Best Speakers With a Voice Assistant 2026

Editor's top picks

Start with these speakers

Our leading recommendations at a glance. Each card links to its primary retailer.

Best Overall, Google and Alexa Ecosystem JBL Authentics 500 4.1 $749.95 each See the full review →

Best Google Assistant Speaker Google Home Speaker 3 $99.99 each See the full review →

Best Alexa Speaker Brane X 4.6 $549.00 See the full review →

Best Apple/Siri Speaker Apple HomePod 2nd Gen 4 $297.71 each See the full review →

Best Overall, Google and Alexa Ecosystem Sonos Move 2 4.1 $480.00 See the full review →

Looking for a speaker you can talk to? A real voice assistant means a microphone array on the speaker itself, not just Bluetooth from a phone that happens to have one. Almost every speaker here locks you into one ecosystem, Google’s, Amazon’s or Apple’s, so the practical question is usually “which assistant do I already use,” not “which speaker sounds best in the abstract.” The picks below are split by ecosystem for that reason, with a separate section for speakers that work with more than one. Most are mains-powered desktop speakers, but a growing number of genuinely portable, battery-powered models qualify too and are called out as such.

Want every match, not just the top pick per category? See every speaker with a built-in voice assistant →

Prices on this page were last checked October 12, 2026 at 4:13 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.

Best Overall, Google and Alexa Ecosystem

For the highest-rated voice assistant speaker here that runs Alexa and Google Assistant at the same time, the JBL Authentics 500: $749.95 each Amazon $749.95 eBay

Same family: the JBL Authentics 200 (smaller model, rated 3.7/5) and the JBL Authentics 300 (smaller model, rated 3.5/5).

Pros: JBL Authentics 500 uses 6.5” (down-firing subwoofer), 3x 2.75” midranges, 3x 1” (25mm aluminum dome) tweeters. Its 7.8 kg, aux input and stereo playback make it a practical option for its intended room or portable use.

Cons: Its 40Hz to 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified) specification points to limited deep-bass reach for the cabinet size.

Featured on:

Wi-Fi & Streaming

Full JBL Authentics 500 review and specifications →

Released	Sep 2023 (3 years ago)
AES Input	No
Amplifier Power	270W (Max @ THD 1%)
App	Yes
Aux Input	Yes
Battery Life	No Battery
Bluetooth	Yes
Bluetooth Codecs	SBC
Bluetooth Version	5.3
Coaxial Input	No
Configuration	3.1 channel
Dimensions	17.6” x 9.4” x 10.1” (447 x 240 x 255.7 mm)
Dolby Atmos	Yes (virtual)
Drivers	6.5” (down-firing subwoofer), 3x 2.75” midranges, 3x 1” (25mm aluminum dome) tweeters
EQ	Yes
Ethernet	Yes
Frequency Response	40Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified)
HDMI Input	No
IP Rating	None
Inputs	USB-C (USB playback, US only)
Optical Input	No
Party Mode	Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room)
Power Input	100 - 240V AC, ~ 50/60Hz
RCA Input	No
Stereo	Yes
Streaming Services	AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Alexa MRM
TRS Input	No
USB Input	Yes
Voice Assistants	Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous)
Weight	17.2 lbs (7.8 kg)
Wi-Fi	Yes (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, 2.4GHz/5GHz)
XLR Input	No

Check current price at Amazon ($749.95) →Search eBay for JBL Authentics 500 →

It supports Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant simultaneously rather than forcing a choice, so it works whichever smart home you already have. It’s also the best-reviewed speaker on this page, with a down-firing subwoofer for real low end and a measured output that holds up at volume.

Bass doesn’t reach as deep as the largest passive or powered speakers on this site, and it has no IP rating, TWS pairing or long battery life, so it’s a mains-powered speaker, not a portable one.

A portable that switches between Alexa and Google instead of running both at once: the Sonos Move 2: $480.00 Amazon $480.00 eBay

Older model: the Sonos Move (ranked lower, rated 4.1/5). See every Sonos Move generation.

Pros: Warm sounding with somewhat rolled off treble. Slightly better midrange clarity than the Sonos Move.

Cons: Not very loud. It may share the Sonos Move’s full-volume issues, though more sound samples at full volume are needed to confirm that.

Featured on:

Best Brands

Full Sonos Move 2 review and specifications →

Released	Sep 2023 (3 years ago)
App	No
Aux Input	Yes
Battery Life	24 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth	Yes
Bluetooth Codecs	SBC
Bluetooth Version	5.0
Built-in Microphone	Yes
Digital Aux Input	No
Dimensions	9.5” x 6.3” x 5” (242 x 160 x 126 mm)
Drivers	mid-woofer, 2x angled tweeters
EQ	No
IP Rating	IP56
Omnidirectional	No
Party Mode	No
Power Bank	Yes (USB-C)
Power Input	USB-C
Stereo	Yes
Strap	No
TWS	Yes
Voice Assistants	Amazon Alexa (Sonos Voice Control also built in)
Weight	6.6 lbs (3 kg)
Wi-Fi	Yes

Check current price at Amazon ($480.00) →Search eBay for Sonos Move 2 →

Links
- Official Sonos Move 2 Product Page
Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Smart Home Sounds: Sonos Move 1 Vs Move 2: What’s The Difference? More from Smart Home Sounds →
Head-to-Head Comparisons

For a smaller footprint in the same dual-assistant line: the JBL Authentics 200: $379.95 each Amazon $379.95 eBay

Same family: the JBL Authentics 300 (larger model, rated 3.5/5) and the JBL Authentics 500 (larger model, rated 4.1/5).

