Amazon’s Alexa speakers are an affordable way to listen to music, set alarms, and control other smart home devices. But, there are also other brands making their way into the market, leveraging Alexa’s voice assistant technology to enhance other speakers and smart devices around your home.
Whether you’re looking for a small Alexa speaker to fit into your home office, a booming speaker, or a speaker that doubles up as a display, there are plenty of Alexa speakers that will fit into a range of budgets.
Here are the best Alexa speakers you can buy today.
If you’re upgrading from an older Echo or Echo Dot device, you won’t be disappointed with the Echo Dot (4th Gen). The spherical design consists of four buttons, allowing you to easily interact with it, turn the microphone on/off, and even snooze your alarm. The new chipset improves Alexa’s response and features a low power mode to save on energy consumption when it’s not in use.
For households with multiple smart speakers, you can ask Alexa to play music in a certain room, e.g. the kitchen. You can also communicate with other speakers in your house, informing the kids that it’s time for dinner. Linking to music streaming apps like Spotify, Amazon Music, and other subscription services is super easy since Alexa supports a wide range of skills.
In terms of sound, while you won’t want to ditch your surround sound kit anytime soon, the Echo Dot (4th Gen), at this price, offers clear, crisp audio, with decent levels of bass considering its size. It’s taken all of the great features of other Echo devices and bundled them into one affordable Alexa speaker that’s hard to say no to.
- Stream music from a wide range of sources
- Talk to Alexa
- Connect with other speakers in your home
- Create routines
- Brand: Amazon
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Integrations: Alexa
- Battery: None
- Water Resistance: None
- Colors: Twilight Blue, Glacier White
- Great for Alexa
- Solid and durable
- Excellent sound quality
- Would be nice to see a wider range of colors
Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen)
If you’re looking for a smart speaker that can double up as an alarm clock or desk companion, the Amazon Echo Dot with clock may take the top spot as your new best friend. There’s a choice of two colors, allowing you to select between Twilight Blue or Glacier White to match your bedside table. The spherical design makes it easy to integrate with your existing home decor, continuing to boast a 3.5mm AUX port and Alexa support.
The 1.6-inch front-firing speakers are crisp and clear; ideal for listening to music while you work, potter around the house, or just fancy dancing to your favorite tunes. The lack of 360-degree soundstage is somewhat disappointing, and the weak bass means you won’t be filling your room with immersive sound anytime soon. However, the affordability and functionality of the Amazon Echo Dot with clock make it really worth considering.
If you already have other Alexa-enabled smart speakers in your home, you’ll be able to use the Amazon Echo Dot with clock to drop into other speakers, communicating with the rest of your home.
- Time, alarms, and timers
- Alexa-enabled
- Control other smart home devices
- Create routines
- Brand: Amazon
- Display: LED
- Dimensions: 3.9 x 3.9 x 3.5 inches
- Weight: 12.3oz
- Alarm Clock: Yes
- Integrations: Alexa
- Can call friends and family
- Easy to use
- Small and compact
Amazon Echo Dot with clock
The Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen) is more reliable with updated third-generation features like a new speaker and fabric design. Its in-built Alexa integration lets you control phone calls, smart home appliances, and internet searches.
The device is seamlessly compatible with apps like Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, Spotify, etc, so you can keep all your favorite apps in one place. Moreover, the device can sync with other compatible Echo devices to fill your house with music.
The Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen) is more than just a speaker though. It can alert you if it detects the breaking of glass or smoke alarms while you’re away from home. It gives you exclusive access to Guard Plus for accessing emergency assistance through a subscription. You can place multiple devices throughout the home to make them work like an intercom.
Whether you want to let the family know it’s time for dinner or tell the kids it’s time for bed, the Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen) is your own personal assistant.
- Voice control of music from popular apps
- Smart home appliances control using voice commands
- Track fitness and play games with Alexa
- Pair with another Echo Dot for stereo sound
- Hear, view, or delete voice recordings anytime
- Brand: Amazon
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Integrations: Alexa
- Battery: None
- Water Resistance: None
- Lightweight and truly portable
- Comes with a beautiful fabric design
- Alexa is a kids friendly personal assistant
- Offers less features than other Amazon Alexa devices
Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen)
The Amazon Echo Show 15 is the Echo 10’s bigger brother, at only a small price increase. With an additional five inches added to the lineup, you’ll be able to enjoy plenty of features to keep you organized, bringing the family together in one easy-to-use place. There’s a wealth of widgets that you can add to the home screen, like the weather, your route to work, what you’re having for dinner, or the family calendar.
If you’re planning on watching videos on the Amazon Echo Show 15, you’ll be pleased to know the large 15.6-inch 1920×1080 screen can cater to your needs. However, the lack of HDR is a little disappointing—something that could have easily been added to make the jump from the Echo 10 to 15 more worthwhile. Similarly, the speakers sound decent with clear mids and highs, but there’s a drop in bass that would have been nice to have.
Still, the Amazon Echo Show 15 is definitely a powerhouse when it comes to smart displays. The AZ2 Neural Edge processor makes a real difference to the Show’s performance and is definitely worth investing in if you don’t already have an Echo Show.
