Best smart speakers

Shortlist and buying guide · the ranked board is on its way

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What to look for

Choose the assistant you already use; a screen helps with recipes, timers and video calls.

Models worth comparing

From manufacturers' specifications and published UK reviews, read on 6 October 2026. Not tested by us. In no particular order: these are not ranked, and we do not say which is best until the customer ratings are in.

Budget

Google Home Speaker

Android and Google Home households wanting an affordable speaker with the new Gemini assistant and a built-in smart home hub.

Built around Gemini for Home rather than the older Google Assistant
Doubles as a Matter hub and Thread border router
Hardware switch mutes the microphones

Watch out for: Several headline Gemini features, such as free-flowing Gemini Live chats, need a paid Google Home Premium plan once the trial ends.

Assistant: Gemini for Home
Smart home hub: Matter hub, Thread border router
Speaker: 58mm full-range driver, 360-degree sound
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4
Power: Mains (USB-C adapter)

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Sources: Maker product page · T3 review

Mid-range

Sonos Era 100

Music lovers who want a compact speaker that sounds big and can grow into a multi-room Sonos system.

Stereo sound from two angled tweeters and a mid-woofer
Streams over Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2 or Bluetooth
Pairs with a second Era 100 or works as rear speakers in a Sonos home cinema

Watch out for: Voice control is limited to Amazon Alexa and Sonos Voice Control, and plugging in a turntable or other source needs a separate adapter.

Assistant: Amazon Alexa, Sonos Voice Control
Speaker: 2 tweeters, 1 mid-woofer
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, AirPlay 2, USB-C line-in (adapter)
Power: Mains

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Sources: Maker product page · Expert Reviews review

Premium

Apple HomePod (2nd generation)

iPhone users who want rich room-filling sound and a hub for Apple Home and Matter accessories.

Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos and room-sensing audio tuning
Built-in Thread radio for Matter and HomeKit accessories
Temperature and humidity sensors plus smoke and CO alarm sound recognition

Watch out for: It needs an iPhone or iPad to set up and only works with Siri, so it is a poor fit for Android homes.

Assistant: Siri
Smart home hub: Thread, for Matter and HomeKit accessories
Speaker: 4-inch woofer, five tweeters
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, AirPlay
Power: Mains

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Sources: Maker product page · TechRadar review

Pro

Sonos Era 300

Listeners who want immersive Dolby Atmos music from a single speaker, or rear speakers for a Sonos home cinema.

Six drivers, including an upward-firing tweeter, for spatial audio
Plays Dolby Atmos music over Wi-Fi from supported services
Bluetooth, AirPlay 2 and USB-C line-in alongside Wi-Fi

Watch out for: Like the Era 100, voice control covers only Alexa and Sonos Voice Control, and wired sources need an extra adapter.

Assistant: Amazon Alexa, Sonos Voice Control
Speaker: 6 drivers, Dolby Atmos
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, AirPlay 2, USB-C line-in (adapter)
Power: Mains

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Sources: Maker product page · TechRadar review

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We are gathering the customer ratings this board needs from UK shops. When they are in, the ranked list replaces this guide at the same address, scored the way every board is: star ratings weighed by how many people left them. How we score.

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