Now for a brand new Amazon Echo-style product, but taken up several layers.

If you love the idea of a smart speaker but despair at the fact that they can’t quite reach the dizzying sound quality heights of your traditional speakers and hi-fi systems, this Studio may spark your interest. It is seen as their best bet yet at balancing the sound quality and modern technology.

5 speakers produce powerful bass, dynamic midrange and crisp highs. You get Dolby Atmos technology built in, which is what you would find in soundbars and home cinema systems. It will automatically sense the surrounding environment and acoustics of your room, adjusting the balance accordingly.

There is also a built-in home hub, so you can ask Alexa to control Zigbee-compatible devices. This is ideal if you want a central hub but don’t want to limit yourself by going too branded. And talking of soundbars, why not use it as one? Ask Alexa to play a show, and it will communicate with your smart TV or streaming stick, and then play the sound through the speaker.

It has all of the latest Echo additions too, such as the security layers which allow you to listen to previous recordings or switch off the microphone altogether.

Every time the Echo is re-released, there are a couple of extras which we are blown away by, despite not realising that the old model needed any work at all.

The third generation features even better 360 surround sound, clearer vocal and deeper bass. You can adjust the equaliser settings to get the sound just right for your environment and your listening preferences.

Of course, there is still the voice control aspect too. Ask Alexa to play a playlist on Spotify, Deezer or Apple Music, play a particular song or artist or your favourite radio station. You can also hook up other Echo devices in your home for a surround sound feel.

With voice control you can also manage smart lighting, electricals and security pieces. Just as with the new Show, there is also an extra layer to your security, with the ability to turn off the microphones and view recordings and delete them accordingly. And it is also available in Twilight Blue fabric, just in case that seals the deal.

AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER – RELEASED NOVEMBER 21, 2019

The Echo Show has got a brand-new update in the form of a bigger screen, stereo sound and video calling and messaging. And there is multi-layer security for anyone bothered about just what Alexa can hear and do with your information.

The 8 inch screen gives vivid display, so it is the perfect accompaniment to cooking in the kitchen and wanting to catch up on your favourite TV shows at the same time. Stuck on remembering the recipe, or need to know how to convert a measurement? Ask Alexa your question and she will respond.

You can also ask her to play music, or ask for the weather forecast and traffic reports as you are rushing out of the door in the morning. Link it up to services such as Spotify or Apple Music, Audible for audiobooks, Headspace for some calming support or you could even gather the family round to play a game of Pointless or Tenable using their Skills.

While it doesn’t have the biggest ever screen an Echo Show has had – the Echo Show 2nd Gen features a 10″ variation – the 8 is actually almost half the price, which many will argue is well worth the loss of a measly two inches of screen. And something which will really appeal to those who are concerned about privacy is the switch which acts as a Mic/Camera Off button and built-in camera cover, as well as the ability to delete your voice recordings.

Smart speakers often struggle with rivalling actual speakers when it comes to sound, so Google has advanced technology with this little device.

We would describe this more as a speaker with voice control as opposed to the other way round. It puts sound and music first, but with the addition of voice control, so it is perfect if you want the best of both worlds all in one product.

It is wireless for a clean setup and can play music from the likes of YouTube Music, Spotify and Deezer. There is no need to struggle setting it up either, as you can use your voice to ask it to play particular playlists or radio stations. Also control the music by skipping songs, fast forwarding or pausing.

The great sound comes from the dual woofers and two tweeters packed inside the device, which makes it a lot more advanced than some of the others on the market. You don’t even have to make any manual adjustments to the sound, as Google Smart Sound is built-in. If your playlist is one which jumps from rock to pop to dance, it will handle it all.

Why not create a multi-room set up by linking it to other speakers in the range, such as a Google Home, Google Home Mini, or a speaker with Chromecast Audio plugged in? You can even group these speakers into smaller bundles, so if you only want to play music in the bedroom and kitchen and not the living room, just ask Google.

