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There’s a light-up ring around the bottom of the Echo Dot that lets you know when Alexa is listening, or when the microphone is turned off. There are button controls on top of the speaker that let you adjust the volume or turn off the mic with a quick tap. At $27.99, it’s one of the least expensive options you’ll find for a smart speaker, and it doesn’t give up any features. You’ll still be able to use Alexa to control your smart home, ask for jokes, or place calls. Pros: Cons:
Sound quality is just okay
Remember when all smart speakers looked the same? Thankfully that’s changing, and Nest Audio is a prime example of that. For $99, you get a pillow-like speaker that works with Google Assistant, allowing you to control your smart devices, ask questions, and stream music. There’s a built-in mic switch that disables the mic altogether for those who are privacy-conscious. It also has three far-field microphones, a 75mm woofer, and a 19mm tweeter. Nest Audio comes in five different color options. Pros:
Unique design looks greatGoogle Assistant smart home ecosystemGood sound quality
Cons:
Finicky touch controls
Apple released the HomePod Mini towards the end of 2020, adding a speaker with a more compact design and a lower price than the original, and now discontinued, HomePod. Near the end of 2021, Apple released three new color options for the HomePod Mini, bringing the total color options to five. The $99 HomePod Mini doesn’t have the same sound quality you’ll get from its bigger sibling. However, it’s more than powerful enough to fill a room. It still boasts the ability to hear you from across the room, even when it’s blasting your favorite tunes. It includes an ultra-wideband chip that works with the iPhone 11 or newer, making the process of handing off music between your phone and the Mini – or vice-versa – a breeze. Plus, it doubles as a HomeKit hub with Thread support, allowing compatible accessories to stay connected at all times. Pros:
Tight Apple ecosystem integrationAffordableThread support
Cons:
Tight Apple ecosystem integrationDecent sound quality
Pros: Cons:
ExpensiveVery big
The Sonos Move has built-in Alexa and Google Assistant and doubles as an AirPlay 2 or Bluetooth-compatible speaker. But what really makes the Move stand out is that it has a rechargeable battery with 11 hours of life, making it a great choice if you plan on moving in and out of or around the office pretty regularly. It also has a weather-proof body in case you get caught out in the rain or bring it to the beach on holiday. Pros:
Integrates with all smart home platformsPortableBattery life
Cons:
Big and heavy for a portable speakerPricey
If you have an Android phone, then Nest Audio might be a better fit for you since it tightly integrates with the Google Home app and all of the supported smart home platforms. Finally, if you want something that supports all platforms and allows you to switch between them at will? Sonos Move will do just that. Oftentimes, those speakers lack any long-term support via software updates. The only exception is Sonos, which has a reliable track record with supporting hardware and software for many years.
