SMART SPEAKERS
Smart Home Tech Guide
Choosing the Best Voice Assistant for Your Home
Smart speakers have become an essential part of modern smart homes. While many people think immediately of Alexa, Google, and Siri, there are a variety of smart speakers designed for different needs—from controlling your smart home to delivering immersive music experiences. Here's a breakdown of the most popular options and how to choose the best smart speaker for your home setup.
Amazon Echo Devices:
A Wide Range of Affordable Options
If you're in the Amazon ecosystem, there’s an Echo device for every use case and budget, from entry-level voice assistants to feature-rich smart displays.
Amazon Echo Pop
$40
▶ WHO IT’S FOR:
Entry-level users and small spaces.
▶ WHY CHOOSE IT:
The Echo Pop is the most basic and affordable Echo option, perfect for simple voice commands or as a low-cost way to expand Alexa to additional rooms.
▶ DOWNSIDES:
Limited sound quality and basic features, better suited for small spaces or secondary rooms.
Amazon Echo Dot
$50
▶ WHO IT’S FOR:
Those wanting an affordable, compact speaker with better sound.
▶ WHY CHOOSE IT:
The Echo Dot improves on the Pop’s sound quality and functionality. It can be purchased with an optional LED clock display—perfect for a bedside table.
▶ TIP:
If you want to save money and don't need a screen, this is a great choice for most rooms.
Amazon Echo Spot
$80
▶ WHO IT’S FOR:
Users wanting a compact clock with Alexa built-in.
▶ WHY CHOOSE IT:
The Echo Spot offers a small screen for displaying time, weather, and simple visuals. It’s a modern twist on an alarm clock, making it great for nightstands.
▶ DOWNSIDES:
Unlike the Echo Show, it doesn’t play video, so it’s primarily for voice control, alarms, and time display.
Amazon Echo Show Lineup:
Amazon Echo Show 5
$90
Smaller screen, not recommended.
Due to its size, it's less practical than other options.
Amazon Echo Show 8
$150
Best Mid-Range Display Option.
Offers a larger screen for video calls, recipes, and displaying smart home controls. A solid choice for most rooms, though Amazon’s ads on the screen can be annoying.
Amazon Echo Hub
$180
Best for Smart Home Control.
If you don’t need entertainment features and prefer a focus on smart home controls, weather, and photos without ads, the Echo Hub is your best bet.
Amazon Echo Show 15
$280
Best for Larger Screens & Kitchen Displays.
A large, wall-mountable screen ideal for family organization, streaming, and home control. Skip the Echo Show 10 and opt for the Show 15 if you want a big-screen experience.
Google Nest Hub
$100
Best for Google Ecosystem Users
▶ WHO IT’S FOR:
Google users who want a streamlined smart home experience.
▶ WHY CHOOSE IT:
The Google Nest Hub offers a 7-inch screen, controls all your connected Google devices, and shows live camera feeds. With Google’s powerful search engine, it excels at looking up information and providing daily routines.
▶ NO ADS & SMOOTH INTEGRATION:
Unlike some Amazon devices, the Google Nest Hub provides a clean, ad-free experience and integrates seamlessly with Google Nest devices.
▶ PRO TIP:
Stay within the Google ecosystem for the best experience, from smart speakers to thermostats and video doorbells.
Apple HomePod &
Apple HomePod Mini
▶ WHO IT’S FOR:
Those deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem (HomeKit, Siri, iOS).
▶ WHY CHOOSE IT:
The HomePod and HomePod Mini are designed to work seamlessly with Apple HomeKit and allow you to control your smart home with Siri. The HomePod Mini is great for quickly accessing your devices through the Control Center on your iPhone, and "tap to play" lets any iOS device instantly stream music.
▶ MUSIC & SOUND QUALITY:
The HomePod lineup boasts solid sound quality, making them great for music lovers and users who want to stream from Apple Music.
▶ NO SCREEN, PURE SOUND:
Apple has yet to release a HomeKit-compatible speaker with a display, so users rely on their iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch to view and control their smart home.
Sonos
Best for Audiophiles & Music Lovers
▶ WHO IT’S FOR:
Users who want high-quality sound and flexible placement options.
▶ WHY CHOOSE IT:
Sonos is renowned for its exceptional sound quality, making it ideal for listening to music, podcasts, and even creating surround sound in larger spaces.
▶ MULTIPLE VOICE ASSISTANT & PORTABILITY:
Many Sonos speakers support both Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing users to choose their preferred voice control. The Sonos Move and Sonos Roam are portable options, while the Era100 and Era300 are great for pairing and multi-room audio.
▶ PAIRING & EXPANDABILITY:
Easily pair speakers for a stereo sound experience or connect with other Sonos products for a full-home sound system.
Josh.ai
Best for Privacy & High-End Control
▶ WHO IT’S FOR:
Users looking for privacy-focused voice control and high-end smart home automation.
▶ WHY CHOOSE IT:
Josh.ai stands apart as a privacy-focused smart home assistant that works locally and doesn't share user data. It’s highly compatible with a range of popular smart home brands and offers a customizable dashboard for professional-level home automation.
▶ NATURAL LANGUAGE & SMART COMMANDS:
Powered by GPT-based interpretation, Josh.ai allows for complex and multi-part commands without requiring specific phrasing. For example, “Hey Josh, dim the lights, lower the shades, and play jazz” can be handled seamlessly.
▶ INSTALLATION & PRICING:
Available through professional dealers, you’ll need to purchase a license (either outright or through a subscription). While it requires a higher investment, it rivals systems like Crestron and Control4 in terms of customization.
Choosing the Right Smart Speaker
for Different Scenarios
In our home, we’ve used various smart speakers for different purposes:
▶ Amazon Echo: Best for displaying photos, weather updates, and quickly pulling up security camera feeds.
▶ Google Nest Hub: Excellent for quick information searches and managing smart home devices within the Google ecosystem.
▶ Apple HomePod Mini: Provides quick access to HomeKit controls and music streaming from any iPhone user in the house. Great for instant access to Siri.
▶ Sonos Speakers: Used primarily for entertainment, creating immersive soundscapes for parties, and multi-room audio.
▶ Josh.ai: Replacing smaller Echo devices to create a high-end, privacy-focused experience with advanced voice control over smart home routines.
Final Thoughts & Tips
When choosing a smart speaker, stick to the same ecosystem throughout your home for the most seamless experience. If you're an Amazon or Google user, ensure all your devices are compatible to allow for drop-ins, announcements, and consistent voice control. Apple users should focus on HomeKit-compatible devices for easy access via Siri and the Home app. If you want the best sound quality, Sonos will deliver, and for those looking for privacy and advanced automation, Josh.ai is a standout choice.