Not liking the HomePod? Check out these alternatives
If you like the HomePod, but don’t like its price tag, or are looking for something with more options, these smart speakers are the best in their class. They all have virtual assistant support for Alexa or Google, and in some cases, Siri, and all support direct music streaming services.
Our Pick
Sonos One
Best all-around
Sonos supports a huge library of streaming music services and works with Alexa. The One features AirPlay 2 for Siri support, too. The more you get at once, the bigger the per-speaker discount. It’s the best all-around smart speaker.
Best for Alexa
Amazon Echo Plus
Alexa is the most accessible smart assistant on the market right now, and the Echo Plus is Amazon’s best sounding speaker. With an Echo Plus, you can take advantage of all of Alexa’s skills, plus stream music from a wide variety of services, including Apple Music.
Best for Google assistant
Google Home Max
The Home Max has stellar audio quality, and the fact that it supports Google assistant is icing on the cake. You can jam out to your favorite tunes from a variety of streaming services and connect any of your Google smart home gadgets.
Best for millenials
Libratone Zipp 2
The Zipp is a fun smart speaker meant for displaying at home or taking on the go. The Zipp 2 has built-in Alexa support, and also AirPlay 2 support, so you’ve got plenty of virtual assistant help. It also comes in funky colors.
Luxury option
Bose Home Speaker 500
With an 8-microphone array, Alexa will never have trouble hearing you with the Bose 500. It’s got a solid sound that doesn’t degrade at higher levels. It also has a screen on the front to show you what song is currently playing.
Best for outdoors
Ultimate Ears MegaBlast
This is the best speaker for taking with you out to the pool or on a camping trip. With voice-controlled Alexa support built in, the MegaBlast streams songs from a variety of music services. It’s built for fun in the sun with a waterproof rating of IP67. You can drop it in the pool or spill your beer on it, no problem.
Bedside manner
Sony LF-S50G
Sony’s smart speaker has Google assistant built-in so you can control supported smart devices and play your favorite tunes. It also has a dimmable digital clock on the front, making it the perfect bedside speaker for your connected home.
Chromecast support
JBL Link 500
The JBL Link 500 is small, but mighty. You can connect it to any speakers with Chromecast support. So even though it’s not going to fill a stadium with sound, it can link up with its Chromecast pals to send your favorite songs across the entire house.
Longest battery life
Bose Soundlink Revolve+
The Soundlink Revolve+ has the longest battery life of any portable speaker on this list, and since it’s a Bose, you know the sound quality is going to be tops. You can pair it with a second speaker for an even louder experience. With its top handle, it looks like a thermos of the future.
Though nothing can come close to the deeply integrated HomePod when it comes to the Apple ecosystem, not everyone is so entrentched. If you like the idea of the HomePod, but want more music streaming options at a lower price, I suggest the Sonos One. It’s got great sound quality and better streaming music service support. Plus, it works with AirPlay 2 (and therefore Siri).
Source of the article – iMore
