smart speaker game, but finding the best Alexa speaker has only gotten harder as the company launches more and more devices. Amazon has the largest range of smart speakers and displays by a long shot, which can be overwhelming to dive into. The most recent were launched late last year: the Echo Dot Max, the Echo Studio (2nd Gen), the Echo Show 11, and the Echo Show 8 (4th Gen). But Amazon has plenty of older, cheaper models available, too.
If you’re looking for something small and simple to control your home, either an
is your best bet. The Dot Max has really impressive sound for its compact size and is my overall favorite Alexa speaker, but if you’re only going to use it for voice commands rather than jam sessions, you can get away with the older, cheaper model, especially if you want to buy a few to place around your home. For anyone looking for a smart display, the
is the best of Amazon’s newest smart displays that come designed for the updated assistant, Alexa+. The older third-generation
is still a great value if you want something cheaper.
Read on to see every Alexa speaker I’ve tried (hint: it’s all of them) and what I think after testing each one. You can also learn more about Alexa+, and we’ve got guides on
Updated September 2026: I’ve updated this guide with Amazon’s increased pricing that affected several models, and
Out of Amazon’s latest smart speakers, one landed on top for me: the
. It’s still a similarly sized speaker to past Dot models (though this model is slightly taller at 4.27 inches while the older was 3.9 inches) but has much better sound than ever before, putting it on level with the Echo (4th Gen) we previously recommended. I was really impressed with the sound quality and volume for such a small speaker. It also doesn’t lack in bass like smaller speakers usually do. Amazon is no longer selling the plain Echo, which was last updated in 2020, so the Echo Dot Max is really your only powerful sound option that isn’t upwards of $150.
While it still has the rounded design that was introduced in the 2020 Echo speakers, both the Echo Dot Max and new Echo Studio introduced a new design style with a front panel that looks like a dust cap, but instead houses the volume controls and the microphone mute button. There are also tap controls on the top to stop music, and it has a built-in smart home hub that was never before available in such a small speaker. It comes with Alexa+ right out of the box, but if you don’t have a Prime membership, you’ll only have a 30-day trial and then need to pay for either Prime or the Alexa+ $20 monthly fee (choose Prime).
The price on this model also rose recently, going from a base price of $100 to $120. It’s not a huge increase, but a bummer to see, especially because that mean sales on this device will also likely be on the higher end than the past. It’s on sale right now for $95, for example, but that’s only $5 cheaper than the price it had just a week ago.
Compatible with Bluetooth and services like Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, and SiriusXM
Impressive, room-filling sound, especially for its small size
Compatible with Alexa and Alexa+, and good at hearing requests, even with loud music playing
The fifth-generation Echo Dot is a few years old now, but it’s still a great little speaker. It’s got powerful, robust sound for its size, and it works great if you want Alexa handy on a bookshelf or on a small side table. It’s got significantly improved bass from older models, which I really like for listening to music. It’s one I always find myself setting up somewhere in my house, whether it’s in my hallway so I can ask quick questions as I move through the house, or in my bedroom as an alarm clock.
It used to be some of the best sound you can get for the price, but Amazon did unfortunately raise the price on this speaker along with several other models. The base price used to be $50 and frequently on sale for around $30, but the base price is now $80 with its sale price going for $55. I wouldn’t buy it if it’s not on sale; it’s not worth $80. Still, it’s the best Amazon’s got on the under $100 category after the price hikes.
Compatible with Bluetooth and services like Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, and SiriusXM; capable of lossless high definition.
Impressive sound for such a small size, with solid bass compared to previous generations
Won’t fill a large room with sound like other picks in this guide
I’m surprised to say that out of Amazon’s two newest Echo Show devices, the new Echo Show 11 ended up being my favorite over the fourth-gen Echo Show 8. I actually liked the larger screen, and it didn’t feel ridiculously large like the Echo Show 15 does or the Echo Show 10 before it, but it helps that the base is much smaller on the Show 11 than the Show 10’s rotating, Wall-E-esque base.
The Echo Show 11’s screen is bright and crisp, and I loved how the landscape photo slideshows looked on it. There’s a little side menu you can swipe to s