There are three big players in the running for the best smart speaker: Amazon, Google, and Apple. Each voice-assistant-powered system has its own benefits and limitations, and you’ll have to consider several factors to pinpoint the right smart speaker for your needs.
\n\nYou may already have a favorite ecosystem. Maybe it's the one that’s compatible with your phone, as an Apple or Android user. Or maybe it's Amazon's Alexa, if you already own one of the many speakers that the company launched following the 2014 arrival of the first Amazon Echo. Amazon's smart-speaker fleet, in particular, is expansive, often seeing multiple new models every year, while the offerings are much narrower for Google and Apple. That said, a few months ago, Google did launch a new smart speaker for the first time in years—the 2026 Google Home Speaker—and I share my thoughts on it in this guide.
\n\nAfter trying nearly every single smart speaker that's come out in the last decade, I have a sense of the best options available today to fit various needs. Also, check out my guides to the Best Alexa Speakers, Best Google Speakers, and Best Smart Displays if you want more insight into each category.
Original source: https://www.wired.com/