Best smart speakers

More and more people dream of a high-tech home, where household appliances are cleaned, cooked and done by themselves. All over the world, smart technology is already quite common. In Russia, however, such devices are just appearing and are beginning to gain popularity. To manage such a system, they often look for the best smart speakers through which the user sends commands.

Smart speaker manufacturers

More and more smart devices appear on the Russian market, but it is dangerous to buy such equipment of a little-known brand. To fill the house with really high-quality appliances, it is better to trust trusted companies:

• Yandex - appeared in the 90s of the 20th century. It soon became the main search engine in Russia. The company started developing its own technology much later. The first device of the brand, released in 2024, was Yandex.Station.
• Elari - specializes in the development of innovative technology. The brand's products are represented in more than 20 countries. In 2024, the company became the leader in terms of sales of portable electronics such as headphones or smartwatches for children and adults.
• Prestigio Is a fast growing manufacturer of computer hardware and software. The company entered the market only in 2012, and the brand's products are sold in several dozen countries. They are loved by customers for their stylish solutions and advanced technologies.
• Lg Is a company that appeared in 1958. Today it occupies a leading position in the world market and offers hundreds of types of equipment. The brand's mission is to make human life more comfortable and easy.
• Harman / Kardon Is an American manufacturer of radio equipment for homes and cars. Real music lovers love and appreciate the brand's products.
• Google - seeks to streamline all the world's information and make it more accessible to people. The company pursues the same goal in the development of a smart home system. Google is known for its special approach to customers, staff and the world around them. This made it the most powerful brand in the world.
• Xiaomi Is a Chinese company that appeared in 2010 and in 10 years has become the world flagship of technology. The manufacturer's mission is to make innovation accessible to everyone. The products are known for their high quality and affordable prices.
• Amazon - has been operating since 1994 as a trading platform in the United States. In 2024, the company became a manufacturer of equipment and announced 14 devices at once. Today, the brand is working on its own smart home technology, controlled by a voice assistant.
• Apple - the most famous manufacturer of mobile phones and other equipment on its own platform. The brand's products are distinguished by high prices and elite design. Owning Apple gadgets is prestigious anywhere in the world.
• Sonos Is an American manufacturer of wireless audio equipment for the home. The brand was founded in 2002, its goal was to conveniently listen to music anywhere. Today, there are not many products in the company's assortment, but each of them is of high quality and meets the needs of the consumer to the maximum.

Smart speaker rating

The choice of a smart speaker depends on the goals that the user sets for the technique. Some models pay more attention to sound quality, while others are compact, which is important for small apartments. But the most important thing in a smart speaker is the voice assistant and the number of smart options. There are not many models on the market that support Russian speech, they mainly distinguish between English.

When compiling the rating, experts-expertpro.techinfus.com specialists studied their technical characteristics, the number of built-in options, reviews of smart technology from experts, user reviews. When comparing products and adding them to the TOP of the best, the following criteria were taken into account:

• Russian or English language support;
• Sound quality;
• Design;
• Microphone sensitivity;
• Ability to recognize speech;
• Number of functions;
• Smart home system and the ability to control other devices;
• The quality of the voice assistant;
• Brand pricing policy;
• Prevalence and availability in stores on the Russian market.

Also for some buyers the portable properties of the speakers and the ability to connect them in a stereo pair are important.

The best turntables

The best smart speakers in Russian

To communicate with the speaker in Russian, you need to choose among the models with voice assistant Alice. So far, only she shows excellent results in its recognition. During the ranking, 4 best gadgets with Alice were selected. They differ in cost and functionality, so each buyer can choose the best option for their purposes.

Yandex.Station Mini

The main argument in favor of buying Yandex.Station Mini is Alice. She is the only voice assistant to distinguish Russian perfectly. 4 multidirectional microphones recognize soft voices or children’s not yet fully understood speech. The gadget can not only give voice commands, but also control gestures. You shouldn't expect deep clear sound from such an inexpensive speaker. However, its quality is enough to please the device in the morning with background music or turning on the desired radio station.

