We’ve curated a list of the best HomePod alternatives. Each product on this list makes a great lift, no matter the time of year
Beautiful Design and Sound
For the first speaker on the market with its Cortana intelligent personal assistant built-in, Microsoft turned to one of the biggest companies in audio, Harman Kardon. The result is the Invoke, a beautifully designed home speaker that even Apple fans should consider.
- Available in Graphite (Black) and Pearl/Silver (White)
- Music services available at launch include Spotify, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, and soon Pandora
- Bluetooth-enabled
With Sonos, There's Only One
The Sonos One is capable of supporting multiple voice services and playing music, podcasts, audiobooks, and other content from more than 80 streaming services. Sonos One, available in black and white, replaces the Sonos Play:1 as the company’s entry-level speaker. It can be used as a standalone speaker, wirelessly paired with another Sonos One for stereo sound, or used with PLAYBASE or PLAYBAR to create home theater surround sound.
- Will eventually support Apple AirPlay 2, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa
- Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Pandora, SiriusXM, and TuneIn support on Day 1
- Use with the Sonos app
A Hands-Free Way To Control Your Home
The Amazon Echo Dot is the little brother of the Amazon Echo, a voice-controlled speaker that lets you accomplish an array of tasks from controlling your locks and lights to asking a random question about a game or the weather. It works incredibly well because it has seven microphones and it's perfect if you already have a nice speaker at home because it can connect to it via Bluetooth or a 3.5mm headphone jack.
- A hands-free, voice-controlled device that uses Alexa to play music, control smart home devices, provide information, read the news, set alarms, and more.
- Connects to speakers or headphones through Bluetooth or 3.5 mm stereo cable.
- Controls lights, fans, switches, thermostats, garage doors, sprinklers, and more.
- Hears you from across the room with seven far-field microphones.
The Smartest UE Speaker Ever Made
Thanks to integration with Amazon Alexa, you have hands-free voice control for just about everything. Just ask Alexa to blast tunes from Amazon Music, iHeart Radio or TuneIn, change tracks, check the weather - or try any of Alexa's skills.
- IP67 rated and can be immersed in water up to 1 m for 30 minutes
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled: Use the Alexa Voice Service at home or on the go whenever connected to Wi-Fi or a mobile hotspot or stream music via Bluetooth from your phone
- Available in graphite black, blizzard, blue steel, and merlot
A Voice-Activated Speaker Powered by Google Assistant
Back in 2016, Google introduced its first speaker with Google Assistant built-in, the aptly named Google Home. With it, you can use your voice to request music, get answers from Google and manage everyday tasks. It works with Android and of course iOS, and it's capable of controlling compatible smart devices such as Chromecast or Nest.
- Play tunes from services like YouTube Music, Google Play Music, Pandora, and Spotify
- Get answers to things you want to know including the latest on weather, traffic, finance, sports, and more
- With your permission, Google Home can help you with things like your commute and flight information
- Ask Google Home to stream videos to your TV with Chromecast or to turn up your Nest thermostat
JBL + Google Assistant = Happiness
The waterproof voice-activated portable JBL Link 20 has Google Assistant built-in. Features 10 hours of playing time between charges. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled.
- Far-field voice recognition allows for easy hands-free operation
- Setup and manage with the free Google Home app
- Chromecast built-in
- IPX7 waterproof
Echo Has Grown Up
The Amazon Echo (2nd Edition) features a fresh new design in a range of styles including fabrics and wood veneers. Echo connects to Alexa to play music, make calls, set alarms and timers, ask questions, control smart home devices, and more—instantly.
- Call or message anyone hands-free with your Echo device
- With seven microphones, beamforming technology, and noise cancellation, Echo hears you from any direction—even while music is playing
- New speaker, now with Dolby processing for crisp vocals and dynamic bass response Just ask Alexa to check your calendar, weather, traffic, and sports scores, manage to-do and shopping lists, control your compatible smart lights, thermostats, garage doors, sprinklers, and more
Hey, Google Longer
With the LOFT, you can add a battery pack to your Google Home. Offering eight hours of portability, the LOFT includes a slide on magnetic connection for easy assembly. It's available in carbon, snow, and copper.
- Beautiful metal grill finish
- 4 LED Fuel gauge
- Uses the Google home power supply to charge base
The Speaker With the Odd Look
The Harman Allure Alexa Speaker features an interesting design that won't appear to everyone. Nonetheless, it provides terrific sounds, regardless of the volume. Also check out its unique 360-degree, multicolored, and responsive lighting feature.
- Powered by Amazon Alexa Voice Service
- Far-field Voice Recognition
- 360-Degree Sound
- Wireless Bluetooth Streaming
Do you love Google Home, but think the device is too big? The Google Home Mini is for you. Available in chalk, charcoal, and coral, the Google Home Mini offers everything you like in the original Google Home, but in a smaller package.
- Offers hands-free help around the house
- Want the latest weather, traffic, finance, sports and more? Simply ask.
- Mini works with Chromecast, so you can stream shows, movies, and music on your TV or speakers
The One With a Hub Built-In
Available in black, silver, and white, the Amazon Echo Plus has a built-in ZigBee smart home hub, which allows for simple and direct setup of compatible ZigBee lights, locks, plugs, and in-wall switches from brands like Philips Hue, GE, and Yale. No additional hub required.
- Just ask for a song, artist, or genre from Amazon Music, Spotify, Pandora, and more
- With seven microphones, beamforming technology, and noise cancellation, Echo hears you from any direction—even while music is playing
- Echo Plus connects to Alexa—a cloud-based voice service—to play music, make calls, set timers and alarms, ask questions, check traffic and weather, and more—instantly.
Cool Speaker in a Smaller Package
Ultimate Ears BLAST is drop proof, seriously waterproof, and ready-to-rock any adventure. From the shower to the all-night beach party, the summer festivals to the winter slopes — your music will always be on point no matter how wild things get. Available in merlot, graphite black, blue steel, and blizzard.
- Both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-enabled
- BLAST uses over-the-air software updates and gets better all the time
- 12 hours of battery life between charges
