<![CDATA[ Latest from TechRadar UK in Smart-speakers ]]> https://www.techradar.com/uk/home/smart-home/smart-speakers Fri, 10 Jul 2026 09:47:38 +0000 en <![CDATA[ After a six-year delay, Google’s Home Speaker finally supports wireless pairing with your Google TV streamer — and it also supports Dolby Atmos ]]> https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-speakers/after-a-six-year-delay-googles-home-speaker-finally-supports-wireless-pairing-with-your-google-tv-streamer-and-it-also-supports-dolby-atmos B5mD4hrwF6NyL25mmy4h5h Fri, 10 Jul 2026 09:47:38 +0000 Fri, 10 Jul 2026 09:51:10 +0000 false false false
  • The Google Home Speaker supports wireless connectivity to the Google TV Streamer
  • This gives a simple way to curate your own home theater setup
  • You can connect your Google Home Speaker through your Google TV device, or via the Google Home app

Google’s new Home Speaker comes with a slew of much-needed upgrades, but its support for wireless connectivity with the Google TV Streamer is a tool users have been pining for since the company started making smart hubs.

As well as its Gemini-powered smarts and 360-degree audio redesign, Google now lets you to wirelessly pair the Home Speaker with your Google TV device, allowing you to ditch your TV’s built-in speakers and set up a home theater system. Pairing just one Google Home Speaker works, but you’ll get the most out of your setup if you have two.

The company announced its initial plans to develop the feature in 2020 when it unveiled the Nest Audio, its first smart speaker, but the functionality never arrived. “Google Home Speaker now works together with your Google TV Streamer. You can pair up to two speakers with a Google TV Streamer to turn your living room into a mini home theater with spatial surround sound,” the company detailed in a blog post.

The Google TV Streamer interface with two Google Home Speakers connected on either side

(Image credit: Google)

Surround-sound systems are integral to most entertainment fanatic’s setups, but they don’t always have to feature a multitude of different types of speakers — some people simply rely on the best sound bars to boost their audio. Though the Google Home Speaker isn’t necessarily suited to seasoned audiophiles, it gives novices an inexpensive and hassle-free way to enhance their streaming experience.

It hasn’t been impossible to hook up wireless speakers to the Google TV Streamer, however, as the option to use the best Bluetooth speakers has always been there. However, because the Google Home Speaker’s function relies on Wi-Fi, the bandwidth is much bigger. This means it also supports Dolby Atmos which, for a cost-effective home theater setup, is quite a fair perk.

Audio champions such as Sonos and Bose have offered wireless connectivity with third-party streaming devices for years, so the Google Home Speaker’s functionality is far from new. That said, it’s only recently that TV manufacturers have decided to jump on the bandwagon and sell speakers of their own.

Over the last 18 months or so, brands including Amazon, LG and Samsung have released their own speakers to allow wireless connectivity with their range of TVs — so Google is playing catch-up here.

How to pair your Google Home Speaker with your Google TV Streamer

Once you’ve set up your Google Home Speaker for regular use, you can pair it with your Google TV device right from the home screen.

Using your Google TV Streamer remote, click the home button and head to ‘Quick Settings’ at the top of the screen. From there, select ‘Audio output’ from the options, click ‘Connect another device’, then select ‘Google speakers’ and click ‘Getting started’.

After this stage, you should see a list of Google Home Speakers connected to your account in a separate window, and you’ll want to select the ones you wish to pair with your Google TV Streamer. Once you’ve done this, tap ‘Next’ and it should complete your setup.

You can also do this from the Google Home app, as Google details on its support page.

]]> <![CDATA[ ‘I’m returning mine’: The new Google Home Speaker is off to bad start as users complain of delayed responses — but Google says a solution is on the way ]]> https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-speakers/im-returning-mine-the-new-google-home-speaker-is-off-to-bad-start-as-users-complain-of-delayed-responses-but-google-says-a-solution-is-on-the-way 2TM9CJMxcSzLeAFx7YfJmc Thu, 02 Jul 2026 11:19:36 +0000 Thu, 02 Jul 2026 11:44:50 +0000 false false false
  • Google Home Speaker users are reporting early issues
  • The voice assistant is taking up to 60 seconds to respond to requests
  • Google has said it's working on a fix, but there hasn't been any updates

Google has only just returned to smart hubs with its new AI-powered Google Home Speaker, six long years after the company released the Nest Audio — and users are already running into issues.

It’s been barely a week since pre-orders were shipped and those who’ve been excited to test out the upgraded Google Home Speaker have been let down with the device’s performance.

The crux of the issue is the voice assistant itself, which many users say takes a while to respond to their commands. A slew of Reddit posts highlight the same issue, agreeing that the speaker can take between 30-60 seconds before responding, and others have experienced audio cutting out altogether.

Google Speaker 2026 from r/googlehome

While we don’t know how widespread these lagged responses are, the top comment in the Reddit thread above says it’s happening globally. Whether this is the case or not, it’s birthed a lot of frustration among those who have spent good money on the new device — “I’m returning mine” one user writes, while another says “I really hope Google puts more effort into things”.

Looking at the user reactions, it appears that this issue is also prevalent in older devices like the Nest Audio and Nest Mini, so it’s not just the new Home Speaker that’s going through the ringer. Thankfully, Google is doing something about it.

Amidst the backlash, the official u/GoogleNestCommunity replied to the Reddit post with the following; “We're aware of an issue causing increased latency or timing out. We are working on a fix ASAP and will circle back once this is resolved. Thanks for your patience”.

Though Google’s acknowledgment provides some sort of reassurance that a fix is on the way, the company hasn’t provided any details on how it intends to address the issues or when users can expect to see an improvement. At this rate, it’s still a waiting game, but this isn’t the only run-in with criticism the Google Home Speaker has faced since its launch.

Repairability could be hindered

When Google officially announced the new Home Speaker in October 2025, I was thrilled to see a new speaker was on the way just as much as the next person, but there’s one setback which an early unboxing video addresses.

The Google Home Speaker has a fixed power cable, meaning you can’t disconnect it like you can with the majority of the best smart speakers. It may sound like we’re splitting hairs here, but the unboxing video highlights the repairability problem that comes with not having an unpluggable power cord.

These issues aside, the Google Home Speaker isn't totally devoid of positives. According to the same unboxing video, the speaker’s accompanying app has a lot of appeal and the overall audio quality is pretty solid — so it’s nice to see that Google has adhered to its 360-audio upgrade promises.

]]> <![CDATA[ Prime Day is about to end, and I've decided to drop my mid-range Echo Pop for one of Amazon's best smart speakers — here's why ]]> https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-speakers/prime-day-is-about-to-end-and-ive-decided-to-drop-my-mid-range-echo-pop-for-one-of-amazons-best-smart-speakers-heres-why uZSMAnEPabtdQ5zqkPkzjZ Fri, 26 Jun 2026 18:12:41 +0000 false false false

You can find all manner of deals during Amazon Prime Day, but you can always count on the eponymous retail giant to knock a decent amount off its own range of smart home devices — its Echo Dot speakers being one of them.

My humble little Echo Pop is still working and for the most part, its performance and features are satisfactory, but I feel a change is coming, and that change might just be the Echo Dot 5th Gen — one of the best smart speakers you can get.

• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale

Some Prime Day discounts can be restricted to the US and UK respectively, but that's not the case for the Echo Dot. Amazon US has knocked $20 off taking the smart speaker to a reasonable $29.99 (was $49.99), and Amazon UK has a similar offer, with the speaker going for £28.49 (was £54.99).

Today's best Echo Dot (5th Gen) deals

The Amazon Echo Dot is down to less than $30 for Prime Day. Amazon's best-selling smart speaker offers improved audio, a new temperature sensor, and all the handy Alexa features just a voice command away, such as playing music, answering questions, and checking the weather. A steal at this price.View Deal

Amazon's best-selling Echo Dot is down to under £30 for Prime Day – a good offer, but it did reach a previous record-low of £22.99. Nevertheless, the Echo Dot offers an improved audio experience, plus a new temperature sensor and all the handy features from Alexa, like playing music, answering questions, and checking the weather completely hands-free. As far as a cheap and cheerful smart speaker goes, it's one of the better options out there.View Deal

The bog-standard Echo Pop has been my loyal smart home companion for a few years and while it's done me good, I fear that it's served its time. If you're in the same boat as me, the Echo Dot 5th Gen could be the answer.

The main upgrades with this Echo Dot is the room temperature sensor, which is a great for customizing your Alexa routines — you can get the smart speaker to run certain functions when your room reaches a particular temperature. For example, if it gets too hot and you need some shield from the sun, you could set it to control your smart blinds to correspond with the heat changes.

Although it's a significant upgrade from other basic smart speakers, the Echo Dot is still a simple and easy-to-use model which is perfect if you don't enjoy spending loads of time getting used to a new piece of tech in your home.

On the sound-front, it packs a bass that's boosted compared to its predecessor, but we did mention in our review that it's a smart speaker first, and audio system second. That said, this shouldn't be much of an issue if you're using it to fill the silence in a small space where you won't have the volume as loud as a standard Bluetooth speaker.

All-in-all, the Echo Dot 5th Gen is a solid upgrade if you've been using any of Amazon's older models until now. It also a great smart hub for connecting other devices in your smart home ecosystem, and now that the new Alexa+ voice assistant is in early access, it means you don't have to upgrade to Amazon's latest Echo Dot Max or Echo Studio to make the most of its smarts.

More Prime Day deals in the US

More Prime Day deals in the UK

]]> <![CDATA[ I love the Amazon Echo Dot Max so much, I just bought it twice — here's why that's the smartest purchase I made this week ]]> https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-speakers/i-love-the-amazon-echo-dot-max-so-much-i-just-bought-it-twice-heres-why-thats-the-smartest-purchase-i-made-this-week SFYozctbDVWQqtuwhLMzKi Fri, 26 Jun 2026 17:14:40 +0000 false false false

Panic purchasing isn't something I'd often recommend, but all too many Prime Day sales have gone by where I haven't made up my mind before the clock struck midnight. Not this year; now, I'm making big girl decisions... after texting my partner for a sanity check, that is.

When I reviewed the Echo Dot Max, I wasn't 100% sold on the speaker at its list price. At $99 / £99, it's not quite good enough in the audio department, and while benefits like Alexa+ compatibility (as well as Early Access) and a fresh design language are nice, they're still not selling points for most customers.

• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale

Two features that do make all the difference, however, require you to have more than one speaker. Right now, that's a lot cheaper, as the Echo Dot Max is $64.99 (was $99.99) at Amazon US and £59.99 (was £99.99) in the UK.

The first such feature is my main motivation: setting up a stereo pair, which drastically improves the audio quality and really shows the speaker's abilities. I heard two Echo Dot Max speakers in this setup for the first time a few weeks after writing my review, and for me, it's the de facto way to enjoy Amazon's latest Echo Dot.

The second is Amazon Home Theatre, which allows you to connect up to five Echo Dot Max or Echo Studio speakers plus an optional Echo subwoofer to Fire TV Stick 4K (2nd-gen), Fire TV Stick 4K Plus, Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd-gen), or Fire TV Cube (3rd-gen). This isn't a key driver for me; I do have a compatible Fire TV Stick, but I also have pretty nifty speakers already.

Amazon Prime Day Echo Dot Max deals

Whether you want more advanced features like Lossless High Definition audio and Automatic Room Adaptation, or just love the idea of a more premium-looking speaker with faster Alexa responses, the Echo Dot Max is a great choice. This deal for Prime Day is a new record-low price.

Also check out these coupons:
🎟️ Amazon: Claim 30% off Haul orders with this discount code
🎟️ Amazon sale: Claim up to 40% savings on toys
🎟️ Enjoy free delivery by signing up to Amazon PrimeView Deal

Whether you want more advanced features like Lossless High Definition audio and Automatic Room Adaptation, or just love the idea of a more premium-looking speaker with faster Alexa responses, the Echo Dot Max is a great choice. This deal for Prime Day is a new record-low price.

Also check out these coupons:
🎟️ Amazon: Claim 30% off Haul orders with this discount code
🎟️ Amazon sale: Claim up to 40% savings on toys
🎟️ Enjoy free delivery by signing up to Amazon PrimeView Deal

I'm really, really pleased with myself for this decision; and to top it off, my new speaker is in Glacier White rather than the slightly garish Amethyst (read: bright purple) colorway I got before. I'm hoping when in the same room they'll yin and yang eachother a little bit, but if not... I guess I'm getting a third one come Black Friday!

Also consider...

Still not 100% sold? That's fair; even at its record-low sale price, it's not as cheap as the alternatives from Amazon, and you might want more from your smart assistant like a screen or even fuller audio.

Whatever the case, I've made up a quiz below that will pair you with your perfect Amazon Echo speaker, so make sure to use that as your guideline. Just act fast before the sales end!

