Which $100 Smart Speaker Should You Buy?
Our testers evaluate basic models from Amazon, Apple, and Google
From left, the Amazon Echo, Apple HomePod Mini, and Google Nest Audio smart speakers.
By Allen St. John
In most of the tech world, a $100 bill doesn’t buy you much: maybe a laptop charger, a nice smartphone case, or perhaps a really stylish band for your smartwatch. And if you’re lucky you’ll get some change back from your Benjamin.
But when it comes to smart speakers, the economics are better for consumers.
In late 2020, Amazon and Google upgraded their meat-of-the-market models: the Echo and the Nest Audio. And Apple introduced the HomePod Mini as a less expensive alternative to the discontinued HomePod. All three smart speakers officially list for $99 and are frequently discounted.
(Want to go even cheaper? Amazon offers an entry-level model—the fourth-generation Echo Dot—with a list price of around $50. And the third-generation Dot and Google Nest Mini, both sell for around $30.)
Why can you find such value in the land of the smart speaker? One reason is that the speakers themselves don’t have to be all that smart. Most of the processing work is done on cloud servers owned by the manufacturer rather than on the device itself. So a $30 model and a $300 model perform their smart functions almost identically.
And that means much of what you’re paying for when you choose a smart speaker is sound quality. Surveys suggest that most consumers use their smart speakers to listen to their favorite tunes, and for many folks, having a speaker with satisfying sound is a recipe for long-term happiness.
The audio on the $100 smart speakers listed here is decent, according to our testers. To get truly excellent audio, you usually have to pay more for a speaker like the Sonos One. But these less expensive models are fine for listening to podcasts or recipes, cranking up your cooking playlist, or adding smart features to another great-sounding wireless speaker.
We evaluated the models in our dedicated labs, scoring them for ease of use, versatility, and especially sound quality. Our trained testers listen carefully to every speaker in the same room using the same carefully chosen music. We currently have over 40 smart speaker models in our ratings. As always, we purchased our test samples through typical retail channels—no freebies or other special treatment for us.
Amazon Echo (4th Generation)
The Pringles-can styling of older Amazon Echo models has been replaced by a new spherical design for this iteration of the classic smart speaker. Under this radically different exterior, the updated Echo features improved speaker drivers and a Zigbee smart home hub that allows the speaker to talk directly to many Zigbee-compatible devices, such as Philips Hue smart bulbs and some Yale smart locks and Honeywell thermostats.
What’s to like: The latest Amazon Echo tops its predecessor in a number of important ways. The sonics are significantly improved, with a strong but slightly boomy bass and enough volume to fill a medium-sized room. Our testers also found that two Echo speakers sound good when paired in stereo, delivering you-are-there appeal. And that the Zigbee hub is a major plus if you’re a fan of smart home devices.
What’s not to like: Despite its sonic improvement, the fourth-gen Echo still can’t compete with the best-sounding smart speakers, such as the Sonos One or, for that matter, Amazon’s own Echo Studio.
Who should buy it: Anyone with $100 who wants an Alexa-powered smart speaker. The fourth-gen Amazon Echo’s sound is fine for casual music listening, and its better smart home integration is a substantial improvement that boosts its versatility scores in our testing.
Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
Google Nest Audio
The Google Nest Audio’s predecessor resembled an old-school air freshener, but this latest model is a rounded rectangle that looks a little like a pillow standing on end. Beneath that new skin resides an all-new speaker design, with a separate tweeter and woofer replacing the single driver of the outgoing Google Home.
What’s to like: Some people like Google Assistant better than Alexa, but it comes down to personal preference. Alexa smart speakers have a wider variety of skills, but some users find Google’s interface, which has a search engine powered by Google instead of Alexa’s Bing-driven brain, to be more natural and easier to use.
What’s not to like: While the company has touted the Nest Audio’s improved sonic performance, our testers found that the gains are more modest. The speaker generates enough volume for a midsized room, but the midrange is a little hazy and there’s some sizzle on the high frequencies. While it’s better than that old Google Home, the Nest Audio simply can’t compete with the best-sounding smart speakers, like the Google-compatible Sonos One. It also doesn’t sound quite as good as the similarly priced fourth-gen Amazon Echo though it is better than the Apple HomePod Mini.
Who should buy it: A Google fan who’s looking for a step-up sonically. The Nest Audio is a solid choice for stand-alone listening or as part of a multiroom music system with other Google speakers.
Google Nest Audio
Apple HomePod Mini
Apple’s only smart speaker, the Apple HomePod Mini features a spherical shape that’s markedly different from the cylindrical styling of the now-discontinued original HomePod.
What’s to like: The HomePod Mini provides a relatively low-priced entry into the Apple ecosystem. The Mini is a solid option for controlling Apple HomeKit smart home products and services such as Apple Music. The HomePod Mini allows voice control of other music services, including Pandora and iHeart Radio, and can even integrate with Apple CarPlay in your vehicle. For instance, you can ask for driving directions while making coffee in the morning, then send your chosen route to your car before leaving home.
What’s not to like: In terms of sound quality, our testers found that the Apple HomePod Mini rates significantly lower than the Echo or Nest Audio. Indeed, its somewhat congested sound is closer to that of the much cheaper Echo Dot and the Google Nest Mini, albeit with a fuller bass. Like those budget smart speakers, the HomePod Mini is okay for podcasts or background music in a small room but not great for playing your favorite tunes. Unlike those devices, the HomePod Mini can’t be paired via Bluetooth with a better-sounding wireless speaker.
Who should buy it: Someone who’s deeply immersed in the Apple world and doesn’t mind paying a bit of an Apple tax for a $100 speaker that’s sonically closer to $50 models.
Apple HomePod Mini
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