If you want to combine the options of a voice assistant and good sound, you can connect external speakers to the station. To do this, the AUX connector has been thought out in the design of the Yandex smart speaker with Alice. Children and adults alike can have fun with the synthesizer mode. It simulates 58 different sounds. The model is on sale in classic colors - in a white or black case. The gadget looks great and fits into any interior. Alice's smart functionality is still extremely limited. She will play her favorite track and answer popular questions. But the assistant will not be able to carry out more complex assignments yet. It simply redirects the user to the appropriate application. Yandex is actively developing a smart home system like Xiaomi or Amazon.

Advantages

• Understands voice commands in Russian well;
• Excellent build;
• Affordable price (4 500 rubles);
• Possibility to connect an external stereo system.

disadvantages

• Need stable Wi-Fi;
• You need to constantly pay for Yandex.Plus.

Yandex.Station Mini is a smart speaker with Alice, which is suitable for entertaining children. The gadget will sing a lullaby before going to bed, talk to the baby on various topics and turn on his favorite music.

Elari SmartBeat

The best mobile smart speaker presented in the review. Charging the built-in 3200 mAh battery lasts for 8 hours from Bluetooth and 5 hours from Wi-Fi. Alice will put the desired track, answer the user's questions. 4 microphones are sensitive, hear and recognize voices even from another corner of the room.

The column is slightly larger than a cup, such small dimensions allow you to take the gadget with you for a walk or a picnic. It's easy to connect a speaker. When you turn it on for the first time, Alice tells you what to do. Even an inexperienced user won't get confused. The device is controlled not only by voice commands, there are 5 buttons on the column for basic actions.

Advantages

• Loud noise;
• Yandex.Plus subscription with a bonus;
• Affordable price;
• Laconic design;
• Powerful bluetooth module.

disadvantages

• Doesn't work outside of Wi-Fi network;
• Short power cord (80 cm).

Elari assembles its smart home system. Now with the help of the column you can control the light and some household appliances. The company is actively developing in this direction, and the number of smart options in the gadget is constantly growing.

Prestigio Smartmate Lighthouse Edition

Inexpensive portable smart speaker with great reviews.There is a model based on Alice, which can turn on music, set an alarm clock, and add reminders to the calendar. The gadget works up to 9 hours without recharging. It is convenient to take it to the countryside or to the country, the battery capacity is enough for the whole day. The speaker connects to external devices via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

The sound from the speakers is loud and clear. However, if it is not enough, you can connect additional speakers through the AUX connector. There is a unique skill for children, developed in conjunction with the Mayak radio station. The option allows you to answer children's questions and gives access to podcasts for toddlers.

Advantages

• Minimalistic design;
• 4 sensitive microphones;
• 3 months of Yandex.Plus subscription for free;
• Simple setup;
• Waterproof housing.

disadvantages

• There are failures.

The column may lose its wave or turn on not the first time. The manufacturer explains this most often by a firmware update.

LG Xboom AI ThinQ WK7Y

LG has unveiled a model that rightfully ranks among the best smart speakers. The work of the device is based on Alice, who remembers the musical preferences of each user and selects songs according to his taste. Directional microphones will pick up sound even through the wall from a nearby office or room.

The column will appeal to music lovers. The sound of the model was worked by the company Meridian. Dual 30-watt amplified speakers and built-in multi-preset EQ for deep and clear sound. There is enough power for an apartment, but you can't throw a noisy party with one speaker.

Advantages

• Powered by Wi-Fi or Bluetooth;
• Circular directionality of sound;
• Strict design;
• Solid build.

disadvantages

• No button illumination;
• Cannot be paired.

Smart speaker LG Xboom will suit connoisseurs of good sound. It is a pleasure to listen to music on it. Those who do not want to pay for a subscription to Yandex.Plus can simply connect the device via Bluetooth and independently control the source of music playback.

