Hands-free bliss: The best smart speakers of 2024

As you are likely aware, Sonos is a leader in the speaker industry, offering stylish, high-performance, and affordable products. The Sonos Era 100 is a significant improvement over the already impressive Sonos One. It delivers powerful, spacious, detailed audio that suits all music genres.

The speaker features impeccably designed dual-angled tweeters and a 25% larger woofer, resulting in a crisper midrange and deeper, signature Sonos bass. The audio quality remains excellent even at high volumes, although there can be a slight edge at extreme levels. However, unless you want to burst your eardrums, there's no need to max the volume!

The Sonos Era 100 sports a fresh look with an updated oval shape, departing from its previous rounded square design while retaining its clean, minimalist aesthetic. The original volume “+” and “-” buttons have been replaced with a sleeker volume slider for more seamless adjustment. Moreover, the device now features two dedicated skip and previous song buttons on either side of the play-pause button, eliminating the need for the swiping motion between volume buttons.

Like other Sonos products, the Sonos Era 100 comes with Sonos' voice assistant for device setup and Amazon Alexa for tasks like timers and song navigation. However, it does not support Google Assistant.

The Sonos S2 app integration is, arguably, unparalleled, offering extensive playback control, room settings, multiroom grouping, TruePlay tuning, and EQ adjustments. It's worth noting that some users have voiced concerns about the recent Sonos application update, finding its "refreshed" look quite a departure from the familiar interface.

Offering superior sound quality, modern aesthetics, extensive features, and a user-friendly app, the Era 100 stands out as the top choice in the smart speaker market – an attractive upgrade from the Sonos One and an excellent entry point for new users.

The Sonos Era 300 is a step up from its predecessor, standing out among other smart speakers. It features six expertly positioned drivers that cover the front, sides, and top, making it the first Dolby Atmos speaker in Sonos' range. The speaker provides impressive acoustic projection, a vast room-filling soundstage, and unparalleled audio immersion.

While previous iterations crack ever so slightly at extreme volumes, the Era 300 has solved this problem, upholding a robust and impactful bass and crystal-clear vocals when pushed to the limit.

A departure from its predecessors, the Era 300 introduces an innovative 'cinched hourglass' design. This design, coupled with a sleek matte finish, is available in black or white, adding a touch of elegance to any space. The user interface has also been upgraded, replacing the volume buttons with a touch-sensitive slider for a more intuitive volume control.

The Sonos Era 300 is designed for versatility, supporting a wide range of streaming services, including Apple and Amazon Music. It is the first Sonos AC-powered speaker to feature Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 6, offering flexible connectivity options. It even allows for wired connections with its USB-C port, making it compatible with external sources like turntables (adapter sold separately).

Like previous iterations, the Era 300 comes with Trueplay Tuning to optimise room acoustics, Alexa and Sonos Voice Control, and a new physical switch on the speaker's back for optional microphone privacy. It can also easily integrate with other Sonos speakers for a multiroom audio setup or stereo pairing. This, coupled with its superior audio performance, makes the Era 300 the ideal central hub for those starting their home speaker system.

The Apple HomePod Mini is small and affordable yet offers punchy, well-balanced audio at all volumes. While it cannot compete with larger competitors when used as a standalone speaker, invest in two HomePod Minis, and you will get audio performance similar to that of the HomePod 2 at a lower cost – where this speaker shines.

Designed for multiroom setups, the HomePod Mini is a flexible and affordable way to start building a home speaker system. You can even use multiple HomePod Minis to create a surround sound experience, bringing the cinema experience home. We recommend having a HomePod 2 in your most frequented central space to act as a central hub, and HomePod Minis dotted around the house for multiroom audio.

In terms of design, the HomePod Mini is a perfect blend of style and functionality. Its seamless fabric mesh outer enhances acoustic performance, while the top glass panel features a captivating coloured light animation that adds a touch of elegance to the voice assistant experience. The panel also houses touch-sensitive volume controls and a central tap function for music control and Siri activation, making it a user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing addition to any home.

Equipped with four efficiently positioned microphones, the HomePod Mini can detect the "Hey, Siri" command from a distance and in noisy environments. Moreover, Siri can now recognise up to six distinctive voices, providing a personalised experience for every family member. You can also ask Siri to "Intercom" a message to a specific room, allowing you to notify your family when dinner's ready or tonight's television episode is about to start.

An Apple Music subscription enables Siri to provide personalised music suggestions, enhancing your listening experience. As an Apple user, I can attest to the fantastic personalised playlists and stations that Siri tailors to your music taste. I am continually impressed and often choose Siri-curated playlists over my own!

However, there is a drawback – take note of Android and other non-Apple users. Unfortunately, given that these devices need an iOS device for setup, they have limited support for third-party services compared to competitors like Sonos.