More Prime Day deals in the UK

]]> <![CDATA[ Is your Amazon Echo haunted? Viral video captures ‘terrifying’ moment the smart speaker emits ‘guttural sounds’ during a simple family bedtime ritual ]]> https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-speakers/is-your-amazon-echo-haunted-viral-video-captures-terrifying-moment-the-smart-speaker-emits-guttural-sounds-during-a-simple-family-bedtime-ritual yqVECqeDrkQXCksJTF5pxf Wed, 24 Jun 2026 13:53:07 +0000 false false false
  • Alexa+ has turned a little scary in one household
  • A simple counting task enabled a creepy voice
  • Some other users are reporting similar bugs in the AI

If you're already worried about the potential dangers of AI chatbots, this one probably isn't for you: an Amazon Echo user has reported Alexa+ "breathing and making guttural sounds" while engaged in the supposedly innocent task of counting to 40 (in Spanish).

There's video evidence on Reddit (via Android Authority), and it's pretty spooky to listen to — so only click the play button if you're sure you want to hear a disembodied AI-generated voice that sounds somewhat possessed.

According to the user who posted the video, they asked Alexa+ to count up to 40, which prompted the strange sounds. It's not an ideal response, especially as there were two five-year-old kids listening who just wanted a simple countdown.

Apparently, the original poster was then able to get the same thing happening on a separate Amazon Echo in another room. "Needless to say, the Alexas in my house are now unplugged and I've reported the whole thing to Amazon," they report.

A little bit too expressive

My Alexa started breathing and making guttural sounds while counting my kids to sleep. I have it on video. from r/amazonecho

While it's possible that some kind of user error or AI fakery has produced this video, it's odd that it would happen on two different devices — and there's at least one other user in the Reddit thread saying they've experienced something similar.

It's almost certainly down to a bug in Alexa+: the new and upgraded AI assistant is intended to be more conversational and more expressive, and in this case it seems to have gone too far (in the same way that AI chatbots can introduce hallucinations and tangents when writing out text).

When pushed, Alexa+ itself said that "something in my environment" must have caused the glitch, though it's not clear what that something might be. Perhaps it's the ghost of Alexa past, which Alexa+ has now replaced.

The Reddit reactions describe the speaker as "haunted", "terrifying", and in need of an exorcism, though the fix is likely to be no more complicated than a tweak to the Alexa+ AI model from Amazon's side.

]]> <![CDATA[ ‘A nightmare for repairability’: Early Google Home Speaker unboxing reveals design choice that many users won't be happy with ]]> https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-speakers/a-nightmare-for-repairability-early-google-home-speaker-unboxing-reveals-design-choice-that-many-users-wont-be-happy-with S34uK5UypikCE57L9NdU9Q Wed, 24 Jun 2026 11:34:52 +0000 false false false
  • A Google Home Speaker is revealed in an early unboxing
  • The sound quality and app interface are reportedly impressive
  • However, the power cable can't be removed from the device

The brand new Google Home Speaker is about to finally go on sale, but an early unboxing video posted online reveals a design decision made by Google that a lot of users are likely to be less than pleased about: the power cable can't be removed.

You can check out the unboxing over on Reddit (via Android Authority), which shows off the aesthetics of the device that we've known about since the first official reveal last October — as well as giving us the revelation about the power cable.

The Nest Mini device that the Google Home Speaker is more or less replacing does have a removable USB-C power cable, which means when it's not in use, you can tidy it away more easily. On the other hand, the Nest Audio — another speaker now discontinued since the new model arrived — has a fixed power cable.

It seems that a removable power cable is something that quite a few smart speaker owners care about. "This is a nightmare for repairability, for which I am a massive proponent," writes the original unboxer.

Some positives, one negative

As per the information supplied in the video, the Google Home Speaker comes with a USB-C cable that's around 5 feet (1.52 meters) in length that can't be unplugged. There's a 30W power brick on the other end that can be removed.

On the plus side, our unboxer reports that the sound quality from the speaker is good, that the app component has a "cool" interface, and that setting up the device is straightforward — apparently it takes less than 10 minutes.

As with the Nest Mini, there are apparently touch controls available on top of the speaker, as well as hidden lights to report status information and volume levels. On the whole the first impressions from this user are positive ones.

It's just the power cable situation that's drawing criticism: "the non-removable cord killed it for me" writes one poster (who is apparently worried about cats playing with the cord), while the original poster says they're "extremely disappointed in the engineers". Another comment takes a dim view too: "The reason is always money."

]]> <![CDATA[ It’s official — the Google Nest Audio and Nest Mini are dead, here’s what that means for current owners ]]> https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-speakers/its-official-the-google-nest-audio-and-nest-mini-are-dead-heres-what-that-means-for-current-owners iqKuYR2qzJ3ZZhiWxrxzXP Thu, 18 Jun 2026 15:38:49 +0000 false false false
  • Google is officially retiring its range of Nest Audio speakers
  • That includes the Google Nest Audio and the Google Nest Mini
  • They’ll be replaced by the Google Home Speaker when it launches shortly

It’s fair to say that there’s a lot of expectation around the Google Home Speaker — after all, it’s the company’s first smart speaker in six years and we’ve been waiting since its August 2025 announcement for it to arrive. But its launch next week spells bad news for the Google Nest Audio range, as we’ve just heard that it’s finally being sent off to retirement.

Speaking to Tech Advisor, a Google spokesperson said: “As we continue to build the future of the smart home, we are refining our portfolio of Google Home and Nest devices. As part of this evolution, we have ended production of the Google Nest Mini and Google Nest Audio.”

Yes, that means both the Nest Mini and the Nest Audio are out of stock on the Google online store and instead redirect to the page for the Home Speaker. Not only that, but Google is apparently phasing out the Nest branding for its speakers and displays, with Home taking its place.

Interestingly, Google Gemini for Home — the tech giant’s artificial intelligence (AI) model tailored for smart home usage — is compatible with all existing Google speakers and displays, meaning it will continue to work just fine on Google Nest audio devices.

What this news means for you

Google Home Speaker

The Google Home Speaker is replacing both the Nest Audio and the Nest Mini. (Image credit: Google)

It’s not all bad news for Google Nest speaker owners. Google said it remains “deeply committed to our smart home ecosystem and to the millions of people who use our products every day.” To that end, “Existing Nest Mini and Nest Audio devices will continue to be fully supported with regular software updates, security patches, and customer care,” the company added.

With Gemini for Home still working on Nest products, you’re not missing out if you already own one of these speakers, at least from an AI standpoint. And while Google’s online stores no longer stock the Nest Mini and Nest Audio, you can still find them at third-party retailers.

But considering the age of the Nest Mini and Nest Audio — they first launched in 2017 and 2020, respectively, with neither device being updated since the latter date — it’s perhaps unsurprising that Google has finally called time on these speakers. With the Google Home Speaker set to land any day now, we’ll soon see if their replacement is up to scratch.

]]> <![CDATA[ The new Google Home Speaker is launching next week, and you can pre-order your new smart hub right now — but you’ll need Google Home Premium for the full Gemini package ]]> https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-speakers/the-new-google-home-speaker-is-officially-coming-next-week-and-you-can-pre-order-your-new-smart-hub-right-now-but-youll-need-google-home-premium-for-the-full-gemini-package iAbCTsxMcctM8BdDGp8qqY Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:14:46 +0000 Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:17:20 +0000 false false false
  • Google has confirmed the launch of its new Google Home Speaker
  • You can pre-order now, with the device expected to ship from June 25
  • The speaker comes with basic Gemini features, but you'll need a Google Home Premium subscription to use advanced tools

Since Google first teased its next smart speaker back in August 2025, we’ve been keeping an eye on all the latest rumors around the new Gemini-powered Google Home Speaker —and now its official launch date has finally been confirmed.

Pe-orders for Google's first smart speaker in six years, which will replace the company’s Nest Audio, and Nest Mini, are open now. According to the Google Home Speaker pre-order page, shipping will commence on June 25.

The new Google Home Speaker is priced at $99.99 / £99.99 / AU$199, and comes in four colors: Jade, Berry, Porcelain, and Hazel. All four of those shades are available in the US, but Porcelain and Hazel are the only options for users in the UK and Australia.

Google has been keeping us on our toes in recent months when it comes to its anticipated new speaker and, as per a leak from Best Buy Canada, we had the speaker pegged for a late-June launch. When Google officially announced the device in October 2025 following its tease, it unveiled a slew of new upgrades, starting with its design.

Much like the Apple HomePod Mini and Amazon’s Echo Studio hub, the Google Home Speaker adopts 360-audio, which Google says you can pair with a supported Google TV Streamer device to create an immersive home theater audio setup. It comes with a 3D-woven fabric finish, and a light ring on its base to let you know when it's listening and responding — but the biggest upgrade is its Gemini powers.

Google Home Speaker

Google officially announced the Google Home Speaker in October 2025 along with its new range of smart home devices (Image credit: Jacob Krol/Future)

For years, Google Assistant has been the company’s voice assistant for its smart hubs, but the Google Home Speaker is its first flagship device with Gemini capabilities, designed to be even smarter when responding to complicated requests and queries. It all sounds great on paper — but there’s one notable catch.

While the Google Home Speaker will come with basic features such as reminders, smart home controls, and quick answers, you’ll need to subscribe to one of the Google Home Premium tiers (Standard or Advanced) to use Gemini in its entirety — and additional outlay I imagine most potential users won't be happy about given the up-front cost of the speaker.

One of the advanced features locked into Google Home Premium Standard tier is Gemini Live, a conversational chatbot you can talk to, interrupt mid-sentence, and ask follow-up questions of about all kinds of topics. Whether you need a substitute ingredient for a specific recipe or are looking for outfit inspiration for an event, Gemini Live will have you covered.

The advanced features don’t end there however. With a Google Home Premium membership you’ll get additional storage for footage from security cameras and video doorbells that are integrated into your setup. If you’re signed up to the Advanced tier you’ll also get access to Home Brief, a tool that summarizes your footage highlights and gives you more detailed descriptions of the events that occur on your cameras.

It's not all bad news, because Google is offering six months of Google Home Premium for free when you purchase the new Google Home Speaker before September 30.

If you want to continue your time with Google Home Premium, you’ll have to pay a subscription to one of its tiers. Standard is $10/ £8/ AU$15 a month, while the Advanced tier is $20/ £16/ AU$30. You can read more about what each tier has to offer on the Google Home Premium sign-up page.

]]> <![CDATA[ Google says a ‘certain speaker’ will finally go on sale next week, marking its first new smart hub in over six years — and it could just be the reason I abandon my trusted Amazon Echo ]]> https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-speakers/google-says-a-certain-speaker-will-finally-go-on-sale-next-week-marking-its-first-new-smart-hub-in-over-six-years-and-it-could-just-be-the-reason-i-abandon-my-trusted-amazon-echo wrUAzgHe6boYjzM2XFeJWe Fri, 12 Jun 2026 14:15:18 +0000 Mon, 15 Jun 2026 09:13:01 +0000 false false false
  • A Google executive has teased the new Google Home Speaker's imminent arrival
  • The new smart home hub could go on sale as soon as next week
  • It would be Google's first smart speaker in six years

We've been waiting for Google to announce a new Google Home Speaker since the device was teased at the tech giant's Made by Google event almost a year ago, and now it looks like it could be arriving — and within a matter of days.

In an email sent out yesterday (June 11) to Gemini for Home early access testers, Google thanked participants for their feedback, which it said resulted in over 2,500 bug fixes and a wider launch to 20 countries in 10 different languages. Google has also been consistent with software updates, which also saw the return of the much-loved Continued Conversation feature.

As noted by 9to5Google, Chief Product Officer for Google Home & Nest, Anish Kattukaran, sent out the email to users stating the following:

“I’m writing to you from my living room, surrounded by the same speakers, displays, thermostats and cameras in many of your homes. With over 100 of my own smart home devices connected around me and my family, I am deeply aware of the incredible potential and occasional inconveniences of smart home life”.

Since the early access program launched, it’s garnered a staggering 3.5 million sign-ups from users who’ve wanted to get a taste of what the new Google Home Speaker will have to offer, and Kattukaran is still encouraging users to send feedback.

But he signed off his email with what looks very like confirmation that the new Google Home Speaker will be announced next week.

At the bottom of the email, Kattukaran says “for those of you who have been patiently waiting for a certain speaker… keep a very close eye on your inbox next week,” which I think can only be referring to the launch of a new Google Home Speaker.

Google Home Speaker

The Google Home Speaker will feature 360-audio and will come in an array of different colors (Image credit: Jacob Krol/Future)

I imagine that, like us, you’ve also been keeping your eyes peeled for signs of the new speaker since the company officially announced it in October 2025.

At the time, Google teased a "spring 2026" release date, and it could still meet that deadline, technically, as while most people go by the meteorological definition of spring, which is March-May in the northern hemisphere, astronomical spring doesn't end until June 21.

As of now the new Google Home Speaker is prominently displayed at the Google Store, where you can sign up to be notified by email when it goes on sale — and we've had a hint as to when that might be. Best Buy Canada recently slipped up when it listed the device along with a June 25 release date label.

Shortly after, Nest Mini and Nest Audio speakers started mysteriously vanishing from the Google Store and third-party retailers, which suggested a new speaker was on the way.

