Ranking of the best smart speakers for 2022

Just a few years ago, the Amazon Echo model became a pioneer in the world of smart speakers. But progress does not stand still, and now a whole army of devices equipped with artificial intelligence and a built-in microphone is in dialogue with their owners and establishes contact with home inhabitants in the face of technology and electronics. Which of the modern smart devices of this category may be of interest to a potential consumer in 2022, we will consider in this article.

Criterias of choice

A smart speaker is not only a device for reproducing sound, but also a source of information that controls a smart home, an assistant in organizing leisure and work.

When choosing such a device by a domestic buyer, the important points are the following:

• the ability of the voice assistant to understand the Russian-speaking user and maintain communication with him;
• functionality of the unit for solving everyday tasks, working moments and leisure activities;
• support of certain services in Russia;
• the sound quality of the speakers when playing music;
• design features of the product, its ergonomics.

Taking into account the specified criteria, the following list of currently relevant models is proposed.

The best smart speakers

Yandex.Station

The domestic product has become the best solution for the Russian consumer, primarily due to the presence of a well-trained voice assistant Alice, which easily recognizes Russian speech. It is thanks to him that you can find the necessary information and get answers to simple questions (find out the situation on car routes, get acquainted with the latest news or weather forecast, etc.). It is important that the functionality of the device is constantly updated due to regular updates.

There is the possibility of connecting to a TV, implemented via HDMI, and viewing video content supplied by the KinoPoisk, Yandex.Music, Amediatek services. However, connecting the column as a media player will not work.

The device works with gadgets on iOS and Android, connects to bluetooth and manages smart devices. However, the sound quality is not the forte of this model.

The average cost of a product is about 10,000 rubles.

• the presence of a Russian-speaking assistant;
• an extensive library of musical compositions and films;
• the model is able to take into account the marks of consumers and correct the shortcomings present;
• constantly improving functionality, systematic updates;
• reasonable price.

• mediocre sound quality.

LG Xboom Al ThinQ WK7Y

Another model that functions in symbiosis with Yandex. Thanks to such cooperation, future owners will receive the assistant in the person of Alice, which is an indisputable advantage for the Russian user, because the application perfectly operates with Russian speech and services available in the Russian Federation. Through Alice, it will not be difficult to find your favorite music or tips. She sets a timer, tells a joke, plays word games. It can activate other devices, being an integral part of a smart home. According to reviews of real users, the column response is almost one hundred percent. The device is able to recognize the owner's address in a noisy room, identifying him among extraneous voices.

The device works with electronic units on iOS and Android, implements a bluetooth connection.
The sound of the speaker is not perfect, but, in general, decent, claims can only be associated with low frequencies. Another drawback: the speakers are not placed in a circle, as in the cylindrical models from other manufacturers. In connection with this moment, the owner of the device should carefully consider which side to put the product against the wall, and which side to the general space of the room.

Average price: approximately 10,000 rubles.

• adapted for the Russian-speaking user;
• functionality similar to Yandex.Station (but with less frequent updates);
• integration with the smart home system;
• the optimal combination of functional indicators and cost.

• unidirectional speaker action;
• there may be problems with wi-fi, and therefore it is important to choose the “right” router;
• when connected via bluetooth to a TV, control via voice commands is not possible.

Harman Kardon Invoke Microsoft Cortana

When creating the device, the quality of sound reproduction was put at the forefront: the product has three 13 mm tweeters and the same number of 45 mm woofers. A smart device with a frequency of up to 60 kHz, provides excellent sound levels in spacious rooms.

Cortana not only performs mundane tasks with high quality (answers standard questions, signals scheduled tasks and planned meetings, creates shopping lists), but also gets along well with a smart home, interfaces with both Android and iOS smartphones, and computer equipment from Microsoft . In addition, it can be used to make free calls to landline and mobile telephone devices using the Skype application. It should be noted that this integration is only possible for users from Canada, the United States and Mexico. For a wider range - the traditional option for making Skype calls is available.

The size of the price list for the product on average corresponds to 12,800 rubles.

• balanced high-quality sound output;
• the ability to establish contact with smartphones and personal computers.

• restrictions on the use of Skype.

Amazon Echo Dot 3rd Gen

The third generation of the Amazon smart speaker line has accumulated all the achievements of its predecessors.The model has all the powers of the manager of a smart home: the smart assistant regulates the life of household appliances and electrical appliances, can turn on or off the lighting in the living room. The unit supports Philips, Samsung, Ring and a number of others. For a Western user, a smart home is extremely relevant, in contrast to the realities of Russian reality, however, domestic consumers also have a demand for this kind of product.

The voice assistant in the form of Alexa is instantly activated at the moment of voicing his name. He can tell you about the news, traffic jams, weather conditions, and also remind you of an important event for the owner, act as an alarm clock. Overseas owners of the gadget will be able to use it to call a taxi or order in online stores: unfortunately, access to such services in Russia is impossible.

As entertainment, the column offers playback of music tracks, videos from Amazon Video, YouTube.

For a Russian user, a gadget that has many advantages has a significant disadvantage - Alexa does not know and does not understand Russian speech. In addition, the impossibility of using most of the services makes the foreign leader impractical for Russian reality.

The average price is 5,500 rubles.

