Smart sound: The best Alexa speakers of 2024

It would seem odd to have a list of recommendations with only one Amazon device – especially since Alexa is the company's technology. But we wouldn't be listing it here if it wasn't the fantastic all-rounder that is it. It's an absolute steal at well under £60 (or less, if you keep an eye out for Amazon promotions). Get as many of these and other Echo devices as you like, and they'll all talk to each other. Multi-room audio and voice control over your other compatible devices are within your reach, well inside the affordable price bracket.

We like the ease of setup via the Alexa app, plus the form factor. This little aptly-named Dot will sit on any shelf, unit or side table. There's even a version with an in-built LED clock if you want to use one of these in a bedroom or kitchen. Set alarms and timers, and ask it to play your favourite tunes. What the Echo Dot may lack in audio volume is more than it makes up for in features and price. So much so it made our list of the best smart speakers of 2023. Buy one, and you won't regret it.

The concept of a smart speaker has developed into fully-featured multi-room audio solutions. The Echo Studio is probably one of the best we've seen – especially considering the addition of Dolby Atmos and 3D sound that projects in all directions. Pair up as many of these stylish little wonders as you like. Then, put them into different zones in your home and wirelessly cast your music to them. Music aside for a moment, it's easy to forget this is a smart speaker. Home automation, web searches, reminders – you name it; Alexa is just a shout away. The bass is respectable for such a small speaker, but for bass addicts, adding an Echo Sub will give you that satisfying boost.

For us, it's the perfect mix of affordability, function and style. These won't fail to complement your home décor, no matter the colour scheme. Altogether, the Amazon Echo Studio takes the best overall Alexa speaker crown.

Sonos has been at the top of its game for a while now, and Sonos Era 100, released back in 2023, is proving to be the choice for music lovers. Apart from being a worthy addition and upgrade to any room, it integrates extremely well with music apps, such as Amazon Music, Audible, Apple Music, Pandora, and Spotify.

It does indeed have Alexa built-in, but if you're partial to Google Assistant, it has that too. Far-field noise cancelling mics ensure you'll be well-heard too. But if you want to skip the small talk and use good old-fashioned manual controls, all of the buttons are easily accessed on the top panel. They're touch control too, so the top of this will be a breeze to keep clean. The Sonos App gives you the ability to manage all of your connected devices, such as the Sonos Roam multiroom speaker we looked at in our run-down of the best multiroom speakers. You can also adjust the tone with the app for fine-tuning.

One slight gripe we have with this is that although it'll happily pair with another Sonos device as a stereo pair or more (again, great for music fans) if you have Amazon Echo devices already you're out of luck. Whilst Alexa will know those speakers exist, you won't be able to pipe your music to both the Sonos Era 100 and the Echos as a single unit. That said, this isn't an issue for those already in the Sonos ecosystem, and the sound from this will totally eclipse that from the Echo in any case. Our advice? Get a second one for true stereo separation and an incredible musical experience.

Beautiful, iconic design meets the latest voice control technology in this fusion of the old and the new. Marshall's Uxbridge is one of those products that flew under the radar somewhat, possibly eclipsed by the larger models in its range, such as the stellar Marshall Woburn III that we tested. But this packs something the others don't – good old Alexa built-in.

The Uxbridge's looks are hard to resist. It's nailed nostalgia and will appeal to rock-and-rollers everywhere. It also includes Google Assistant compatibility, but for total control, Alexa is ready and waiting for your commands. The mic here isn't as sensitive as others on this list, but as a device at the smaller end of the spectrum, it will sound best in a small to medium-sized room anyway, so you should be close enough to be heard.

We're slightly surprised to see no auxiliary input as a device that harks back to vintage amplifiers with plenty of inputs. Then again, this is fully connected via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, p, plus Apple Airplay 2. It's hard to criticise a Marshall product that's this good, with Alexa thrown in, especially at such a mid-budget price.

Cath Kidston has become a phenomenon in recent years thanks to its remarkable fusion of the latest tech with vintage design. This Hepburn voice-control smart speaker is a great example, sporting just one of a handful of beautifully detailed designs that are home – and kitchen-friendly. If you want all of the quality and convenience of a Bluetooth speaker without having to look at a large black or grey piece of tech, this is it.

You do, of course, have Alexa on hand to play music, ask questions and even make calls. But you can also use this as a digital alarm clock to play your favourite music to wake or remind you. There are 3.5mm inputs and outputs for connecting other devices if you have them, too. We love the design; it screams mid-sixties – and the handle on top helps to evoke that. And yes, if you expect this to be portable, you're in luck. That handle says 'pick me up and take me out and about', which you can do thanks to the long-life rechargeable battery.

But, that's a minor nit-pick for a smart speaker that, well, looks this smart. It sounds great too, thanks to the two ultra-wide 10-watt speakers inside. There's even a spare USB port at the back – making it ideal for charging your phones without extra adapters cluttering your kitchen or workspace.