It’s been six years since Google came out with the Nest Audio and a lot has changed in the realm of the best smart home devices on both the hardware and software fronts, so the bar is set high. But from the feedback from Gemini for Home users and the device features list on the Google Store, there’s a chance that Google could actually hit this one out of the park.

I've been using my Amazon Echo Pop for the best part of two, nearly three years, and it's served as the ideal smart speaker to cover all my basic needs. It's not a complex device, which has its perks, but I feel I've used it to its full extent, and I'm looking for that extra something. Perhaps the new Google Home Speaker will be my sign to finally take the plunge and upgrade.

]]> <![CDATA[ Nest Mini and Nest Audio speakers are mysteriously vanishing from the shelves, and I'm convinced the new Google Home Speaker is arriving soon ]]> https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-speakers/nest-mini-and-nest-audio-speakers-are-mysteriously-vanishing-from-the-shelves-and-im-convinced-the-new-google-home-speaker-is-arriving-soon QdnURUY6XQqKj5dfdYfHSQ Tue, 09 Jun 2026 13:50:41 +0000 false false false
  • The Nest Mini and Nest Audio smart speakers are unavailable on the Google Store
  • Third-party retailers are still listing them, but the options are limited
  • It could be Google's way of preparing for the arrival of the new Google Home Speaker

The long-awaited Google Home Speaker is getting closer to a full launch — and another strong clue is that company’s older models are becoming increasingly difficult to buy.

Suddenly, Google's Nest Mini and Nest Audio speakers have been vanishing from online retailers, which was first spotted on Google’s US store. Not only does the listing for both models read "out of stock", but it also says that both devices are "unavailable".

As for Google’s Canada store, it’s the same case, however customers in the UK and Australia can sign up to receive an email notification if it ever comes back into stock.

Outside of the Google store, it’s even more of a challenge to find them in stock. At the moment, availability is sparse, but there are still ways for you to get your hands on one. In the US, Amazon is your best shot at scoring the Nest Mini, while Best Buy is listing the Nest Audio in its clearance sale for $74.99.

If you’re based in the UK, Amazon is the only retailer listing the Nest Mini in stock for £69.99, but stores such as Argos, Currys, and Very no longer list either model. There are also limited options if you’re in Australia, but there are still some kicking about on Amazon.

Will the Nest Mini and Audio be back?

Google Home Speaker

(Image credit: Jacob Krol/Future)

It’s not completely surprising that Google has paused the sales of its smart speakers as it prepares to launch its next-gen device, but whether the Nest Mini or Nest Audio will go back on sale after the Google Home Speaker launches is unknown.

Since Google has spent quite a bit of time rolling out Gemini tools to the Nest Mini and Nest Audio, it wouldn’t make sense to completely stop production and sales for these models, and since Google is notifying UK customers when they'll be available again, it gives us more reason to believe they’ll be back sooner or later.

The Nest Mini and Nest Audio speakers have been Google’s flagship smart hubs for the best part of seven years, and now it seems as though the company is getting ready to embrace the new Google Home Speaker as their successor — but it’s been quite the process.

The new Google Home Speaker first appeared during last year’s Made by Google event, and was officially announced in October 2025 with a launch scheduled for Spring 2026 (or sometime between March and May for those in the southern hemisphere).

While Spring has passed and no such speaker has been released, Best Buy Canada listed the device saying it would be due on June 25. Google still hasn’t confirmed this, but its new smart hub is very much in sight, and it would be great news if this were true.

]]> <![CDATA[ The new Google Home Speaker could finally have a release date thanks to this leaky retailer — here’s when Google’s first smart speaker in six years could be hitting the shelves ]]> https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-speakers/the-new-google-home-speaker-could-finally-have-a-release-date-thanks-to-this-leaky-retailer-heres-when-googles-first-smart-speaker-in-six-years-could-be-hitting-the-shelves E7wLN8jGL7YdUSao9D8yf Mon, 01 Jun 2026 11:01:40 +0000 Mon, 01 Jun 2026 11:14:16 +0000 false false false
  • The new Google Home Speaker could be arriving on June 25
  • Best Buy Canada updated its product listing with a release date
  • The Google Store still reads 'Coming Spring 2026'

Just when I thought the upcoming Google Home Speaker would never see the light of day, a possible release date has surfaced — and it could be here in a matter of weeks.

A product listing for the Google Home Speaker on the Best Buy Canada site points to a June 25 release date, so if you’ve been patiently waiting for the arrival of Google’s first smart speaker in six years, you could get your hands on it sooner than you think.

Though this is exciting news for those who’ve been waiting to upgrade, it’s best to take this placeholder date with a pinch of salt before you get your hopes up. At the moment, there’s no mention of an official release date on the Best Buy US page, and Google Store also hasn’t been updated either.

As far as pricing goes, we have more information on how much the Google Home Speaker will cost depending on region. It’s listed for $99.99 / £99.99 on the Google Store, and CA$139.99 on Best Buy Canada. When it comes to color options, the speaker will be available in four different shades in the US (Berry, Jade, Hazel, and Porcelain), while the UK and Canada will only have two (Hazel and Porcelain).

Back when Google first showcased the smart speaker in October 2025, we were lucky enough to get hands-on with it to see how it differs from the Nest Audio. Its biggest upgrades are the 360-audio design (which resembles the Apple HomePod Mini), and its connectivity improvements, allowing you to group multiple Google Home Speakers which you can pair with the Google TV Streamer to enhance your audio.

@techradar

♬ original sound - TechRadar

That said, the Google Home Speaker will also get some major Gemini upgrades, where you can ask pretty much any topical question and make smart home commands for a more casual, conversational-like experience. Additionally, Gemini works to better understand the context of your voice commands and questions to give you more accurate answers.

To say the Google Home Speaker’s release has been a long slog is an understatement. We first caught a glimpse of Google’s next gen smart speaker during its Made by Google event in August 2025, when it teased a mysterious Nest smart speaker.

The company unveiled the smart speaker right after Amazon announced the next generation of its own line of Echo devices, and was projected for a spring 2026 arrival, which we assumed would be between March - May, and it’s been a waiting game ever since.

Google is really cutting it close with its smart speaker release as we’re officially past the expected release timeframe. Spring officially ends on June 21, meaning that if Google goes ahead with its June 25 release, it would have just missed the Spring cut-off.

]]> <![CDATA[ How to get early access to Alexa+ in the UK — here's what you need to know ]]> https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-home/how-do-i-get-alexa-in-the-uk ZSvtTpgnrLPBPi4Fke4cia Wed, 25 Mar 2026 15:22:35 +0000 Wed, 25 Mar 2026 15:22:40 +0000 false false false

There's big news for Brits with Amazon Echo devices: Alexa+ has finally made its way to the UK. If you're unfamiliar, Alexa+ is the next generation of Amazon's Alexa voice assistant. It's powered by generative AI, and should offer more natural conversations and improved control over smart home devices. It's been available stateside since March 2025, but has only just made its way across the pond.

This isn't exactly the same Alexa+ that can be found in the US, though: it's been localised for British life, and is connected to services used in the UK, as well as British news sources including the BBC and the Guardian. Oh, and it should be able to understand regional accents a little better too. Want to get access to this upgraded assistant now? Here's what you need to know...

How do I get access to Alexa+ in the UK?

The upgraded assistant will cost £19.99 a month on its own, but it's also included for free with Amazon Prime. We were told that Alexa+ UK would initially only be rolled out to the Echo Dot Max, Echo Studio, Echo Show 11 and Echo Show 8. However, a quick browse of the Amazon UK site indicates it should be available on all the current-gen Echo speakers.

If you already own one of these devices, you can sign up for an Early Access invite now, or scroll down for links to buy one now.

Which Amazon speaker do I need for Alexa+?

Here are all the devices listed for early Alexa+ UK access:

Amazon Echo Dot Max (newest Gen), Bluetooth Speaker With Room-Filling Sound and Built-In Smart Home Hub, Graphite, With Alexa+ Early Access
Amazon
Echo Dot Max (newest gen)

Echo Dot (newest Gen) | Bluetooth Smart Speaker With Big Vibrant Sound and Wi-Fi | Deep Sea Blue, With Alexa+ Early Access
Amazon
Echo Dot (newest gen)

Echo Spot (newest Gen), Smart Alarm Clock With Vibrant Sound, Black, With Alexa+ Early Access
Amazon
Echo Spot (newest gen)

Amazon Echo Studio (newest Gen), Compact Design, Immersive Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos, Graphite, With Alexa+ Early Access
Amazon
Echo Studio (newest gen)

Echo Show 5 (newest Gen), Smart Display and Alarm Clock With Clearer Sound, Charcoal, With Alexa+ Early Access
Amazon
Echo Show 5 (newest gen)

Amazon Echo Show 8 (newest Gen), Vibrant Hd 8.7
Amazon
Echo Show 8 (newest gen)

Amazon Echo Show 11 (newest Gen), Vibrant Full-Hd 11
Amazon
Echo Show 11 (newest gen)

Amazon Echo Show 15 (newest Gen), Full Hd 15.6
Amazon
Echo Show 15 (newest gen)

Amazon Echo Show 21 (newest Gen), a Stunning 21
Amazon
Echo Show 21 (newest gen)

Any other options?

We're anticipating that eventually, Alexa+ UK will be available on the same products as it is in the US. That means, as well as the products listed above, it will hopefully also be available on a range of previous-generation versions of the devices, too.

This guide to which devices Alexa+ will work on has a full list for you to browse. Remember, though, that's based on US info, and there's a chance things won't be exactly the same in the UK.

Alexa speakers compared

Looking to buy an Echo device? make it easier to tell your different options apart, I've put together some handy specs tables.

Amazon Echo Show device specs

I'll start with the Amazon Echo Show devices, which are the options with a screen and a camera. If you're set on one of these, you'll find a bit more info in my guide to which Amazon Echo Show to buy.

Amazon Echo Spot, Dot and Studio specs

Next, let's look at the no-screen options. These have a range of names, but the rule is if the word 'Show' isn't in there, there's no screen.

]]> <![CDATA[ Alexa+ is 'just more delightful,' says Amazon's VP of Alexa and Echo as the service rolls out to thousands of new customers ]]> https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-home/alexa-is-just-more-delightful-says-amazons-vp-of-alexa-and-echo-as-the-service-rolls-out-to-thousands-of-new-customers AEubtMg3y9Fy4duFAf3Rw5 Fri, 20 Mar 2026 14:30:10 +0000 false false false

Alexa+ has landed on UK soil, and while customers wait with anticipation to try the AI-powered virtual assistant, it's a great opportunity to look back.

Since the service launched in the US last spring, it's already seen some big changes as customers navigate a new world of assistive smarts and agentic AI. Now, with the service coming to the UK, there's also been a lot of naturalization work to help Alexa+ navigate our regional accents, idioms, and culture — right the way down to understanding some of our favorite snacks.

Having watched some live demos at the launch event this week, I'm most excited to see how natural interacting with Alexa+ will feel — and according to Daniel Rausch, Amazon's VP of Alexa and Echo, the best summary is "it's just more delightful." We sat down to find out more from Rausch about the rollout, learnings, and ambitions for the future of Alexa+.

You can watch the full interview below on our YouTube channel, and make sure to check out the rest of our Amazon Echo and Alexa+ coverage, too!

Rausch says the early results have been quite something behind the scenes. "Engagement with Alexa+ is up two to three times over the original Alexa," he explains, calmly confident as he discusses the road till now. "Even things I didn't think could grow, like music, which goes up 25% in terms of streaming time when a customer turns on Alexa+.

"It's just more delightful... It's not like customers have 25% more time!" he adds, though he was keen to highlight that the overall increase of engagement owes a lot to some of the exciting new features facilitated by a smarter, faster Alexa. "In the US, I'll use it to book rideshare, or we'll book a table for lunch together. The whole thing is what is elevating that engagement level."

Of course, it's never all roses, and certainly not with an Early Access programme. Still, Rausch takes a positive view of these learnings. "I've never shipped a product this easy to report a bug," he jokes, reflecting on what I can only imagine was a hectic first year of service. "You can just say to Alexa what feedback you have, and that helps us to learn there's an edge to sand somewhere."

One example of note was the new Alexa+ voice and cadence. "Some customers — it's a minority of them — they don't like the new voices," says Rausch. So now, Amazon offers a wider range of voices, and when Alexa+ introduces herself, she offers you the chance to change her settings.

Naturally, concerns may remain around always-on devices when it comes to privacy and security, but with 10 years of service in the UK under their belt in addition to their years of US coverage, Rausch seems confident in Amazon's approach. "Customers have the same degree of transparency and control [with Alexa+]... it turns out, if you build products with transparency and control, you also generally speaking meet every regulation and legal requirement."

Customers who already know their way around Alexa's Privacy Hub will be glad to know that the service, with all its features, remains the same for Alexa+. "You can see everything Alexa heard, you can delete things... you can control all of your data settings around training. Everything's in the same place, and it applies to the Alexa service as a whole."