• compact dimensions, ergonomics;
• the presence of a store with teams for work, leisure and study;
• the ability to connect to third-party audio systems;
• the ability to connect both via bluetooth and wired.

• The main disadvantage of the device for a consumer from Russia is that the use of the capabilities of the device is possible by half due to the lack of access to many services and the lack of command of the voice assistant in Russian.

Apple HomePod

For Apple fans, this is a great offer, because the gadget works exclusively with iOS devices.

The representative of the "apple" brand, which recently appeared on the market of smart speakers, has made considerable competition to the leading manufacturers of such products. The device has found application assistant Siri, in contact with the sites of Fox News, BBC, CNN, The Washington Post. Communication with the specified voice application is possible in English. From the point of view of the operation of the voice assistant, the Russian consumer will face limitations: it is impossible to send messages in Russian, most of the services do not function (for example, it is impossible to get information about traffic jams, weather, etc.).

The solution to the dilemma of controlling the apparatus may be an alternative method. Through the touchpad or the HomeKit program, the speaker will be able to adjust the lighting, temperature, and Apple-certified appliances.

The attractive side of the HomePod is its inherent sound quality, created by a subwoofer and seven tweeters. The device is able to distribute sound in space, based on its location in the room, in order to provide the best sound.

The price is 23,700 rubles.

• is a constituent element of a smart home;
• surround stereo sound;
• the ability to search for musical compositions by individual words;
• the presence of an interpreter (Russian - not available in the options).

• restrictions related to operation in the Russian Federation;
• a considerable cost, taking into account the present limitations.

Google Home

The column will take part in the creation of a smart home based on the Google ecosystem.

Despite the compact dimensions, the gadget implements high-quality sound.

Management is mainly carried out by voice through the Google Assistant. Russian speech for the assistant is still unknown, but in the future it is planned to introduce support for the Russian language, especially since active developments are underway in this direction. There is also the possibility of touch control using a panel on the top surface of the structure, although its functionality is not extensive enough. There is also a key with which the microphone is turned off.

The price tag for the product is from 8,000 rubles.

• work with both iOS and Android;
• functionality;
• original design, compact dimensions.

• Russian language support is in test mode;
• no bluetooth.

sonos one

A speaker with clear high frequencies and powerful bass will attract the attention of those consumers who care about high-quality music reproduction. Its feature is the support of fifty applications of a musical orientation, and many of them operate on the territory of the Russian Federation. These are numerous online radios, notorious Amazon Music, Apple Music, Sirius XM.

Amazon Alexa acts as an assistant. It will help you create a playlist, launch a track, and search for a podcast of interest. Also, it is not difficult for her to integrate into the smart home system.
Support for Google Assistant is expected soon, as well as Apple Airplay 2.

Among the features of the unit: listening to music is realized only with the help of Wi-Fi, there is no support for bluetooth protocols.

The average price for a product is 14,500 rubles.

• excellent sounding vocals in various ranges;
• the ability to combine several columns into a single system;
• the ability of a microphone to differentiate a voice in a noisy environment, as well as to pick it up at a considerable distance.

• no bluetooth connection.

Xiaomi Mi AI Mini Speaker

The Chinese brand Xiaomi, which positions its devices as high-quality and budget-friendly, offers a financially affordable smart speaker to the attention of a potential consumer. However, the inexpensive price does not mean that the gadget will not be able to compete with its fellows in the shop. Using the device, you can listen to music while interacting with other smart home objects. Through his participation, the curtains and air conditioning are regulated, the TV and kettle are controlled. Thanks to the presence of artificial intelligence, the owner will find out the time, news, weather, select music in accordance with individual taste preferences. If necessary, the unit will turn on the alarm.

The operation of the device is possible with an application, which will not be difficult to download to a smartphone, especially since you do not need to pay for it. Using such a program is as simple as possible - the main functions appear on the display, namely commands: music, settings, smart home. It is enough to click on the desired window once to solve the tasks facing the user. Even a beginner can master the wisdom of management.An interesting option is the ability of the column to tell fairy tales, but at the moment it is only in Chinese, which is the shortcoming of the state employee.

The average price is 1,900 rubles.

• financial accessibility for a wide range of buyers;
• ease of management;
• decent functionality.

• lack of compatibility with Russian services.

Summarizing

The rating presented in this article contains the most relevant representatives of smart speakers from leading manufacturers of this kind of gadgets. Each model has undeniable advantages and may be of interest to a potential buyer.

So, LG Xboom Al ThinQ WK7Y and Yandex.Station attract attention with the presence of Russian-speaking Alice on board, which, combined with the price list available to domestic consumers, will be appreciated by them.

The updated modification of the world-famous bestseller Amazon Echo Dot 3nd Gen is compact, stylish, functional, but, unfortunately, the Russian user cannot appreciate all the advantages of the new model due to the presence of a language barrier and restrictions associated with access to services.

Apple fans will like not cheap, but comfortable to use Apple HomePod, which also has decent sound quality.

The functionality of Google Home is not bad, especially since it is expected to be adapted for operation in the conditions of Russian realities.

Harman Kardon Invoke Microsoft Cortana and Sonos One are the best solutions for those who can't stand poor sound reproduction.

The best deal for buyers with limited finances will be the Xiaomi Mi Ai Mini Speaker, which has decent functionality combined with a budget price.