Pros: Wi-Fi streaming with simultaneous Alexa and Google Assistant support, rare at this size. Well balanced sound that reviewers rate close to the pricier JBL Authentics 300. Measured about 113dB at 1kHz on max volume, matching the bigger 300 despite the smaller cabinet. Measured bass extension of ~50Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Bass not as deep as others. No TWS. No IP rating. Not as loud as others. Not much battery life.

Full JBL Authentics 200 review and specifications →

Released	Sep 2023 (3 years ago)
AES Input	No
Amplifier Power	90W
App	Yes
Aux Input	Yes
Bass Extension (-10dB)	~50Hz
Battery Life	No Battery
Bluetooth	Yes
Bluetooth Codecs	SBC
Bluetooth Version	5.3
Coaxial Input	No
Dimensions	10.5” x 6.8” x 6.6” (266.3 x 171.7 x 167.4 mm)
Drivers	5” full-range woofer, 2x 25mm tweeters; 6-inch down-firing passive radiator; 6-inch down-firing passive radiator; 6-inch down-firing passive radiator; 6-inch down-firing passive radiator
EQ	Yes
Frequency Response	50Hz - 20kHz (-6dB) (Manufacturer specified)
HDMI Input	No
IP Rating	None
Inputs	Bluetooth, Wifi, Aux, USB (US only)
Optical Input	No
Party Mode	Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room)
Power Input	AC Power Cable (100-240V)
RCA Input	No
Stereo	Partially (1 woofer)
Streaming Services	AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa MRM
TRS Input	No
TWS	No
USB Input	Yes
Voice Assistants	Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous)
Weight	9.3 lbs (4.2 kg)
Wi-Fi	Yes (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (2.4GHz/5GHz))
Woofer Cabinet	ported
XLR Input	No

Check current price at Amazon ($379.95) →Search eBay for JBL Authentics 200 →

For a portable boombox with the same dual-assistant trick: the JBL Authentics 300: $499.95 Amazon $499.95 eBay

Same family: the JBL Authentics 200 (smaller model, rated 3.7/5) and the JBL Authentics 500 (larger model, rated 4.1/5).

Pros: Integrates both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant simultaneously (rare for smart speakers). Retro seventies design with leather and Quadrex grille. 100-watt amp, carries well with leather-trimmed handle. Rechargeable battery rated ~8 hours. Measured bass extension of 45Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Narrow sounding, bass not as deep as others. Peaky upper mids. No TWS. No IP rating. Not as loud as others. Not much battery life.

Full JBL Authentics 300 review and specifications →

Released	Sep 2023 (3 years ago)
Amplifier Power	100W
App	Yes
Aux Input	No
Bass Extension (-10dB)	45Hz
Battery Life	8 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth	Yes
Bluetooth Codecs	SBC
Bluetooth Version	5.3
Built-in Microphone	Yes
Digital Aux Input	No
Dimensions	13.5” x 7.7” x 7.1” (342 x 195.6 x 180.3 mm)
Drivers	1” tweeter + 4” woofer + passive radiators
EQ	Yes (App EQ)
IP Rating	None
Maximum SPL	100dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
MicroSD Playback	No
Omnidirectional	No
Party Mode	Yes (Wi-Fi Multi-Room)
Power Bank	No
Power Input	AC Power cable
Stereo	Partially (1 woofer)
Strap	No
TWS	Yes
USB Playback	Yes
Voice Assistants	Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant (simultaneous)
Weight	10.8 lbs (4.9 kg)
Wi-Fi	Yes

Check current price at Amazon ($499.95) →Search eBay for JBL Authentics 300 →

A pocket-sized flexible pick: the Sonos Roam 2: $179.00 Amazon $179.00 eBay

Older model: the Sonos Roam (ranked lower, rated 3.1/5). See every Sonos Roam generation.

Pros: Very neutral. Additional button for pairing instead of being shared with power button. Measured bass extension of 63Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Exact same sound quality as the original Sonos Roam. Bass extension isn’t very good. Not stereo. Gets distorted as you turn up the bass.

Full Sonos Roam 2 review and specifications →

Released	May 2024 (2 years ago)
App	Sonos S2 App
Aux Input	No
Bass Extension (-10dB)	63Hz
Battery Life	10 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth	Yes
Bluetooth Codecs	SBC, AAC
Bluetooth Version	5.2
Built-in Microphone	Yes
Digital Aux Input	No
Dimensions	2.4” x 6.6” x 2.4” (62 x 168 x 60 mm)
Drivers	1x ~45mm racetrack mid-woofer + 1x tweeter + 2x passive radiators
EQ	Yes (via app, limited in Bluetooth mode)
IP Rating	IPX5
Maximum SPL	95dB (Manufacturer specified)
Omnidirectional	No
Power Input	USB-C
Stereo	No
Strap	No
TWS	Yes
Voice Assistants	Amazon Alexa (Sonos Voice Control also built in)
Weight	0.9 lbs (429 g)
Wi-Fi	Yes

Check current price at Amazon ($179.00) →Search eBay for Sonos Roam 2 →

Links
- Official Sonos Roam 2 Product Page
Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- The Product Lab: Sonos Roam 2 (2025) Watch Before You Buy
Head-to-Head Comparisons

Best Google Assistant Speaker

For the highest-rated Google Assistant speaker here, the Google Home Speaker: $99.99 each Amazon $99.99 eBay

Older models: the Google Nest Audio (ranked higher, rated 3.3/5) and the Google Nest Mini 2nd Gen (ranked lower, rated 2.9/5). See every Google Nest and Home Speakers generation.

Pros: Built-in Gemini support makes it a capable smart home hub, with a Thread border router and Matter support, and the compact 107mm sphere fits almost anywhere. Vocals come through clearly on most tracks, which SoundGuys’ side-by-side listening called the one thing this speaker does well.

