Smart speakers are the missing piece of the puzzle to the home automation and integration of many IoT devices installed in an enclosed space. While Google and Amazon smart speakers have enjoyed unfettered dominance in the best smart speakers market for quite some time, there are a few more brands popping up on the radar to compete in the same category.
I have rounded up the best smart speakers in India that available for consumers and are packed with features that curb your necessity to manually perform every minor task using your phone.
What are Smart speakers?
Smart speakers are nothing but a speaker embedded with technology that enables them to capture your voice commands and perform the issued commands. The voice analysis and recognition are done using the voice assistant integrated within the smart speaker. Similar to a voice assistant found in your phone, the smart speakers are also invoked when you say the “hot words”.
The hot words are nothing but pre-programmed voice assistant command that tells the speaker to invoke the voice assistant are perform actions as per the user’s input. The usage of hot words is very important as it enables the smart speaker to distinguish between normal conversation and the instructions specifically issued by the user, for the smart speaker.
Types of Smart Speakers
There used to be one category of smart speakers, the small dainty versions of smart speakers which would work actively by generating responses to your queries using the voice assistant.
Then a more expensive offering of smart speakers emerged that offered great acoustics while retaining the features of the smart speaker.
The latest type is a hybrid smart speaker which comes with a touch display as well to perform tasks that requires a visual selection to be made and cannot be done just using the voice commands.
Best Smart Speakers in India
Amazon Echo 4 – Best Smart Speakers in India
Amazon Echo 4 is the ultimate option for the best smart speakers in India with the fourth iteration topping all its past variants in terms of design and usability.
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Specifications:
| Voice Assistant Type | Alexa |
| Connectivity | Wired, 3.5 mm jack |
| Controls | Buttons |
| Weight | 0.972 kg |
| Warranty | 1 Year |
Build and Design:
Amazon Echo 4 comes with an almost spherical design and sheds the older suppressed cylindrical design. There is a blue rim at the bottom that glows and can be used to find the speaker’s location. There are four buttons on the top of Amazon Echo Dot 4 which can be used to toggle volume, turn off the microphone, and one action button.
There are two ports on the back of the Amazon Echo Dot 4, one is to power the smart speaker while the other one connects an external speaker to it. It weighs almost 972 grams and won’t just fumble from its position due to the heft and the wide base.
Performance:
Amazon Echo 4 as a speaker is quite good and with Dolby audio output that will blow your mind with the acoustics. Its 3.0-inch speaker tries its best to be loud and audible but the distortion is evident only when you push the volume levels. It also has a dual tweeter that adds a decent stereo separation to the final output.
As a smart speaker, the result is quite pleasant. Noth only does it capture your audio inputs from all directions due to its four microphones but is operable using both English and Hindi languages. Pairing it is easy and doesn’t require you to manually intervene every time the power goes down.
Amazon Echo 4 shines in the voice assistant department with a clear understanding of a variety of commands. The new version can understand up to 30000 skills which can help you stream music, listen to podcasts and news, even add items to your shopping cart. Everything is possible with this best smart speakers in India.
Verdict:
Amazon Echo 4 is a phenomenal voice assistant and one of the best smart speakers in India. Be it good aesthetics, robust and latest connectivity, and seamless understanding of voice commands, it has it all. The only pain point is the proprietary cable that powers the device which could have been USB for better user convenience.
“Amazon Echo 4 is the best smart speaker by Amazon.”
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Pros
- Spherical design with four microphones
- Wi-Fi 5 connectivity
Cons
- Proprietary power connector
- Frequently enters sleep mode
Google Nest Audio – Best Smart Speakers in India
Google Nest Audio is the answer to the Amazon Echo 4 with a fine-tuned speaker set and a comparable voice assistant integration.
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Specifications:
| Voice Assistant Type | Google Voice Assistant |
| Connectivity | Wired |
| Controls | Capacitive touch |
| Weight | 1.2 kg |
| Warranty | 1 Year |
Build and Design:
Google Nest Audio went a little overboard with the design. I don’t have exact words to describe its shape but it can be vertically positioned which is a good thing. The smart speaker weighs 1.2 kgs and is not exactly movable once installed. It is
There are no ports on the Google Nest Audio except the connection port, so you cannot pair it with another speaker if you wish. Wireless connectivity with other speakers is possible and you can group them to play a single song across many smart speakers.
