The best Amazon Alexa-powered speakers have one thing going for them over models sporting other voice assistants. Unlike Apple's Siri, the two HomePod options, and the only slightly longer list of Google Assistant smart speakers, you have a lot of choices when it comes to Alexa-enabled options. It also helps that there are so many Alexa-enabled non-speaker smart devices to pair with.

To use one of these Alexa speakers, all you need is a Wi-Fi connection. Once set up, you can use voice commands to check the weather, play music, and control the Alexa-compatible smart home devices you might have. However, since there are so many options, it's easy to get one that doesn't quite meet your needs. Because of that, this guide exists to help you navigate the best Alexa-powered speakers, no matter your preferences or budget.

Top Amazon Alexa-powered speaker picks

Amazon's entire Echo lineup boasts a top-notch user experience, but most models aren't designed with peak audio quality in mind. That's where this speaker stands out. In our Amazon Echo Studio review, we discovered how great this speaker is at high volumes, writing, "While the Echo Studio is definitely large for a smart speaker, something this size should not be able to cover a room in sound as well as this does." That has a lot to do with the Echo Studio's five speakers — a woofer, three mid-woofers, and a tweeter — and spatial audio processing, as well as its ability to scan your room's acoustics and make small changes to maximize the sound quality. It even has Dolby Atmos for compatible content.

A fabric-covered exterior in either Charcoal or Glacier colors contributes to a less intrusive and more professional look than many others (which is nice because it's pretty big). And, since Amazon tends to go all-out in perfecting its interfaces and software, you can trust that Alexa on the Echo Studio will answer questions, solve problems, and complete tasks quickly and accurately, with no hesitation. Its ability to act as a Zigbee hub will also make setting up your smart home that much easier.

The Bose Home Speaker 500 is an even better pick for those with deep pockets. It's built to deliver 360-degree sound loud enough to fill a large room, all thanks to its dual-driver setup encased in an aluminum grille chassis. Touch controls on the top give you local control over your sound, and an LED display on the front provides information about what's currently playing.

Amazon Alexa is baked right in, and the microphone array on the top of the speaker does a good job of recognizing commands even in a busy space. Like the Sonos One, you can pair the Bose Home Speaker 500 with other Bose products to create a full soundscape. This is certainly more expensive than a lot of other options on this list, though few alternatives can compete with its audio quality.

Amazon's fifth-generation Echo Dot is a compact spherical speaker that can sit just about anywhere, pumping out clean and clear audio. Amazon has upgraded the sound quality in each generation, and while this speaker won't be enough for a big house party, it will fill the room with sound if required. Our Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) review noted, "It'll do just fine work spoken-word content and won't be a bother if you like having some background music." This is a very affordable speaker, and its audio quality lives up to the price as long as you go into it with realistic expectations.

There's also an Eero Wi-Fi extender integrated into the unit, dovetailing with one of the most popular Wi-Fi mesh systems on the planet to bring better Wi-Fi coverage into whatever room you place it in. Of course, you don't need an Eero system; the Echo Dot will work just fine with any old Wi-Fi network, and you can use it to control other compatible smart home devices. Plus, a new accelerometer supports tap controls, including audio pausing, playback, and instantly snoozing alarms. A temperature and motion sensor is also built to help power smart home routines, such as turning on the air conditioning when things get too hot.

You can get the standard Echo Dot (5th Gen) in Charcoal, Deep Sea Blue, and Glacier White colors. Amazon also offers an Echo Dot with a built-in digital clock (ideal for bedside tables) and an Echo Dot for Kids in "Owl and Dragon" themes, each for about $10 more than the regular version. Note that these smart speakers often go on sale, at which time the budget pricing gets even more attractive.

Outside of removing Google Assistant support, the Sonos Move 2 is an improvement over its predecessor in every way. Not only does it offer simultaneous Bluetooth and Wi-Fi support, Sonos fast-pairing, and the ability to connect to just about any streaming source, but it also comes with a 24-hour battery life (compared to the 11 hours of the first Sonos Move) and improved controls.

As far as audio quality goes, it sounds good across the whole spectrum, with a cleaner and more mellow sound compared to its predecessor. Even without the inevitable comparison, the sound quality is good with under-control treble, smooth mids, and satisfying bass.

Not all is perfect, however, with it being a bit on the heavy side, especially for carrying around. This is a portable speaker, after all. It's even more expensive than its already pricey predecessor. But it's still an excellent portable Alexa-powered speaker that's a worthy upgrade.

Bose's Portable Smart Speaker competes directly with the Sonos Move, and anyone with deeper pockets who doesn't want to compromise on sound quality should consider both. We stated in our Bose Portable Smart Speaker review, "Being able to position a better-than-average smart speaker around [the] house — including outside — is a dream come true, especially when [you] want the same music playing indoors and outdoors simultaneously."

The combination of a downward-facing driver, internal sound deflector, and three bass radiators ensure consistent sound from every direction, as well as clarity in the middle and low ranges. Plus, real-world testing indicates that Bose's top-mounted mic is on the same great level as those from Amazon.

The Bose speaker weighs only about a third of the Sonos Move's weight, and its top carrying handle is easier to deal with. And considering it's been dropping in price over time, the Bose speaker might just be what you're looking for; note that it doesn't come with a wireless charging cradle.