Cons: This is Google’s current speaker, and reviewers agree it is a downgrade in sound from the discontinued Google Nest Audio it replaces: SoundGuys measured its acoustic hardware directly against the Google Nest Audio and found a single 58mm full-range driver against the Google Nest Audio’s 75mm woofer plus dedicated 19mm tweeter, calling it ‘half the audio hardware for the same sticker price.’ In their listening test there was barely any bass, the sound turned thin and tinny outside the midrange, and pushing the volume up made high notes shrill. There is no aux input or any wired audio connection at all, the single USB-C port is power only, and Bluetooth is limited to the SBC codec with no AAC support. SoundGuys scored it 6.0 of 10 overall, with a Value score of 4.0.

Full Google Home Speaker review and specifications →

Released	Jun 2026 (4 months ago)
AES Input	No
App	Yes (Google Home)
Aux Input	No
Battery Life	No Battery
Bluetooth	Yes
Bluetooth Codecs	SBC
Bluetooth Version	5.4
Built-in Microphone	Yes (3 far-field mics, hardware mute switch)
Coaxial Input	No
Dimensions	3.4” x 4.2” x 4.2” (86.6 x 107 x 107 mm) (H x diameter)
Drivers	58mm full-range driver
EQ	Yes (Bass/Treble, via Google Home app)
HDMI Input	No
IP Rating	None
Inputs	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Chromecast
Optical Input	No
Party Mode	Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room, Chromecast built-in)
Power Bank	No
Power Input	USB-C (30W adapter, power only, no USB Audio)
RCA Input	No
Stereo	No
Streaming Services	Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect
TRS Input	No
TWS	No (two units pair only through a Google TV Streamer, not with each other directly)
USB Input	No
Voice Assistants	Google Assistant / Gemini for Home
Weight	0.9 lbs (396 g)
Wi-Fi	Yes (Wi-Fi 6, dual-band)
XLR Input	No

Check current price at Amazon ($99.99) →Search eBay for Google Home Speaker →

Links
- Official Google Home Speaker Product Page
Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- SoundGuys: Google Home Speaker review More from Soundguys →
- RTINGS: Google Home Speaker Review More from Rtings.com →
Head-to-Head Comparisons

Built-in Gemini support makes it a capable smart home hub, with a Thread border router and Matter support, and the compact 107mm sphere fits almost anywhere. Vocals come through clearly on most tracks, which SoundGuys’ side-by-side listening called the one thing this speaker does well.

SoundGuys measured its acoustic hardware directly against the discontinued Nest Audio it replaced and found a single 58mm full-range driver against the Nest Audio’s 75mm woofer plus dedicated 19mm tweeter, calling it “half the audio hardware for the same sticker price.” There was barely any bass in their listening test, the sound turned thin and tinny outside the midrange, and there is no aux input or any wired audio connection at all.

Best Alexa Speaker

For the highest-rated Alexa speaker here, the Brane X: $549.00 Amazon $549.00 eBay

Pros: The Brane X pairs a dedicated RAD subwoofer with two midrange drivers and two tweeters to achieve extraordinary low bass for a 3.5kg portable: its measured -10dB extension is 31Hz. Independent testing finds it loud, with well-balanced mids, a smooth treble balance and useful bass-level controls; Wi-Fi, AirPlay, Alexa, quality Bluetooth codecs and low-latency aux pass-through make it unusually versatile. The medium bass-boost setting is the most balanced. Measured bass extension of 31Hz (-10dB).

Cons: The front-facing design has only moderate dispersion, so sound changes noticeably off to the sides or behind it. Bass response shifts at maximum volume, the default aux mode has very high latency, and some listeners find the upper register edgy or need EQ to achieve their preferred balance. Its claimed 12-hour runtime and premium cost make it more of a compact high-end system than a carefree all-day speaker. The upper bass is boosted around 120Hz, and the robot voice announcements can be annoying.

Featured on:

Full Brane X review and specifications →

Released	2023 (3 years ago)
Amplifier Power	200W
App	No
Aux Input	Yes
Aux Latency	295ms default, 33ms with aux pass-through
Bass Extension (-10dB)	31Hz
Battery Life	12 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth	Yes
Bluetooth Codecs	aptX HD, aptX, AAC, SBC
Bluetooth Latency	100ms
Bluetooth Version	5.1
Built-in Microphone	Yes
Digital Aux Input	No
Dimensions	9.3” x 7” x 6.1” (236 x 178 x 155 mm)
Drivers	2x 2.5” midrange, 2x 0.75” tweeters + 6.5”x9” subwoofer
EQ	No
Frequency Response	30Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)
IP Rating	IP57
Maximum SPL	106dB (measured by Alan Ross Reviews)
Omnidirectional	No
Party Mode	Yes (Brane app, up to 8 speakers)
Power Bank	No
Power Input	AC Power brick
Stereo	Yes
Strap	No
TWS	Yes
Voice Assistants	Amazon Alexa
Weight	7.7 lbs (3.5 kg)
Wi-Fi	Yes

Check current price at Amazon ($549.00) →Search eBay for Brane X →

A dedicated subwoofer plus two midrange drivers and two tweeters give it a measured -10dB bass extension of 31Hz, remarkable for a 3.5kg portable. Independent testing found it loud with well-balanced mids and smooth treble, backed by Wi-Fi, AirPlay, Alexa, high-quality Bluetooth codecs and low-latency aux pass-through.

Dispersion is only moderate off to the sides and behind it, bass response shifts at maximum volume, and the default aux mode has very high latency. At $549 for a claimed 12-hour battery, it’s more of a compact high-end system than a carefree all-day speaker.

The best mains-powered, non-portable option: the Sonos Era 300: $399.00 each Amazon $399.00 eBay

Same family: the Sonos Era 100 (smaller model, rated 3.6/5).