So, if you and your family are Apple users, the HomePod Mini is an excellent addition to your home sound system. Its affordable price, superior sound quality, elegant design, and advanced smart features make it a highly recommended smart speaker.

Moving away from its previous cylindrical design, Amazon's fourth iteration of its ever-popular Echo range features a distinctive spherical shape. It features a 76mm upward-firing woofer and dual 20mm front-firing tweeters to provide detailed, omnidirectional Dolby Stereo sound.

Compared to its previous versions, the fourth-generation Echo speaker delivers improved clarity and impact on vocals and bass, providing a more appealing and textured listening experience. However, its somewhat recessed treble is sometimes less pronounced, and high-frequency detail can be affected at especially loud volumes.

Thoughtfully placed on the top panel, the controls of the Amazon Echo (Gen 4) are easily accessible. These include Alexa, volume, and mic mute buttons, ensuring a seamless user experience. At the back of the device, you will find a power socket and a 3.5mm audio output for your convenience. However, this slightly affects its omnidirectional soundstage, which is negligible for most users.

With its fourth generation, Amazon has enhanced its machine learning capabilities by introducing a new and improved AZ1 Neural Edge Processor for faster and more efficient Alexa interactions. There is also improved third-party integration and users can enjoy fantastic multiroom capabilities for smoother simultaneous playback throughout their homes. Its user-friendly companion app allows easy setup and supports EQ adjustments, room categorisation, and configurations.

Whether you need help in the kitchen, answers to burning questions, or an affordable way to fill your home with sound, the Echo 4 is a great choice. While it may not be perfect for hi-fi listening, it provides great value and functionality at a respectable price, making it a solid choice for building a smart home ecosystem.

For those looking for a stylish and portable speaker that offers elegance and performance, the BeoSound A1 sets a new benchmark for portable audio. On-the-go listening has never been better.

Offering a solid sonic profile characterized by accurate sound reproduction, a spacious soundstage, and balanced dynamics, the BeoSound A1 maintains its smooth yet meticulous signature sound profile – a rarity in speakers of this size and class.

The A1 is designed with a premium pearl-blasted aluminium chassis, exuding elegance while ensuring durability. Its small size makes it highly portable, and its IP67 rating provides water and dust resistance.

Additionally, with an improved strap design for convenience and an LED indicator for power and pairing, this device takes ease of use to new heights while infusing it with luxury.

With integrated Amazon Alexa, users can navigate music and other audio content hands-free. However, this feature relies on Wi-Fi connectivity and Bluetooth pairing with smartphones.

Likewise, the BeoSound A1 is equipped with advanced technology. With the Bang & Olufsen and Amazon Alexa apps, setup is a breeze, allowing for quick access to Alexa voice controls and hands-free calling – a feature enhanced by its built-in speakerphone. The far-field microphone technology ensures reliable voice recognition from up to five metres away, making it incredibly easy to use.

Compared to its competitors, like the Sonos Roam, the BeoSound A1 stands out with its superior battery life, build quality, and sound fidelity. While it may come at a higher price point, the BeoSound A1's sleek sophistication and luxury listening experience make it a worthwhile investment.

The Apple HomePod 2 excels in sound quality despite its smaller size than most smart speaker hubs. Its four-inch high-excursion woofer and five horn-loaded tweeters provide warm, clear, and well-balanced audio. The HomePod 2 also supports spatial audio, offering an exceptionally immersive experience when listening to Dolby Atmos tracks.

The device offers a sleek build and slightly modified mesh coating – an attractive, refined, and minimal look that will enhance any home environment. It also features improved touch panel illumination: tap once to play/pause, twice to skip, and three times to skip back. Touch and hold for Siri, and use the "+" and "-" to adjust the volume. Based on user feedback, a detachable cable has been introduced for more effortless flexibility when moving the device between spaces.

The HomePod 2 boasts new and improved internal calibration microphones and Apple silicon computational audio processing. This enables the speaker to enhance acoustics, modify bass, and sustain dynamic range in real-time, providing an optimal listening experience regardless of speaker placement. Its four-microphone design enables Siri detection over a greater distance and seamless multiroom audio support via AirPlay.

The most significant benefit of the HomePod is its advantage to long-time Apple users with an Apple ecosystem. Its seamless integration and cross-device and service communication, including Apple Music, Siri, Hand Off, iMessage, and HomeKit, is unparalleled for smart home control.

However, it's important to note that Apple products' close-knit, almost cliquey integration limits compatibility with non-Apple music services such as Amazon Music, Spotify, and Tidal. For this reason, Android users and those hesitant about switching to Apple should consider brands like Sonos for their broader, more forgiving cross-compatibility.

The Sonos Roam 2 is the perfect speaker for your summer adventures, whether exploring rugged beaches, mountains, and forests or simply relaxing in a paddling pool with a cocktail.

