The Best Smart Speakers in 2026
Pick by assistant first. WIRED’s best Google speaker is the new Google Home Speaker ($99.99), its best Alexa speaker is the Echo Dot Max ($119.99 list after Amazon’s hikes), and Apple’s HomePod mini 2 ($149) arrives October 30.
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Quick answer
Pick by assistant first. WIRED’s best Google speaker is the new Google Home Speaker ($99.99), its best Alexa speaker is the Echo Dot Max ($119.99 list after Amazon’s hikes), and Apple’s HomePod mini 2 ($149) arrives October 30. Best for Google homes: Google Home Speaker, $99.99. Best for Alexa: Amazon Echo Dot Max, $119.99.
Last updated Prices checked Oct 2026
Key facts at a glance
| Pick | Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for Google homes | Google Home Speaker | Google and Android homes | $99.99 |
| Best for Alexa | Amazon Echo Dot Max | Alexa homes | $119.99 list |
| Best-sounding Alexa | Amazon Echo Studio (2nd Gen) | the best Alexa sound | $220 |
| Best for Apple homes | Apple HomePod mini (2nd generation) | iPhone and Apple Home users | $149 |
| Best for music | Sonos Era 100 | music first, assistant second | $219 |
Picks follow WIRED’s[1] September 2026 smart speaker guide and PCMag’s[2] list, with prices from Google, Apple and Sonos (prices checked October 2026). WIRED notes Amazon raised Echo prices at the end of August 2026, so older price lists are out of date.
Which should you buy? Our quick picks
How do they compare?
| Speaker | Price | Assistant | Smart home hub | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Home Speaker | $99.99 | Gemini for Home | Matter (Google Home) | Google and Android homes |
| Echo Dot Max | $119.99 list | Alexa and Alexa+ | Built-in hub | Alexa homes |
| Echo Studio (2nd Gen) | $220 | Alexa and Alexa+ | Built-in hub | The best Alexa sound |
| HomePod mini 2 | $149 | Siri | Thread border router, home hub | IPhone and Apple Home users |
| Sonos Era 100 | $219 | Alexa (no Google) | No | Music first, assistant second |
The picks in detail
1. Google Home Speaker
Best for: Google and Android homesWIRED’s[1] best Google smart speaker. PCMag[2] praises its balanced, powerful sound and natural Gemini responses, and it works as a Matter hub. Some Gemini features need a paid plan. The Google Store lists it at $99.99.
Price (Oct 2026): $99.99 Source
Pros
- Gemini assistant
- Good value
Cons
- Some Gemini features are paywalled
- Mics can miss commands (PCMag)
2. Amazon Echo Dot Max
Best for: Alexa homesWIRED’s[1] best Alexa speaker and PCMag’s[2] too. WIRED praises its room-filling sound for the size, its good hearing even with music playing, and its built-in smart home hub. Amazon raised its price to $119.99 in August; WIRED and PCMag have seen it for about $90 on sale.
Price (Oct 2026): $119.99 list Source
Pros
- Big sound for its size
- Smart home hub
- Alexa+
Cons
- Expensive for a small speaker
3. Amazon Echo Studio (2nd Gen)
Best for: the best Alexa soundWIRED[1] calls it the best-sounding Alexa speaker, with spatial audio, a built-in smart home hub and enough power to fill a big room. Its $220 price wasn’t affected by Amazon’s hikes.
Price (Oct 2026): $220 Source
Pros
- Excellent sound
- Spatial audio
- Smart home hub
Cons
- Bigger than a Dot
4. Apple HomePod mini (2nd generation)
Best for: iPhone and Apple Home usersApple’s second-generation HomePod mini costs $149 and is available starting October 30. Like the original, it works as a Thread border router and home hub for the Apple Home app. WIRED’s[1] current Apple pick is the original mini at $129 while stock lasts.
Price (Oct 2026): $149 Source
Pros
- Siri and Apple Home hub
- Thread border router
Cons
- Best only for Apple users
5. Sonos Era 100
Best for: music first, assistant secondWIRED[1] lists it as an honorable mention for people who care most about sound. It works with Alexa but not Google Assistant. $219 at Sonos.
Price (Oct 2026): $219 Source
Pros
- Great sound
- Part of the Sonos system
Cons
- No Google Assistant
- Pricey
Also considered
Apple HomePod (2nd Gen): PCMag’s[2] best Siri speaker; $349 list, $299.99 at Best Buy when PCMag checked.
Echo Dot (5th Gen): Cheaper than the Dot Max; WIRED[1] says it rose to $80 in August.
Sonos Era 300: Dolby Atmos; $499 at Sonos.
Choose your ecosystem first
A smart speaker is mostly a front end for an assistant. Use the one that controls your other devices. For Matter and Thread hubs, see best Thread border routers and our Matter starter kit.
Want music more than smarts?
For portable listening, see best Bluetooth speakers. A smart speaker can also announce visitors from one of our best video doorbells.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best smart speaker?
Did Echo prices go up?
Is the HomePod mini 2 out?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Oct 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
- WIRED: The best smart speakers (updated September 2026) (wired.com)
- PCMag: The best smart speakers (pcmag.com)
- Google Store: Google Home Speaker (store.google.com)
- Apple: Buy HomePod mini 2 (apple.com)
- Sonos: Era 100 (sonos.com)
Related
The Best Smart Displays in 2026
PCMag’s top smart display is the Echo Show 8 (4th Gen). WIRED likes the Echo Show 11 ($250) best among Alexa devices, and says the cheaper 3rd Gen Echo Show 8 ($150) sounds better than the new one. Google’s Nest Hub ($99.99) is the pick if you’d rather avoid ads.
best ofBest Thread border routers
Thread devices need a border router to reach your Wi-Fi network. The best one is usually a speaker or streamer from the ecosystem you already use.
best ofMatter Starter Kit: What to Buy First
Start with one Matter controller and Thread border router that matches your phone and voice assistant, then add two or three Wi-Fi Matter plugs or bulbs. Most starter kits cost $150–$250.
best ofThe Best Video Doorbells in 2026
Wirecutter’s best doorbell camera is the Google Nest Doorbell (Wired, 3rd Gen) at $199. Without doorbell wiring, the TP-Link Tapo D225 ($100) is its battery pick, and the Tapo D130 ($54) is the budget choice, with free local storage on both Tapos.
best ofBest Bluetooth Speakers
The JBL Charge 6 is the best all-rounder. The Soundcore Boom 2 is the value pick, and the JBL Clip 5 is the one to clip to a bag.
comparisonAlexa vs Google Home
Both assistants are now generative AI. Alexa+ is available to everyone in the US and is free with Prime. Gemini for Home’s basics are free, with Gemini Live and camera search behind Google Home Premium. In The Ambient’s head-to-head, Alexa+ was better at running a smart home.