Best Smart Speakers of 2026

Same Era 100 chassis as the #1 pick in a different colour finish (typically white vs black). Functionally identical — buy on whichever is in stock or cheaper at the time of order, or the colour that matches your room.

WiiM Pro Plus isn't a speaker — it's a streaming bridge that adds AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Roon Ready, Tidal Connect and Hi-Res audio to any existing stereo. For audiophiles with good speakers already, this is the right buy at any price.

The default Alexa speaker. Compact spherical chassis, single front-firing driver, far-field microphones that hear 'Alexa' from across most rooms. Sound is functional for voice and ambient music — don't expect more, but at the price you won't get more.

Same Echo Dot chassis as #5 in a different colour finish. Functionally identical — choose between #5 and #6 on visual preference. Echo Dot finishes vary slightly by year so check the listing photos.

Echo Dot Max is the larger-chassis Echo with a bigger sound chamber and spatial-audio processing. Genuinely better sound than the standard Dot — meaningful for music, not just voice — but priced closer to a Sonos than to a Dot.

Google's main smart speaker — bigger and better-sounding than the Nest Mini. Google Assistant's general knowledge is sharper than Alexa's; smart-home integration is strong if you own Google Home devices. Multi-room casting via Google Home app.

Not a smart speaker strictly — the Soundcore 2 is a Bluetooth-only portable. Included here because it's the most-bought 'budget smart-speaker alternative' on Amazon UK: pair to an Echo Dot or phone for better sound, take it outside, get 24-hour battery life.

IKT's sub-budget Alexa-compatible speaker — works with Amazon's Voice Service but isn't the Echo brand. Genuine Alexa functionality at a lower price than the Dot, but with weaker microphone arrays and a generic chassis.