This compact speaker, the second iteration of Sonos' Roam series, delivers impressive sound quality with powerful bass and an expansive soundscape. The user-friendly Sonos EQ app allows you to customise the sound further, making it a great choice for audiophiles and discerning listeners.

The Roam 2 is incredibly light and supremely durable. It was designed with adventure in mind, making it easy to pack away and position without hassle. You can control it through Bluetooth 5.0, Apple Airplay 2, or Wi-Fi, providing plenty of options even when you're far from the nearest router. With a reasonably solid 10 hours of battery life, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy your favourite music on the go.

For sheer convenience, the Roam 2's voice assistant allows users to create the ultimate song queue without lifting a finger, making it an ideal smart speaker for parties and music-oriented individuals with busy hands.

While the Sonos Roam offers exceptional volume and bass, there are drawbacks. At higher volumes, there is a slight loss of audio precision and clarity. Additionally, the speaker occasionally lacks the range of higher-end speakers, which is understandable given its reasonably low price point.

For those looking for a kitchen companion that can display recipes, play your favourite podcasts, and add to your shopping list, Amazon's third iteration of the supremely popular Echo Show 10 is the ideal speaker. It covers both visual and audible bases and is well worth the price.

With its larger 10.1-inch HD display mounted on a rotating barrel-shaped speaker base, it offers a breezy viewing experience. The upgraded 13MP built-in camera ensures the screen always follows you, making navigation and viewing a breeze. It also allows for remote monitoring via the Alexa app.

Imagine streaming a Netflix show, finishing food preparation at the end of your kitchen, and effortlessly glancing back at the already adjusted screen, having now moved to your stove – hands-free bliss.

Users should, however, ensure their device has enough space to perform this without obstructions. The device has a helpful rotation footprint template and should be placed at least 15.5 centre meters from walls for optimal performance.

Its versatile display options allow you to turn your device into a personal memory gallery, football match tracker, weather forecaster, and news headline reel. It also supports Amazon Prime Video and Netflix for entertainment while you cook; however, it does lack Disney+ and YouTube integration.

When it comes to audio performance, the Echo Show 10 delivers clear and weighty sound. However, it's important to note that as a device that covers both visual and audio entertainment, it's not primarily a sound device. As a result, audio can feel compressed, and the prominent bass can swamp vocal clarity.

Taking the world by storm with unprecedented popularity, Amazon's Echo Dot series has been a household mainstay for a number of years. They're absurdly affordable, with impressive sound and even more impressive Alexa-integrated functionality.

From providing weather updates to managing home security, the Amazon Echo Dot is a versatile smart speaker that outshines even its pricier competitors, making it a smart choice for various tasks.

The Echo Dot's sleek spherical design and subtle lighting make it a seamless addition to any space. Its sound quality, particularly that of the Echo Dot 5, is surprisingly robust. It likewise delivers rich bass and impressive volume, perfect for relaxation or hands-free cooking.

Lacking the freedom of a traditional portable speaker and not being water resistant like our favourite shower speakers, the Echo Dot isn't ideal for people on the go who want a slice of adventure. However, as a dedicated home speaker, it's still deeply impressive at its price point.

Review from Senior Tech Writer Chris Duffill: "I like the neat and simple design, with discrete buttons on the top that give you extra control over the volume when you're on a phone call and don't want to break off to speak to Alexa. The integration with the rest of my smart home devices is seamless too. I have four of these dotted around for multiroom music, it's affordable too. A great, affordable smart speaker and voice assistant."

Made from 70 per cent recycled plastic, this pebble-coloured fabric cuboid – with no visible branding or controls, bar the minimal voice switch on the device's back side – blends seamlessly into any home environment. Its touch-sensitive controls for playback and volume on the top surface enhance the device's minimalism.

Setting up the Google Nest Audio is a breeze with the Google Home app. In no time, you'll be enjoying your favourite music and the reliable, accurate Google Assistant. The Assistant's natural-sounding voice and precise responses set it apart from the competition.

The Nest Audio is compatible with various music platforms, including Spotify, YouTube Music, Deezer, and TuneIn. Its built-in Chromecast allows for seamless casting from streaming apps, and its stereo pairing capabilities enable two Nest Audios to work together or a mono pair with a Google Home.

The Google Nest Audio has made significant improvements since the 2016 Google Home. It now offers a 75 per cent increase in volume and a 50 per cent improvement in bass, providing a more immersive audio experience. Its 75mm woofer and 19mm tweeter deliver clear midrange sound, making it great for handling vocals. However, it does not offer the same level of depth and detail as some other speakers on the market.

Pushing the volume can lead to harshness, particularly in the treble. Because of this, the Nest Audio is better suited for providing smart assistance and background ambience rather than being used as a speaker for high-quality audio. Audiophiles should consider other options.

Additionally, while users can adjust the device's EQ settings in the companion app, it is recommended to stick to the device's default settings due to limitations in sound delivery.