A smart speaker has to do more than answer a question. It needs to hear you from across the room, sound pleasant at low volume, fit where you actually live, and work with the devices and music services you already use. The wrong choice can leave you with thin music, a cluttered display, or voice controls that feel more frustrating than useful.
Our Best best smart speaker picks cover compact Alexa speakers, smart alarm clocks, screens, premium multiroom audio, and speakers with broader wireless support. The Amazon Echo Dot is the easiest fit for most rooms, while the larger Echo Dot Max, Sonos Era 100, and Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker are better suited to listeners who care more about room-filling sound.
Our top pick is the Amazon Echo Dot Charcoal, with the Echo Dot Max Graphite as the stronger choice for larger rooms.
Comparison table
| # | Product | Award | Sound | Dimensions | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amazon Echo Dot Charcoal | Best overall | Vibrant sound | 3.53 x 3.94 x 3.94 inches | Bedrooms and offices |
| 2 | Amazon Echo Dot Glacier White | Best light-finish compact speaker | Vibrant sound | 3.53 x 3.94 x 3.94 inches | Bright rooms and desks |
| 3 | Amazon Echo Dot Max Graphite | Best Alexa sound | Nearly 3x the bass of Echo Dot | 3.9 x 4.3 x 4.3 inches | Living rooms |
| 4 | Sonos Era 100 Black | Best for serious music listening | Stereo separation and deeper bass | 7.22 x 7 x 5.1 inches | Multiroom audio |
| 5 | Amazon Echo Spot Glacier White | Best smart alarm clock | Clear vocals and deep bass | 4.4 x 4.1 x 4.5 inches | Nightstands |
| 6 | Amazon Echo Spot Black | Best dark-finish alarm clock | Clear vocals and deep bass | 4.4 x 4.1 x 4.5 inches | Bedrooms and kitchens |
| 7 | Amazon Echo Dot Max Glacier White | Best light-finish room-filler | Nearly 3x the bass of Echo Dot | 3.9 x 4.3 x 4.3 inches | Medium-sized spaces |
| 8 | Amazon Echo Show 5 | Best smart display | Deeper bass and clearer vocals | 3.23 x 5.78 x 3.56 inches | Kitchens and bedside tables |
| 9 | Sonos Era 100 White | Best light-finish premium speaker | Stereo separation and deeper bass | 7.22 x 7 x 5.1 inches | Stylish multiroom systems |
| 10 | Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker | Best connectivity | Immersive TrueSpatial audio | 7.27 x 6.594 x 4.767 inches | Flexible home audio |
1. Amazon Echo Dot Charcoal: Best Overall
Pros
- Compact enough for desks, shelves, and nightstands
- Supports music, podcasts, audiobooks, and Bluetooth
- Built-in temperature and motion sensors
- Can extend an existing eero network
- Physical microphone off button
Cons
- Not the strongest option for filling a large room
- The older Echo Dot Max has substantially more bass
Best for: someone who wants a capable Alexa speaker for everyday rooms without a display.
The Amazon Echo Dot Charcoal is the small speaker we would put in the most homes. It disappears on a shelf, wakes up quickly when you ask for a timer, and handles the everyday jobs that make a smart speaker useful. Its 3.53 inch height and 3.94 inch width and length give it a compact footprint, while the 0.75 pound weight makes it easy to move between a desk, bedroom, and kitchen counter.
This is more than a voice-controlled music puck. Alexa can provide weather updates, answer questions, set timers, and control compatible lights and other smart home devices. The built-in motion and indoor temperature sensors can trigger routines, such as turning on lights when someone enters a room or starting a fan when the room gets too warm. That sensor support gives the Dot a role in home automation that its small size does not suggest.
Music playback covers Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, and other services, with Bluetooth available when you want to play directly from a phone. Compatible Echo speakers can be paired for multiroom audio, and the Dot can work with compatible Fire TV devices in a home theater setup. If your home already uses eero, eero Built-in can add up to 1, 000 square feet of Wi-Fi coverage, though that feature depends on having an existing eero network.
The weakness is scale. The Dot sounds lively for close listening, but the Echo Dot Max Graphite has nearly three times the bass and is better suited to a living room. The Sonos Era 100 Black also produces a more developed stereo presentation, though it takes up much more space. Choose the Echo Dot Charcoal when voice control, routines, and compact everyday listening matter more than powerful room-filling music.
