10 Best Alexa Smart Speakers 2025 in the United States

The Amazon Echo Spot is a versatile and compact Alexa-enabled smart speaker that excels as a smart alarm clock, making it ideal for nightstands, offices, and kitchens. Its sleek design includes a 2.83-inch touch screen display, which is useful for quickly checking the time, weather, and song titles, and for controlling smart home devices. The sound quality is quite impressive for its size, providing rich sound with clear vocals and deep bass. However, it might not satisfy audiophiles looking for a more robust audio experience.

The Echo Spot supports various smart home integrations, such as controlling lights and thermostats, making it a handy addition to a connected home setup. It also comes equipped with a microphone array that ensures Alexa can hear you clearly from across the room, even with background noise. Privacy is well-addressed with features like a microphone off button and voice recording controls.

On the downside, the Echo Spot lacks a camera, which limits its functionality for video calls or home monitoring. Additionally, the display screen, while useful, has a lower resolution compared to some other smart displays on the market. Connectivity is robust, offering dual-band WiFi and Bluetooth options, but it does not support ad-hoc networks or Bluetooth speakers requiring PIN codes. With a focus on sustainability, the device is made from 36% recycled materials. If you are looking for a compact and multifunctional Alexa device with a display and decent sound quality, the Echo Spot is a commendable choice, especially for bedroom or kitchen use.

The newest Amazon Echo Dot offers an improved audio experience with clearer vocals, deeper bass, and vibrant sound, making it a great choice for bedrooms, dining rooms, and offices. It performs well in terms of sound quality, a critical aspect for smart speakers. The built-in microphone array ensures Alexa can hear your commands accurately, even from across the room. Its compact, stylish design in charcoal fits easily into various home decor styles without taking up much space. While it lacks a display screen, it compensates with robust voice control and smart home integration features.

You can control compatible smart home devices, set routines based on motion or temperature, and enjoy seamless music streaming from multiple services like Amazon Music, Apple Music, and Spotify. The Echo Dot supports various connectivity options, including WiFi, Bluetooth, and Amazon Sidewalk, to extend its functionality and coverage. Privacy features, like a mic-off button and data protections, add a layer of security to your smart home setup.

The device also offers extended software security updates and versatile accessibility options. On the downside, the lack of a display screen may limit its use for visual feedback or video calls, and it primarily relies on voice commands. Additionally, users must have a compatible eero network to benefit from the built-in WiFi extender feature. These minor drawbacks aside, the Amazon Echo Dot remains a solid choice for anyone looking to enhance their home with a smart, efficient, and user-friendly speaker.

The Amazon Echo Show 5 (newest model) offers a compact design with a 5.5” display, making it suitable for smaller spaces. The sound quality has improved with deeper bass and clearer vocals, enhancing your music and video streaming experience. The built-in 2 MP camera allows for video calling and provides a way to check in on your home remotely through compatible cameras and doorbells.

This model integrates seamlessly with smart home devices, allowing you to control lights, thermostats, and more via voice commands, even when you're not at home. The display screen is handy for quick access to news, weather updates, and viewing photos, with Prime members enjoying unlimited cloud photo storage. Privacy features are robust, including multiple layers of controls like a mic/camera off button and a built-in shutter, addressing common concerns about data security.

Connectivity options are strong, supporting WiFi, Bluetooth, and newer standards like Matter, ensuring broad compatibility with various smart devices. The design is both eco-friendly and aesthetic, using sustainable materials. However, the small screen size may limit the viewing experience for some users, and the 2 MP camera may not offer the best quality for video calls. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Echo Show 5 is a solid choice for anyone looking for an affordable, versatile, and privacy-conscious smart speaker with display capabilities.