It’s hard to imagine a world without Amazon's helpful voice assistant - and, now that the technology is everywhere, we have the best Alexa speakers to choose from too. With the ability to set alarms, perform web searches, and much more, you can ask Alexa smart speakers questions like "What are the best speakers for my TV?" or "Will buying the best party speakers make me popular with the neighbours?".
Amazon’s own-brand devices are its Alexa-enabled Echo speakers; including the Dot, Show, and Studio. But did you know that other smart speaker brands also have Alexa officially integrated into their circuitry? So, if you’re listening to your little Echo Dot and find yourself longing for more power, bass and functionality, we’re here to help. There are some excellent Amazon products there, alongside Alexa speakers from many other brands.
But, if a speaker is labelled as ‘works with Alexa’ then this only means it's compatible with your main fully-featured Alexa device, such as an Echo Studio. That’s not what we’re looking at here. While you can ask a compatible device to do some very cool Alexa commands, it's not a true integration of Amazon's tech itself - it only passes your command on to the actual Alexa device in your home.
Best Alexa speakers of 2024 at a glance:
• Best overall Alexa speaker: Echo Studio with Dolby Atmos and Alexa - View at Amazon
• Best budget Alexa speaker: Echo Dot (5th generation, 2022 release) - View at Amazon
• Best Alexa speaker for music: Sonos One (Gen2) - View at Argos
• Best Alexa speakers for TV: Samsung Q990B Soundbar Speaker - View at Amazon
Thankfully, by getting one of the best Alexa speakers we've listed here, you’ll be all set for genuine Alexa-inside voice control with decent sound. As digital assistant technology becomes more ubiquitous, the question we're asking our smart speaker is "Alexa, what’s the best Alexa speakers of 2024?" Spoiler: the answers are right here.
The best Alexa speakers of 2023
All prices are correct at the time of writing. Prices, stock and deals are subject to change without notice.
Best overall Alexa speaker
Description
The concept of a smart speaker has developed into fully-featured multiroom audio solutions. The Echo Studio is probably one of the best we've seen - especially considering the addition of Dolby Atmos and 3-D sound that projects in all directions. Pair up as many of these stylish little wonders as you like. Then put them into different zones in your home and wirelessly cast your music to them. Music aside for a moment, it's easy to forget this is a smart speaker. Home automation, web searches, reminders - you name it; Alexa is just a shout away. The bass is respectable for such a small speaker, but for bass addicts out there, the addition of an Echo Sub will give you that satisfying boost.
For us, it's the perfect mix of affordability, function and style. These won't fail to complement your home decor, no matter the colour scheme. Altogether, the Amazon Echo Studio takes the best overall Alexa speaker crown.
Pros
- The modern and inconspicuous design will fit into all rooms and decors
- The massive well-rounded three-dimensional sound is much larger than the sum of its parts
- It's very easy to set up thanks to clear guided instructions
Cons
- If you want more bass you'll need to get an Echo Sub
Best Alexa speaker for music
www.argos.co.uk
Description
Sonos has been at the top of its game for a while now, and the second generation of its ever-popular Sonos One speaker is proving to be a popular choice for music lovers. And we love it too, as apart from being a worthy addition to any room, it integrates extremely well with music apps; Amazon Music, Audible, Pandora and Spotify to name a few.
It does indeed have Alexa built-in, but if you're partial to Google Assistant, it has that too. Far-field noise cancelling mics ensure you'll be well-heard too. But if you want to skip the small talk and use good old-fashioned manual controls, all of the buttons are easily accessed on the top panel. They're touch control too, so the top of this will be a breeze to keep clean. The Sonos App gives you the ability to manage all of your connected devices, such as the Sonos Roam multi-room speaker we looked at in our run-down of the best party speakers. You can also adjust the tone with the app for fine-tuning.