Pros: RTINGS calls it an excellent choice for voice assistants: built-in Alexa has no trouble hearing commands from a distance or in a noisy room, with a mic mute button on the back. Six drivers, one forward-firing tweeter, two side-firing tweeters, one upward-firing tweeter, and two angled woofers, each with its own Class D amp, give real stereo separation plus Dolby Atmos spatial audio on supported content. Trueplay room correction (now including a quicker Android tuning option) is a genuine strength, and it pairs with Sonos soundbars like the Arc Ultra for a home theater setup.

Cons: RTINGS’ one listed con is some compression at max volume. Out of the box the tuning leans bass-heavy enough that vocals can get shrouded in the mix on some tracks, though Trueplay largely corrects this. There’s no Google Assistant, no battery, and at $399 it’s the most expensive speaker in this ecosystem comparison.

Full Sonos Era 300 review and specifications →

Released	Mar 2023 (3 years ago)
AES Input	No
App	Yes (Sonos S2)
Aux Input	No
Battery Life	No Battery
Bluetooth	Yes
Bluetooth Codecs	SBC
Bluetooth Version	5.0
Built-in Microphone	Yes (far-field, mic mute button)
Coaxial Input	No
Dimensions	7.3” x 10.2” x 6.3” (185 x 260 x 160 mm)
Drivers	4x tweeters (1 forward, 2 side, 1 upward-firing), 2x angled woofers
EQ	Yes (Bass/Treble + Trueplay room correction)
HDMI Input	No
IP Rating	None
Inputs	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C (line-in adapter sold separately)
Optical Input	No
Party Mode	Yes (Sonos multi-room, AirPlay 2)
Power Bank	No
Power Input	External AC adapter
RCA Input	No
Stereo	Yes
Streaming Services	Sonos app streaming (Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and more), AirPlay 2, Dolby Atmos Music
TRS Input	No
TWS	Yes (stereo pairing via Sonos app)
USB Input	Yes (line-in adapter sold separately)
Voice Assistants	Amazon Alexa
Weight	9.9 lbs (4.47 kg)
Wi-Fi	Yes (Wi-Fi 6)
XLR Input	No

Check current price at Amazon ($399.00) →Search eBay for Sonos Era 300 →

Links
- Official Sonos Era 300 Product Page
Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- RTINGS: Sonos Era 300 Review More from Rtings.com →
Head-to-Head Comparisons

Amazon’s own best effort: the Amazon Echo Studio 2nd Gen: $219.99 each Amazon $219.99 eBay

Same family: the Amazon Echo Dot Max (smaller model, ranked lower, rated 3.5/5).

Pros: SoundGuys called it the best-sounding Amazon speaker they have tested, scoring it 7.8 of 10. A 3.75-inch high-excursion woofer and three 2.25-inch full-range drivers fire left, right and upward, giving a real sense of width and instrument separation from a single enclosure, with vocals sitting forward and clean cymbals even at moderate volume. It supports Dolby Atmos and spatial audio on compatible content, stays distortion-free up to about 70% volume, and includes a built-in Zigbee, Matter and Thread smart home hub plus a 3-band EQ with a Dolby Virtualizer toggle.

Cons: SoundGuys still marked it down on Value (4.0 of 10) given the $219.99 list price, and it is explicitly not true left-right stereo from one cabinet, so a stereo pair is needed for real width in a larger room. There are no wired audio inputs of any kind and no battery, so it must stay plugged in, and Bluetooth is limited to the SBC codec. Voice recognition wasn’t perfectly reliable in testing, occasionally playing the wrong track for a specific artist-title request.

Full Amazon Echo Studio 2nd Gen review and specifications →

Released	Oct 2025 (1 year ago)
AES Input	No
App	Yes (Alexa)
Aux Input	No
Battery Life	No Battery
Bluetooth	Yes
Bluetooth Codecs	SBC
Bluetooth Version	5.3
Built-in Microphone	Yes (mic mute button, far-field)
Coaxial Input	No
Dimensions	6.1” x 5.6” x 5.8” (155 x 142 x 147 mm)
Drivers	3.75in high-excursion woofer, 3x 2.25in full-range drivers (L/R/up)
EQ	Yes (Bass/Mid/Treble + Dolby Virtualizer, via Alexa app)
HDMI Input	No
IP Rating	None
Inputs	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Optical Input	No
Party Mode	Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room, Alexa Home Theater)
Power Bank	No
Power Input	External AC adapter
RCA Input	No
Stereo	No
Streaming Services	Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, SiriusXM
TRS Input	No
TWS	Yes (Wi-Fi stereo pairing via Alexa app)
USB Input	No
Voice Assistants	Amazon Alexa / Alexa+
Weight	3.6 lbs (1.632 kg)
Wi-Fi	Yes (Wi-Fi 6E)
XLR Input	No

Check current price at Amazon ($219.99) →Search eBay for Amazon Echo Studio 2nd Gen →

For genuine stereo separation and hi-res streaming: the Denon Home 250: $549.00 each Amazon $549.00 eBay

Newer model: the Denon Home 400, ranked higher, estimated 3.8/5, released Mar 2026. See every Denon Home generation.

Same family: the Denon Home 150 (smaller model, rated 3.5/5) and the Denon Home 350 (larger model, rated 3.6/5).

Pros: Two outward-angled tweeters plus two mid-bass drivers and a rear passive radiator give it true stereo separation from a single cabinet, each driven by its own Class D amp for a claimed combined 80 watts. Trusted Reviews called the sound confident and wide-ranging, with expansive, well-resolved detail and adequate low-end punch and substance. Amazon Alexa is built directly into the speaker via its own microphones, on top of AirPlay 2, Bluetooth and the HEOS multi-room app.

