5 Best Smart Speakers (2026): Alexa, Google, Apple

The market for smart speakers is dominated by three major ecosystems: Apple, Google, and Amazon. Amazon's Alexa is often favored by those who already own Apple or Android devices, while Google's offerings are limited when compared to Amazon's extensive lineup. In recent years, Google has launched a new smart speaker, the 2026 Google Home Speaker, which has been reviewed in this guide.

After testing numerous smart speakers over the past decade, a selection of top options have been identified to cater to various needs. For a more comprehensive understanding of each category, readers can also refer to guides on the Best Alexa Speakers, Best Google Speakers, and Best Smart Displays.

Recently, updates were added to the guide, including details about Amazon's price increases affecting certain speakers and the current unavailability of the Google Nest Hub Max online. The Google Home Speaker, Google's latest addition to the smart speaker market, combines elements from previous models with a design inspired by Apple's HomePod Mini. It features tap controls and fun colors reminiscent of the older Google Nest Mini.

The Google Home Speaker boasts an impressive voice assistant, Google Gemini, which offers answers resembling human interaction. While sometimes lengthy, the assistant's responses are generally more articulate than other assistants in its category. Gemini for Home is available free of charge, but some features, such as Google Home Premium, require a subscription.

The Standard tier offers 30 days of video history and intelligent alerts, while the Advanced tier provides 60 days of video history and additional features like searchable video history.

Gemini Live, an optional feature available on the Google Home Speaker and other compatible devices, enables a more conversational mode of interaction. This feature was tested successfully, allowing for natural and engaging conversations about various topics. However, it may not be utilized regularly due to its specific use cases.

The Google Home Speaker boasts a solid sound profile, thanks to its slim design with two 10-watt tweeters and a 30-watt woofer. Its 10-inch touchscreen display is ideal for controlling smart homes, streaming videos, accessing recipes, and displaying personal photos. The device includes a camera for video calls and gesture-based controls. However, the Nest Hub Max, a larger smart display option, is currently out of stock at all retailers, leaving users to await its return or new iterations.

In contrast, Amazon's smart speaker lineup remains popular, with many of the speakers seen in friends' homes being older models like the Echo Dot. While some older models are still well-supported, not all can access Alexa+, Amazon's newer AI-powered voice assistant. The Echo Dot Max, launched in late 2025, represents a notable upgrade with improved sound quality, a built-in smart-home hub, and access to both Alexa and Alexa+.

Despite its affordability compared to Amazon Prime, the Echo Dot Max's inclusion of Alexa+ is only worthwhile for Amazon Prime subscribers, as standalone access would cost $20 per month.