One slight gripe we have with this is that although it'll happily pair with another Sonos device as a stereo pair or more (again, great for music fans) if you have Amazon Echo devices already you're out of luck. Whilst Alexa will know those speakers exist, you won't be able to pipe your music to both the Sonos One and the Echos as a single unit. That said, this isn't an issue for those already in the Sonos ecosystem, and the sound from this will totally eclipse that from the Echo in any case. Our advice? Get a second one for true stereo separation and an incredible musical experience.
Pros
- The neat rounded-off tower design and essential well-located simple touch controls keep the look simple and refined
- Great integration with popular music streaming services means plenty of choice
- It can be paired with another for stereo sound for huge room-filling sound
Cons
- Cannot be paired to work with Echo devices for multispeaker music
Best Alexa speakers for TV
Description
If a pricey home cinema amplifier plus all of the wires aren't your bag, but you still want top-notch sound with Alexa built into it, this soundbar system from Samsung ticks all of these boxes. It made it into our recommendations for the best TV speakers recently too. Apart from all of the usual Alexa functionality, it has Dolby Atmos, DTS
This feat of audio engineering uses up-firing speakers that create overhead immersion. In addition, an array of angled speakers in the soundbar, plus the rear surround speakers, project sound with precision to create that 11.1.4 channel surround sound effect. But, this isn't actually an 'effect' at all, as there really are that many individual speakers, including the sub. You have HDMI ARC and other connectivity options. Plus Active Voice Amplifier monitors the ambient noise in your room and intelligently adapts any dialogue for maximum clarity. We're not huge fans of the angular exterior design, but with the integration of Alexa Samsung has given us a premium TV sound experience with all of the convenience of voice control as the centrepiece of your living room.
Pros
- The revolutionary 11.1.4ch surround system gives you surround like never before
- The inclusion of Alexa, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and Q-symphony make this an all-in-one smart speaker and home cinema solution
- Active Voice Amplifier for clear dialogue
Cons
- A separate amp and speakers may better suit those who crave this much power
Best budget Alexa speaker
Description
It would seem odd to have a list of recommendations with only one Amazon device - especially since Alexa is the company's own technology. But we wouldn't be listing it here if it wasn't the fantastic all-rounder that is it. At well under £60 (or less, if you keep an eye out for Amazon promotions) it's an absolute steal. Get as many of these and other Echo devices as you like, and they'll all talk to each other. Multiroom audio and voice control over your other compatible devices are within your reach, well inside the affordable price bracket.
What we like is the ease of setup via the Alexa app, plus the form factor. This little aptly-named Dot will sit on any shelf, unit or side table. There's even a version with an in-built LED clock if you want to use one of these in a bedroom or kitchen. Set alarms and timers, and ask it to play your favourite tunes. What the Echo Dot may lack in audio volume it more than makes up for in features and price. So much so it made our list of the best smart speakers of 2023. Buy one and you won't regret it.
Pros
- The inconspicuous design may be compact, but it's still powerful enough for your music and more
- Easy to set up and pairs easily with other devices via the Alexa app
- The bass is surprisingly good for the size
Cons
- Not for serious music listening - as the bass starts to crack at max volume
Best mid-budget Alexa speaker
www.smarthomesounds.co.uk
Description
Beautiful iconic design meets the latest in voice control technology in this fusion of the old and the new. Marshall's Uxbridge is one of those products that seemed to fly under the radar somewhat; possibly eclipsed by the larger models in its range, such as the stellar Marshall Woburn III that we reviewed recently. But this packs something the others don't - good old Alexa built-in.
The Uxbridge's looks are hard to resist. It's nailed nostalgia and will appeal to rock-and-rollers everywhere. It also includes Google Assistant compatibility, but for full control, Alexa is ready and waiting for your commands. The mic here isn't as sensitive as some others on this list, but as a device at the smaller end of the spectrum, it's going to sound best in a small to medium-sized room anyway; so you should be close enough to be heard. As a device that harks back to vintage amplifiers with plenty of inputs, we're slightly surprised to see no auxiliary input, but then again this is fully connected via Bluetooth and WiFi. Plus Apple Airplay 2. It's hard to criticise a Marshall product that's this good, with Alexa thrown in, especially at such a mid-budget price.