Performance:
Google Nest Audio works like a charm with the Google voice assistant and brings you fast search results within no time. The speaker has capacitive touch controls that aren’t labeled and can be a huge problem for new users.
The audio fidelity is prominent and you can feel the clarity in vocals unlike the tiny counterpart of smart speakers that have a feeble voice. Google Nest Audio can get loud so I advise you to keep the audio around 70 percent ish if you have a large room.
Verdict:
Google Nest Audio is unrivaled by the smartest speakers that are unable to provide a balance of great audio and prompt voice assistant features under this price range. It is one of the best smart speakers in India and has a newer version coming out soon.
“Google Nest Audio is the perfect rival to the Amazon Echo 4.”
Pros
- Loud sound output
- Dedicated mute button
Cons
- Unlabelled touch controls
- No 3.5 mm port for adding a speaker
Apple Homepod – Best Smart Speakers in India
Apple Homepod is a relief for the true fans of the Apple ecosystem which sadly doesn’t allow another voice assistant to be compatible with the same. Apple Homepod isn’t as powerful in smartness factor as it is in the sound department but for Apple fans, it is the only available choice for the best smart speakers in India.
Specifications:
| Voice Assistant Type | Siri |
| Connectivity | Wired |
| Controls | Touch Buttons |
| Weight | 2.5 kg |
| Warranty | 1 Year |
Build and Design:
Apple Homepod is a tall cylindrical affair and weighs twice as much as the Google Nest Audio. While being heavy, it has the plushest fabric wrapped around the speaker. Apple has decided to rely on Wi-Fi for everything so no output ports of any kind are present on the Apple Homepod making it a tough choice for the best smart speakers in India.
The top part has touch-sensitive buttons that offer volume adjustment to the users. The RGB LED glows and changes as music is played on the smart speaker. The idea of going portless isn’t great at all as a few users might want to pair them in stereo mode using a physical cable connection.
Performance:
Apple Homepod offers the most balanced sound in any smart speaker to date. The design promotes 360-degree audio rather than a single direction. Using the spatial audio feature takes it a step further in audio fidelity and you will not hear distortion even at peak volume.
While the audio is great the smart features are nowhere near the likes of Amazon’s Alexa or Google Voice Assistant. You can only perform basic searches with Siri and that too is a daunting task. The Apple Homepod has six microphones that capture the audio input from all directions and as long as it isn’t too far off, the smart speaker will process your voice commands.
Verdict:
Like most Apple products, the Apple Homepod is also centered around the idea to confine it to only Apple users. It is a good speaker nonetheless but can use a little improvement in the smart features and a dedicated microphone muting button for the users who are looking for the best smart speakers in India.
“Apple Homepod is the only viable choice for Apple ecosystem lovers.”
Pros
- Great overall sound output
- Wi-Fi 5 with dual-band
Cons
- No microphone mute button
- Incapable of understanding complex commands
Marshall Action 2 – Best Smart Speakers in India
Marshall Action 2 is a classic take on the speaker that appears retro but packs modern features. It is one of the premium offerings in our line-up of the best smart speakers in India.
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Specifications:
| Voice Assistant Type | Google Voice Assistant, Alexa |
| Connectivity | Wired, 3.5 mm jack |
| Controls | Physical Buttons |
| Weight | 3.4 kg |
| Warranty | 1 Year |
Build and Design:
Marshall Action 2 is a boxy design with leather accents on the top and sides and a metallic grill on the front of the speaker. It is a sturdy build and weighs 3.4 kilograms so you can expect some heavy-duty hardware inside.
Marshall Action 2 uses retro-style knobs for volume adjustment with a dedicated knob for bass and treble adjustment. You also get the option to cycle between three input types, namely Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Aux. There is also a play/pause button and a dedicated button for invoking the voice assistant in the best smart speakers in India.
Performance:
The sound fidelity of the Marshall Action 2 is even beyond what you get on the Apple Homepod and for the true audiophiles, it would justify their purchase. Marshall Action 2 has a very wide amp range and music output doesn’t crackle even when you rotate the knob to the full volume.
