for a variety of tasks. To start, they can be used simply as speakers to play your favorite music from streaming services such as Spotify or Apple Music.

Some smart speakers can also connect with each other to create a full sound system, while portable smart speakers can be used both indoors and outdoors, eliminating the need to buy separate indoor and outdoor speakers. Another advantage of using a smart speaker over a regular speaker is that you can use voice control to change songs or playlists so there's no need to use an app or get up.

In addition to acting as a speaker, most smart speakers can act as a hub for all your smart devices, offering the ability to use voice control with compatible smart home lights, locks and more. Many smart speakers can also set timers, which is especially useful if your hands are full or dirty (a.k.a. you're cooking in the kitchen). They can also read off recipes, the weather, your daily schedule and more. Some can even take or make calls.

If you already own smart devices compatible with Alexa, Siri or Google Assistant you'll likely want to stick with the same brand for your smart speaker to maximize compatibility and available features. Since we've found that all are good at responding to basic queries (like setting timers, sharing the weather and so on), which is the "best" is determined by your needs:

✔️ Siri: This assistant works only with Apple products, so you're limited in your selection from the get-go. It's a more closed ecosystem, so app integration is also more limited in terms of music and entertainment partners. That said, if you have an iPhone, you're likely already used to having Siri support your requests. In the car, Siri is well integrated with Apple CarPlay, too.

✔️ Alexa: This is integrated into a variety of speakers from a wide number of brands, so you get a lot of options when it comes to selecting a smart speaker. Plus, the capabilities are compatible with a host of other smart home products, which makes it easy to make your home "smarter." If you're a dedicated Amazon shopper, it's easy to use Alexa to add things to your cart and have them delivered to your door (maybe too easy!). Alexa has a solid variety of music and entertainment partners, as well.

✔️ Google Assistant: This dynamic assistant is great for search-related queries and adding appointments to your Google calendar. For those with Android or Google-specific devices, it will seamlessly integrate with your mobile functionality.

For speakers such as some made by Sonos, Bose and others that can be used with multiple voice assistants, check to make sure it's compatible with the devices you want to use it with — and keep in mind that even though they work with multiple voice assistants, they may not work with all of them or all streaming services. Be sure to check each manufacturer's website for a list of compatible devices; most big brands have a long list of locks, light bulbs, garage door openers and more that can be used with their products.

When interacting with any voice assistant, clarity and annunciation are important for optimal performance. You'll also want to make sure you're framing your command in the same way you would frame a Google search (since your device is essentially "Googling" whatever question you ask it). No voice assistant is perfect, so patience is key — try reframing your command if your assistant gets it wrong the first time.

Smart speakers have many advantages but, like all products, they can come with some downsides:

❌ Sound quality: Many of the smart speakers we tested have decent to great sound quality, however if you're looking for the absolute best sound quality, you'll want to stick to speakers dedicated solely to sound.

❌ Compatibility: Most smart speakers are only compatible with certain devices, so if you have a mix of smart home devices you may not be able to use your smart speaker as a hub to control everything. Also, if you decide to change your smart home set-up down the line, you may find your smart speaker is no longer useful.

❌ Privacy and security: As with most internet-connected devices, there is a potential threat of hacking and privacy concerns over whether a smart speaker is eavesdropping. While nothing is 100% secure, there are some steps you can take to minimize these concerns if you're worried. To help prevent potential hacking threats, make sure your Wi-Fi network is secure and enable two-factor authentication where applicable such as making purchases. Also, don't share personal information like passwords, credit cards or social security numbers. If eavesdropping is a concern, many smart speakers have a mute option that turns the microphone off.

This article was written by Jamie Kim, a consumer product expert with almost two decades of experience. She regularly contributes her product expertise to Good Housekeeping as well as other major publications. She holds a degree in mechanical engineering.

As for testing, Alec Scherma was integral to the process. As the Good Housekeeping Institute’s test engineer, he creates and implements new product testing methodology for GH across multiple categories, including smart speakers. He graduated from Drexel University’s College of Engineering with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. Media & Tech Reviews Analyst Olivia Lipski also tested a number of these speakers. She has written about and tested many tech and smart home products for GH, including outdoor speakers, wireless earbuds and noise-canceling headphones.