2. Amazon Echo Dot Glacier White: Best Light-Finish Compact Speaker
Pros
- Same compact design and features as the Charcoal version
- Vibrant sound for a small room
- Motion and temperature sensors support routines
- Bluetooth playback and Echo pairing
- Microphone off button for privacy
Cons
- Limited low-end compared with larger speakers
- Light finish can show marks more readily
Best for: someone furnishing a bright room who wants the compact Echo Dot experience.
The Amazon Echo Dot Glacier White is functionally the same speaker as the Charcoal model, but the finish changes how easily it blends into a room. Its pale exterior suits a white desk, open shelving, or a bedside table where a dark speaker would stand out. The dimensions remain 3.53 inches high and 3.94 inches wide and deep, and it weighs 0.75 pounds, so it is just as easy to place in a tight spot.
The important abilities are all here. Alexa handles timers, weather, questions, reminders, and compatible smart home controls. Motion and indoor temperature sensors let routines respond to activity and room conditions. That can make the speaker useful even when nobody is actively asking it to play music, particularly in an office or bedroom where lights and fans can be automated.
The Glacier White Dot plays music, podcasts, and audiobooks from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, and other services. Bluetooth provides another route from a phone, while compatible Echo devices can be grouped for multiroom listening. It also supports an eero Built-in feature that can add up to 1, 000 square feet of coverage to an existing eero network. These extras make it a more useful smart-home node than its simple shape suggests.
The color is the only meaningful distinction between this model and the Amazon Echo Dot Charcoal. Pick the one that suits the room, not the one that promises a different performance. For a living room, the Echo Dot Max Glacier White is the more capable light-finish option because its nearly three times greater bass claim gives it more authority with music. The Glacier White Dot remains the better fit for small spaces and voice-first use.
3. Amazon Echo Dot Max Graphite: Best Alexa Sound
Pros
- Nearly three times the bass of the 2022 Echo Dot
- Room-adaptive sound
- Built-in smart home hub
- Presence and temperature routines through Omnisense
- Can pair with another Echo Dot Max
Cons
- Larger and heavier than the standard Echo Dot
- Alexa ecosystem remains central to the experience
Best for: Alexa users who want substantial music from one compact speaker.
The Amazon Echo Dot Max Graphite is the obvious step up when a standard Echo Dot sounds too restrained. It is still small enough for a shelf, but its 3.9 inch height and 4.3 inch width and depth give the enclosure more room to produce bass. At 1.1 pounds, it is also noticeably more substantial than the 0.75 pound Echo Dot.
Amazon says the Dot Max has nearly three times the bass of the Echo Dot from 2022. That is the key distinction, because it changes the speaker from a close-range assistant into something that can carry music through a living room or medium-sized space. Its sound automatically adapts to the room, and the speaker is designed to fine-tune playback for clearer, fuller listening.
The smart-home hardware is stronger here too. The Dot Max includes a built-in smart home hub, while Omnisense technology supports routines based on temperature or presence. You can control compatible lights, locks, and other devices without adding a separate hub. Alexa handles the familiar requests for weather, reminders, and music, with support for Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, and SiriusXM.
It can also join compatible Echo speakers and smart displays in different rooms, pair with a second Echo Dot Max for richer sound, or connect to compatible Fire TV devices for a home theater arrangement. Like the smaller Dot models, eero Built-in can add up to 1, 000 square feet of coverage to an existing eero network. The Echo Dot Max Graphite beats the standard Dot for music and home automation, but the Sonos Era 100 Black has more convincing stereo separation and the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker offers broader connection choices. This is the one to choose when Alexa is the center of the home and bass matters.
4. Sonos Era 100 Black: Best for Serious Music Listening
Pros
- Detailed stereo separation from dual tweeters
- Larger midwoofer produces deeper bass
- Trueplay tuning adjusts EQ to the room
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and optional line-in support
- Strong fit for Sonos multiroom systems
Cons
- Much larger and heavier than the Echo speakers
- Some wired sources require the Sonos Line-In Adapter
- Alexa is only one part of a broader Sonos system
Best for: listeners who want a more polished music speaker with multiroom expansion.