It still does the standard smart speaker tasks too, such as controlling compatible lighting and heating. If you have a Chromecast on your TV, you can even control that. You can ask it to check the weather or news too, and as it is Google, the answers will be pretty accurate.

The price is at the higher end of the market, but at a pinch could be a lot cheaper than purchasing a separate speaker and smart device.

A titan name when referring to speakers, this is Marshall’s smallest speaker on offer, but that doesn’t mean the quality is reduced.

It simply combines the sound of Marshall with the latest AI technology, giving you an item which can not only give your music the treatment it deserves but also let you control it with your voice. This voice control is brought to the speaker by Amazon Alexa, so it is pretty advanced and adaptable. You can ask her to play your favourite playlist, pause the music if you need to take a phone call, or simply ask some standard questions which have been bothering you. Don’t remember the name of that song? If you sing it to her, she’ll be able to tell what you’re on about and find it and play it on your behalf.

In terms of the sound, simply put it is pretty great. For those who are technology buffs, it features three dedicated class D amplifiers that power its dual tweeters and subwoofer, for a sound that is nothing short of large.

Then there is the classic Mashall design, like the vinyl covering and script logo adorning the front. Little LED lights at the front will let you know when Alexa is awake and ready to respond to your commands and questions, which is handy yet subtle. Far Field technology will pick up your voice even when the music is loud, and you are at the other side of the room, and thanks to a frequency range of 50-20,000 Hz, both the lowest and highest notes will be heard.

The great sound, compact size and Marshall name make this a worthy speaker, which the price justifies.

Meridian Sound and LG’s artificial intelligence are combined in this small yet mighty speaker, which is sure to please casual listeners and audiophiles alike.

Firstly, the sound quality. This speaker supports High-Resolution Audio, so you can play 24-bit and 92 kHz files (which offer the best sound) and still hear everything clearly and in quality. There is also Clear Vocal technology, which will appeal to anybody who hasn’t yet found a product which doesn’t make songs sound all muffled and strained. Even when listening loudly, distortion will also be reduced, so everything is just as clear. An Enhanced Bass option is available for any thumping tunes.

Then there is Google Assistant built-in, which will help you not only to control the music but also help you out with any questions. Put your phone down and save your thumbs, and instead ask Google about the weather, sports scores or those random niggles of information.

It can control other smart devices too, and even help you keep on top of your calendar, reminders or to-do list. Thanks to the addition of Chromecast, you can also add other speakers or sound bars with Chromecast to a multi-room system to fill the house with music. Maybe you’re doing some Spring cleaning, or having a party and want the best possible atmosphere.

SONOS. World-renowned for their speakers already, and now making things even easier for us. As opposed to some of the other non-Amazon/Google/Apple smart speaker makers, this one uses Alexa as opposed to Google.

Because of the origin of SONOS as a company, it comes as no surprise to say this has been curated with music lovers in mind first and foremost. It has the biggest selection of music app pairing available: Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer, Google Play, SoundCloud, Tidal, Groove, Qobuz and Mix Cloud.

This makes it great for anyone frustrated that the most popular voice speakers will only support one or two of the above, especially if you steer clear of them.

It can be connected to any SONOS Home systems to control music in every room and play a different song in the kitchen to the one being played in the bedroom.

Trueplay technology assesses the room around the speaker, adjusting its sound to suit. Touch commands can be made via the app on your smartphone, and it promises that the more you use it, the more helpful it will become over time.

Don’t just think it is solely for music fans though – you can also use Alexa to manage your compatible smart devices, as well as checking news and traffic updates, and enjoy the full set of Alexa skills.

This voice-controlled speaker is a diary and personal assistant in one. Just like the Google Home Mini, as it is from the search engine giant, it can give you very accurate answers to most questions (all models struggle with some).

Like the Sony LF-S50G, there is a touch panel at the top, so you can play/pause/adjust the volume of your music. Press it for a long time, and Google will start listening rather than you having to bark “OK Google” (handy if you’ve lost your voice or are sick of the phrase).