The best smart speakers in English

Most voice assistants in technology support commands in English. Among them are Alexa from Amazon, Google Assistant, Siri from Apple. When compiling the rating, the expertpro.techinfus.com/en/ team studied the technical characteristics of 20 English-language smart speakers and identified the best 6 of them.

Harman / Kardon Citation One

The gadget is right among the best smart speakers powered by Google Assistant. The minimalist model is presented in 2 body shades - gray and black. This allows you to choose the most suitable color for the interior of the room. Speakers with an overall gain of 40 watts on the front panel deliver powerful, clear sound.

A review of the smart speaker from Harman / Kardon showed that it is pleasant to listen to classical, rock, and other musical styles on it. Only electronic music lags a little behind, it is overloaded with bass at maximum volume, but sounds great at an average level.

Advantages

• Dirt-resistant and fire-resistant coating;
• Simple setup;
• Long power cord;
• Combined into a stereo pair;
• Sensitive microphones.

disadvantages

• Service subscriptions are not included;
• No equalizer.

When working via Bluetooth, music is played with a noticeable delay. Watching movies is not always convenient. There is no such problem when connecting via Wi-Fi.

Google Home Mini

A smart Google column with a corporate assistant works with global services, instantly finds and launches the playlists you need. The dimensions of the device are modest, it looks like a small rounded pebble that can be put on any shelf. The sound in the device is spacious and loud. The device is part of the Google Home ecosystem. He can regulate the work of lighting and household appliances, give each user personalized answers.

Smart speaker Mini has a lot of smart options and is head and shoulders above many competitors. She will set an alarm clock and write down reminders, view news and weather forecasts, analyze traffic in the city and plot the best route to your destination.When communicating with people, Google's voice assistant is constantly evolving, memorizing their habits.

Advantages

• Minimalistic design in 3 colors;
• Speaker touch surface;
• Acceptable price;
• Simple to manage.

disadvantages

• Powered exclusively by the mains;
• You cannot connect an external speaker.

There is no built-in battery in the Google Home Mini. But the column connects to any PowerBank and easily turns into a portable model.

The best microphones for karaoke

Xiaomi Mi AI Speaker

The functional smart speaker from the Chinese manufacturer can control many devices. In the Xiaomi line, you can find almost any equipment and accessories that support the proprietary smart ecosystem and are combined on a smartphone in the Mi Home service. Through the corporate assistant Xiao AI, the user can control the light, cleaning and cooking.

All requests are processed instantly thanks to the powerful stuffing - a 4-core processor and 256 MB of RAM. The sound and volume of the speaker is beyond praise. The model has 3 loudspeakers with a total capacity of 82 dB. Smart functionality is very wide. The gadget will help with setting an alarm or timer, add tasks and reminders for tomorrow, analyze the latest news, check the weather forecast and the presence of traffic jams on the desired route.

Advantages

• Excellent build and materials;
• Low price;
• Beautiful lighting;
• 6 omnidirectional microphones.

disadvantages

• Practically not represented on the Russian market;
• He fully understands only Chinese.

All features are only available to native Chinese speakers. The manufacturer is introducing recognition of English words, but so far the device has not been adapted for them. In Russia, Xiaomi Mi AI Speaker works only as a regular Bluetooth speaker.

Amazon Echo Dot 3nd Gen

Compact American speaker with proprietary Alexa voice assistant. In shape, it resembles a large washer, which is covered with soft-touch textiles. The device has only one speaker, but it gives a very decent level of reproduction. The music is loud, the bass is nice, the voices are clear. This quality is not expected from such a compact gadget. If you put together a stereo pair, you get a fill sound whose source is almost impossible to determine.

The speaker can be controlled by voice or through a proprietary application on the phone. Echo Dot 3 requires skills to set up, you need to understand foreign streaming services. In addition, the cost of American subscriptions is usually higher than Russian ones. But all these inconveniences are offset by the quality of Alexa. The assistant's functionality is constantly growing and surprises users. He has more than 15,000 options in his reserve.

