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5 OF THE BEST SM A RT SPEAK ERS

Hands-free

Sonos One smart speaker, around £199, Sonos This powerful smart speaker is a great choice for music lovers as it offers fantastic room-filling sound that can be controlled with your voice. Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa are built in, so you can check the news, ask questions and set alarms in an instant. Its sleek, compact design is available in black or white and will fit right in with your décor. We love: The option to pair two Sonos Ones together for stereo separation – perfect home cinema surround sound for those festive films and parties.

From playing a festive playlist or your favourite podcast to answering questions and setting reminders, a smart speaker is an invaluable addition to any well-connected home. Check out some of the latest options to find out what’s new in the world of these handy gadgets, powered by your very own virtual assistant

Speak easy

Echo Dot, £49.99, Amazon The 4th Generation Echo Dot offers everything you need for both entertainment and smart home control. Ask Alexa to tell a joke or answer questions, and use your voice to control your smart home with compatible devices, such as lights and thermostats. Music streaming is available through Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify and more. We love: The kids’ version, which comes in a tiger or panda design and has easy-to-use parental controls for complete peace of mind.

Wake me up

Smart clock 2, £59.99, Lenovo This brand new voice-controlled speaker and clock features a 10cm touch-screen colour display, which can be customised with different clock faces and even family photos. Google Assistant lets you wake up to the news, your favourite playlist or a connected lamp brightening gradually, so your morning routine will become a little more relaxed. There’s also an optional wireless charging dock (£24.99) so you can charge your phone while you sleep. We love: The soft-touch fabric cover is available in three stylish colours.

In fine voice

Nest Audio, £89.99, Google Store Stream your favourite music and radio and experience room-filling sound with Google’s latest smart speaker. You can ask Google anything, from weather updates to news, for help around the house, such as setting timers or making shopping lists, or to control your smart lights or T V. We love: The choice of five different colours, so you’re sure to find one to suit your room scheme.

Smarter sounds

Apple HomePod mini, £99, AO.com Delivering impressive audio as well as stylish good looks in a sleek spherical design, Apple’s HomePod mini with Siri is a great choice, especially if you already own other Apple products – bear in mind that you will need an iPhone or iPad to use it. It features the Siri personal assistant to help with everyday tasks and complete your smart home set-up. We love: The price – at under £100 it’s an affordable option for anyone looking to invest in a smart speaker with great quality sound.

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