It will give you answers, set reminders, get news or even ask it to tell a joke. Connect it up to other smart technology so you can control most of your home with a voice command.

Google Home can recognise the voices of up to six different users for personalised results to answers.

Google has tried to make sure the whole experience is made as natural as possible, as well as ensuring Home is your go-to device. The more you ask it to do, the more it recognises your personality.

So if you greet it with a “Hello” and then ask it for the news every morning, it will soon pick up this pattern and give you the broadcast automatically. It will even sing you a song if you wish.

And, it can now understand up to three commands at a time with the latest update. “Set an alarm for 6 am, tell me the latest news and play some Lady GaGa”. Sorted.

A pretty nifty update of the first generation 7” screen Echo Show, this version has seen some major improvements and can act as a smart home hub.

Firstly, there is a 10.1” HD screen now, which makes all the difference no matter what you’re doing. Listening to Amazon Music and want to view the artwork? Catching up on the latest Amazon Prime Video box-sets? Reading a recipe and your hands are covered in dough? The screen makes everything so much larger, clearer and immersive.

It loses the large speaker section at the bottom of the screen which was there with the first generation, making it much cleaner and sleeker. Now, it looks like a large tablet, which will certainly please your room layout. The speakers haven’t just disappeared from view, but they have also got much better, too.

There is still all of the tech which made the original Show a standout. Make hands-free video calls to anyone around the world using Skype or in-built technology if they also have a compatible Echo Show. It can connect to your smart doorbell if you want to see who is at the door before you make your way there.

Zigbee connectivity will let you connect other compatible smart appliances too, from lighting to plugs and other smart speakers. In terms of home assistance, you can’t get much more advanced at the moment.

Possibly one of the front-runners regarding the sound and bass, which is no surprise given their technology leads in creating Apple Earphones thanks to the Apple A8 Chip.

The HomePod is a product for all of those Apple advocates out there. It senses its location and adjusts the sound to suit, providing an immersive experience. Pair it with your Apple Music subscription for access to 45 million songs. The usual phrase is ‘at the touch of a button’, but actually, all you need is your voice.

It also learns to adjust to your music library and tastes, offering you recommendations and new music. Friends connected to your WiFi can stream their music straight to your HomePod, and you can AirPlay other content such as movies, TV, Apple TV and Mac.

It isn’t just limited to music, as it can also keep you updated on news and events and set reminders. Also, if connected to your Apple Home App to control switches, power points, air purifiers, sensors and even Velux windows.

Now for the downsides, when comparing it to the technology of Amazon and Google products. Firstly, Siri can’t differentiate between voices, so while Alexa and Google can give personalised responses and allow certain users to do specific things, the HomePod doesn’t have this capability. Which could become a problem.

You also can’t make phone calls through the device, only using the HomePod as a speaker from your phone. And this phone must also be an Apple iPhone – Android users may not have much use for it.

Smart speakers with large screens are creeping onto the market but still are rare, so we were intrigued to see what Lenovo was bringing to the table here. We also wanted to compare it to the Google Home Hub, as they both use the same technology to get their job done.

Firstly, it is more expensive than this alternative, but around the same as the Echo Show so not too extreme for a product of its type. The screen is larger, at 10” as opposed to 7”, which may appeal. There is a smaller 8” available for a price more in line with the Home Hub though if you want to pay under £200.

But it can still connect to other Google items if you want to get a whole system on the go. It can also control your other smart products, from lights to plugs and heating or security systems.

Google Duo lets you video call your contacts by simply saying their name. Perfect if you need to ring your Mum to ask her how to save your bread dough, but your hands are a little messy to say the least. When you don’t want it to hear or see you, you can use the TrueBlock Privacy Shutter to mute the microphones and cover the camera.

The screen allows you to not only hear instructions and information but also visualise it. From YouTube cooking tutorials to Google maps and images, you can fully understand what it is you are trying to grasp or follow.

