Best Smart Speakers
17 products ranked across 467 cited reviews, videos and discussions · Updated 20 Oct 2026
On the stierproducts smart speakers board, Sonos Era 100 ranks #1 in S tier, ahead of Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) (#2, S tier) and Amazon Echo Dot Max (#3, S tier). The board ranks 17 smart speakers from S (best) to F (avoid), last researched 20 Oct 2026, drawing on 467 cited reviews, videos and discussions. Placed in the bottom tiers as ones to avoid: JBL Authentics 500, Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker, Sonos Move 2, and 6 others.
Moved up from C to B on 13 Sept 2026 #4 Amazon Echo Studio (2nd Gen)
Moved up from B to A on 13 Sept 2026 #5 2 of 18 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Sonos Era 300
Moved up from B to A on 13 Sept 2026 #6 3 of 14 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Google Home Speaker (2026)
#7 Apple HomePod mini
#10 2 of 4 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker
#11 2 of 13 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Sonos Move 2
Moved down from B to C on 13 Sept 2026 #12 8 of 18 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
#13 3 of 7 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Bose Smart Speaker 500
#14 5 of 14 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Google Nest Audio
#15 5 of 8 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Denon Home 600
#16 8 of 13 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Google Nest Mini
#17 4 of 10 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Amazon Echo Pop
What moved on this board
25 tier changes recorded between 22 Jul 2026 and 14 Sept 2026. The 5 most recent are below.
- 13 Sept 2026 Amazon Echo (4th Gen) moved down from B to C. 2 more research games. 1 source added.
- 13 Sept 2026 Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) moved down from B to C. 2 more research games. 2 sources added.
- 13 Sept 2026 Amazon Echo Studio (2nd Gen) moved up from C to B. 2 more research games. 2 sources added.
- 13 Sept 2026 Sonos Era 300 moved up from B to A. 2 more research games. 3 sources added.
- 13 Sept 2026 Google Home Speaker (2026) moved up from B to A. 1 more research game. 1 source added.
Each line shows what else changed at the same publish. It is not a statement of cause.
Frequently asked questions
Sonos Era 100 sits at #1 in the S tier of our consolidated board, ranked across independent research runs over 467 cited reviews, videos and discussions. Superb hardware on a mature platform, and What Hi-Fi's stated safe bet for the category. The 2024 app stumble is the reason it does not take the top spot.
Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) ranks #2 (S tier). The best-tested speaker in the category per What Hi-Fi, with the best build, firmware-support and service reputation of any brand here. Ecosystem lock-in is the only real cost.
Our research places JBL Authentics 500, Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker, Sonos Move 2, Amazon Echo (4th Gen), Bose Smart Speaker 500, Google Nest Audio, Denon Home 600, Google Nest Mini, Amazon Echo Pop in the bottom tiers (D/F). JBL Authentics 500: RTINGS' best smart speaker tested, with dual-assistant redundancy that hedges the biggest longevity risk in this category.
More in Audio
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