If a pricey home cinema amplifier is a leap too far but you still want top-notch sound with built-in Alexa, this Sonos Beam (Gen 2) soundbar boosts your TV audio. Apart from all of the usual Alexa functionality, it has Dolby Atmos – the ingenious virtual 3D surround sound tech that is capable of p[projecting over 100 individual sounds into your room with stunning precision. However, you will need a source (like a TV or Blu-ray player) that supports Atmos.

You have HDMI ARC and other connectivity options, plus a companion app that lets you control things like Speech Enhancement, which separates dialogue for maximum clarity. There's also an innovative Night Sound mode that will tune the audio so it doesn't lose any depth or clarity at lower volumes. Lastly, Tuneplay will analyse the acoustics of your room and optimise the audio accordingly for the easiest and most accurate setup possible.

We love the rounded corners of what is often a very angular exterior on many a soundbar, and it's reasonably compact too. That said, its smaller size limits the bass output compared to much larger soundbars, but that's expected with any soundbar that doesn't come with a separate subwoofer. But, with the integration of Alexa, Sonos has given us a premium TV sound experience with the convenience of voice control as the centrepiece of your living room.

JBL has recently taken things to the next level with its Authentics range. This JBL Authentics 200 is a premium smart speaker with serious retro flair and a reassuringly heavy build. This smart home Wi-Fi speaker combines the beefy, well-defined sound quality generally associated with brands like Marshall with a refined vintage design that will complement any room. With Alexa built-in, you can do all the usual smart functions like controlling music, asking questions, and managing smart home devices.

But the Authentics 200's aforementioned premium quality is all down to the seriously powerful, well-rounded sound from its high-performance drivers. If you want a portable speaker that can kick out rich bass and crisp highs, this is it. Thankfully, it also supports a variety of music services, including Spotify, Apple Music, and more, so you'll always be able to stream your favourite tunes. But let's not forget portability.

We're impressed by the built-in rechargeable battery that JBL claims will provide up to 8 hours of playback on a single charge. That said, we think that the only drawback here is its weight. All that internal audio goodness adds up to a speaker of serious heft at 3.64kg. The handle is extremely strong, however. Nevertheless, the JBL Authentics 200 offers a fresh take on a vintage style that we really like. Twinned with all that modern functionality, we find it hard to beat.

It would be easy to confuse portable with low-quality sound, but not when Bang & Olufsen are involved. Design-wise we think this soap-on-a-rope style speaker is something of an oddity, but that's what makes it unique. Its relatively featureless casing is designed to withstand being lugged around, hung up or left on a picnic table in the rain.

It's a dust-resistant and waterproof speaker, and the top section is aluminium – this thing is designed to travel with you wherever you go. Alexa is, of course, present, so once this is paired with your mobile device, you can do everything you'd expect, from asking for the phone number of a local taxi firm to playing your favourite holiday playlists.

A massive 18-hour battery life will see you through the most arduous day trip, and the three onboard mics make for excellent hands-free voice calls. But don't forget, at this price, you should expect more than just a rugged build outside and Alexa inside; you should expect Bang & Olufsen quality sound. And that's what you'll get with the BeoSound A1 – more rich and powerful than you'd ever suspect from such a compact speaker.

If you're looking for a mid-budget speaker that offers excellent sound quality and Alexa functionality, the Denon Home 150 Wireless Speaker is a prime contender. We think this compact device is ideal for music lovers who want to enjoy clear, rich audio without breaking the bank. With Alexa built-in, you can stream music, check the news, and control other smart home devices with just your voice. An impressive list of supported music streaming services includes Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music HD, TuneIn, and others.

In terms of connectivity, it supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, making it easy to pair with your devices. The speaker boasts impressive sound, with powerful bass and crisp highs. It even has an IPX4 waterproof rating, which can handle splashes, making it perfect for a kitchen.

The rechargeable battery offers a respectable 6 hours of playtime, with a charging time of around 2 hours. However, it does lack a built-in handle, which – at something close to 2kg – might make portability a bit of a careful exercise. Overall, we recommend the Denon Home 150 for its excellent value and balanced combination of quality and affordability.

If you're looking for a portable speaker that is as suited for the outdoors as your living room, this Bose SoundLink Revolve (Series II) is the perfect solution. This compact Bluetooth speaker packs an impressive 360-degree sound field. That means that it will project your music so that it's heard from every angle, whether you're at a garden barbeque or inside partying. If you're worried about portable speakers and the unpredictable British weather, this is IP55-rated, giving water and dust resistance.

As a truly robust yet portable unit, it weighs a reasonable 660g. It also delivers around 13 hours of battery life, so you can forget about plugging this in for a whole day. Thankfully, a full charge only takes around 4 hours, too. Thanks to that legendary Bose digital signal processing, audio quality is typically exceptional, with deep, rich bass and clear highs.

Our only minor nit-pick here is simply due to its compact size – if you're all about the bass, you'll find that larger speakers might be a better fit. That said, bass doesn't get much better for its size than this – again, thanks to that Bose design and build. Overall, the SoundLink Revolve (Series II) offers a premium audio experience that is versatile enough to handle outdoor adventures while delivering the best sound for any speaker of this size.