While all US Prime customers with compatible devices can now register for Alexa+ (or pay a standalone subscription of $19.99), for now, the free beta programme in the UK is limited to the Amazon Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 11, Echo Dot Max, and Echo Studio. If you've already got one at home, you can sign up for an Early Access invite now.

It'll probably take about the same amount of time for Alexa+ to fully launch in the UK as it did in the US — so about a year. In that time, we'll see the service come to a wide range of Alexa-enabled devices, including your Fire TV, and it will soon be available in a web browser at alexa.co.uk.

]]> <![CDATA[ 'Tough night for Chelsea, mate' — Amazon Alexa+ has arrived in the UK, and it's got more than just a British accent ]]> https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-home/tough-night-for-chelsea-mate-amazon-alexa-has-arrived-in-the-uk-and-its-got-more-than-just-a-british-accent pTm5eXtn7XSWnqBjinjsye Thu, 19 Mar 2026 06:00:00 +0000 false false false
  • Amazon Alexa+ is now available in Early Access in the UK
  • The AI-powered virtual assistant has been fully localised for British life
  • It will cost £19.99 a month by itself, but is also included with Amazon Prime

Amazon's AI-powered virtual assistant, Alexa+, is finally rolling out in the UK, promising more natural conversations, more advanced control over your smart home devices, and the ability to understand your accent better.

The assistant launched in the US last spring, and is now available in Early Access in the UK for the new Amazon Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 11, Echo Dot Max, and Echo Studio. If you already own one of these devices, you can sign up for an Early Access invite now.

Alexa+ will arrive for other Alexa-enabled devices in the future — which will be a lot. According to Amazon, more people in the UK own an Alexa-enabled device than start their day with a cup of tea. You will also be able to use it with your Fire TV, and it will soon be available in a web browser at alexa.co.uk.

Alexa+ is connected to services used in the UK too, plus British news sources including the BBC, the Guardian, and, yes, TechRadar.

Man using laptop running Amazon Alexa+ in a browser

(Image credit: Amazon)

I attended a demo in London yesterday, and heard some Alexa+ interactions for myself. The new assistant is definitely more conversational, and its ability to understand commands is impressive; you don't need to change the way you speak or use a very specific sentence structure for the assistant to understand you.

Alexa+ also sounds more British; not only does it understand the subtle (and not so subtle) meaning of particular local phrases, it uses them as well. Cambridge-based Trevor Wood, Lead Scientist at Alexa, demonstrated the UK localisation by asking about the previous night's football score. Knowing which team Wood supports, Alexa responded: "Fantastic news mate, Arsenal absolutely smashed Leverkusen 2-0 last night at the Emirates."

Wood then asked for an update on behalf of his friend PJ, a Chelsea supporter. "Tough night for Chelsea, mate," Alexa replied sadly. "PSG beat them 3-0 at Stamford Bridge, making it 8-2 on aggregate. It's their heaviest knockout defeat in Champions League history."

Person following a recipe on an Amazon Echo Show devices using Alexa+

(Image credit: Amazon)

This did sound slightly strange in Alexa's middle-class female voice, and you won't be able to pick a different accent, but the assistant should be able to understand yours, wherever you're from. According to Amazon, it will have no trouble with even strong regional accents thanks to training on large amounts of data from around the whole UK.

It also integrates with Ring doorbells and cameras if you have a Ring Home Premium subscription, working seamlessly with Ring Smart Video Search, which lets you search for specific events using natural language — whether that's 'Did the dog go out yesterday afternoon' or 'Did someone stand on the bins on Sunday?"

The idea is that Alexa+ is an 'ambient' assistant, which is present whenever you need it, and fades into the background when you don't. It knows which smart devices you own, what's on your calendar, what you like to watch on TV, and even where you are in your home, and uses all of this information to help you in a way that makes sense.

Alexa+ will be free in Early Access, and will cost £19.99 a month thereafter. However, it also comes included with Amazon Prime for £8.99 a month, so there's not much reason to pay for it separately.

]]> <![CDATA[ I spent two weeks testing Amazon’s new Echo Studio, and I love the stylish new design — but I’m not sure it’s worth the audio-quality trade-offs ]]> https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-home/echo-studio-2nd-gen-review Pp58dEHoyzdZhHLss7zjQi Sat, 07 Mar 2026 11:00:00 +0000 false false false

It’s been a while since the original Echo Studio launched way back in 2019. So, it makes sense that it’s such a drastic overhaul; the new, 2025 model is 40% smaller with a total design refresh, Alexa+ compatibility and new Fire TV features.

The original Echo Studio launched way back in 2019, and the fact that it’s taken this long for a second-gen model to arrive makes the Studio an outlier in Amazon’s smart speaker range, with other Echos receiving more regular upgrades.

It makes sense, then, that this is a fairly major overhaul: the 2025 model is 40% smaller and gets a total design refresh that brings it into line with other Echos, along with Alexa+ compatibility and new Fire TV features.

While the previous-gen Studio was more than a little clunky in terms of its design, it was pretty well received — much to the surprise of many who’d long bemoaned the audio quality of Amazon’s Echo speakers. Then, in 2022, a slightly upgraded version was released with some modest improvements; this wasn’t considered a new generation of the Studio, but again it surprised and largely delighted users.

So, has lightning struck twice (or technically, thrice) with the new Echo Studio? Well, not quite, but this is still an impressively capable speaker, especially at its size.

There’s an inevitable trade-off between the speaker’s size and its audio quality. In its smaller form factor, the second-generation Studio is certainly more appealing, and the spherical design, new knit-fabric exterior and front-facing controls are much more homely compared to the original, the design of which resembled a medieval knight’s bucket helmet.

With the latest Studio packing Amazon’s new AZ3 Pro chip and offering Alexa+ compatibility, and some great smart home compatibility and sensors, there’s a lot to love, but having tried both the newer and older models, I don’t think the new audio hardware quite lives up to its predecessor. That being said, it’s most certainly the best Alexa speaker for audio available today… unless, of course, you can find a first-gen model on resale.

Echo Studio (2nd gen, 2025) price and availability

  • List price: $219.99 / £219.99 / AU$429
  • Released November 2025

The new Echo Studio is the most premium Echo speaker in Amazon’s lineup, offering home-theatre buffs and audiophiles an Alexa-powered alternative to standard speakers. You concede some audio quality, sure, but it’s pretty compact, and the smarts you gain are decent enough.

It’s available in black (graphite) and white (glacier white), and costs $20 / £40 / AU$100 more than the original Studio at $219.99 / £219.99 / AU$429; the price hike is explained, in part, by the rising cost of hardware, but it’s worth noting nonetheless.

It’s also Alexa+ compatible, meaning US Prime subscribers have immediate access to the currently-in-beta service (at the time of writing). Whether or not that’s a positive or a negative, I’ll leave you to decide.

My main issue with the value proposition here is that, at times, the Echo Studio (second-generation) just doesn’t live up to its Studio moniker; and yet, allowing for inflation, it costs the same as the previous generation. Had Amazon skipped some of the smart features and delivered a stronger all-around audio performance, I’d have less of an issue; as it is, and as is the case with almost every new Echo device I’ve reviewed in the past few years, this is one I’d only go for during a sale, and I’d be looking for at least a 40% discount.

  • Value: 3.5/5
Echo Studio (2nd gen, 2025) specs

Echo Studio

Dimensions

6.1 x 5.6 x 5.8 inches / 155 x 142.2 x 147.3mm (W x D x H)

Speakers

1x 3.75-inch high excursion woofer, 3x 2.25-inch full-range drivers

Processor

AZ3 Pro

Connecivity

Zigbee, Matter, Thread Border Router, eero

Voice assistant

Alexa

Weight

53.5oz / 1.63kg

Echo Studio on a white table with a blue background

(Image credit: Future)

Echo Studio (2nd gen, 2025) design

  • New, more premium design and materials
  • 40% smaller than the previous generation
  • Fewer ports, fewer audio-first design features

Like the Echo Dot Max, which I tested a few months ago, the Echo Studio has a new, more sophisticated look and feel, featuring a chunky knit-fabric exterior, front-facing controls, and a 40% smaller frame than the previous Echo Studio models.

Now, instead of resembling a bucket-shaped medieval knight’s helmet, the Echo Studio is more akin to a rounded spaceship (read: Death Star), and it’s a change I’m quite happy with aesthetically. The base is flat and slightly rubberized, housing a screw-mount for any users who might wish to wall-mount their speaker(s).

The neater look and smaller footprint make it a much more appealing option for around the home, and the new front-facing controls are easily accessible and clear — especially when compared to the original’s small and fiddly buttons. There are volume controls as well as a physical mute button on the plastic control panel. Plus, if you give the Studio a gentle pat on the top, you can stop or start tracks, stop timers and alarms, or end calls and drop-ins.

The iconic illuminated Alexa ring, which glows blue when the speaker is listening to you, now encircles the control panel, and changes colour and brightness for different types of alert (for example, orange for an Amazon marketplace-related notification, or red for connectivity issues).

There’s been a complete hardware refit, too. The new Echo Studio uses the latest AZ3 Pro chip to power Alexa commands and other on-board smarts like ambient sensing and spatial sound. Where the last-generation speakers had three two-inch side-mounted mid-range speakers, a two-inch upward-firing midrange speaker, a 1-inch front-facing tweeter, and a 5.25-inch downward-firing sealed woofer and cutout spaces to allow for airflow to enable powerful and deep bass, the latest model has just three full-range drivers and a single high-excursion woofer. More later on how that impacts performance, but as far as design goes, it does make the focus on the newer model’s aesthetics feel like a big trade-off when you compare the hardware specs.

Connectivity is another area where the new Studio has taken a hit. On the rear, you’ll find a single power port – that’s right, no more 3.5mm combo port for standard audio cable input and Mini-Optical, and no micro-USB port for service/Ethernet adapters. For most, these inputs will be no great loss, but the inflexibility of these speakers will be disappointing to some, and especially to those who know a bit about home theater.

Objectively, I can’t say I dislike the look and feel of the new Echo Studio – it’s more pleasing to the eye, and a lot easier to find a home for at its smaller size. However, many of the concessions made ultimately impact performance and usability — and for a supposedly top-of-the-range speaker I’d always prize those qualities over look and feel.

  • Design: 4/5

Echo Studio on a white table with a blue background

(Image credit: Future)

Echo Studio (2nd gen, 2025) audio quality

  • Complete hardware refit compared to previous generation
  • Solid, clear audio across a range of genres
  • Mid-range performance for home cinema

Sitting at the top end of the Echo speaker lineup, the Echo Studio in principle offers the best audio you can get from an Amazon speaker. However, while that’s indeed the case, not everyone who loved the first-generation Studio will enjoy this newer version.

As mentioned above, the new Echo Studio trades its predecessor’s three two-inch side-mounted mid-range speakers, two-inch upward-firing midrange speaker, 1-inch front-facing tweeter, and 5.25-inch downward-firing sealed woofer for three full-range drivers and a single high-excursion woofer. Plus, under the hood, the new AZ3 Pro chip does a lot of the legwork, working in tandem with onboard far-field microphones to deliver Automatic Room Adaptation, fine-tuning the audio experience based on the room’s acoustics. There’s also spatial audio, Lossless High Definition and Dolby Atmos support.

So, what difference do these hardware changes make in practice? I played a variety of tracks from different genres to test the speaker’s audio quality, as well as trying out the new Amazon Home Theatre feature, to find out.

It’s a tale of trade-offs; on the one hand, the soundstage is well balanced overall, producing beautifully clear layers and expressing texture in tracks well. Hans Zimmer’s Cornfield Chase was rendered with beautiful depth and clarity, especially at louder volumes, as was Jeff Buckley’s Last Goodbye, with the Echo Studio proving amply capable of rendering Buckley’s quivering vocals beautifully while preserving the layered rhythmic guitars and mounting tension. Dynamic songs like Glory Box by Portishead offer well-rounded bass, with every detail of the track, right down to its vinyl crackle, represented with impressive clarity.

However, the Echo Studio lacks the powerful bass and overall volume of older models, and certain tracks suffer as a result: Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush plays much more faithfully than on the Echo Dot Max I tested a few months ago, but the Echo Studio still lacks the pummeling bass I so adore. Similarly, Fleetwood Mac’s The Chain, especially at lower volumes, fails to fully deliver the track’s signature thunderous, driving bass.

With Amazon removing many of the audio-first design features (like the sound-carrying cutouts) and squeezing the device into a far smaller form factor, the new Echo Studio ultimately loses a lot of its oomph. It also now downmixes stereo content to mono, and compresses the mix more aggressively at higher volumes than the original model.

That said, when I was testing this speaker in my apartment, I wasn’t looking to push the volume beyond 70% (mostly for the sake of my neighbours), and the bass was, broadly, suitably present for my living space, this is aided by the Automatic Room Adaptation, which works well to really flood a space with sound.