Cons: Trusted Reviews’ own complaints are a slightly disjointed hand-over between the bass and midrange, and a safety-first treble response that avoids sounding harsh at the cost of outright detail. Only network or USB-sourced audio gets full hi-res quality; MQA-powered Tidal Masters streamed through the HEOS app gets stepped down to 16-bit/44.1kHz.

Full Denon Home 250 review and specifications →

Released	Apr 2020 (6 years ago)
AES Input	No
Amplifier Power	80W (Class D, combined)
App	Yes (HEOS)
Aux Input	Yes
Battery Life	No Battery
Bluetooth	Yes
Bluetooth Codecs	SBC
Bluetooth Version	5.4
Built-in Microphone	Yes
Coaxial Input	No
Dimensions	11.8” x 8.7” x 4.7” (300 x 220 x 120 mm)
Drivers	2x 19mm tweeters, 2x 102mm mid-bass drivers, 133mm passive radiator
EQ	No
HDMI Input	No
IP Rating	None
Inputs	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, USB, 3.5mm aux
Optical Input	No
Party Mode	Yes (HEOS multi-room, stereo pair with a second Home 250)
Power Bank	No
Power Input	External AC adapter
RCA Input	No
Stereo	Yes
Streaming Services	HEOS app streaming (Spotify, Amazon Music, Tidal, Deezer, SoundCloud, TuneIn), AirPlay 2
TRS Input	No
TWS	No
USB Input	Yes
Voice Assistants	Amazon Alexa
Weight	8.2 lbs (3.7 kg)
Wi-Fi	Yes (2.4/5GHz)
XLR Input	No

Check current price at Amazon ($549.00) →Search eBay for Denon Home 250 →

Links
- Official Denon Home 250 Product Page
Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
Head-to-Head Comparisons

A compact, design-forward alternative: the Devialet Mania: $899.00 Amazon $899.00 eBay

Pros: Small, nice looking. Measured bass extension of 47Hz (-10dB).

Cons: Not very loud. Extremely high price. Bass boosted. Tweeters are not aimed at you and there’s a huge treble rolloff off-axis as compared to the Beoplay P6 in the comparison video. Only 10 hours of battery. Oluv didn’t like the upper mids or treble (mentioned on his Patreon)

Full Devialet Mania review and specifications →

Released	Nov 2022 (3 years ago)
Amplifier Power	176W
App	No
Aux Input	Yes
Bass Extension (-10dB)	47Hz
Battery Life	10 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth	Yes
Bluetooth Codecs	SBC
Bluetooth Version	5.0
Built-in Microphone	Yes
Digital Aux Input	No
Dimensions	6.9” x 7.6” x 5.5” (176 x 193 x 139 mm)
Drivers	4x aluminum fullrange drivers, 2x woofers
EQ	No
Frequency Response	30Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified)
IP Rating	IPX4
Maximum SPL	95dB (Manufacturer specified)
Omnidirectional	No
Party Mode	No
Power Bank	No
Power Input	USB-C
Stereo	Yes
Strap	No
TWS	Yes
Voice Assistants	Amazon Alexa
Weight	5.1 lbs (2.3 kg)
Wi-Fi	Yes

Check current price at Amazon ($899.00) →Search eBay for Devialet Mania →

A cheaper Sonos alternative: the Sonos Era 100: $219.00 each Amazon $219.00 eBay

Same family: the Sonos Era 300 (larger model, rated 4/5).

Pros: RTINGS lists room correction tools and bass/treble adjustments as its real strengths, and its balanced midrange suits a wide range of genres, with wider stereo separation than the mono Sonos One SL it replaced thanks to two angled tweeters plus a 25% larger mid-woofer than the original Sonos One. Alexa is built in with a far-field mic, and it ties into the wider Sonos S2 app ecosystem for multi-room audio.

Cons: RTINGS’ own two listed cons are not loud enough for larger rooms and very little low-bass thump, so genres like EDM and hip-hop lack rumble even with the tone adjustments. There’s no Google Assistant, the USB-C line-in needs a separately purchased adapter, and there’s no battery.

Full Sonos Era 100 review and specifications →

Released	Mar 2023 (3 years ago)
AES Input	No
App	Yes (Sonos S2)
Aux Input	No
Battery Life	No Battery
Bluetooth	Yes
Bluetooth Codecs	SBC
Bluetooth Version	5.0
Built-in Microphone	Yes (far-field, mic mute button)
Coaxial Input	No
Dimensions	7.2” x 4.7” x 5.1” (182.5 x 120 x 130.5 mm)
Drivers	2x angled tweeters, 1x mid-woofer
EQ	Yes (Bass/Treble + Trueplay room correction)
HDMI Input	No
IP Rating	None
Inputs	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C (line-in adapter sold separately)
Optical Input	No
Party Mode	Yes (Sonos multi-room, AirPlay 2)
Power Bank	No
Power Input	External AC adapter
RCA Input	No
Stereo	Yes
Streaming Services	Sonos app streaming (Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and more), AirPlay 2
TRS Input	No
TWS	Yes (stereo pairing via Sonos app)
USB Input	Yes (line-in adapter sold separately)
Voice Assistants	Amazon Alexa
Weight	4.5 lbs (2.02 kg)
Wi-Fi	Yes (Wi-Fi 6)
XLR Input	No

Check current price at Amazon ($219.00) →Search eBay for Sonos Era 100 →

Links
- Official Sonos Era 100 Product Page
Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- RTINGS: Sonos Era 100 Review More from Rtings.com →
Head-to-Head Comparisons

Denon’s flagship, with lossless Roon support: the Denon Home 350: $749.00 each Amazon $749.00 eBay

Newer model: the Denon Home 600, ranked higher, estimated 3.7/5, released Mar 2026. See every Denon Home generation.

