The Amazon Echo is no doubt a fantastic smart speaker. It has an integration with Amazon Alexa and can also perform various tasks.
However, not everyone wants this smart speaker. Other people prefer a smaller form factor as their home smart speaker solution.
Some want a speaker that is more affordable, portable and something that suits their preferences.
Fortunately, the market offers a vast array of Amazon Echo Dot alternatives.
But these choices also make it hard for buyers to choose which one they will get. For this reason, we have checked some of the best smart speakers for every need and budget.
The Features of an Excellent Smart Speaker
The truth is that a smart speaker is just like a regular speaker. The only difference is that it features a microphone and a small controller inside.
The controller allows the speaker to access different smart assistant functions. That includes Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Microsoft Cortana, and Apple’s Siri.
As a result, a smart speaker lets you control almost all aspects of your digital life.
For instance, you can use the smart assistant for music playback, web searches, calendar management, and online orders. You can also use it to control climate, lighting, as well as other smart devices in your home.
Here are the features that you need to look for in a good smart speaker:
1. Excellent sound
Of course, anyone who will purchase a speaker would want it to sound good. However, not all smart speakers are created equal.
Some have sublime sounds while others can only work decently.
For that reason, you need to check what the internet says about your chosen speaker before purchasing it.
You can read customer reviews and articles about it to find out what those who tried using the smart speaker have to say about it.
2. Good microphone
Nothing is more annoying than having to reiterate your commands to your smart speaker a few times because it has a bad microphone.
Oftentimes, poor microphone quality causes Siri and Alexa to make mistakes when answering your questions.
Even when you do not have a smart speaker, you have probably experienced this hassle. For instance, you commanded your smart assistant to call your mom but it dialed your boss’s number.
To avoid such mistakes, you need to look for a smart speaker that has an advanced microphone function.
3. Reliable connection
One frustrating thing about smart speakers is when they cannot perform basic commands due to poor Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection.
Your smart speaker needs to connect to fast Wi-Fi for it to answer all your queries and do all your commands.
However, it is difficult to find out which speaker models have reliable connections. For this reason, you can search for trustworthy sources that reviewed smart speakers.
In addition, make sure that the seller where you will get your device has an excellent return policy just in case something goes wrong with your item.
4. Mic mute option
Your speakers record the things that you say. If you do not want such an option, make sure that the one you will purchase has a mute mic option.
You can always prefer to just unplug your speaker so it would not record everything. However, that can be a hassle when you need to give it a command only to find out that you forgot to plug it back in.
5. Fits your home life
When getting a smart speaker, you need something that is both easy to use and intelligently designed. The reason is that all its features would be futile if you cannot find out how to use them.
You should also be able to easily use all the functionalities that you frequently need.
| Amazon Echo Dot & its Alternatives | Best Price to Get |
|---|---|
Amazon Echo Dot | $84.94 |
Sonos One | $279.99 |
Bose Home Speaker 500 | $349 |
Invoxia Triby Smart Speaker | $81 |
Marshall Uxbridge | $199.99 |
Where to Buy Top Alternatives to Amazon Echo Dot
1. Amazon Echo Dot
Amazon Echo Dot
Before diving into the alternatives, it is important that you know the basic features of the Amazon Echo Dot. This way, you will find a smart speaker that has a similar set of capabilities to the Echo Dot.
The Amazon Echo Dot has impressive hardware and a clever voice assistant. It is feature-rich and has capable tech despite its small size. Additionally, it is worth buying for people who do not want to spend all out in making their home smart tech.
What makes the Echo Dot really useful is its integration with Alexa. For this reason, using the smart speaker feels like you have your own smart assistant. That said, you can use it to get the information that you need throughout the day.
Of course, you need to connect the speaker to your Wi-Fi so you can use it. But if you need to use it to amplify the music you are listening to, you can connect it to your phone via Bluetooth.
You will also have no problems using the Echo Dot as it is easy to set up and integrate with your other smart devices.
Get the Amazon Echo Dot for
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2. Sonos One
Sonos One – Alternative to Amazon Echo Dot
Sonos One boasts itself for its sublime audio, strong bass, and balanced sound profile despite its size. It can connect to nearly a hundred streaming audio services worldwide. What’s more, it is among the best speakers to choose from if you are building a home theater.
Moreover, you can control this smart speaker using your voice, its dedicated Sonos App, and Apple Airplay2. It also has a built-in Amazon Alexa, making voice control seamless. Meaning you can ask it any question, command it to check daily news, set alarms, play music hands-free.
Additionally, the Sonos One is humidity-resistant. For this reason, you can place it in rooms where the presence of water is constant, like your kitchen and bathroom.
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3. Bose Home Speaker 500
Bose Home Speaker 500 – Alternative to Amazon Echo Dot
The first thing you need to know about the Bose Home Speaker 500 is that it costs a bit extra. However, the features prove that the price is worth it.
It has Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant built into it as well as Bluetooth connectivity. In addition, this smart speaker by Bose comes with a 3.5mm auxiliary port, allowing you to directly connect it to your smartphone or your MP3 player.
Additionally, it has six useful preset buttons that you can set up and use to open a particular album or playlist on Amazon Music, Spotify, Pandora, and TuneIn.
Moreover, this speaker’s microphone can pick up voices even from quite far away. For this reason, you can interact with it even when you are sitting on the other side of the room.
The audio also sounds quite nice since the speaker has two custom drivers pointing on the left and right. As a result, it provides true stereo separation without having to buy a second speaker.
Get the Bose Home Speaker 500 for
4. Invoxia Triby Smart Speaker
Invoxia Triby Smart Speaker – Alternative to Amazon Echo Dot
This speaker by Invoxia is another smart speaker that supports Amazon’s Alexa. It is portable and battery-powered, allowing you to easily bring it wherever you go. Thanks to its Alexa integration, the speaker can perform various tasks including weather checking, daily news, answering your questions, and many more.
Apart from voice command, you can also control Triby using the Triby app that you need to install on your smartphone. This app allows you to change the settings of your speaker, send doodles to its e-paper display, and more.
Additionally, you can use Triby as a portable Bluetooth speaker for music listening and call answering. You can even mount it on your refrigerator if you are not sure where you should place it.
Get the Invoxia Triby Smart Speaker for
5. Marshall Uxbridge
Marshall Uxbridge – Alternative to Amazon Echo Dot
The Uxbridge is Marshall’s newest and most budget-friendly smart speaker. It features a booming bass-rich sound, Alexa integration, and compact design that is similar to the brand’s amplifiers.
Setting up this smart speaker is pretty straightforward. All you need to do is to install the Marshall Voice app on your smartphone and connect it to the speaker via Bluetooth.
It is also worth noting that this speaker offers Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity. For this reason, you can only connect it one device at a time.
Additionally, the speaker has Amazon Alexa integration available as soon as you plug the speaker in. But if you prefer the Google ecosystem more than Amazon’s there is also an Uxbridge Marshall with Google Assistant.
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Which Smart Speaker is the Best Alternative to Amazon Echo Dot
A smart speaker can make your life easy. For this reason, you need to ensure that you are getting a feature-rich and easy-to-use speaker. This way, you are getting what you paid for.
Moreover, the smart speakers mentioned above are only a few of what the market offers. So, make sure that you know your needs before finally buying one for your home.
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