- Alexa-powered widgets
- Access to multiple entertainment streaming services
- Photo Frame feature
- Visual ID and voice ID
- Chipset: Amlogic Pop1 octa-core SoC with Amazon AZ2 neural network engine
- Display: 15.6-inch HD
- RAM: Not Provided
- Storage: Not Provided
- Sound: Dual 1.6-inch full-range drivers
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Dimensions: 15.8 x 9.9 x 1.4 inches
- Weight: 78.1oz
- Great for organizing tasks and calendar entries
- Easy to use and mount
- Alexa skills are really handy
- Includes access to Amazon Music and Prime Video
- Speaker sound could be improved
If you’re searching for a stylish yet powerful smart speaker, the Bose Home Speaker 500 is a great choice since it has Alexa built-in. The small LCD display is a nice touch, displaying music information and album artwork while you listen. The seamless design continues as you talk to Alexa, glowing to let you know it’s listening. Even when playing loud music, this speaker is able to hear you since it boasts incredibly sensitive microphones.
Inside, there are two custom drivers pointing left and right. It’s not going to outweigh a two-speaker setup, but it certainly delivers a wide soundstage that offers crisp beats and well-balanced audio. Needless to say, this little powerhouse also does well with bass-heavy music, so regardless of what you’re listening to, you can be sure that the Bose Home Speaker 500 will serve it up on a platter.
Despite being one of the most expensive Alexa speakers, the Bose Home Speaker 500 does mark highly in a number of areas, namely audio, voice assistant support, and microphone sensitivity. If these are features you value, then the added investment is definitely worth burning a slightly larger hole in your wallet for.
- Works with other Bose smart speakers
- Pair devices using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi
- Built-in Alexa
- Make or receive calls
- Brand: Bose
- Display: LCD
- Dimensions: 4.31 x 6.68 x 8.01 inches
- Weight: 4.65lbs
- Alarm Clock: Yes
- Integrations: Alexa, Google Assistant
- Excellent audio
- Stylish design
- Microphones easily pick up commands
The Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) packs a 10.1-inch HD screen with a resolution of 1280×800 pixels. It’s similar to the previous models, but this model can move its screen by sensing your motion. The screen also moves with you if you need to move during a video call or while cooking.
The device supports smart devices like Zigbee devices without the need for any hubs. It enables you to control thermostats, home lighting, and security cameras. Moreover, the Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) gives you exclusive access to the Food Network Kitchen app. It also helps you multitask in the kitchen with smart automation like setting a timer, converting units, creating a grocery list, etc.
It’s easy to utilize all the features of the Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) without worrying about your privacy. The device comes with a built-in camera shutter, camera/mic off button, and disable motion feature, allowing you to control your requirements.
- Motion activated display
- 13MP camera with auto-framing
- Food Network Kitchen app integration
- Amazon Photos and Alexa to put photos on display
- Brand: Amazon
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Integrations: Alexa
- Battery: None
- Water Resistance: None
- Compatible with a wide range of smart home appliances
- Remote control home security devices for free
- Compatible with Netflix, Prime Video, Spotify, Amazon Music, etc.
- A wire connects the device with the power source
Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen)
The Sonos Roam is a versatile Alexa speaker that supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. This means you can use it as a portable speaker or part of your home stereo setup. With support for Alexa and Google Assistant, you can use the Sonos Roam as a smart speaker, blending well with your existing devices, despite being incredibly rugged and durable.
With its various connections, the Sonos Roam leverages its unique features, allowing seamless operation. If you are connected to your home’s Wi-Fi but have been listening to the speaker outside using Bluetooth, the moment you step back into your home, it switches connectivity without you having to interfere. The Auto Trueplay feature is another worth mentioning; it adapts the sound of the speaker depending on your environment, so you can always enjoy great audio no matter where you are.
The powerful audio experience justifies the mid-range price. Although it’s small, the prominent bass is exceptionally loud, which is perfect for those who enjoy bass-heavy music. Although, for some, the levels may be a little too much.
- Stream audio easily using Bluetooth
- Automatic Trueplay tuning technology
- Can be submerged in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes
- Brand: Sonos
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Integrations: Sonos, Amazon Alexa, Apple AirPlay 2, Google Assistant
- Battery: 10 hours
- Water Resistance: IP67
- Power: USB, 7.5W adapter, Qi wireless charger
- Colors: Black, White
- Dimensions: 3.94 x 0.79 x 1.06 inches
- Buttons: Four (microphone, volume up, volume down, play/pause)
- Waterproof and lightweight
- Adapts sound to your surroundings
- Rugged design
- Heavy bass can be too much
The Sonos One (Gen 2) is a powerful and versatile smart speaker that supports Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa in one device. You can control its high-quality sound system with the Sonos app, Google Play Music, Apple AirPlay2, and more.
Its compact and sleek design fits every room in your house. Therefore, you can use it in the bedroom, living room, or kitchen. Due to its humidity resistance, you can also use the device in the bathroom.