Same family: the Denon Home 150 (smaller model, rated 3.5/5) and the Denon Home 250 (smaller model, rated 3.7/5).

Pros: RTINGS measured it getting pretty loud with lossless streaming support from platforms like Roon, Tidal and Spotify, and found its Alexa voice assistant support outstanding, with hands-free far-field mics built directly into the speaker. Two 0.75-inch tweeters, two 2-inch midrange drivers and two 6.5-inch woofers are each driven by their own Class D amp, six in total, and the companion app adds bass and treble sliders for room-to-room tuning.

Cons: RTINGS measured a slightly boomy sound profile out of the box and disappointing directivity, so the sound changes noticeably off to the side of the cabinet, plus compression artifacts as it nears max volume. Bluetooth latency measured extremely high on both iOS and Android, making it a poor match for watching video over Bluetooth, and there’s no battery, so it’s an indoor, mains-powered speaker only.

Full Denon Home 350 review and specifications →

Released	Jul 2020 (6 years ago)
AES Input	No
App	Yes (HEOS)
Aux Input	Yes
Battery Life	No Battery
Bluetooth	Yes
Bluetooth Codecs	SBC
Bluetooth Version	5.4
Built-in Microphone	Yes (far-field)
Coaxial Input	No
Dimensions	15” x 9.1” x 7.1” (380 x 230 x 180 mm)
Drivers	2x 0.75-inch tweeters, 2x 2-inch midrange drivers, 2x 6.5-inch woofers
EQ	Yes (Bass/Treble sliders)
HDMI Input	No
IP Rating	None
Inputs	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, USB, 3.5mm aux
Optical Input	No
Party Mode	Yes (HEOS multi-room, stereo pair with a second Home 350)
Power Bank	No
Power Input	External AC adapter
RCA Input	No
Stereo	Yes
Streaming Services	HEOS app streaming (Spotify, Tidal, Amazon Music, Deezer, SoundCloud, TuneIn), AirPlay 2, Roon
TRS Input	No
TWS	No
USB Input	Yes
Voice Assistants	Amazon Alexa
Weight	14.8 lbs (6.7 kg)
Wi-Fi	Yes (2.4/5GHz)
XLR Input	No

Check current price at Amazon ($749.00) →Search eBay for Denon Home 350 →

Links
- Official Denon Home 350 Product Page
Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- RTINGS: Denon Home 350 Review More from Rtings.com →
Head-to-Head Comparisons

For a smaller step-up option from Amazon: the Amazon Echo Dot Max: $119.99 each Amazon $119.99 eBay

Same family: the Amazon Echo Studio 2nd Gen (larger model, ranked higher, rated 3.8/5).

Pros: Engadget’s direct verdict against the base Echo Dot: “it’s worth stepping up to the Dot Max over the standard Dot” for sound, since it’s louder and bassier from a 2.5-inch woofer plus a dedicated tweeter rather than one small full-range driver. RTINGS names it their best budget Alexa speaker, finding the microphone excellent at picking up commands from a distance or in noise, with a balanced midrange for accurate voices, consistent sound across listening angles, and sound quality it calls good for the price. It supports Alexa+ and Alexa Home Theater pairing with a Fire TV Stick.

Cons: Engadget’s main complaint was that it is a real step down from the discontinued Amazon Echo (4th Gen) it effectively replaces at the same price: that older speaker paired a 3-inch woofer with dual 0.8-inch tweeters, against the Dot Max’s single 2.5-inch woofer and one tweeter, and frequencies felt smushed together without a clean bass-to-treble separation. RTINGS’ one listed con is that the wired-only design means you cannot carry it around. There is no 3.5mm input, no battery, and Bluetooth is limited to SBC and AAC.

Full Amazon Echo Dot Max review and specifications →

Released	Oct 2025 (1 year ago)
AES Input	No
App	Yes (Alexa)
Aux Input	No
Battery Life	No Battery
Bluetooth	Yes
Bluetooth Codecs	SBC, AAC
Built-in Microphone	Yes (far-field, mic mute)
Coaxial Input	No
Dimensions	3.9” x 4.4” x 4.9” (99 x 112 x 124 mm)
Drivers	2.5in woofer, 1x tweeter
EQ	No
HDMI Input	No
IP Rating	None
Inputs	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Optical Input	No
Party Mode	Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room, Alexa Home Theater)
Power Bank	No
Power Input	External AC adapter
RCA Input	No
Stereo	No
Streaming Services	Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, TuneIn
TRS Input	No
TWS	Yes (Wi-Fi stereo pairing via Alexa app)
USB Input	No
Voice Assistants	Amazon Alexa / Alexa+
Wi-Fi	Yes
XLR Input	No

Check current price at Amazon ($119.99) →Search eBay for Amazon Echo Dot Max →

Links
- Official Amazon Echo Dot Max Product Page
Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
Head-to-Head Comparisons

For a rugged, waterproof portable: the Sonos Play: $299.00 Amazon $299.00 eBay

Pros: Genuinely wide, clean stereo dispersion off-axis thanks to the two angled tweeters, holding up from the side far better than most portables. Loudness processing keeps it sounding full-bodied at low volume. 24-hour user-replaceable battery with an included wireless charging base, IP67 waterproof and dustproof, and full Sonos WiFi multi-room with AirPlay 2 on top of Bluetooth 5.3.

Cons: Bass distorts noticeably on bass-heavy tracks at default settings, and the distortion persists even after enabling Trueplay tuning and manually pulling bass back in the app. Sounds boxy and short on clarity next to cheaper competitors.