Marshall Action 2 comes with Alexa baked into the speaker that works flawlessly with the inbuilt noise-canceling microphone on the smart speaker. The application that controls the speaker is also very intuitive and doesn’t require you to dive deep to fiddle with the settings.
Verdict:
Marshall Action 2 is undoubtedly one of the best smart speakers in India with an asking price that would hurt your pockets. It’s good for the most part unless you try to stream an Audio from your device which is unbelievably laggard. A true gem for the audiophiles that love manually tweaking bass and treble.
“Marshall Action 2 is a well-rounded smart speaker with Alexa built-in.”
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Pros
- Premium aesthetics
- Unmatched sound fidelity
Cons
- Laggard audio streaming
- Goes into sleep mode after 20 minutes
Sonos One Gen 2 – Best Smart Speakers in India
Sonos One Gen 2 is another treasure for music enthusiasts that come bundled with the feature of a voice assistant of your choice between Alexa and Google voice assistant. It is the only best smart speaker in India to offer ethernet connectivity.
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Specifications:
| Voice Assistant Type | Google Voice Assistant, Alexa |
| Connectivity | Wired, Ethernet |
| Controls | Touch controls |
| Weight | 1.85 kg |
| Warranty | 1 Year |
Build and Design:
Sonos One Gen 2 offers a wholesome build that isn’t too heavy or too light. With a weight of 1.85 kilograms, this fairly sized smart speaker will snugly fit along with your desk setup, TV stand, side table, etc.
Sonos One Gen 2 is big on connectivity features with a well-thought-out design that has a dedicated power button too. It can be connected to ethernet so that you never have to suffer from Wi-Fi disconnection issues if any.
There is a touch-sensitive control area that has different sliding gestures to increase and decrease volume and even has a dedicated microphone muting button, a feature that is absent on the Apple Homepod. What’s missing is the aux output that could make this the top best smart speakers in India.
Performance:
For an exorbitant price tag accompanying the Sonos One Gen 2, you won’t be discontented with the audio fidelity. The speaker could use a few tweaks to increase the base which can be easily done using the Sonos application. One important feature for iOS users is the ability to configure this smart speaker’s audio output according to the positioning in a room.
The Sonos One Gen 2 uses a far-field microphone and even when it’s far away, Alexa responds in an instant. You can go for the Google assistant version too and it all depends upon the preference which is great for the best smart speakers in India.
Verdict:
Sonos One Gen 2 is an exemplary smart speaker that demands a lot of moolah for the features. The ethernet port is a nice addition that ensures unfettered connectivity. I would advise you to go for it only if then you have to have the best smart speakers in India.
“Sonos One Gen 2 uses ethernet port for round-the-clock connectivity.”
Pros
- Ethernet port
- Lightweight design
Cons
- No 3.5 mm output
- Expensive
Final Words
If you are fixated on the best smart speakers in India that come with unmatched voice assistant experience, both the Google Nest Audio and Amazon Echo 4 are a good choice. For Apple users, Apple Homepod is the only matching contender in the line-up of best smart speakers in India. If you value audio quality as much as voice assistant integration, the Marshall Action 2 is a recommended option.
General FAQ
Which smart speaker is best in India?
Google Nest Audio offers excellent audio output, a neat design, and a robust voice assistant integration due to which it is the best smart speakers in India.
Which smart speaker has the best sound quality?
Sonos One 2nd gen ranks high in most charts pertaining to superior music quality and often outranks many popular audio peripheral brands. While it may not come cheap, as an audiophile who likes a balanced aural experience, the smart speaker from Sonos is a great alternative to the best smart speakers in India.
Is Smart Speaker useful?
Yes. Smart speakers come in handy if you already have a lot of other IoT-enabled devices that can be controlled by audio input. Many household items like Smart Bulbs, AC, Washing machines, etc can be commandeered using a smart speaker. That way you don’t have to manually dive into each application to operate a particular smart device.
Which echo speaker has the best sound quality?
Amazon Echo 4 presents a superior sound quality to many of its predecessors.
Do smart speakers require an active internet connection?
Yes. Smart speakers perform real-time searches on the web that requires an internet connection at all times.
Can I control every feature of a smart device using smart speakers?
No. More complicated features require a manual input that cannot be conveyed in the form of voice commands sometimes.
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