Of course, the Echo Studio can do more than just play your music. You can connect up to five Echo Dot Max or Echo Studio speakers plus an optional Echo subwoofer to a Fire TV Stick 4K (2nd-gen), Fire TV Stick 4K Plus, Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd-gen), or Fire TV Cube (3rd-gen) to use Amazon’s new Home Theatre feature. I gave this a quick try, albeit with just the one Echo Studio, watching a few scenes from Red Sonja, The Batman and Oppenheimer to put its through its paces. I was pretty happy with how much depth and clarity the Echo Studio provided (it’s all handled over Bluetooth, so I did notice a bit of a delay with lip-synching initially; thankfully, you can adjust this in the settings), and I can imagine with a full set the sound would be really quite impressive.

That said, the dynamic range was pushed to its limit during my testing, and I ultimately found myself toggling the volume fairly often. Plus, its downmixed mono playback makes it a hard sell for a cinephile – of course, you can opt to spend $1,000 / £1,000 / AU$2,000 on a full Amazon Home Theater setup, but for that price I’d wager there are far superior surround sound systems. It’s only if you’re benefitting specifically from the Echo Studio’s place in Amazon’s Fire TV / Prime / Alexa+ ecosystem that I can see this being a viable option.

  • Audio quality: 3.5/5

Echo Studio on a white table with a blue background

(Image credit: Future)

Echo Studio (2nd gen, 2025) features

  • Smart and accurate sensors
  • Speedy Alexa commands
  • Alexa+ compatible

Much like the Echo Dot Max, the Echo Studio is locked and loaded with clever sensors and smarts to help run your smart home, including the same temperature and ultrasound motion sensors as the Echo Dot (4th gen) as well as a new Wi-Fi sensing capability.

I set these up at home for even smarter Alexa Routines; when I enter a room, an automation turns on my smart lights, and when the temperature drops, my electric heater turns on to keep me toasty during the UK winter months. Everything worked as expected on test, and it’s good to see the Echo Studio keeping pace with other smart speakers here.

The new AZ3 Pro chipset delivers super-speedy Alexa responses, though you probably won’t notice the difference unless you’ve been using Alexa-enabled devices from a few years ago. Where you will feel the difference is if you have access to Alexa+, as that’s the real driver behind the additional computing power. I’m testing this speaker in the UK, where we don’t currently have access to Amazon’s full agentic AI platform, but my US-based colleague Lance Ulanoff shared his first impressions of the service overall.

  • Features: 4/5

Echo Studio (2nd gen, 2025) being pressed by a hand

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Echo Studio (2nd gen, 2025)?

Buy it if…

You want room-filling audio

The Echo Studio’s room-adapting smarts go a long way to up the value, and it’s delivering a lot of clever optimization to compensate for the admittedly weaker hardware.View Deal

You’re upgrading from an older, regular Echo speaker

More recent Echo smart speakers pack fairly similar specs and performance, but the AZ3 chip brings a marked improvement. View Deal

Don’t buy it if…

You’re an audiophile

While in many ways the Echo Studio does impress, it’s fundamentally incapable of offering a true hi-fi audio experience.View Deal

You own an older Echo Studio

I’m willing to bet that if you love your old Echo Studio, you won’t be a huge fan of this newer model. View Deal

Also consider

Echo Studio

Echo Dot Max

Echo (4th-gen)

Dimensions

6.1 x 5.6 x 5.8 inches (W x D x H)

4.27 x 4.27 x 3.9 inches

5.7-inch x 5.7-inch x 5.2-inch

Speakers

1x 3.75-inch high excursion woofer, 3x 2.25-inch full-range drivers

0.8-inch tweeter and 2.5-inch woofer

3-inch neodymium woofer and two 0.8-inch front-firing tweeters with Dolby Audio support

Processor

AZ3 Pro

AZ3

AZ1 Neural Edge

Connecivity

Zigbee, Matter, Thread Border Router, eero

Zigbee, Matter, Thread Border Router, eero, Wi-Fi 6

Zigbee, Matter, Thread border router. Dual-band Wi-Fi, eero, Bluetooth

3.5mm audio line-in/out.

Voice assistant

Alexa

Alexa

Alexa

Weight

53.5oz / 1.63 kg

505.3g

970g

Also consider Echo Dot Max

The new Echo Dot Max offers adaptable and solid audio specs, with much of the same internal hardware as the Echo Studio barring some of the more powerful speakers.

For more information, check out our full Echo Dot (5th-gen) review.

Also consider Echo (4th-gen)

The 4th generation of Amazon’s base model Echo speaker may be getting long in the tooth, its audio performance is admirable, it’s often on sale at bargain prices, and offers a similar performance.

For more information, check out our full Echo (4th-gen) review.

How I tested the Echo Studio (2nd gen, 2025)

  • I used the Echo Studio as part of my smart home setup
  • I played lossless audio through Spotify
  • I used the standard Alexa and other advertised features.

I tried all of the advertised features of the Echo Studio (barring Alexa+ which is not currently available in the UK) to assess its performance and audio quality.

As well as testing Alexa’s ability to follow commands and surface information, I used my Echo Studio as a speaker, streaming lossless tracks via Spotify across a variety of genres and moods to test the speaker’s dynamic range, clarity and volume. I also tried using the new Echo Studio as part of my Amazon Home Theatre setup, listening to various TV shows and movies to see how well the speaker would serve cinephiles.

I’ve had an Alexa-powered smart home for years, having professionally tested smart home devices for over four years. In addition to my at-home Alexa setup, I’ve also used both Google and Apple devices to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the most popular smart home ecosystems.

]]> <![CDATA[ The 5 best gadgets IKEA announced at CES 2026 – including a smart version of my favorite lamp ]]> https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-home/the-5-best-gadgets-ikea-announced-at-ces-2026-including-a-smart-version-of-my-favorite-lamp JUAKKh2o4exV5HHA2QKqEH Fri, 09 Jan 2026 15:02:41 +0000 false false false

For the first time ever, IKEA took to the stage at CES 2026, and it was a huge success for the home furnishing giant.

Though IKEA has made its mark on all things interior design, it's also made a name for itself on the smart home front by becoming a great budget alternative to the best smart home devices. Its CES debut provided the perfect opportunity to show smart home enthusiasts what IKEA is all about, and it did just that.

In addition to upgrading one of its most popular lighting products, IKEA unveiled new audio devices and showcased new utility smart home sensors, which were first announced late last year.

Missed out on IKEA's CES appearance? Here are the 5 main announcements you need to know about.

Varmblixt LED Lamp

IKEA Varmblixt smart lights

(Image credit: IKEA)

IKEA's iconic donut-shaped Varmblixt lamp has been a stand-out among the company's range of funky lighting - I even have one of my own. I love how it looks, but I wish I had waited for its new smart light version to drop.

The new Varmblixt smart lamp keeps its iconic design, but packs 12 different color presets that you can control with the new Bilresa remote, so you can smoothly float between different light settings to set the mood and atmosphere. You can also control the lamp by hooking it up to IKEA's Dirigea Wi-Fi hub, where you'll be able to select from a larger spectrum of over 40 hues.

One of its most unique features is that each color is designed to seamlessly blend into the next, which was designed by collaborator Sabine Marcelis. But its smart features don't end there: the lamp is also built on Matter, meaning that it can easily fit into your existing smart home setup. Basically, I'm ever so envious of this upgrade.

@techradar

♬ original sound - TechRadar

Kallsup smart speaker

Several IKEA Kallsup speakers in pink, green and white on a wooden table

(Image credit: IKEA)

As well as smart lamps, IKEA is dipping its toes even further into the audio waters, unveiling its tiny but dead cheap Kallsup speaker - which will set you back a mere $10. It's set for an April 2026 launch, with pricing varying in different regions.

Coming in three colorful shades (lime green, pink, and white) the Kallsup speaker is an affordable entry-level speaker that's very light and allows you to get creative by stacking them like building blocks.

Though it doesn't pack a powerful punch on the audio front, which we'd expect from a speaker of this size, it supports Bluetooth 5.3 and has a 20-hour battery life at 50% volume. You can even connect up to a whopping 100 of them - the ultimate way to get the party started.

@techradar

♬ original sound - TechRadar

Teklan Kulglass collection

IKEa lamps

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

Alongside its new cheap and cheerful speaker, IKEA showcased a new range of premium-priced audio devices from its Teklan collection, which was first announced in November 2025.

The new collaboration with internet personality Tekla Evelina Severin consists of a number of eye-catching audio gadgets including the portable Solskydd Bluetooth speaker, which can be mounted to a stand or to a wall space. There's also the mushroom-shaped Kulglass Bluetooth speaker and lamp, which packs the handy Spotify Tap function.

Kajplats smart bulb expansion

The new Kajplats smart bulb inside a lamp on top of a unit

(Image credit: IKEA)

If there's one thing that IKEA has shown us is that smart bulbs don't have to cost you an arm and a leg. At CES 2026, IKEA announced its expansion of its Kajplats range of smart bulbs (another gadget that was announced in November 2025), showcasing its cheapest one yet at just $6.

But don't think that this price seems too good to be true, this $6 smart bulb still supports Matter-over-Thread and can be controlled through a number of smart home ecosystems including Apple Home, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings.

New smart sensors and control gadgets

The Alpstuga air quality sensor on a bathroom counter top next to a sink basin

(Image credit: IKEA)

Smart bulbs were just the beginning - IKEA is also expanding its utility lineup of smart sensors and control devices that can be integrated across different rooms in your home, which includes the new Bilresa remotes that you can use with the smart Varmblixt lamp.

Additionally, IKEA's new Klippbok water sensor uses sound alerts and phone notifications to let you know when a leakage occurs, while the Alpstuga sensor measures CO₂, particles, temperature, and humidity to determine the air quality in your home. There's also a new smart plug that tracks your energy usage.

]]> <![CDATA[ Get an Amazon Echo Dot for Christmas? Discover the 3 features that revolutionized my smart home setup ]]> https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-speakers/get-an-amazon-echo-dot-for-christmas-discover-the-3-features-that-revolutionized-my-smart-home-setup eqjRj5KaQFTt7a6J8QLjJd Sat, 27 Dec 2025 20:00:00 +0000 false false false

If you found an Amazon Echo Dot under the tree this Christmas or you’ve treated yourself to one with a gift card, I’m delighted to say that you now own one of the most versatile smart speakers on the market.

Whether you have one smart device or twenty, an Amazon Echo Dot makes controlling them almost effortless, thanks to voice commands and its compatibility with the best smart home devices.

An Amazon Echo Dot and Govee Table Lamp 2 are pictured in front of a festive garland.

(Image credit: Future)

I use my Echo Dot every day to control my TV, air purifiers, lights, and more, and the impressive variety of routines and automations in the Alexa app has my home running like clockwork. What’s more, you can even pair it with accessories to smarten up standard gadgets, but I’ll share more on that later.

To make sure you’re getting the most out of your new Echo Dot, I’m gifting you a selection of the best smart home features I use in my home, which I highly recommend you try out for yourself.

Reliable Routines

The Routines feature is quite possibly the thing I love most about my Echo Dot, and I recommend experimenting with some of your own creations to see just how game-changing they can be.

As someone who thrives on structure and routine, and happens to own a lot of smart devices, I couldn’t help but get a little excited about the number of automations available to me.

Custom routines are satisfyingly simple to create. They can be set to run at scheduled times or in response to a specified event, such as your Echo Dot detecting the sound of an appliance beeping or an alarm being dismissed.

The latter is particularly useful for stopping your robot hoover starting its scheduled cleaning spree on your day off and ruining your lie-in.

A custom voice command can be assigned to each of your routines, too, so you can set the automations running without waiting for the trigger or picking up your phone to adjust your smart device settings manually.

Three phone screens display the new routine page and two custom routines on the Alexa app.

(Image credit: Amazon / Future)

If setting up routines from scratch doesn’t sound appealing, you can still enjoy some automation magic by selecting one of the many editable presets available on the Alexa app.

There’s a wide range of options, from the practical – having your Echo Dot recite the weather and guiding you through some morning yoga – to niche and novelty options, including getting an alert when your dog wants a treat and having Alexa look after your houseplants.

Smart Sensors

I must confess, I was oblivious to this particularly clever asset when I first had my Echo Dot 5th Gen: it has built-in motion detection and temperature sensors that can be used for a bunch of useful automations.

There are plenty of ways to make use of these sensors, and they're particularly useful to level up less-informed smart devices that may not have their own auto functions.

The integrated temperature sensor is a real bonus if you have one of the best smart thermostats, fans, or air con, as you can build routines to alter the power status, settings, and modes of compatible devices in response to the ambient temperature.

A view of the back of the Amazon Echo Dot, which is surrounded by a festive garland.

(Image credit: Future)

The motion detection comes in especially handy, too. It can set devices to your favorite modes to welcome you home, and save some energy by turning off the lights or adjusting the heating when you’ve left the room for a specified period of time.

As an avid fan of the best smart lights, I always have several on when I'm home. Therefore, I'm particularly grateful for the motion sensing, as I no longer need to venture into my apps to make sure I've turned off my Govee Table Lamp 2 and Nanoleaf 4D before leaving the house.

Smarten Up Your Devices

This tip is an excellent hack if some of your devices aren't compatible with smart home hubs, as you can make an existing device more intelligent by teaming it up with a smart accessory.