Full Sonos Play review and specifications →

Released	Mar 2026 (7 months ago)
App	Yes
Aux Input	Yes
Battery Life	24 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth	Yes
Bluetooth Codecs	SBC
Bluetooth Version	5.3
Built-in Microphone	Yes
Digital Aux Input	No
Dimensions	7.6” x 4.4” x 3” (192.3 x 112.5 x 76.7 mm)
Drivers	mid-woofer, 2x angled tweeters
EQ	No
IP Rating	IP67
Omnidirectional	No
Party Mode	No
Power Bank	No
Power Input	USB-C
Stereo	Yes
TWS	Yes
Voice Assistants	Amazon Alexa (Sonos Voice Control also built in)
Weight	2.9 lbs (1.3 kg)
Wi-Fi	Yes

Check current price at Amazon ($299.00) →Search eBay for Sonos Play →

Links
- Official Sonos Play Product Page
Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Joy & Oluv’Sone: Sonos Play & Harman Kardon Luna 2 - listening test More from Oluv’Sone →
Head-to-Head Comparisons

A cheaper alternative from the same family: the Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen: $79.99 each Amazon $79.99 eBay

Pros: What Hi-Fi rated it 5 stars for sound, calling it expansive for its size with great Alexa integration and an understated look, from a single 44mm front-firing driver. It has a room temperature sensor, works as an eero Wi-Fi extender, and includes a mic mute switch alongside dedicated volume and action buttons.

Cons: What Hi-Fi’s one real complaint was distortion at higher volumes, and bass force and detail both fall off at the low end, typical for a speaker not much bigger than a hockey ball. Engadget’s own head-to-head against the step-up Amazon Echo Dot Max found that speaker louder and bassier, from a 2.5-inch woofer and dedicated tweeter versus this speaker’s single small full-range driver. It is mono in a single unit, has no 3.5mm output, no battery, and needs Wi-Fi and an Amazon account for its smart features.

Full Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen review and specifications →

Released	Oct 2022 (4 years ago)
AES Input	No
App	Yes (Alexa)
Aux Input	No
Battery Life	No Battery
Bluetooth	Yes
Bluetooth Codecs	SBC, AAC
Built-in Microphone	Yes (mic mute switch, temperature sensor)
Coaxial Input	No
Dimensions	3.9” x 3.9” x 3.5” (100 x 100 x 89 mm) (H x W x D)
Drivers	44mm front-firing driver
EQ	No
HDMI Input	No
IP Rating	None
Inputs	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Optical Input	No
Party Mode	Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room, Alexa)
Power Bank	No
Power Input	External AC adapter (DC jack)
RCA Input	No
Stereo	No
Streaming Services	Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Pandora, iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, TuneIn
TRS Input	No
TWS	Yes (Wi-Fi stereo pairing via Alexa app)
USB Input	No
Voice Assistants	Amazon Alexa / Alexa+
Weight	0.7 lbs (340 g)
Wi-Fi	Yes (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4GHz/5GHz)
XLR Input	No

Check current price at Amazon ($79.99) →Search eBay for Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen →

Links
- Official Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen Product Page
Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- What Hi-Fi: Amazon Echo Dot (5th Generation) review
Head-to-Head Comparisons

The cheapest entry point into the ecosystem: the Amazon Echo Pop: $45.98 each Amazon $45.98 eBay

Pros: RTINGS’ 2026 testing found its Alexa performance rivals Amazon’s pricier speakers, easily understanding commands from a distance or in a noisy room, with a mic mute button and a balanced enough mid-range that voices sound true to life. The half-sphere design is compact and light at 195g, still gets the full Alexa feature set including Matter and Sidewalk support, and doubles as an eero Wi-Fi extender adding up to 1,000 square feet of mesh coverage.

Cons: PCWorld’s earlier review was blunt: despite a larger 1.95-inch driver on paper, it sounded flat and tinny with only a hint of bass next to the smaller-driver Echo Dot, and called the value proposition a hard no; RTINGS’ more recent test agrees on the underlying tradeoff, noting it can’t reproduce as much low bass as the Amazon Echo Dot Max and doesn’t get very loud. It also drops the motion and temperature sensors the Echo Dot has, has no Zigbee hub, and feels cheaper in the hand, being mostly plastic apart from the front fabric. It is mono, has no 3.5mm output or battery, and currently costs the same as the better-reviewed Echo Dot rather than being meaningfully cheaper.

Full Amazon Echo Pop review and specifications →

Released	May 2023 (3 years ago)
AES Input	No
App	Yes (Alexa)
Aux Input	No
Battery Life	No Battery
Bluetooth	Yes
Bluetooth Codecs	SBC, AAC
Built-in Microphone	Yes (mic mute switch; no motion or temperature sensor)
Coaxial Input	No
Dimensions	3.8” x 4.1” x 3.6” (96 x 104 x 91 mm) (H x W x D)
Drivers	1.95in driver
EQ	No
HDMI Input	No
IP Rating	None
Inputs	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Optical Input	No
Party Mode	Yes (Wi-Fi multi-room, Alexa)
Power Bank	No
Power Input	External AC adapter
RCA Input	No
Stereo	No
Streaming Services	Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Pandora, iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, TuneIn
TRS Input	No
TWS	Yes (Wi-Fi stereo pairing via Alexa app)
USB Input	No
Voice Assistants	Amazon Alexa / Alexa+
Weight	0.4 lbs (195 g)
Wi-Fi	Yes
XLR Input	No

Check current price at Amazon ($45.98) →Search eBay for Amazon Echo Pop →

Links
- Official Amazon Echo Pop Product Page
Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- RTINGS: The Best Alexa Speakers of 2026 More from Rtings.com →
- PCWorld: Amazon Echo Pop review
Head-to-Head Comparisons

Best Apple/Siri Speaker

For the best-sounding Siri speaker Apple sells, the Apple HomePod 2nd Gen: $297.71 each Amazon $297.71 eBay

Older model: the Apple HomePod (ranked lower, rated 3.5/5). See every Apple HomePod generation.