Even though the 8” version is cheaper, we think the boost in resolution which the 10” offers is well worth the investment (even though the price jump is a little steep in comparison). We like how there is a touch screen, so you can flip to the next page of the recipe without disturbing the song that is playing. Sometimes, you just don’t want to use your voice either, so the ability to click and control is welcome.

Everybody who knows the basics about speakers knows about Bose. Many think their products are pretty much unrivalled.

So this smart option, with Alexa and a small display screen, is sure to please anyone who wants the quality of Bose with a few little extra bits. Sound is delivered by two custom drivers which point in opposite directions to bounce sound off the walls. This delivers it far and wide, so it is great if you want to completely fill a room with music.

There are three ways to control it too. Either use your voice to ask Alexa to pause/skip/play the music, use the touch controls on the top of the device, or control through the Bose Music app. When the music is up loud, the speaker can still hear your commands and respond, thanks to eight microphones and far field technology.

Integrated music services such as Spotify and Apple Music can widen the possibilities of what you listen to, and there is a good chance your chosen streaming service is available. Because they work off Wi-Fi, you don’t need any extra cables or arrangements to access. It can also work via Bluetooth if you want to play music from files on your phone.

The screen is a really nice touch which will display album artwork or playlist information. Setup is simple, and the main show (the sound) is clear, loud and punchy all when it has to be. Perfect, but we wouldn’t expect any less from Bose. Our only big niggle is the price as there are a few options out there which are cheaper but just as good in our mind, but if you’re a fan of the brand, then it shouldn’t put you off.

Panasonic audio combined with the helpfulness of Google, and with Google Play Music, Spotify, Deezer and TuneIn radio services on hand, the choice of fabulous music is virtually endless.

The three-way speaker and 180° sound give clarity which fills the whole room, no matter where it is situated or the size. Built-in Bluetooth lets you connect your phone or tablet so you can control music from it or use it as a speaker when showing friends your home videos.

The design is minimalistic so it won’t look completely obscene on your coffee table or side table. It is really easy to use and set up, so would be great not only for those who know what they are doing but also completely new starters who are just being introduced to the world of virtual assistants and voice activation and AI.

A Smart Speaker made by tech giants Sony, but with the popular Google Assistant built-in.

The 360° system has a two-way facing speaker, two-stage diffuser, and bass reflex duct ensure renowned Sony sound quality, whether it be playing music or answering your questions. Just say “OK Google…” and you’re ready to go.

The hands-free aspect makes it great if you want to know the answer to something quickly but can’t get to your phone or tablet (or just don’t want the hassle).

The ability to control your smart appliances is still there, including with your Google Chromecast for your TV. However, the one thing that makes it slightly different to most of its competitors is the touch-free and voice-free control. Play, pause and control audio by waving your hand over the top of the device – it understands motion.

For something pretty different and out-there if nothing has caught your eye so far, the Ultimate Ears range has combined portable speaker style with AI.

It is super stylish, tough wearing and surprisingly powerful. And Alexa means you can control it with just your voice, making it that bit more 21st Century than ordinary music speakers.

The power source isn’t just limited to the mains connection. You have 16 hours of battery life if you want to take it out for the day to the beach or a picnic. Because of this, there is fully-immersive 360° audio from an impressive speaker array of two 25mm tweeters, two 55mm active drivers and two 85mm passive radiators.

As it is built for the rugged outdoors, it is waterproof for up to 30 minutes in water up to a metre deep, thanks to IP67 Technology.

It will pair with up to eight other Bluetooth devices so you can play sound from them. You can even keep the music playing if you have a phone call to answer. It is expensive, but there are less advanced models available if you wish.

A great item if you want Google Assistant but want something which can add a bit more to your music experience.

JBL is a company which offers great speaker technology, and the ability to use voice control and link it to other compatible speakers is very welcome. It is a good alternative to some of the pricier options out there, and while it may not provide sound which could rival the top speakers out there, you still get a warm sound and great bass.