Smart plugs are a great way to upgrade a standard device for less. More than just providing an easier way to power a device on and off, you can create automated routines using the Echo Dot's motion and temperature sensors that trigger your device to turn on when a specified temperature or room occupancy level is detected.

A top view of the Amazon Echo Dot.

(Image credit: Future)

You can use Alexa accessories to raise the IQ of some smart devices, too. Let’s take my SwitchBot Air Purifier Table as an example. While it has many talents, its low cost means it can't detect the same range of contaminants as pricier models.

My solution? Using the regularly discounted Amazon Smart Air Quality Monitor to pick up the slack, with a routine that changes the mode on my purifier when certain levels of contaminants are detected. This is a great way to up-skill lower-cost air purifiers, which rarely detect contaminants like VOCs.

]]> <![CDATA[ Cyber Monday is over, but Amazon Echo devices are still selling for record-low prices – for now ]]> https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-speakers/cyber-monday-is-over-but-amazon-echo-devices-are-still-selling-for-record-low-prices-for-now rz9QfzPHDGZuZUwcbN8j4V Tue, 02 Dec 2025 13:13:42 +0000 Tue, 02 Dec 2025 13:29:41 +0000 false false false

Looking for late Cyber Monday deals on Amazon Echo smart speakers and displays? You're in luck – stacks of devices are still available at steep discounts, and I've rounded them all up here. Bear in mind that Amazon changes its prices regularly, and any of these deals could end without warning – so don't delay if you see something you want.

• Shop all today's best Amazon deals in the US
• Shop all today's best Amazon deals in the UK

In the UK, Amazon appears to have forgotten that Cyber Monday is over, with all of yesterday's Echo deals still running at the time of writing. This even includes the latest AI-enhanced devices; if you're quick, you can snag the Amazon Echo Dot Max for £89.99 (was £99.99) and the new Amazon Echo Studio for £199.99 (was £219.99).

Most Echo deals have now ended in the US, but you can still get the Amazon Echo Dot Kids nearly half price at $31.99 (was $59.99) and the Amazon Echo Auto in-car smart speaker down to $14.99 (was $54.99). Read on for all of the best late Cyber Monday offers on Echo devices, and be prepared to move quickly to grab them while they last.

Today's best Amazon Echo deals in the US

One of Cyber Monday's best deals with a huge 73% off, this tiny device adds Alexa smarts to any car, giving you full hands-free access to all of the voice assistant's features. Play music, ask for directions, enjoy podcasts and audiobooks, and even fire up your smart thermostat.View Deal

The regular Amazon Echo Dot has now returned to full price, but the kid-friendly version is still almost half price after Cyber Monday. It gives an experience specially designed for youngsters, and comes with a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+.View Deal

The Echo Show 5 costs $5 more today than it did on Cyber Monday, but with $30 off this is still a good deal on a compact smart display. It features impressive audio for its size and price point, and, naturally, a solid Alexa experience. It's likely the next display to see an upgrade from Amazon, too, which may well come with a list price increase; so this might be one of the last chances to grab one.View Deal

The latest Amazon Echo smart glasses can be yours for less than half price right now. In his review, our Editor-at-Large Lance Ulanoff called them "a noticeable upgrade from the previous wearables with a better fit, improved audio, excellent microphones and Alexa responsiveness, and decent battery life."View Deal

Cyber Monday is over, but this 8-inch smart home control panel is still on sale for its lowest-ever price. It's not as feature-rich as an Amazon Echo Show, but gives you easy access to all your Alexa-enabled devices, including lights, cameras, video doorbells, and locks.View Deal

Today's best Amazon Echo deals in the UK

Whether you want the smarter audio features like Lossless High Definition and Automatic Room Adaptation, or just love the idea of a more premium-looking speaker with faster Alexa responses, the Echo Dot Max is a great choice. It's just a shame we don't get access to the Alexa+ Early Access in the UK. View Deal

The brand new Echo Studio has also received its first-ever price cut, with £20 off for Cyber Monday. It boasts bigger and better sound than its predecessor to boost your home cinema setup, and you can pair two up for a surround-sound experience. At this price, that's a much more tempting prospect.View Deal

Has Amazon forgotten Cyber Monday is over? I'm not complaining. For a more robust sound from one of Amazon's smaller speakers, the Echo Dot is your go-to, and one of the brand's best-selling devices. In addition to the full Alexa experience and decent audio specs, this model features a temperature sensor.View Deal

This kid-friendly smart speaker is less than half price even after Cyber Monday, and would make a great Christmas gift. Not only does it look cuter than the regular Dot, it has parental controls and comes with a year of Amazon Kids+ content bundled in.View Deal

Perfect as a bedside table companion, the Echo Spot, with its 2.83-inch touch screen and 1.73-inch front-firing speaker, is Amazon's flagship smart alarm clock. Now at a record-low price, the Echo Spot is one of Amazon's most popular devices at this time of year and serves as a great filler device if you're already in the Echo ecosystem. View Deal

We've seen this model drop as low as £17.99 in years prior, but this low price still slashes 45% off the list price of Amazon's most affordable Echo Speaker. In my review, I noted its retail price was far too lofty for its quality and specs, but at nearly half price, it's a much more attractive offering.View Deal

It's a similar story for the Echo Show 11, which is functionally the same as the Echo Show 8 above but with a larger display well-suited for kitchens and offices where bigger real estate makes for easier viewing even across the room. It's £20 off in this Cyber Monday deal, which is a moderate saving but gets you the latest and greatest from Amazon.View Deal

It's rare the UK gets such a significantly better deal than the US, but here it is: the Echo Show 15 is a whopping £70 off for Cyber Monday, its lowest-ever price, and one of the best deals on Amazon devices I've seen so far. I loved testing mine as a kitchen aid, and while it's not quite as sophisticated-looking as the new Show 8 or 11, the fact that it's wall-mountable and can work in landscape or portrait orientation really sells it for me.View Deal

For the snazziest, newest gadget where money is no object, the Echo Show 8 is £20 off in its first-ever Cyber Monday deal. While we won't have the benefit of Alexa+ in the UK for some time, the redesigned floating display and zippy AZ3 Pro chip might be enough to justify the otherwise moderate savings. It's a solid device, but if the best deal is your primary concern, read on for my recommendations. View Deal

Small but mighty, the 2023 Echo Show 5 still features that slightly chunky wedge shape sported by Echo Shows of yore, but if you can look past that, it's still a very capable smart display. It offers a compact 5.5-inch display and impressive sound for its size. View Deal

Another epic Echo deal still running amid the embers of Cyber Monday. Grabbing the Ring Battery Video Doorbell together with the compact Echo Dot will save you £85 compared to buying the two separately.View Deal

If you'd rather switch the Dot for an Echo Spot, you can grab this bundle for a couple of pounds more. Personally, I'd be tempted to grab the bundle above instead since the Dot is a higher-end speaker, but the choice is yours (and the Spot does come in some cute colours).View Deal

If you're not sure which Echo device is right for you, our guide to the best Alexa speakers and the best smart displays should point you in the right direction. Also take a look at our complete guide to Alexa+ to find out what you should expect from the new AI-powered assistant, including which devices it will (eventually) be available on.

More deals in the US

More deals in the UK

]]> <![CDATA[ Cyber Monday deals are here – save over 50% on this Echo Dot bundle before it disappears for another year ]]> https://www.techradar.com/seasonal-sales/cyber-monday-deals-are-here-save-over-50-percent-on-this-echo-dot-bundle-before-it-disappears-for-another-year EF7fJz2WCDBA7durRDcU7P Mon, 01 Dec 2025 12:00:10 +0000 false false false

The craziness of Black Friday is behind us, but now we have the best Cyber Monday deals to look forward to – and there are tonnes of discounts on the best smart speakers still live on Amazon.

One of our favorite models, the Echo Dot 5th Gen, has been bundled with the Tapo smart bulb at Amazon for £34.99 (was £74.98), saving you a huge 53% this Cyber Monday. At the moment, the Echo Dot 5th Gen will cost you £29.99 on its own, so with that in mind, you'll only be spending an extra £5 on a Tapo smart bulb, which we see as a decent offer.

Today's best Echo Dot bundle Cyber Monday deal

This is your last chance to save over 50% on a bundle that's perfect for kick-starting your first smart home ecosystem. The standalone Echo Dot speaker will set you back £29.99 in Amazon's Cyber Monday sale, so this deal means that you'll only be spending £5 on the Tapo smart bulb. View Deal

The Echo Dot 5th Gen is a small, but powerful smart speaker that, unlike its Echo Pop sibling, is designed to fit into any room in your home, making it a versatile smart speaker. It's also a simple and easy-to-use model that gets the job done, packing all the basic functions we love to see in an Echo speaker.

As well as its flagship room temperature and new tap gestures, we were impressed with its ability to smoothly control other smart home devices be that smart thermostats and lights. If your home is already kitted out with other devices, the Echo Dot will serve as a reliable smart home controller.

Shop more of today's best Cyber Monday sales

]]> <![CDATA[ Amazon's Echo Dot speaker is our favorite Alexa device, and you can save up to 45% this Black Friday ]]> https://www.techradar.com/seasonal-sales/amazons-echo-dot-speaker-is-our-favorite-alexa-device-and-you-can-save-up-to-45-percent-this-black-friday Ai3VH5DCdMyDPm79JQaDuS Wed, 26 Nov 2025 14:21:20 +0000 false false false

We've got our eyes peeled for all the best Black Friday deals, and that includes the best Echo device deals in Amazon's Black Friday sale - but there's one smart speaker in particular that's convincing me to upgrade this shopping season.

Of all the best smart speakers we've tested and reviewed, the Echo Dot 5th Gen has proved to be one of the most popular devices this Black Friday season. On Amazon UK, you can save an impressive 45% and get one now for £29.99 (was £54.99). And US shoppers aren't being left out either, as Amazon US is listing the same speaker for $31.99 (was $49.99) - saving you 36%/ $18.

Today's best Echo Dot 5th Gen Black Friday deal

UK deal: If you want a small smart speaker with adequate audio performance, this is the one to go for, and you can save £25 in Amazon's Black Friday sale. This device fluctuates in price often and, if we look at its history, tends to drop a little lower on Black Friday itself. View Deal

US deal: Shoppers in the US also have the chance to bag a great Black Friday deal on the Echo Dot speaker and save $18. For the past two years, the Echo Dot has reached lower prices by the time Black Friday arrives, so it's likely this could happen again in a few days' time. View Deal

Out of all the Amazon smart home devices we've tested, this Echo Dot comes out on top as the best one for Alexa users. The 5th Gen model is similar to its predecessor, but it packs a temperature sensor and upgraded tap gestures.

In spite of its neat upgrades, it remains simple to use and avoids complications, fitting smoothly into your daily life while offering another means of controlling other devices in your setup, such as the best smart lights. Additionally, it fits perfectly in almost any room in your home.

On the audio front, it offers a satisfactory performance with a decent enough sound quality, but it's definitely a smart speaker first, and an audio system second.

Shop more of today's best Black Friday sales

]]> <![CDATA[ You can save up to 44% on the Echo Spot in Amazon's Black Friday sale – get your new smart alarm clock while you can ]]> https://www.techradar.com/seasonal-sales/you-can-save-up-to-44-percent-on-the-echo-spot-in-amazons-black-friday-sale-get-your-new-smart-alarm-clock-while-you-can BZZEyWWkBdnZQhQqzrRuY6 Tue, 25 Nov 2025 13:29:09 +0000 false false false

Now that Amazon is flooded with its yearly slew of Black Friday deals, we're beyond excited to spot some record-breaking deals across smart home hubs and the best smart speakers.

There's a device suited to every need out there, but if you're looking for a simple, inexpensive model that does the job, the Echo Spot smart alarm does more than just wake you up in the morning - and it's on offer this Black Friday in both the US and UK.

At the moment, you can save a huge 44% (that's £35) on the Echo Spot on Amazon UK's site, which is now £44.99 (was £79.99). As for US shoppers, the Echo Spot is up for grabs for $49.99 (was $79.99), which will save you $30.

Today's best Echo Spot Black Friday deal

Record-low price: Perfect as a bedside table companion, the Echo Spot, with its 2.83-inch touch screen and 1.73-inch front-firing speaker, is Amazon's flagship smart alarm clock. Now at a record-low price, the Echo Spot is one of Amazon's most popular devices at this time of year and serves as a great filler device if you're already in the Echo ecosystem.

Read our full Amazon Echo Spot review View Deal

Record-low price: The Echo Spot is best suited to smaller spaces and makes for a great bedroom speaker. Amazon is giving a generous 38% discount in this year's Black Friday sale, and if we look at its pricing history, hopefully, it will stay at this price throughout December.

Read our full Amazon Echo Spot review View Deal

As mentioned, the Echo Spot isn't a huge smart speaker and doesn't take up much space, meaning that it fits perfectly into the gaps in the smaller rooms of your home. It's a great bedside device, packing the smart alarm functions that other smart speakers lack – so it's a serious contender if you specifically want a smart alarm.