The Sonos Era 100 Black is the pick for a reader who thinks of a smart speaker primarily as a music system. It has a noticeably more substantial presence than the Echo models, measuring 7.22 inches high, 7 inches long, and 5.1 inches wide. Its 4.45 pound weight keeps it planted on a shelf, although it also makes moving it around less appealing.
The acoustic design is the reason to accept that larger footprint. Sonos uses dual tweeters to create detailed stereo separation, while a midwoofer that is 25 percent larger than the previous generation is intended to deepen bass. The result is a speaker with a more deliberate stereo character than the compact Echo Dot models. The Echo Dot Max Graphite produces a strong single-speaker presentation, but the Era 100 is more convincing when you want instruments and vocals to occupy distinct places.
Trueplay tuning analyzes the acoustics of the room and adjusts the EQ through the Sonos app. That is useful when the speaker sits close to a wall, on a bookshelf, or in a room with unusual reflections. Music streams over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth devices pair with the press of a button, and an auxiliary source such as a turntable can be connected with the Sonos Line-In Adapter. Readers comparing larger listening setups may also want to consider how different rooms change the way a home speaker should sound.
The downside is that Sonos asks for more commitment than Amazon's speakers. Setup involves the Sonos app and Wi-Fi, and some wired sources require an extra adapter. It also lacks the Echo Dot Max's built-in smart home hub and eero feature. The black Era 100 is the right choice for a listener who values sound quality and a scalable Sonos system over the simplest possible Alexa setup.
5. Amazon Echo Spot Glacier White: Best Smart Alarm Clock
Pros
- Customizable clock face with time and weather at a glance
- Gradual wake-up routines with music and light
- Clear vocals and deep bass for its size
- Touch controls for music and smart-home functions
- Built-in eero feature and motion detection
Cons
- The display is designed for glanceable information, not video
- Less room-filling than the Echo Dot Max
Best for: someone who wants an Alexa speaker that also works as a bedside clock.
The Amazon Echo Spot Glacier White makes the most sense beside a bed. It shows the time, weather, reminders, and song titles without requiring a voice request, and its 4.4 inch height, 4.1 inch length, and 4.5 inch width give it a compact but stable shape. At 0.9 pounds, it is light enough to move to a kitchen counter or office when needed.
Its display is the defining feature. You can customize the clock face and colors, touch the screen to control music, dim it, or manage compatible smart-home devices. Alexa routines can ease you into the morning with music and gradual light, while timers, weather updates, and reminders remain available by voice. It is a more useful alarm clock than the screenless Echo Dot, especially for people who prefer to glance rather than ask.
The Spot's speaker produces clear vocals and deep bass for its size, making podcasts, audiobooks, and morning music easy to follow. It also supports compatible smart-home routines using motion detection, and eero Built-in can add up to 1, 000 square feet of coverage to an existing eero network. The device contains 36 percent recycled materials, and Amazon includes a physical microphone off button and app controls for privacy.
The Echo Show 5 has a larger 5.5 inch display and adds a 2 MP camera for video calls, compatible camera viewing, and photo slideshows. The Spot is less visually ambitious, but that is an advantage on a nightstand where a simple clock is more useful than a miniature television. Choose the Glacier White model for bright bedrooms and kitchens, and choose the Echo Dot Max Graphite instead if music is more important than the clock.
6. Amazon Echo Spot Black: Best Dark-Finish Alarm Clock
Pros
- At-a-glance clock, weather, and song information
- Gradual wake-up routines
- Touchscreen controls for music and devices
- Motion detection supports automation
- Physical microphone off button
Cons
- Display is smaller and simpler than the Echo Show 5
- Not intended to replace a larger music speaker
Best for: someone who prefers a dark bedside clock with Alexa built in.
The Amazon Echo Spot Black has the same hardware and capabilities as the Glacier White version, with a finish that recedes more naturally on a dark nightstand or office shelf. Its 4.4 by 4.1 by 4.5 inch dimensions make it compact without feeling unstable, and its 0.9 pound weight keeps it easy to reposition.
The small display earns its place by presenting the information people actually want from a bedside speaker. Time, weather, reminders, and song titles are visible at a glance, while customizable clock faces and colors let it fit different rooms. Touch controls handle music and smart-home adjustments, including dimming compatible lights, so not every task requires saying a wake word.
