Smart speakers are much more than devices to listen to music or the radio. In a home automation ecosystem, these speakers are the central hub around which all connected devices can be controlled. Of all of them, those that share a large part of the cake are Google, Amazon and Apple, with Google Assistant, Alexa and Siri , respectively. But although these are the most popular, there are also third-party smart speakers that use these same assistants. We break them down below with this smart speaker comparison .
Below we detail the models mentioned in greater depth so that you do not have any doubts when choosing the one that best suits your needs.
Google Nest Mini
The second generation of the Home Mini, Google’s most basic smart speaker, tries to repeat the success of its predecessor. In fact, it keeps many of its features and design intact. Physically, the only change is a small indentation in the base to hang it on the wall. Inside, it adds a much-needed third microphone and a new sound-enhancing chip. It is compact, functional and a good gateway to access the Google ecosystem .
- Dimensions: 98 x 42mm (diameter)
- Wi-Fi connectivity: 2.4GHz and 5GHz
- Bluetooth connectivity: 5.0
- Speaker: 360º surround sound with 40mm driver
- 3.5mm jack: yes
- Number of mics: 3
- Price: 59 euros
Google Nest Audio
Nest Audio is an option aimed at sound lovers who want the Google ecosystem at a reasonable price. And it is that the leap in sound quality is enormous if we compare it with its younger brother (up to 75% extra volume and 50% better bass). It resembles him in the four LEDs hidden under the mesh; on the volume controls, which are touch sensitive; or on the switch that activates and deactivates the listening microphones.
- Dimensions: 175 x 124 x 78mm
- Wi-Fi Connectivity: 2.4GHz/5GHz
- Bluetooth connectivity: 5.0
- Speaker: 3″ woofer and 0.75″ tweeter
- 3.5mm jack: yes
- Number of mics: 3
- Price: €99.99
Amazon Echo 4th gen
Echo, the standard model of Amazon, is now in its fourth generation. It is a speaker that performs correctly in the sound section, both to listen to music, and to hear Alexa’s voice more clearly, or that she understands our words better. Physically, she casts aside her upright cylinder appearance to become a ball and displace the ring of light to the base. With the AZ1 chip you can respond much faster, and the connectivity has also been optimized. Thanks to ZigBee we can do without bridges or hubs for compatible connected devices. All this places it as the Amazon speaker with the best value for money .
- Dimensions: 144 x 144 x 133mm
- Wi-Fi connectivity: 2.4 and 5GHz
- Bluetooth connectivity: A2DP and AVRCP
- Speaker: 3″ woofer and 0.8″ tweeter
- Dolby dual speakers: yes
- 3.5mm jack: yes
- Number of mics: 7
- Zigbee: yes
- Price: €99.99
Amazon Echo Dot 3rd gen
Even though the Echo Dot is now in its fourth generation, its predecessor is still Amazon’s best-selling speaker globally . It is small and cheap, but it has all the potential of Alexa or control of connected devices, with the quality that is expected in the entry of the range.
- Dimensions: 99 x 99 x 43mm
- Wi-Fi connectivity: 2.4 and 5GHz
- Bluetooth connectivity: A2DP and AVRCP
- Speaker: 1.6″
- 3.5mm jack: yes
- Number of mics: 4
- Price: €29.99
Amazon Echo Dot 4th gen
The fourth generation of Echo Dot is a twist on its predecessor. It’s still compact, but spherical, with the same connectivity and a slightly improved acoustic setup thanks to the speaker layout. It has a variant that includes a clock to check the time, set alarms, timers…
- Dimensions: 100 x 100 x 89mm
- Wi-Fi connectivity: 2.4 and 5GHz
- Bluetooth connectivity: A2DP and AVRCP
- Speaker: 1.6″
- 3.5mm jack: yes
- Number of mics: 4
- Price: 39.99 euros (49.99 euros for the model with a watch)
Amazon EchoStudio
The best thing about Echo Studio is its acoustic section. In addition to the front slit, which serves to enhance the bass, it includes Dolby Atmos, and is compatible with HD music, providing a sound quality that very few smart speakers offer . In addition, it has advanced connectivity thanks to its compatibility with Zigbee to enhance home automation.
- Dimensions: 206 x 175mm
- Wi-Fi connectivity: 2.4 and 5GHz
- Bluetooth connectivity: A2DP and AVRCP
- Speaker: 3 x 2” midrange, 1 x 1” tweeter and 1 x 5.25” woofer
- Dolby Dual Speakers: Dolby Atmos
- 3.5mm jack: yes + mini optical Toslink
- Number of microphones: —
- Zigbee: yes
- Price: €199.99
Apple HomePod
It’s the ideal smart speaker for iOS device users, as integration with Apple products is a snap. It stands out for its excellent sound , thanks to the fact that, unlike other speakers, the tweeters are in the lower part and the woofers in the upper part, which optimizes the performance of the treble.
- Dimensions: 172 x 142mm (diameter)
- WiFi Connectivity: WiFi 802.11ac
- Bluetooth connectivity: 5.0. It can also be integrated into AirPlay 2 infrastructures
- Speaker: Long-excursion woofers with custom amplifier and 7 horn-shaped tweeters with independent amplification.
- Number of microphones: 6 + 1 internal for low frequency calibration
- Price: 349 euros
Apple HomePod Mini
This compact sphere (very reminiscent of the Echo Dot) houses a great load of innovation and enormous acoustic power inside . Not only because of its 360º sound, but also because it allows you to use more than one HomePod Mini to create a unique and immersive sound. It has excellent performance , although, as in the previous case, it is only made for the Apple ecosystem, which means that in compatibility with other systems it is not up to the level of other smart speakers.
- Dimensions: 84.3 x 97.9mm
- Wi-Fi Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11n
- Bluetooth connectivity: 5.0
- Number of microphones: 4
- Price: 99 euros