Aside from its smart alarm features, we found that the Echo Spot has adequate audio quality for its size, which excels when playing podcasts and other spoken-word audio. But don't worry, it still has the tools needed to play your favorite tunes from your music streaming platform of choice, but it performs best when the volume isn't cranked up too high.

Shop more of today's best UK Black Friday sales

Shop more of today's best US Black Friday sales

]]> <![CDATA[ The Echo Pop speaker is my favourite smart home gadget, and it's better than half price in Amazon's early Black Friday sales ]]> https://www.techradar.com/seasonal-sales/the-echo-pop-speaker-is-my-favourite-smart-home-gadget-and-its-better-than-half-price-in-amazons-early-black-friday-sales 6jhqFpg4JKHRWvZFC6vSd7 Wed, 19 Nov 2025 11:53:02 +0000 false false false

Early Black Friday deals in the UK have officially kicked off and we've been busy scouring retailers for the best savings across tech, and that includes the best smart speakers. At Amazon, the basic Echo Pop model has already had a huge price drop.

Out of all the retailers taking part in early Black Friday sales, Amazon's early Black Friday deal on the Echo Pop is the best of the bunch which shoppers on both sides of the pond can grab right now. Amazon UK has dropped the Echo Pop's price by a huge 51%, taking it down to £21.99 from £44.99 – a bargain if you ask me.

With Amazon US the discount is slightly lower, but not by a huge margin, and you can get an Echo Pop for $21.99 down from $39.99, saving you 45%.

Today's best Echo Pop Black Friday deal

Usually, the Echo Pop would be a little pricey for its range of features, but not with this early Black Friday deal. While this model has seen cheaper days and could drop a little lower closer Black Friday, it's been almost two years since we've seen it hit a record-low price - so we don't know if this will happen this year. View Deal

Though this US Black Friday deal falls slightly below the one above, you can still save a generous 45% on a simple et effective smart speaker which is perfect for small spaces. View Deal

As someone who uses their Echo Pop speaker daily, I can confirm that it's a reliable smart home device that packs all of the basic features you need to kick-start a smart home setup. If you're not too concerned with having all the advanced bells and whistles with devices such as the Echo Dot 5th Gen, the Echo Pop may be the one for you.

For its size, the Echo Pop packs a decent sound that's enough to fill a small space, making it a great bedroom speaker. Additionally, if your home is already kitted out with other Echo products or smart home devices, the Echo Pop speaker serves as a great connector between them. I've connected my Echo Pop to my smart TV, and now I barely have to reach for the remote.

Shop more of today's best Black Friday sales

]]> <![CDATA[ Could this be the best deal of Black Friday 2025? Get an Amazon Echo Dot and Ring Video Doorbell for just £60 ]]> https://www.techradar.com/seasonal-sales/could-this-be-the-best-deal-of-black-friday-2025-get-an-amazon-echo-dot-and-ring-video-doorbell-for-just-gbp60 8tZdw9A7pghcxMiv5zGhFa Mon, 17 Nov 2025 16:46:39 +0000 false false false

Black Friday is still over a week away, but Amazon has already launched what might just be the smart home tech bargain of the year. Right now, you can get an Amazon Echo Dot smart speaker together with a Ring Battery Video Doorbell for just £59.99 (was £154.99 when bought separately). To put that into context, the Echo Dot is currently selling for £54.99 so you're essentially getting a wireless Ring doorbell for just £5.

The Ring Battery Video Doorbell is super easy to install (just screw its mounting plate onto the wall and clip it in), and with the Echo Dot you can answer the door and chat with callers from anywhere in the house. If you don't yet own any smart home devices, it's the perfect introduction.

• Shop Amazon's full Black Friday sale

You don't need a Ring subscription to use the Ring Battery Video Doorbell's basic functions (such as chatting live with callers) but signing up for the monthly plan will unlock extras like package and person notifications, and cloud storage for your video clips. For more details, take a look at my guide to Ring Home subscriptions – and stick with TechRadar for all of the best Black Friday deals.

(Not in the UK? See today's best deals in your region below)

Today's best Ring Video Doorbell Black Friday deal

Is this the best smart home tech deal this Black Friday? Quite possibly. Grabbing the Ring Battery Video Doorbell together with the compact Echo Dot will save you over £90 compared to buying the two separately.View Deal

Amazon hasn't launched the Echo Dot bundle in the US for Black Friday, but it's currently selling the Ring Battery Video Doorbell for half price, so you can still snag a great deal. This is the cheapest this particular doorbell model has ever been. It's available in both Satin Nickel (shown here) and Venetian Bronze if you prefer a darker look.View Deal

The Amazon Echo Dot isn't just a handy way to answer your doorbell – it's also a great little speaker in its own right, a handy virtual assistant, and a controller for any other smart home devices you pick up in the Black Friday sales. Want to know more? Our guide to the best Alexa skills and commands will give you an insight into how much it can do for you.

More Black Friday smart home tech deals

For serious home security, this pan-and-tilt camera is hard to beat. It comes with internal storage via an SD card, subject-tracking, pre-roll recording, and much more with no additional fees. We found it easy to install too, and Reolink's app is refreshingly simple to use. At half price in Amazon's Black Friday sale, it's even easier to recommend.View Deal

Another superb subscription-free security cam from Reolink, the Argus PT Ultra is under £100 at Amazon right now. It offers 355-degree pan and 140-degree tilt so you can monitor your whole garden with just one cam. Its extra-large capacity battery allows for continuous recording, topped up via its solar panel.View Deal

Amazon has knocked a huge £65 off the more compact TrackMix camera, which pans for 360-degree coverage with no blind spots. Its standout feature is 8x auto zoom, which lets it pinpoint subjects while its auto-tracking follows them with no blurring. A great option for monitoring larger areas.View Deal

Shop more of today's best Black Friday sales

If you're not in the UK, here are today's best deals on the Amazon Echo Dot and Ring Battery Video Doorbell where you are.

]]> <![CDATA[ Google is rolling out an unexpected update for Nest Mini and Audio smart speakers – and it’s all thanks to Gemini ]]> https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-speakers/google-is-rolling-out-an-unexpected-update-for-nest-mini-and-audio-smart-speakers-and-its-all-thanks-to-gemini 3qzjFxyjfUXbwtT7yUkemS Fri, 17 Oct 2025 15:52:39 +0000 Sat, 18 Oct 2025 08:52:26 +0000 false false false
  • A new firmware update has landed for Google Nest and Audio speakers
  • Owners are reporting that their speaker's lights now flash in Gemini's colors
  • The update arrives a week before Gemini for Home's US launch on October 28

Google recently treated us to new Nest smart home devices ahead of the arrival its new Gemini for Home assistant in late October – and now the company has started rolling out firmware updates for its existing Nest Audio and Mini smart speakers.

As 9to5Google reports, Google has rolled out new colored lights colors to the above smart speakers to users in Google’s Preview Program (version 3.77.500695). When you use the command ‘Hey Google’, the four-dot light on your Nest speaker will swiftly flash rainbow colors before displaying its traditional white light – which is reminiscent of Gemini’s branding palette.

It’s a very subtle difference, one which was first spotted in action by a user on X. Google Nest owners on Reddit have also shared a look of the new upgrade (see below), with many commenting that they weren't aware that their speaker could even display colored lights.

Nest Mini changed the Colors of the Dots from r/googlehome

While the update is merely decorative, it shows that Google hasn’t totally forgotten about its existing lineup of smart speakers – in fact, Google has promised to bring Gemini (in some form) to every smart home device it's release in the last decade.

As mentioned, it’s only being rolled out to users with early access, but you can always sign up to Google’s Program Preview if you’re intrigued. It’s not too long before Google rolls out Gemini for Home to its Nest devices publicly on October 28 – but this will be US-only to start with.

What else is coming soon?

With that said, this unexpected upgrade isn’t the only new thing that’s on the way for Google’s smart home speakers.

Along with its new AI-powered Nest doorbells and security cameras, Google is reviving its flagship smart speaker with a new model simply named the Google Home Speaker – dropping the Nest name. It’s not coming out until spring 2026, but Google is already preparing us for its launch.

@techradar

♬ original sound - TechRadar

As well as sporting 360-degree audio, it’ll be Google’s first flagship speaker to pack Gemini’s smarts, where you’ll be able to make use of its extensive capabilities.

Not only will you be able to ask topical questions and control other smart home devices, Gemini for Home promises to offer more natural, conversational-based responses. Gemini for Home is also coming to every Google smart home device, which includes the Nest Audio and Mini.

Though Gemini for Home will come with basic functions, you’ll need a Google Home Premium subscription to take advantage of its more-advanced features, which will cost you $10 / £8 a month or $100 / £80 a year for the Standard tier, and $20/ £16 a month or $200 / £160 a year for the Advanced tier. Australian pricing hasn't yet been confirmed, but Nest Aware costs AU$15 a month / AU$150 a year and Nest Aware Plus will set you back AU$30 a month or AU$300 a year.

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]]> <![CDATA[ Bossing around Alexa is part of my job, and I can tell you for free that these Amazon Echo deals are hard to beat ]]> https://www.techradar.com/seasonal-sales/bossing-around-alexa-is-part-of-my-job-and-i-can-tell-you-for-free-that-these-amazon-echo-deals-are-hard-to-beat YZzyCH3rChY6L6oHzFHHJm Tue, 07 Oct 2025 13:43:41 +0000 Wed, 08 Oct 2025 18:26:51 +0000 false false false

Amazon's own sales are a fantastic opportunity to save on some of the best smart speakers around, and I've tested almost all of them to help you choose. For example, right now you can score deals in both the US and UK, like the Amazon Echo Spot, now $44.99 (was $79.99) or for £44.99 (was £79.99).

• See all of today's best Amazon deals

It's an interesting year for Amazon Echo deals, however. There's the usual retinue of discounted devices, but it's quite hard to find them in the UK, with a litany of Echo bundle deals dominating deals pages. That's great, though, if you want to snag a few extra smart home gadgets. Below, I've listed all the best deals on Echo devices with their biggest pros and cons to shop for Amazon Prime Day.

Amazon Prime Day Echo deals in the US

For a great all-rounder, look no further than the Echo Dot, just $3 higher than its lowest-ever price. I love Amazon's best-selling smart speaker for its decent audio experience, temperature sensor and, of course, great Alexa performance. View Deal

Also $3 more than its lowest-ever price, we've got one of Amazon's budget-friendly small smart speakers, the Echo Pop for just $24.99. For that money, you're getting a compact smart speaker with Alexa built in, so you can play music, ask questions, and check the weather completely hands-free.View Deal

The Echo Spot is a personal favorite, pairing a 2.83-inch touch screen with a 1.73-inch front-firing speaker for the ultimate smart alarm clock. At list price, there's room for improvement where value is concerned, but for Big Deals Day it returns to its record-low price, making it a must-have. View Deal

Amazon's best-selling Echo Show 5 is on sale for only $54.99 in today's sale, the lowest price we've seen all year and most of 2024. The 2023 Echo Show 5 features a compact 5.5-inch display but packs impressive sound with deeper bass and clearer vocals. With Amazon Alexa, you can listen to podcasts, movies, music, and more. The Kids edition is also on sale for $54.99 (was $99.99).View Deal

If you want some more screen real estate for streaming, photos and more, Amazon has the latest Echo Show 8 on sale for $99.99; another low price we've not seen for over a year. With Alexa on board, this screen is great for hands-free action in any room, and it's also eligible for the Alexa+ Early Access program. View Deal

Amazon Prime Day Echo deals in the UK

For the low price of £22.99, you can snag the most affordable Echo device, the Echo Pop. I found it was fun, if somewhat basic, in my Echo Pop review; it's a compact smart speaker with Alexa built in, so you can play music, ask questions, and check the weather hands-free. It has fallen to £17.99 in the past for Prime members, which I'd still argue is the most you should pay; but with its sale price progressively creeping up, you might want to act fast to save some £££s. View Deal

Amazon's best-selling Echo Dot is just shy of £30 for Prime Day – a decent deal, though I've seen it drop to a record-low of £21.99. Nevertheless, the Echo Dot offers a decent audio experience, plus a new temperature sensor. Of course, there's also ample Alexa assistance on-board too, making for a well-rounded smart speaker. View Deal

With £35 off the list price for Prime Day, the Echo Spot is back to its record-low price, making it the deal of the day. With a neat display and wake-up alerts, this compact smart speaker can play music, check the weather, and control other smart devices throughout your home all from your bedside table. View Deal

For a smaller smart home display, look no further than the latest generation Echo Show 5, now on sale for £49.99. That's only £5 more than the record low, so it's a decent deal on a neat little screen that can hep around the home. It's packed with features and includes the Amazon Alexa assistant for easy voice controls to get alerts, weather updates, play music, watch videos, and more.View Deal

For a slightly larger smart home display, there's the latest Echo Show 8, now on sale for £89.99 – that's a return to its record-low price. With an eight-inch display for making calls, watching movies, checking the weather, and controlling compatible smart home devices completely hands-free thanks to Alexa compatibility, this speaker also offers room-filling spatial audio; score! View Deal

For US customers, there's one further very important consideration before you shop Amazon Prime Day Echo deals: Alexa+. Amazon's new subscription tier for an enhanced Alexa experience is currently in Early Access, so it's no guarantee you'll get it anyway, but if you want your chance, you'll need to have an Echo Show 8, 10, 15 or 21 in your home.