It is a relatively small device, which makes the sound quality even more impressive. There is an exposed woofer situated at the back, although it would be nice if this were at the front not just to improve quality but also to add something new to the mix design-wise.

There are some basic controls at the top of the speaker to give you physical control. Bluetooth pairing, mic mute, Google Assistant, volume control and a playback button will appeal to some who like an alternative to using their voice all the time.

Which could be good as well, as it does struggle to pick up voices when the volume is on the higher levels. Things could get quite shouty, especially if you aren’t anywhere near the speaker at the time. Which is frustrating, as so many of its rivals would pick up your voice even at a whisper. There were a few issues where the wrong artist was heard, which was frustrating.

There is also no way to voice call as of yet, which cheaper alternatives can do. But it does recognise different voices so answers can be more tailored towards what they need to hear. And you can create a little ecosystem of sound with other JBL Link or Chromecast speakers, and choose to play the same song on all of them or different in each room.

By far Amazon’s most popular smart speaker, and now available with a visual touch.

The new Dot has a time display, which can also show a timer or the temperature. Just ask Alexa for this information and you get the visual prompt too. So whatever you use yours for, whether it be as a kitchen assistant when baking, as a bedside clock/alarm-without-the-light or as a vocal control for your smart thermostat, it can combine perfectly.

Apart from that, it is the same little Dot we have grown to know and love. You can ask it to tell you the weather, traffic alerts or simply the name of that actress in the drama everyone’s talking about.

At the moment, it is only available in Sandstone, but we expect this to change.

The original mini Smart Speaker from Amazon (albeit with a few updates since the first generation model) can control your music, as well as provide the latest news, weather updates, sports scores and information. Just say the wake word “Alexa”, and the device picks up your voice and gets ready to answer.

Capabilities include being able to order food from Just Eat, book an Uber, get the latest train times direct from National Rail, and letting you know product ratings and reviews before you buy. Control lights, switches, TVs, thermostats and more with compatible connected devices from Philips, Sony, Hive, Nest and many more.

And because it is from Amazon, you can even reorder regular products through it. Simply say “Reorder paper towels/super glue/pet shampoo”, without having to click any buttons.

If you have several Echo’s in your home, the nearest to you will be the one to respond, thanks to Echo Spatial Perception. Its sleek, small design makes it perfect for any room as it doesn’t take up much space, and can blend into any environment.

Use it in the bedroom as an alarm clock and to remotely control your lighting, or in the kitchen to set timers and read out recipes when your hands are too messy to cope with a cookbook. The price means you can even have one in every room without breaking the bank!

Alexa automatically updates through the cloud, so it is always aware of the latest information and how to deliver this to you. The more you speak to it, the more it learns your speech patterns and the kind of answers you want.

We all know Google is a powerful tool which can help you quickly search for terms online and pull up the best results. You can now even search using your voice.

The convenience of voice interaction has now been made even more accessible with the invention of the hands-free Home Mini. You can ask it questions, such as what the weather is going to do, and get it to do things, such as read out recipes or set alarms.

Thanks to voice recognition, it can distinguish you from the rest of your household, so you get especially catered results and don’t risk any little ones hearing the wrong thing. Far-field microphones ensure it will listen no matter how far away you are, although due to its size it doesn’t pick it up as clearly as the full-sized model.

It works to control your television and other media items, as long as they are connected to a compatible device such as a Chromecast. All you have to do is tell it what to do, such as pause the current song or play a certain show on Netflix.

The voice control also works to monitor compatible devices from brands such as Nest, Philips Hue, Hive and Samsung SmartThings, such as thermostats and smart lighting. You can also control apps such as Spotify, YouTube and Google Photos.

It gives really good sound for things like music, especially considering its size, but not the best out there. As a bonus, however, you can make completely free phone calls (via the wifi) which doesn’t even touch the data on your phone.