Pros: What Hi-Fi gave it a perfect 5 stars for sound and a What Hi-Fi Award, calling it natural, solid and energetic with a spacious, three-dimensional presentation on Dolby Atmos content. A 4-inch high-excursion woofer moves 20mm of travel, paired with five angled horn-loaded tweeters, and the S7 chip continuously measures the room and re-tunes the output in real time, even as you move the speaker. “Hey Siri” is reliably heard from across a room even at full volume, and two units can be stereo-paired for a genuinely bigger sound.

Cons: What Hi-Fi’s own comparison found the pricier Sonos Era 300 has more power, punch and detail, and Siri cannot launch Spotify, Tidal or other non-Apple services directly, only Apple Music by voice; everything else has to be sent over AirPlay from a phone. There is no way to stream to it over Bluetooth at all, no 3.5mm or other wired input, no battery, and no IP rating, so it’s an AC-only speaker for an already-committed Apple household.

Featured on:

Under $300

Full Apple HomePod 2nd Gen review and specifications →

Released	Jan 2023 (3 years ago)
AES Input	No
App	Yes (Apple Home)
Aux Input	No
Battery Life	No Battery
Bluetooth	No
Built-in Microphone	Yes (far-field array, no physical mute switch)
Coaxial Input	No
Dimensions	6.7” x 5.6” x 5.6” (170 x 142 x 142 mm)
Drivers	4in high-excursion woofer, 5x horn-loaded tweeters
EQ	Yes (Reduce Bass toggle + automatic room correction)
HDMI Input	No
IP Rating	None
Inputs	Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2
Optical Input	No
Party Mode	Yes (AirPlay 2 multi-room)
Power Bank	No
Power Input	External AC adapter (detachable cable)
RCA Input	No
Stereo	No
Streaming Services	AirPlay 2, Apple Music (direct voice control); other services via AirPlay only
TRS Input	No
TWS	Yes (stereo pairing via Home app)
USB Input	No
Voice Assistants	Apple Siri
Weight	5.1 lbs (2.3 kg)
Wi-Fi	Yes
XLR Input	No

Check current price at Amazon ($297.71) →Search eBay for Apple HomePod 2nd Gen →

Links
- Official Apple HomePod 2nd Gen Product Page
Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- What Hi-Fi: Apple HomePod 2 review
Head-to-Head Comparisons

What Hi-Fi gave it a perfect 5 stars for sound and a What Hi-Fi Award, the highest score any speaker on this page has earned from a dedicated audio publication. A 4-inch high-excursion woofer and five horn-loaded tweeters are tuned in real time by Apple’s S7 chip as you move the speaker around a room, and two units can be stereo-paired for genuinely bigger sound.

Siri can only launch Apple Music by voice, not Spotify or Tidal, and there is no way to stream to it over Bluetooth at all, only AirPlay from an Apple device. It’s also the only ecosystem here where the speaker is genuinely useless without owning an iPhone.

The cheapest entry point into the ecosystem: the Apple HomePod Mini: $149.36 each Amazon $149.36 eBay

Pros: SoundGuys called it good sound for its size, with a full-range driver and dual passive bass radiators giving the bassline in Anderson .Paak’s “Come Down” a decent thump most speakers this small can’t manage. “Hey Siri” reliably hears the wake phrase even at full volume, it can distinguish different people’s voices for personalized requests, and setup with an iPhone nearby takes moments.

Cons: SoundGuys’ listed cons include no mute button at all, an occasionally annoying Handoff prompt, and no direct Spotify integration since Siri only launches Apple Music by voice. There is no way to stream to it over Bluetooth, only Apple’s AirPlay/Handoff, no battery, and no IP rating (Apple only claims humidity resistance, not a certified rating). It requires an iPhone or iPad to set up and get the most out of.

Full Apple HomePod Mini review and specifications →

Released	Nov 2020 (5 years ago)
AES Input	No
App	Yes (Apple Home)
Aux Input	No
Battery Life	No Battery
Bluetooth	No
Built-in Microphone	Yes (4 far-field mics, no mute button)
Coaxial Input	No
Dimensions	3.3” x 3.9” (84.3 x 97.9 mm) (H x diameter)
Drivers	Full-range driver + dual passive bass radiators
EQ	No
HDMI Input	No
IP Rating	None
Inputs	Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2
Optical Input	No
Party Mode	Yes (AirPlay 2 multi-room)
Power Bank	No
Power Input	External AC adapter (USB-C)
RCA Input	No
Stereo	No
Streaming Services	AirPlay 2, Apple Music (direct voice control); other services via AirPlay only
TRS Input	No
TWS	Yes (stereo pairing via Home app)
USB Input	No
Voice Assistants	Apple Siri
Weight	0.8 lbs (345 g)
Wi-Fi	Yes
XLR Input	No

Check current price at Amazon ($149.36) →Search eBay for Apple HomePod Mini →

What To Check Before Buying

Ecosystem lock-in is the real decision. Once you buy into Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri, every additional speaker, smart plug and routine works best staying in that ecosystem. Pick the assistant first, then the speaker. Siri is the strictest of the three: it also requires owning an iPhone or iPad to set up and use fully.

A voice assistant is not a sound-quality feature. None of these rankings reward a speaker for having a microphone; see every speaker with a built-in voice assistant for the full list ordered strictly by measured and reviewed sound quality.

Check for a real microphone, not just an app. Some speakers advertise voice control that only works through a phone app relaying commands to your phone’s own assistant. That’s not the same as a speaker with its own far-field mic array.

Where To Go Next

See every speaker with a built-in voice assistant for the complete list, or the powered speaker buyer’s guide for picks that don’t require the feature.