Yes, the Sonos Era 300 is very pricey, and the app could use some work. But overall, this is a fantastic addition to Sonos' varied lineup of Alexa-enabled speakers. Plus, it also supports its own Sonos voice control when you feel like cutting Alexa out of the fun.

What makes this speaker special, however, is the sound. It has punchy bass, crisp highs, and a wide soundstage — always a surprising feature on a one-unit speaker system such as this. Plus, it has Spatial Audio support for a truly immersive experience, even if that doesn't translate well to all tracks.

But there's more than good sound here as the connectivity options on offer are quite surprising, though you do have to pay extra for a line-in adapter. It also supports Wi-Fi 6, so you don't have to worry about dropped or intermittent signals. Plus, Sonos made this speaker easier to repair, not to mention eco-friendly, as this speaker is made out of 40% recycled plastic.

Amazon's range of Alexa-powered speakers wouldn't be complete without the fourth-generation Echo. It's Amazon's mainstream smart speaker, larger than the Echo Dot but smaller than the Echo Studio, with pricing to match. Our Amazon Echo (4th Gen) review stated that it's easily the best speaker to get if you're first buying into the Amazon and Alexa ecosystem.

The spherical design houses a three-inch woofer and two 0.8-inch tweeters, with button controls on the top (for things like snoozing alarms or quickly changing volume). It gets loud, you'll notice the bass, and it will fill a room with sound. Its built-in microphones can easily pick up your voice, and the faster processor helps to speed up the Alexa process. The Echo usually costs around $100, but you can often find it on a deep sale. Grab it in Charcoal, Glacier White, or Twilight Blue finishes.

Smart speakers don't have to focus on just music; soundbars can do far more than provide TV and movie soundtracks. The Yamaha ATS-2090 does both, coming at you as a 36-inch 2.1-channel unit with DTS Virtual:X surround sound that costs very little for something that sounds so great. It also looks fantastic and punches far above its weight class in price.

The bar is lightweight, reasonably loud, and easy to install, while the compact subwoofer and its wireless connectivity mean you won't have to run any unsightly audio cables. Whether you want to stream "The Last Of Us" or crank your favorite tunes, it's hard to argue against the value of this versatile smart speaker setup. Built-in Alexa support makes it even better, giving you a center of control for your smart home from the comfort of your living room.

The JBL Authentics 300 combines retro stylings with a rugged build that will look just as good next to a grill in the backyard as it will in a listening room. Since it's fairly large, it does what big speakers do — it sounds massive. It actually has quite a bit of low-end as well, thanks to a 6.5-inch passive radiator situated underneath. Alexa voice assistant support is snappy and can be physically turned off if you're worried about privacy. And it supports Wi-Fi streaming. So, for example, you can play something off Spotify while still using your phone to make a call.

Of course, there are some drawbacks as it is on the heavier side and comes with a fairly high price. The limited EQ settings are a bit frustrating as well. However, no speaker is perfect, and that big sound, along with Wi-Fi streaming and some stylish aesthetics, is worth the extra cash.

All of Amazon's Echo Show smart displays have built-in speakers, but this is the only one specifically engineered to provide a quality listening experience. The novel rotating base and motion sensors let the device follow you around when queried, and the wide resonance cavity and powerful driver ensure you'll hear whatever the Show 10 has to say. We called it "cool, stylish, and one of the best Echo devices you can buy" in our Amazon Echo Show 10 review, which still holds true today.

This makes it especially great for working in the kitchen, where you won't struggle to hear tips, tricks, and ingredient lists. The tradeoff for Show 10's remarkable versatility is that the sound quality isn't nearly as full or satisfying as most others. To that end, you should look elsewhere if you plan on playing a lot of music, but you should consider the Echo Show 10 if you want something that's more functional than entertaining.

Getting the best Amazon Alexa-powered speaker for you

It's no surprise that Amazon-branded speakers offer the most streamlined experience, as Alexa is Amazon's voice assistant. You can get even more out of those models when you use some Echo tips and tricks. However, you shouldn't necessarily write off other companies' offerings since their Alexa implementations are also well done. Additionally, those third-party options often come with better audio performance, aka better speakers, though you'll have to spend a little more for them.

Perfect examples are the options from Sonos, which have always been known for their excellent audio. Both the Sonos Era 300 and Sonos Move 2 are on the pricey side but are among the best sounding speakers on this list. Plus, the Move 2 is portable, so you can take it with you if you plan on having a picnic or beach party. You can also use multiple Sonos products for a multiroom setup. Bose is another option with fantastic audio quality if you're not interested in the Sonos ecosystem.

However, you don't have to spend a lot for a solid option. Amazon's Echo Dot (5th Gen) is very inexpensive and still sounds decent. You're not going to get Sonos or Bose-level quality, but it's still solid. Plus, it can act as an Eero mesh extender to increase your Wi-Fi range, delivering even more value if you're already invested in an Eero system. It's regularly priced at $50 but often dips even lower during sales events. This is an especially good choice for those just getting started with Alexa. Also, be sure to check out our guide on how to use Amazon Echo's privacy features to share less of your data.