Pros
- The iconic Marshall design and build adds class and quality to your room
- The excellent tone controls create a fully rounded s yet customisable sound
- The Marshall Voice app for EQ control and solid mic sensitivity make this a responsive unit
Cons
- An auxiliary input would have been a useful addition
Best small Alexa speaker
Description
No, this isn't a boiled egg. It's one of the smallest portable audio devices we've ever encountered with or without Alexa inside. And this absolutely does contain Amazon's little voice-controlled genie.
It's an IPX6 waterproof Bluetooth speaker too. So, pair it with your phone, pop it into your pocket and you'll have music on demand and the internet at the tip of your tongue. The battery lasts for up to five hours, plus that waterproofing means it'll survive the shower or getting soaked in a monsoon on holiday. The sound is bigger than you expect as well, just don't expect a pocket-sized boombox. There's a mic of course, but it'll also allow you to take hands-free calls. All in all, this is the smallest, most fun application of Alexa tech to be found.
Pros
- You can genuinely take it anywhere - it's small but still has all that Alexa power
- It supports hands-free phone calls, so you can use this anywhere when you're busy
- The waterproof construction is essential for something this tiny and portable
Cons
- No WiFi connectivity (but that probably makes for a better battery life)
Best portable Alexa speaker
Description
It would be easy to confuse portable with low-quality sound, but not when Bang & Olufsen are involved. Design-wise this soap-on-a-rope style speaker is something of an oddity, but not offensively so. Its relatively featureless casing is designed to withstand being lugged around, hung up or left on a picnic table in the rain. It's a dust-resistant and waterproof speaker, and the top section is aluminium - this thing is designed to travel with you wherever you go.
Alexa is of course present, so once this is paired with your mobile device you'll be able to do everything you'd expect, from asking it for the phone number of a local taxi firm, to playing your favourite holiday playlists. A massive 18-hour battery life will see you through the most arduous day trip, and the three onboard mics make for excellent hands-free voice calls. But don't forget, at this price, you should be expecting more than just a rugged build outside and Alexa inside; you should expect Bang & Olufsen quality sound. And that's just what you'll get with the Beosound A1 - more rich and powerful than you'd ever suspect from such a compact speaker.
Pros
- That B&O quality sound is unsurpassed at this size and with lots of volume too
- Its three mics make this one of the best speakers for responsiveness and accuracy
- The waterproof construction is second to none - peace of mind in all weathers
Cons
- High volumes can sometimes vibrate the device - its power-to-weight ratio can be too impressive
8.
Sonos Move
Best outdoor Alexa speaker
Description
The Sonos Move is more than just a large portable speaker, it's designed to be at home outdoors. At 3kg this isn't the most luggable Alexa speaker of them all, but it's just right for moving from lounge to garden when you need it. It'll survive the great British weather if you leave it outside - making it a truly practical garden speaker; Plus Sonos' Auto True Play feature will analyse the acoustics of the space and make adjustments automatically for the very best sound.
Aside from the usual Alexa (and Google Assistant) integration, this sounds every bit as good outside as in. The casing projects audio into a wide and satisfying soundstage - perfect for wide open spaces. A handle is a nice addition and reflects the clear purpose of the Sonos Move. Take this to the beach and it will not only survive the sand and splashes, it'll thrive there too. Charging is done via a wireless base, and the battery will last around 11 hours. So, with the Sonos Move you really can grab that top-quality sound you're used to at home, plus Alexa, and take them with you into the great outdoors.