Its smart assistant programs enable you to control the device hands-free for checking the news, playing music, setting alarms, or answering questions. So it’s easy to sit back and relax, hands-free. You can also upgrade to Sonos Radio HD for the ultimate radio experience at home. Its sound system consists of two Class-D digital amplifiers, a Far-field microphone array, one tweeter for a high-frequency response, and one mid-woofer for rich bass.
- Built-in Amazon Alexa voice control
- Brilliant sound for room-filling and rich experience
- Humidity resistant
- Google Assistant compatible
- Brand: Sonos
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Integrations: Alexa, Apple AirPlay 2, Google Assistant
- Battery: None
- Water Resistance: Humidity
- Auto-switching power supply for universal input
- Compatible for Apple AirPlay 2
- Two Class-D digital amplifiers for high-quality sound
- More lightweight choices available from competitors
Playing music around the home is now effortless with the Amazon Echo (4th Gen). Just give it a voice command to play music and it will instantly find the music that you love to hear. Additionally, the device supports a wide range of music apps for free and subscription-based listening to music. It can stream audio from Apple Music, Amazon Music, Spotify, SiriusXM, Pandora, etc.
The smart speaker comes with a built-in hub for smart home appliances. It supports many devices that are Zigbee compatible. It can also easily control smart lights from Phillips Hue, Ring Smart Lighting, and more.
Using the Amazon Echo (4th Gen), you can make your own home theatre and high-quality audio systems using more than one Echo device throughout the house. The multi-room music feature lets all Echo devices play a song in perfect sync throughout the house. Furthermore, it’s compatible with Fire TV devices.
- Premium sound through clear highs, deep bass, and dynamic mids
- Voice control for streaming music, listening to podcast, and tuning to radio stations
- Multi-room music to play music in sync
- Built-in hub to support wide range of smart appliances
- Brand: Amazon
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Integrations: Alexa
- Battery: None
- Water Resistance: None
- Lightweight
- Dual-band Wi-Fi
- Supports A2DP and AVRCP for better hands-free experience
- Doesn’t support hands-free on Mac OS X devices
The Echo Dot (4th Gen) Kids Alexa smart speaker is the ideal learning companion for your kids. This Alexa speaker assists your kids if they need to set an alarm, call someone from an approved list of phone numbers, or want to know the current time.
The device’s built-in Alexa smart assistant is so powerful and skilled that it can even help your kids with homework. Moreover, the devices come with two adorable Panda and Tiger face imprints that kids love to own.
You don’t need to worry about appropriate content for your kids, as the device comes with a one-year free subscription to Amazon Kids+. This service immerses your kids into thousands of hours of learning-based content like Audible books, education skills, and interactive games.
- Super-fun design for kids with Tiger and Panda
- Skilled Alexa to help kids with homework
- Easy-to-use parental controls
- Brand: Amazon
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Integrations: Alexa
- Battery: None
- Water Resistance: None
- Kids can ask Alexa to call friends and family members from an approved list
- It protects your and your kid’s privacy
- A parent dashboard to review kid’s daily activity
- Amazon Kids+ subscription is chargeable after one year free usage
Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) Kids
The Amazon Echo Studio comes with five speakers and Dolby Atmos technology. This set of speakers adds depth and clarity to all types of sounds including bass. It’s ideal for playing music, reading the news, and answering questions. You can also use it as an intercom and keep all the family members in sync with features like Announcement and Drop-In.
The Amazon Echo Studio integrates well with platforms like Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, etc., with your voice control. As this device can sense the space acoustics, it fine-tunes the playback accordingly for optimal sound.
If you’re worried about privacy, it also comes with multiple layers of security including the microphone off button to protect you. You can also use it to manage Zigbee-compatible devices.
- Five speakers for Immersive 3D sound
- Control music streaming from Amazon Music and other apps
- Able to play Ultra HD, HD, and 3D formats like Dolby Atmos
- Built-in smart home hub
- Brand: Amazon
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Integrations: Alexa
- Battery: None
- Water Resistance: None
- Automatic adjustment of music filters by analyzing acoustics
- Compatible with Fire TV Stick 4K, Fire TV Cube (1st Gen & 2nd Gen), & Fire TV (3rd Gen)
- Dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity
- Always require a mains power source
FAQ
Q: Is There a Monthly Fee for Alexa?
You don’t have to pay any monthly or pay-as-you-go fees to use Alexa. It’s a free voice-enabled personal assistant service from Amazon. All you need is an Amazon account to sign in to the device securely.
However, if you want to listen to premium songs that aren’t available on YouTube, you may need to subscribe to music apps, like Spotify.
Q: Is Alexa and Echo the Same Thing?
Alexa is an AI-driven voice assistant program from Amazon. It recognizes your voice and carries out compatible Alexa commands. Any smart device like mobile phones and speakers could support Alexa.
Echo is a smart speaker from Amazon that supports Alexa. These devices have the essentials for Alexa to work, like a microphone and speaker.
Q: What Music Is Free on Alexa?
Many music apps offer you free music online. However, you may only use those apps that support Alexa integration.
TuneIn, iHeartRadio, and Pandora are some of the best apps that offer free music along with Alexa integration. Apps like Spotify and Apple Music also give access to free music tiers. You can link those with Alexa to listen to free music.