Best Alexa smart speakers for music

If you’re invested in the Amazon ecosystem and use Prime, Kindle, or Fire TV, it makes sense to choose a smart speaker that fits that setup best. That means choosing one with Alexa built-in. For those who haven’t used Alexa before, it’s Amazon’s voice assistant that lets you control your speaker and other devices with simple voice commands. You can ask it to play music, get the latest news, manage your smart home gadgets, or update your to-do list, all without lifting a finger.

Alexa is not just on Amazon’s own Echo speakers anymore. Several other brands now integrate Alexa directly into their products, which expands your options. And with Amazon’s new Alexa Plus upgrade designed to make conversations smoother and more natural, Alexa’s capabilities just keep improving.

So, whether you want to stream music, automate your smart home, or simply interact with your tech more easily, here’s a look at the best Alexa smart speakers available right now.

Best Alexa smart speakers for music, smart home, and more

Here are some of the top options.

ALSO READ: Can you connect Alexa to a Bluetooth speaker?

Sonos Era 300 (Gen 2)

Bose smart Wi-Fi speaker

Sonos Era 100 (Next Gen)

Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)

Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen)

1. Sonos Era 300 (Gen 2)

Smart speakers have come a long way beyond just playing background music. If you want a model that delivers excellent sound quality and functionality, the Sonos Era 300 (Gen 2) is one of the best choices right now. Sonos has been the go-to for whole-home audio setups for years, and the Era 300 pushes that reputation even further, focusing on sound that feels alive and all around you. At its core, the Era 300 uses special waveguides to project sound not only left and right but also forward and overhead. 

This creates a rich, room-filling experience you won’t get from most speakers. It also has a built-in subwoofer and bass booster, giving you strong low-end performance without extra equipment. On the smart features side, the Era 300 supports Alexa voice control, Apple AirPlay 2, and connectivity via both Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0.

The Sonos app provides advanced customisation options and lets you easily sync multiple Sonos speakers across your home. Additionally, the speaker features intuitive touch controls, a humidity-resistant matte finish, and a USB-C port for expanded connectivity.

2. Bose smart Wi-Fi speaker

Bose has been a key player in premium audio for years, and their portable smart speaker reflects that experience. This speaker is designed to be both durable and versatile, thanks to its aluminium build and IPX4 water resistance. The speaker is made of tough aluminium and has an IPX4 rating, which basically means it can handle a splash or two without dying on you. The sound is impressive as well, offering 360-degree coverage with rich bass that fills a room or balcony easily. 

Battery life clocks in at a decent 12 hours. The speaker uses Bluetooth 4.2, which works well within about 9 meters, and Wi-Fi means you get all the streaming perks. You get plenty of voice control options with Alexa built-in and Google Assistant support, so managing playlists, controlling smart home devices, setting reminders, or checking the weather can all be done hands-free. The speaker also supports Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast, and Bose SimpleSync for multi-room setups.

3. Sonos Era 100 (Next Gen)

Not everyone wants a large speaker taking up space, but that doesn’t mean you should compromise on sound quality. The Sonos Era 100 (Next Gen) offers a compact design without sacrificing performance. It features a built-in subwoofer and bass booster that deliver impressive low-end depth for a speaker of this size. With Alexa built-in, you can control playback and access information hands-free.

Connectivity options include Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 6, allowing for easy streaming and the ability to link multiple Sonos speakers for synchronised multi-room audio. Setting it up is easy, thanks to the Sonos app, which also gives you access to plenty of stations via Sonos Radio. Additionally, the speaker is humidity-resistant and includes intuitive touch and toggle controls for convenient direct operation.

4. Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)

The Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) is a compact smart speaker designed to bring Alexa into any room without taking up much space or budget. Small but capable, it features a 44mm front-firing speaker that delivers balanced bass and clear vocals, easily filling bedrooms, kitchens, and home offices. 

Alexa’s voice assistant powers the entire experience, with improved responsiveness thanks to three far-field microphones that can pick up commands even while music is playing. This speaker also introduces motion detection, enabling smart home automation such as turning lights on upon entering a room and off when leaving. Connectivity options include built-in Wi-Fi for multi-room audio syncing across multiple Echo devices, as well as Bluetooth for streaming.

5. Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen)

The Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) hits a rare sweet spot between a smart display and a capable speaker, making it one of the most well-rounded Alexa devices you can bring into your home. While earlier Amazon speakers focused heavily on voice control, this model builds on that with an 8-inch HD touchscreen, which is sharp enough to stream your favourite Prime Video shows or Netflix movies or manage smart home controls. 

Audio is delivered through stereo neodymium speakers paired with a passive bass radiator, producing a clear, balanced sound that’ll fill most rooms effectively. For smart home control, the Echo Show 8 can manage compatible lights, cameras, AC units, and more, directly from the screen or via voice. There’s also motion detection with automation options, along with a 13MP camera for home monitoring and hands-free video calls.