Pros
- The super-deep bass and wide soundstage are a genuine surprise for something this size
- The addition of IP56 weatherproofing and drop-resistance make this a tough and portable solution
- The 10-hour battery life is respectable for something with this much power and range
Cons
- Cannot be paired with Echo devices for a multispeaker experience
Best premium Alexa speaker
redirect.viglink.com
Description
Small enough to place almost anywhere but big enough for satisfying range and volume, what you're really paying for here is the legendary Bose sound. It's described as wall-to-wall, and voice pickup is equally spacious thanks to eight mics. There are six one-touch preset buttons on the top, making non-voice control even easier.
If you're a Spotify user, you can use the Spotify Connect integration for seamless playback through the Home Speaker 500. Amazon Music is supported too. And speaking of seamless connections, this speaker is part of the Bose Smart Family - so multiroom listening with compatible products like the Bose Soundlink Flex featured here is easy. There's also Airplay 2 for your Apple devices.
The built-in screen is a real bonus here, it'll display artwork and essential info as well as visually setting it apart from most other Alexa speakers out there. If you're after top-of-the-line audio in a beautiful black aluminium case, plus all the convenience and function of Alexa, you've found it.
Pros
- Without a doubt, this provides best-in-class stereo sound
- The colour screen is excellent for album artwork
- Works with Bose SimpleSync for easy multiroom setup - listen throughout your home
Cons
- Cannot be paired with Echo devices for multispeaker playback options
- The screen is lower resolution than we'd like
Best Alexa speakers of 2024: Buyer’s guide
Just a few years ago voice recognition was a slightly clunky affair, relegated to dictation software for keyboard dodgers. Now, it’s everywhere. Amazon’s voice command technology has made its way into a whole host of devices, including TVs, soft toys and even fridges. But, speakers are by far the popular choice. So, what features should you look for?
Consider Amazon Prime
One of the most useful things about Alexa speakers is the tremendous number of things you can ask them to do. But for a real functionality boost, we recommend upgrading your Amazon account to Amazon Prime. Why? Because Alexa is an Amazon product. So you can expect benefits like asking it to play from millions of songs available on Prime Music. The same goes for Prime Video. An Alexa speaker linked with an Alexa-compatible TV will make viewing easy with thousands of films and shows to enjoy.
Your Alexa speaker can also be used to read e-books from Prime Reading. Perhaps the most practical benefit is using your voice to do some shopping; you’ll have access to exclusive voice-ordered deals via Prime Alexa Shopping.
Consider your other smart speakers and gadgets first
If one of the best Alexa speakers here catches your eye (and ears) and it’s not your only Alexa device, it’s worthwhile listing the rest. By doing that you may well discover that your sound coverage could be better. Once you buy a new Alexa speaker, moving the others to new spaces could reach more corners of your home. You might decide that your brand-new speaker should take the place of your old one, freeing it up for a garage, spare bedroom or utility room.
Plan your Alexa speaker placement
Speaker placement is always a crucial decision, mainly due to the acoustics of the room. But it’s equally important to think about your distance to all of your Alexa speakers, and the all-important built-in microphone. Placing a speaker too close to a competing source of noise - such as a loud TV or in a busy kitchen - could make it difficult for you to be heard.
One of the best all-around solutions to this, especially if you do live in a noisy household, is to purchase more than one Alexa speaker. This could be something as innocuous as a couple of Amazon Echo Pop speakers. Place one in your entrance hall, and another in your kitchen for instance, and you’ll be able to control your main Alexa speaker and all of the usual voice commands through those. For us, this is a great upgrade in any case.
Try before you buy
Reviews and tech specs aside, there is no substitute for listening to the best Alexa speakers in person. A friend may have the one you’re interested in. The best option is to buy from a store that supports easy returns if you’re not satisfied.
Best Alexa speakers of 2024: Jargon-buster
Digital assistant / virtual assistant
These terms are synonymous with ‘smart speaker’ and any other device that has advanced voice control and recognition powered by a live internet connection. If it’s got Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant, or Bixby, it’ll qualify as a digital assistant.
