Best Smart Speakers

The Marshall Acton II is that cool kid that hangs more with loudspeakers than with smart speakers. The reason probably has to do with the fact that this is as much the former as it is the latter, especially considering the company behind it. Still, this device has not just the brawn but also the brain to match the smart crowd and even outclass that crowd at times.

Now, before that, this unit might be commanding a small footprint, but its output is large. Between the two 15-watt Class D amps behind the tweeters and one 30-watt Class D amp powering the sub, this device produces punchy, mighty audio, keeping the sound balanced yet detailed.

Atop the unit, easily accessible, you will find volume, bass, and treble dials. Using these dials, you can fine-tune and customize the sound, matching different needs and preferences. Setting these analog controls aside though, the product also lets you use the Marshall Voice app, with its easily digestible UI, straightforward controls, accessible tools, and intuitive resources.

Not unlike most smart speakers, the Acton II comes fitted with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi modules. Even more than that though, the device offers multi-host access, so you can connect and switch between two Bluetooth devices, all while having the unit connected to the Wi-Fi network. Invite friends and take turns playing what you want, all without sharing not one device but this speaker.

The Bose HS300 plays music and follows commands with matching efficiency. At first glance, this futuristic-looking device does not necessarily appear like something that will let you enjoy awesome-sounding music yet this is precisely what this device is offering. With its 360-degree setup, the speaker produces room-rocking bass, but we are not quite going there yet.

No, first come the looks. Stretching 6.3 x 5.6 x 4.0 inches (HWD) and measuring 2.1 pounds weight-wise, this compact device can easily make a portable claim, except that it comes without an internal battery, meaning that the device remains portable as long as it is moving towards a location with an AC socket.

On the front, the speaker introduces a thin little LED strip, displaying its status. Above that, the device hosts touch-sensitive controls, including volume, play, pause, the usual suspects.

Apart from the usual suspects, flanking these buttons are the Action button, summoning the voice assistant (the product works with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant), the mic/mute button, the AUX button that lets you switch to the wired, 3.5-mm input, and the Bluetooth button, controlling the BT module. With the last one, you can switch to Bluetooth streaming.

Wrapping the lineup are the 6 numbered preset buttons that you can assign to respond to different radio feeds from the Bose Music app. Opening the app, you're greeted by multiple shortcuts leading you to various feeds, podcasts, radio streams, Internet radio stations, and more.

The 3rd generation Amazon Echo basically mirrors Echo Plus except that the ZigBee hub has been removed and the device has been made more affordable. Nevertheless, despite the affordable price, this speaker offers respectable sound. In fact, the model's acoustically identical to its more expensive relative, packing the same 3-inch sub, 0.8-inch tweeter, all without forgetting the Dolby Audio unit.

Considering its size, the unit can produce considerable bass, not quite shaking the walls, no, but the unit might rattle loose objects sitting on the same table. Most bass-heavy tracks will sound deep and thumpy, even though not quite reaching into sub frequencies. The drums might start flirting with distortion when the volume is cranked all the way up but, generally speaking, the sound will remain stable and full.

From the balance angle, the device does a laudable job separating lows from mids and highs. The acoustic plucks will usually sound resonance-rich, with some strong high-frequency string texture, while the bass will be coming at you punchy and forceful.

The Cleer Stage 1 has as much in common with most Bluetooth speakers as with assistant/home speakers. Basically, what we have here is not that different from those wireless JBL speakers that all the kids are using these days, except that the device has also been fitted with an Amazon Alexa module. Owing to this module, the model's able to identify and execute voice commands, so you can issue anything that average Alexa-enabled assistant speakers can recognize, controlling smart devices, playing music, reading news, and more.

Now, considering that Bluetooth speakers usually cost as much (and even more) than this device without integrated voice control modules, the product has its flaws, nothing can be done about that. First, even though the unit comes adopting stereo speakers, the output maxes out at 10 watts, meaning that, despite opposing claims, this device will not be filling sizable rooms, not really. Second, unlike most smart speakers, this one has not been equipped with WiFi.

The good news is that the WiFi module has been replaced with an NFC module, enabling pairing this unit with smartphones and most gadgets supporting the NFC tech without even establishing a Bluetooth connection first.

Ultimate Ears is not the biggest name in the business but, with products like Blast, we can see that changing anytime soon. As far as we can tell, this device is consistent across the board, touting great sound, intuitive controls, even its build is nothing to scoff at. With the housing earning the IP67 rating, the unit is protected against submersion and sealed against dust. What's more, the rugged body will usually survive drops from 5-10 feet without displaying any damage signs. Setting construction aside, the device also comes equipped with a hanging loop, enabling comfortable hands-free carrying.

Considering that the device comes equipped with a rechargeable battery, you'll probably at least entertain the carrying part, bringing this speaker with you to the beach, picnics at the park, different social gatherings, etc. The battery will usually give you around 12 hours before dying out, which is not bad, not at all since even more expensive models can seldom guarantee more than 10. Plus, the same battery will usually go from 0 to 100% in ~2 hours, so keeping the speaker recharged will be pretty easy. Sure, sometimes, the battery will not provide these 12 hours, but this is always the case with wireless speakers, at least to some extent.