In fact, the best smart speakers offer everything from premium sound to intelligent home control. They not only play music but also set reminders, make phone calls, answer questions, and allow you to control other smart devices in your home all through voice commands. ZDNET’s experts have reviewed the most popular smart speakers, and I’ve rounded up my favorite five.  Also: 

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For more options, check out our picks for the best Bluetooth speakers, the best bookshelf speaker, the best portable speakers, and the best stereo speakers! Read the review: The best Sonos speakers Read the review: The best Echo speakers With the Apple HomePod Mini, you can easily connect to your favorite devices with the help of Siri built right in. Siri can recognize the difference in each user’s voice to offer greater personalization when it comes to your favorite apps, tunes, and services. Once you pick your song, this speaker offers 360-degree audio, especially when you pair your speaker with other Homepod Minis. Use the intercom feature to check in with family members in other rooms, an especially convenient feature at dinnertime.  Read the review: HomePod mini review With the words “Hey Google,” you can automatically summon automated help for a number of tasks, like changing tracks and stopping the music. Nest Audio is built-in, allowing you to erase your Google Assistant history and adjust the mic. It can also adjust the music to fit the room, offering thumping bass and crisp vocals that improve your overall listening experience. You can also connect to several other products, like Nest speakers and displays and Chromecast devices. Set up is simple to get you going that much faster. Google Nest Hub Max is far from just a speaker. This smart speaker incorporates a 10-inch HD touchscreen that allows you to do so much more than just listen to your favorite audiobook, thanks to the help of Google Assistant. The 6.5MP camera allows you to take photos and make video calls with ease. For hands-free use, choose Duo to create video messages or make video calls. Either way, you do not have to sacrifice sound with this smart speaker that incorporates a 30W subwoofer and dual tweeters. To see how the best smart speakers compare, here is an overview of each model.

Integrations: The best smart speakers incorporate voice control, whether it is through Apple’s Siri or Google’s Google Assistant. Connectivity: The best speakers offer a wireless connection via Bluetooth or WiFi. Size: Not all speakers are meant to take on the go. If you want something that is easily portable, consider a smart speaker of a smaller size that offers a wireless connection.Budget: We know that not everyone shares the same budget, so we look for smart speakers that suit a number of different budgets. 

This guide tells you which of these smart speakers are worth buying, and what you’ll get for your money.