Active speakers
Unlike passive speakers that have no active power or amplifier circuitry, active speakers do. All of our picks here are self-amplified. This means that you can stream any sound directly to the speakers, usually via a mobile device connected with Bluetooth or through a WiFi connection, without the need for a separate amplifier.
Watt
Wattage in regard to sound output and speaker power is a measure of the strength of the audio signal that drives the speaker. With active speakers like the ones here, this is all dealt with for you.
Drivers
A driver is a device inside any speaker, wired headphones, floor-standing monoliths, or bookshelf speakers that convert signals into sound. So it follows, larger drivers tend to be able to deliver a more powerful sound with greater accuracy. That said, this isn’t always the case as build material quality also plays an important role.
Tweeters
A speaker is two components: a woofer and a tweeter. A tweeter is responsible for producing high-frequency sounds. The very best Alexa speakers will probably have one, but some single-speaker models won't. With small devices, this is much less of an issue.
Woofers
A woofer is part of the speaker that produces low-frequency sounds. You'll commonly see these described by the width of the cone - in inches or centimetres. This will also give you a slight indication of how much range and power they may have.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the best Alexa speakers for music?
We think the Sonos One, above, is one of the best Alexa speakers you can buy. Not only do you get the excellence of build that comes with the Sonos brand, but you also get exceptional performance and a clear, well-supported path for a whole-house audio solution.
What’s the best Alexa speakers for bathrooms?
One of the best Alexa speakers we’ve seen that has a waterproofing level that would make it survive in a bathroom is the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 as featured above. If there’s one thing you don’t want to cut corners on when it comes to an Alexa speaker for a bathroom is water resistance, and this one is both dust and waterproof. Remember, unless it’s specifically designed to be submerged, we don’t recommend taking any electrical equipment into a shower or close to a bath. The equipment might not be the only thing that is irrevocably damaged.
Can I use Alexa speakers without wifi?
Yes, you can. But you probably don’t want to. As Alexa devices often come with Bluetooth, they can still be used as a simple wireless speaker. But then you’d be ditching some of the very best Alexa speakers features that you’ve invested in. If you’re unable to connect your speaker to wifi for any reason, such as being away on holiday, you may be able to share your mobile device’s 4G or 5G connection as a mobile hotspot.
What’s the best Alexa speaker with a screen?
Although Amazon has done a fantastic job with its Echo Show, we feel that this has become more of a screen with a good speaker, not the other way around. The best thing about an Alexa speaker with a screen is going to be how quickly and easily you can see what’s playing and other essential info. The Bose Home Speaker 500 we mentioned in our line-up has a very well-integrated and sizable screen that delivers everything you need.
What’s the difference between Alexa, Siri, Bixby, and Google Assistant?
These voice command technologies function in much the same way but are developed by different companies. Siri is Apple’s take on it, with Bixby developed by Samsung. As you’d expect, they don’t all share the same commands, settings and functions. They also focus on different features, depending on the device and assistant being used. For instance, Bixby is understandably very good with Samsung TV integration and its SmartThings platform for its devices; while Google Assistant and Alexa seem to favour media streaming. And of course, these operate in different ecosystems, so don’t expect to be able to control everything with everything.
We recommend doing your research, trying each out, and sticking to one brand of digital assistant wherever possible. It’ll make linking everything up that much easier. And where you can’t stick to one, try to make sure the device you’re considering is at least compatible with your choice of voice control.
Why buy an Alexa device?
The experts here at What’s The Best tend to gravitate towards Amazon Alexa simply because the near seamless integration with the company’s shopping platform is useful, the number of devices that support it is huge and growing, and it is responsive and accurate when spoken to. Plus, thanks to Prime Music, if you’re in the mood for some Red Hot Chilli Peppers, it’s clever enough to skip the grocery aisle and play some serious tunes at no extra cost.