Advantages

• Understands English, even with a strong Russian accent;
• Can be combined into a stereo pair;
• AUX for connecting external speakers;
• 10-inch touchscreen display.

disadvantages

• Few places can be bought in Russia;
• Supports Apple Music with US ID only.

Amazon Echo Dot 3nd Gen is a good budget smart speaker. However, for a Russian buyer, it is practically useless. Most of the functions are not available for us.

Apple HomePod

The flagship smart speaker for Apple lovers. Great sound is provided by 7 tweeters and a mid-low frequency driver. Deep velvet bass, clear voices and clear guitar themes let you enjoy your favorite tracks. The volume is sufficient for home use. There is no need to choose where to place the device. He adjusts the equalizer himself to the place.

The column integrates perfectly into the ecosystem with existing Apple devices. The initial setup takes a couple of minutes. The column binds to the user ID and reads the user's preferences from there. You can control the gadget by voice commands, using a phone or a touch panel. But the set of smart options in Russia has been cut. Siri on the HomePod only understands English.

Advantages

• Access to Apple Music;
• You can create a stereo pair;
• Stylish design;
• Takes up a minimum of space.

disadvantages

• Price (from 28,000 rubles);
• External devices cannot be connected.

HomePod is a non-standard smart speaker, its functionality differs sharply from competitors.It will help you choose a track, turn it on and watch a movie with good sound. Also, the device will be an excellent addition to the collection of Apple fans' equipment, but the model is far from controlling a smart home.

Sonos One (Amazon Alexa)

Smart speaker with the best sounding from the models presented in the rating. Such powerful bass and clear vocals are not expected from a compact unit. Alexa supports 50 different services and applications, the choice of music is almost unlimited. The sensitive microphone picks up voices from afar and in any direction, even when music is played at full volume. You can control the speaker with your voice or in the proprietary application on your smartphone.

Advantages

• 2 colors;
• Easy to start and manage;
• Multiroom option;
• It can work in high humidity conditions.

disadvantages

• Expensive (about 20,000 rubles);
• Works only on Wi-Fi.

With quality sound, excellent build and flexible Sonos platform, the speaker will serve you faithfully for a long time. However, the device is positioned primarily as a music system, and not as a way to control a smart home.

Which smart speaker is better

The first thing to look for when buying a smart speaker is which voice assistant is built into the system. In Russia, the most popular is Alice, who fully distinguishes her native language. Sound quality is also one of the most important criteria when choosing a speaker. The presence of a baarei will allow you to use the gadget not only at home, but also outdoors or on a visit.

• The most popular smart device with Alice is Yandex.Station Mini. It is inexpensive and performs all the basic functions that are needed in such a device.
• The Sonos One (Amazon Alexa) boasts the best sounding among the English-speaking models.
• Among the Russified devices, the leader was LG Xboom AI ThinQ WK7Y, on the filling of which Meridian employees worked.
• Elari SmartBeat is a reliable portable speaker with Alice. Thanks to the capacious battery, it will delight your favorite tracks for up to 8 hours without recharging.
• Prestigio Smartmate Lighthouse Edition is a budget smart gadget with a unique skill "Lighthouse for children".
• Google Home Mini is an inexpensive compact speaker with a huge number of options and its own smart home system.
• Xiaomi Mi AI Speaker is one of the best and fastest smart devices on the global market. Xiao AI smart assistant and proprietary Mi Home app are convenient. However, the model so far only works fully with native Chinese speakers.
• Amazon Echo Dot 3nd Gen - budget speakers that can be combined in a stereo pair and enjoy pleasant sound. The proprietary Alexa assistant surprises with the number of built-in options.
• HomePod is the choice of true Apple fans. The model will ideally fit into the ecosystem of other devices of the brand, will delight you with the design and quality of music.

Before buying, you must definitely do a test drive of the speaker in order to understand how much you like its voice assistant and whether it is comfortable to communicate with it. It is also important that the rest of the smart home technology can sync with the new device. It is advisable to collect one ecosystem, be it Apple devices, Xiaomi devices or gadgets powered by Google Home.