Sound is more than an afterthought. Amazon describes the Spot as providing clear vocals and deep bass, and it can play music, podcasts, and audiobooks through Alexa. A routine can gradually wake you with music and light, and motion detection can trigger compatible home routines. The eero Built-in feature can extend an existing eero network by up to 1, 000 square feet.
The Amazon Echo Spot Black is not the right pick for someone seeking the biggest sound or a full video display. The Echo Dot Max Graphite has stronger room-filling audio, while the Echo Show 5 offers a larger 5.5 inch screen, a 2 MP camera, and video calling. Pick this Spot when the bedside role comes first and the darker finish suits your room.
7. Amazon Echo Dot Max Glacier White: Best Light-Finish Room-Filler
Pros
- Nearly three times the bass of the standard Echo Dot
- Room-adaptive playback
- Built-in smart home hub
- Presence and temperature sensing
- Supports Echo pairing and Fire TV home theater setups
Cons
- Larger than the standard Echo Dot
- Light finish may be less forgiving in busy rooms
- Alexa remains the main voice platform
Best for: someone who wants stronger Alexa music in a bright living room or medium-sized space.
The Amazon Echo Dot Max Glacier White is the light-finish twin of the Graphite model. It has the same 3.9 inch height, 4.3 inch width and length, and 1.1 pound weight. That makes it larger than either standard Echo Dot, but still compact enough for a console, open shelf, or kitchen counter.
Its nearly three times the bass claim compared with the 2022 Echo Dot is the central reason to choose it. The speaker is designed for room-filling sound and automatically adapts playback to its surroundings. For music in a medium-sized room, that extra low-end gives the Dot Max more presence than the standard Dot, while the compact enclosure is less visually dominant than the Sonos Era 100 White.
The Dot Max also has a built-in smart home hub, so compatible lights, locks, and other devices do not need a separate hub. Omnisense technology can use presence or temperature detection to activate routines, and Alexa supports weather, reminders, streaming services, and conversational requests. Music support includes Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, and SiriusXM.
You can pair it with another Echo Dot Max, group it with compatible Echo speakers and displays, or connect it to compatible Fire TV devices for a home theater setup. Eero Built-in can add up to 1, 000 square feet to an existing eero network. The weakness is not capability but ecosystem focus: the Sonos Era 100 White is the more refined music speaker, and the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker accepts AirPlay, Google Cast, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and auxiliary sources. Choose the Glacier White Dot Max when Alexa control and stronger bass matter more than broad source compatibility.
8. Amazon Echo Show 5: Best Smart Display
Pros
- 5.5 inch display for news, weather, and controls
- Deeper bass and clearer vocals
- 2 MP camera for video calls
- Built-in camera shutter and mic off controls
- Can view compatible cameras and show photos
Cons
- Larger than a screenless Echo speaker
- Small display is not ideal for extended video viewing
- Camera features may not suit privacy-sensitive rooms
Best for: someone who wants Alexa, music, visual information, and video calls in one compact device.
The Amazon Echo Show 5 is the most useful choice here when a smart speaker needs to show information. Its 5.5 inch display puts the time, weather, song titles, news, photos, and compatible camera feeds in view. The device measures 3.23 inches high, 5.78 inches long, and 3.56 inches wide, with a 1 pound weight that works well on a bedside table or kitchen counter.
Amazon says the newer Show 5 has deeper bass and clearer vocals, so it is not merely an Echo display with a speaker attached. It can stream music, podcasts, shows, and other content from services such as Amazon Music, Spotify, and Prime Video. The screen makes music control easier, since you can see what is playing and tap through options instead of relying solely on voice commands.
The built-in 2 MP camera supports video calls with people using the Alexa app or another Echo device with a screen. It can also help you check in on family or pets and view compatible video doorbells. A physical camera shutter, microphone and camera off control, and support for viewing end-to-end encrypted Ring video provide more control than a camera without a cover.
The Show 5 is less discreet than the Echo Spot, but its larger display and camera make it much more capable. It still is not the right device for watching long videos, and the Echo Dot Max Graphite is better if music is the only priority. For kitchens, entryways, and bedside tables where visual information matters, the Show 5 is the most versatile Echo in this group. Readers weighing audio quality against screen features can also explore how to balance music playback with everyday home use.
