Best for most people
95%of 302 owners rate it 4 or 5 starsAmazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)
- Fuller sound than its size suggests
- Quick, reliable Alexa
- Often on offer for much less
- Small-room sound that strains at full volume
Best smart speakers
The Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) is the smart speaker most people should get. For music, get the Sonos Era 100; for the best Alexa sound, the Echo Studio; with an iPhone, the HomePod; and in a Google home, the Google Home Speaker.
Based on 1,145 verified owner ratings and 16 expert reviewsUpdated 1 Nov 2026
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Best for music
Sonos Era 100
- Big, detailed stereo sound
- Works with iPhone and Android
- Joins a Sonos system or soundbar
- No Google Assistant; line-in adapter costs extra
Best Alexa sound
Amazon Echo Studio (2025)
No verified owner ratings yet
- Room-filling sound with Dolby Atmos
- Works as a Fire TV speaker
- Smart home hub and sensors
- No wired inputs, and less bass than the old Studio
Best for iPhone
Apple HomePod (2nd generation)
- Rich, natural sound with real bass
- Dolby Atmos and room tuning
- Hands off from iPhone, works with Apple TV
- Pricey, and needs an iPhone or iPad
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How we reached this verdict
We compared independent expert reviews with the manufacturer's specifications, then checked it's sold at a major retailer where you live. We don't test products ourselves.
Sources: Tom's Guide, What Hi-Fi?, manufacturer specifications.
What 1,145 verified buyers say about their smart speakers: every model compared in our buyer ratings study.
Updated 1 Nov 2026How we decide