If you’re still shopping, let’s review some of the most important factors for choosing a smart speaker.
### Price
Smart speakers range greatly in price, so consider your budget before deciding. Generally, the better the audio the more expensive the speaker, and our Sonos Era pick is a great example. But you can get tons of smart features for under $50 if audio isn’t a priority. Smart speakers are often on sale, too.
### Preferred voice assistant
Do you use Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri the most? Or do you not really care? Find a speaker that supports the voice assistant you like. And [if you have a smart home](https://www.cnet.com/home/smart-home/best-smart-home-devices/), check to see what platforms your smart devices support. You can control things like smart plugs and smart lights with speaker commands, or connect features like temperature sensing to compatible thermostats (like the Amazon Thermostat and the Echo Dot 5).
### Size of room
If you want a smart speaker for a small space, like a desk where you work, a garage bench, a reading nook or a small bedroom space, then the size of the speaker doesn’t really matter. But if you want to fill a large living room, open-floor plan or high-ceiling kitchen, you’ll want a larger speaker noted for 360-degree or room-filling sound.
### Entertainment system connections
Smart speakers often pair well with entertainment systems -- [check out our best soundbars](https://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/best-soundbar/) to learn even more. If that’s an important feature to you, check if the speaker can pair with your current speaker system, your smart TV, your computer or other tech you use for entertainment. It’s not quite surround sound, but it can get you an added dimension of sound or broadcast sound into other rooms.
### Portability
Most smart speakers are wired. However, some can be mounted, and some like Echos have third-party battery add-ons to make them portable. Consider if you’ll be moving the speaker around.
### Linking speakers
Many smart speakers have the ability to link together if you get two of them, allowing for bigger sound, multi-room sound and other tricks. If that’s a goal, look for speakers that link easily (most on our list can do it).