9. Sonos Era 100 White: Best Light-Finish Premium Speaker
Pros
- Detailed stereo separation
- Deeper bass from the larger midwoofer
- Trueplay room tuning
- Wi-Fi and one-button Bluetooth pairing
- Works with an optional line-in adapter
Cons
- Large and heavy for a compact-room speaker
- Wired audio needs an optional adapter
- Requires more setup than an Echo Dot
Best for: listeners building a clean-looking Sonos system around detailed music playback.
The Sonos Era 100 White offers the same sound and features as the black version, but its light finish has a cleaner presence on pale shelves and kitchen counters. At 7.22 inches high, 7 inches long, and 5.1 inches wide, it is not a tiny speaker. Its 4.45 pound weight makes it stable, though it also signals that this is a stationary home audio component rather than something to carry from room to room.
The dual-tweeter design creates detailed stereo separation, while the 25 percent larger midwoofer is intended to deepen bass. That gives the Era 100 a more expansive and organized presentation than either Echo Dot Max model. The Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker can sound more immersive and accepts more connection types, but the Era 100 has a particularly strong case for listeners already interested in a coordinated Sonos system.
Trueplay tuning uses the Sonos app to analyze the acoustics of the room and optimize the EQ. Wi-Fi handles streaming from supported services, Bluetooth pairing is available at the press of a button, and an optional Sonos Line-In Adapter lets you connect a turntable or other audio source. It is a flexible setup for listeners who want to move between streaming and physical sources without replacing the speaker.
The trade-off is involvement. You need to connect the speaker through the Sonos app and Wi-Fi, and the optional adapter adds another part for wired listening. Alexa is supported, but the Era 100 is not as deeply tied to Alexa routines as the Echo Dot Max Glacier White. Pick the white Era 100 when the speaker should look polished, sound refined, and form part of a larger Sonos listening system.
10. Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker: Best Connectivity
Pros
- TrueSpatial audio for immersive sound
- Adjustable EQ through the Bose app or voice commands
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay, Spotify, and Google Cast
- Auxiliary inputs for turntables and CD players
- Supports stereo pairing and multiroom listening
Cons
- Larger than the Echo Dot family
- Smart-home experience is less Alexa-centered than an Echo
- Newer product with fewer established ecosystem details
Best for: someone who wants a flexible wireless home speaker with broad source support.
The Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker is the broadest audio platform in this group. It measures 7.27 inches high, 6.594 inches long, and 4.767 inches wide, while weighing 3.66 pounds. That footprint is still manageable on a shelf or kitchen counter, but it has more visual and physical presence than an Echo Dot or Echo Spot.
Bose centers the speaker on TrueSpatial audio, with room-filling sound designed to remain clear across different spaces. Adjustable EQ lets you tune highs, vocals, and bass in the Bose app or with voice commands. That flexibility matters when the same speaker moves from a bright kitchen to a more heavily furnished den, or when one listener prefers crisp vocals and another wants fuller bass.
Connectivity is its strongest advantage. The speaker works over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and supports AirPlay, Spotify, and Google Cast. Auxiliary inputs allow turntables, CD players, and other traditional sources, giving it a role in a home audio system that goes beyond streaming. You can pair two speakers for stereo or connect multiple speakers for multiroom listening.
Alexa+ voice control is available for entertainment, smart-home management, and other services, but the Bose is not as tightly integrated into an Alexa-first home as the Echo Dot Max Graphite. The Sonos Era 100 White is the more natural choice for a Sonos household, while the Bose is better for someone who wants to mix platforms and sources. Choose the Lifestyle Ultra Speaker when connection flexibility and immersive sound matter more than the smallest footprint.
How to choose Best best smart speaker
The right smart speaker starts with the room and the way you listen, then narrows down by voice assistant, controls, and connections.
Room size and sound output
Compact speakers such as the Amazon Echo Dot Charcoal work well on a nightstand, desk, or small office shelf. A larger speaker with more bass, such as the Echo Dot Max Graphite, is better for a living room or medium-sized space. The Sonos Era 100 and Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker are stronger choices when music needs to spread across a larger room.
Voice assistant and smart-home control
Alexa is central to every Amazon model here, with support for timers, weather, reminders, music, routines, and compatible smart-home devices. The Echo Dot Max models add a built-in smart home hub and Omnisense presence and temperature features. Sonos and Bose can provide Alexa control, but their broader strengths are music systems and source flexibility rather than Alexa-first automation.
Display and camera features
A screen changes the speaker's role. The Echo Spot shows clock information, weather, reminders, and song titles, while the Echo Show 5 adds a 5.5 inch display, video calls, compatible camera viewing, and a 2 MP camera. Skip the display if you want a discreet music and voice assistant, but choose one if visual controls or bedside information matter.
The best speaker for a bedroom is rarely the loudest one. It is the model that gives you useful information without making the room feel occupied by another screen.
Streaming and wired connections
Amazon speakers cover common services such as Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, and, on the Dot Max, SiriusXM. Sonos adds Wi-Fi streaming, Bluetooth, and optional line-in support, while Bose adds Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay, Spotify, Google Cast, and auxiliary inputs. If you plan to connect a turntable or CD player, the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker is the simplest fit from this list.
For listeners focused on phone playback outside the Alexa ecosystem, the difference between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth listening is an important distinction. Wi-Fi is generally more useful for fixed multiroom systems, while Bluetooth makes direct device pairing straightforward.
Privacy controls and placement
Look for physical microphone controls when the speaker will sit in a bedroom or family room. The Echo Dot and Echo Spot include microphone off buttons, while the Echo Show 5 adds microphone and camera controls plus a camera shutter. Placement matters too: keep microphones unobstructed, avoid burying a speaker in a cabinet, and leave room around larger models for their sound to spread.
Frequently asked questions
Which smart speaker is best for most rooms?
The Amazon Echo Dot Charcoal is the most broadly useful option for bedrooms, offices, and smaller living areas. It combines compact dimensions, Alexa routines, streaming support, Bluetooth, and motion and temperature sensors. Choose the Echo Dot Max Graphite if stronger bass and room-filling sound matter more.
Is the Echo Dot Max better for music than the Echo Dot?
Yes. Amazon says the Echo Dot Max has nearly three times the bass of the 2022 Echo Dot, and it is designed to adapt playback to the room. The standard Echo Dot remains easier to place, but the Dot Max is the better choice for a living room or medium-sized space.
Should I choose an Echo Spot or Echo Show 5?
Choose the Echo Spot when you primarily want a smart alarm clock with a glanceable display. Choose the Echo Show 5 when you want a larger 5.5 inch screen, video calling, compatible camera viewing, photo slideshows, and a 2 MP camera. The Show 5 is more capable, while the Spot is more focused.
Can these speakers work with a smart home?
The Amazon models can control compatible lights, locks, thermostats, and other smart-home devices through Alexa. The Echo Dot Max includes a built-in smart home hub and Omnisense technology for presence and temperature routines. Compatibility depends on the devices in your home.
Which speaker is best for multiroom music?
The Sonos Era 100 is the strongest fit for a dedicated multiroom music system because it is built around the Sonos app, Wi-Fi streaming, room tuning, and coordinated playback. Amazon Echo models are a better fit when Alexa routines and Fire TV pairing matter more. Bose also supports multiroom listening and stereo pairing.
Can I connect a turntable to these smart speakers?
The Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker has auxiliary inputs for turntables, CD players, and other sources. The Sonos Era 100 can connect a turntable through the Sonos Line-In Adapter. The Echo models in this list focus more on streaming, Bluetooth, and Alexa playback.
The bottom line
The Best best smart speaker for most people is the Amazon Echo Dot Charcoal. It fits nearly anywhere, handles Alexa's everyday tasks, supports major music services and Bluetooth, and adds useful motion and temperature routines without requiring a display. The Glacier White version has the same capabilities and is the better visual match for pale rooms.
Choose the Amazon Echo Dot Max Graphite or Glacier White for stronger bass and room-filling Alexa audio. Choose the Sonos Era 100 if music quality and multiroom listening take priority, or the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker if you need AirPlay, Google Cast, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and auxiliary connections in one system.
If you are undecided, buy the Echo Dot for compact everyday use, or step up to the Echo Dot Max when your main concern is fuller sound.
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