It's a great shame Amazon's newest smart speakers; the Echo Dot Max, Echo Studio, Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 11, weren't included in this year's roster of deals. Amazon did offer splashy launch deals on the Echo Pop and Echo Show, but with these new models offering a level up in hardware, it seems fair.

]]> <![CDATA[ Amazon’s Echo Pop is a massive $15 / £22 off this Prime Day – it’s time I finally upgraded my 9-year-old Echo Dot ]]> https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-speakers/amazons-echo-pop-is-a-massive-usd15-gbp22-off-this-prime-day-its-time-i-finally-upgraded-my-9-year-old-echo-dot vybjzRTJjpnLxvxpTk9AzF Mon, 06 Oct 2025 16:35:47 +0000 Tue, 07 Oct 2025 20:28:22 +0000 false false false

I first bought my trusty Echo Dot nearly a decade ago and, while it's still going strong, I'm finally ready to admit I might be overdue an upgrade. While the offer of better sound and smarter features is certainly tempting, what's pushed me over the edge is discovering you can currently buy the Amazon Echo Pop for $24.99 (was $39.99) at Amazon US.

• Check out Amazon's full sale

That's a truly cracking Amazon Prime Day deal. But if you're based in the UK, there's no reason to feel left out: the Echo Pop is reduced there too, going for £22.99 (was £44.99) at Amazon UK. Either way, you'll be getting a great price, making this one of the cheapest smart speakers on the market.

Today's best Amazon Echo Pop Prime Day deals

The cheapest device in Amazon's smart speaker lineup, the Echo Pop is a pocket-sized smart home hub that packs plenty of style and offers talented voice control. And with this solid $15 discount, it's even more affordable.View Deal

As well as using the Echo Pop to play tunes from music services like Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music and Deezer, you can also use it to control your smart home devices, set timers, make calls and so much more. And thanks to this sizable £22 discount, you can now get it nearly half price. Bargain.View Deal

As an Echo early adopter, I rushed out and bought an Echo Dot pretty much as soon as they were available. Unfortunately, as a complacent gadget owner, I've taken a very leisurely attitude to upgrading since then, meaning that I've had my smallest smart speaker for nine years now. Which is pretty ridiculous, given I've owned four different iPhones during that time.

So, begrudgingly, even I would admit it might be time to upgrade. In our Amazon Echo Pop review, we commended the small-scale smart speaker for its fun looks and responsive Alexa voice control, making it a decent option for me to replace my Dot with. And while we criticized it at the time for not being sufficiently cheap compared to the Dot, this discount completely obliterates that criticism, making it a decent value option.

There's also one extra benefit to this super-low price – you can buy multiple units and hook them up to form one of the cheapest multi-room speaker systems I've ever seen. OK, if you really care about audio quality, you might want to spend more than the price of a family-sized pizza on each speaker. But if your biggest priority is getting synchronized sound into every room in your house, this is almost certainly the cheapest way for you to achieve it.

More Prime Day Amazon Echo Pop deals

]]> <![CDATA[ The new Google Home Speaker comes in some fun color options in the US, but elsewhere it's gray all the way ]]> https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-home/the-new-google-home-speaker-comes-in-some-fun-color-options-in-the-us-but-elsewhere-its-gray-all-the-way yKB4gfDDasYYmnx9Jy67TA Thu, 02 Oct 2025 10:53:53 +0000 false false false

Yesterday, Google unveiled a whole set of new smart home devices: a smart speaker, indoor and outdoor security cameras, and a video doorbell. I was particularly intrigued by the new Google Home Speaker, especially when my colleague Jacob Krol snapped pictures of it in fun shades of green (Jade) and red (Berry). As you can see from my coffee machine reviews, my home décor is not subtle, and these would fit right in. If anything, I'd like a turquoise one as well.

Sadly, though, it's not to be. Loading up Google's UK store, I found that on this side of the pond, the Home Speaker only comes in two shades: light gray (Porcelain) and darker gray (Hazel). That's it.

It's the same story for the third-generation Nest Cam. If you live in the US, you can take your pick from Snow, Hazel, or Berry. If you're in Europe, it's white or nothing. Some Google fans have questioned why anyone would want a red camera but, if you're as free and easy with a paintbrush as I am, it makes perfect sense.

Google Nest Doorbell Wired 3rd Gen

The new Nest Doorbell with Gemini looks slick, but it'll only be watching over homes in the US and Canada (Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

Then there's the new AI-enhanced Nest Doorbell, which would fit right into my smart home system and uses Gemini to give detailed descriptions of what's happening outside your home – but only in North America. Although that might change at a future date, the new Nest Doorbell is currently only available in the US and Canada, and there seem to be no plans to release it elsewhere.

If you're in Australia, things are even sadder. The official Aussie store has none of the new devices available to order at all.

No fun allowed

It's not the first time Google has given its non-American customers short shrift. Earlier this year, the company announced that it would soon be ending support for its older smart thermostats and not selling any new models in Europe. If you had your eye on the slim and shiny Nest Learning Thermosta4 (4th Gen), I'm sorry to say you've been left out in the cold.

"Heating systems in Europe are unique and have a variety of hardware and software requirements that make it challenging to build for the diverse set of homes," said the statement from Google. It's clearly not impossible, though – the company has just chosen to invest its efforts elsewhere (literally).

Hopefully, Google will launch a battery version of the doorbell globally next year, but I'm not going to hold my breath. When it comes to the Google Home Speaker, then, I'll just have to tolerate two shades of gray.

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]]> <![CDATA[ The Echo Dot Max is the Alexa+ speaker I’ve always dreamed of – but these 3 features would make it even better ]]> https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-speakers/the-echo-dot-max-is-the-alexa-speaker-ive-always-dreamed-of-but-these-3-features-would-make-it-even-better mEvbHucScehxBhbLKDcrtF Wed, 01 Oct 2025 22:00:00 +0000 false false false

When Amazon announced Alexa+, I was rather impressed with the demonstrations and immediately wanted a new flagship speaker to go with it. Seven months later, Amazon unveiled its new line of Alexa+ Echo speakers – the Echo Dot Max and Echo Studio – and I was over the moon.

The new line of Echo smart speakers is Amazon’s most powerful yet, and not just because of its Alexa+ smarts. Its remodeled sound system packs 360-degree spatial audio with a bass boost (3x compared to the Echo Dot 5th Gen) and introduces support for Dolby Atmos, which was one of my biggest hopes for the next era of Echo speakers.

So far, I really like what I see with the Echo Dot Max - even its resemblance to the Death Star is rather quirky. Despite this, there are three additional features I initially hoped for but didn’t make the cut – which I believe could make the Echo Dot Max an unstoppable force in Amazon’s smart speaker lineup.

1. Ambient lighting to set the mood

Symfonisk Table Lamp speaker

The Sonos IKEA Symfonisk lamp doubles as a smart speaker (Image credit: IKEA)

When Alexa+ was announced, I hoped that the next Echo speaker would also serve as a lamp, offering ambient settings with adjustable brightness, warmth, and color. Alas, this is missing from the Echo Dot Max.

I’m always seeing content on social media of apartments kitted out with the best smart lights, which can really help bring a room together (like the Sonos IKEA Symfonisk lamp), so there’s definitely demand there for Amazon to capitalize on. It would also be great to have custom time settings to make waking up in the morning feel less jarring.

Though it would’ve been amazing to see this come to the Echo Dot Max, it does leave room for Amazon to add ambient lighting to future devices.

2. A small smart screen/ mini display

Amazon Echo Spot on a nightstand

The Echo Spot has a handy mini display, but it's more of a smart alarm (Image credit: Amazon)

Yes, Amazon has the new and improved Echo Show smart displays for this, but the company could easily bring a small smart screen to its smaller Echo devices – it’s done it before.

Amazon introduced a mini display to the Echo Spot, though it’s more of a smart alarm rather than a smart speaker. But not only does it display the time of day, weather, and temperature, it also packs a music visualizer displaying the song that you’re currently listening to.

3. Colors! Colors! Colors!

Google Home Speaker

The new Google Home Speaker is available in the shades Porcelain, Hazel, Berry and Jade (pictured) (Image credit: Jacob Krol/Future)

Another one of my biggest wishes for the new era of Echo speakers was a more adventurous color range. Neutral colors that adapt to all kinds of interior styles are a great way to ensure that there’s an option for every consumer, but some of us are a little more maximalist and quirky.

While I appreciate Amazon’s previous attempts at experimenting with color (see the Echo Pop) and its loyalty to branding, I think it’s about time it offers something different on the color front, especially with its new Alexa+ smart speakers – it should definitely take note of the new Google Home Speaker.

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]]> <![CDATA[ Google Home Speaker vs Amazon Echo Dot Max – here’s how the two big smart speaker rivals compare ]]> https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-speakers/google-home-speaker-vs-amazon-echo-dot-max-heres-how-the-two-big-smart-speaker-rivals-compare iCcZT4vNu4bYTQMVMh4EWK Wed, 01 Oct 2025 14:00:00 +0000 false false false

Hot on the heels of Amazon’s Echo Dot Max and Echo Studio announcement, Google has just unveiled its own new smart speaker revamp marking the first one since the Nest Audio in 2020. Say hello to the new Google Home Speaker.

Not only is the Google Home Speaker the company’s first audio device in half a decade, it’s the first one built to accommodate the AI capabilities of Google Gemini. Google has ‘designed [the speaker] from the ground up to be the ultimate audio experience for Gemini in the home’.

Similarly, Amazon’s new Echo Dot Max and Echo Studio speakers are built for the advanced Alexa+ voice assistant, which was announced earlier this year – but is currently US-only. As well as new AI smarts, both Amazon and Google devices pack other benefits, including a revised sound system – but how do they compare overall?

Google Home Speaker

(Image credit: Jacob Krol/Future)

Google Home Speaker vs Echo Dot Max & Echo Studio

First, let’s talk price and availability. The Echo Dot Max ($99.99 / £99.99 / AU$199) and Echo Studio ($219.99 / £219.99 / AU$429) speakers are available to preorder now for an October 29 release. The Google Home Speaker matches the Echo Dot Max at $99/ £99.99 (AU prices pending), but won’t be available until spring 2026. However, Google has given a reason for the delay, stating 'the timeline for this new speaker is intentional.

'Our top priority is rolling out Gemini for Home in early access to the tens of millions of speakers and smart displays already in your homes’, Google shared in its announcement.

Then there’s the matter of AI smarts. In the case of the Echo Dot Max and Echo Studio, both will come equipped with Alexa+ while the Google Home Speaker will accommodate Gemini for Home, but a subscription is required for both.

Amazon Echo Dot Max Hands On

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

As mentioned, Alexa+ is US-only at the moment and will set you back $19.99 a month. It’s indeed pricey, unless you’re a Prime member in which case Alexa+ is included with your $14.99/ month subscription.

Though you can use Gemini for Home with the new Google Home Speaker to tackle every day tasks, you’ll need a Google Home Premium subscription to take advantage of advanced features such as Gemini Live. There are two different tiers; Standard ($10/ £8 a month or $100/ $80 a year) and Advanced ($20/ $16 a month or $200/ £160 a year).

The two new devices also draw comparisons with its 3D-knitted exterior and upgraded sound system, both adopting a 360 degree spatial audio approach. The new Echo speakers pack a 3x bass upgrade from the previous model and Dolby Atmos support – the latter which the Google Home Speaker doesn't have.

That aside, both Google and Amazon are doubling down on their home theater improvements. You can connect up to five Echo Max Dot or Echo Studio devices with compatible Fire TV sticks to create a complete surround sound system, and can hook the Google Home Speaker up to a Google TV Streamer, although you can only pair two.

Google Home Speaker

(Image credit: Jacob Krol/Future)

Early verdict

At the moment it’s difficult to come to a solid conclusion as to whether Amazon or Google will come out on top given the scarcity of the Google Home Speaker’s specs.

However, for me, the new Echo speakers have the upper hand. That’s not to say the Google Home Speaker won’t deliver, but we'll have to wait until it's in our homes to find out more.

Amazon Echo Dot Max Hands On

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

When it comes to AI smarts, the Echo Dot Max and Echo Studio are the better deal money-wise, as Alexa+ is included with a Prime membership – which a large majority of Amazon customers are already signed up to. Instead of paying just shy of $20 a month, Prime members will get access to Alexa+ features included in their $14.99 month subscription, saving you a bit of cash.

I imagine that this will be the main factor that customers will consider before purchasing, as both speakers are quite similar on the spatial audio front, but I’m not ruling either one out until I have the opportunity to explore them in depth.

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]]> <![CDATA[ The Google Home Speaker brings Gemini into a compact design with plenty of color – but you’ll be waiting ]]> https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-speakers/the-google-home-speaker-brings-gemini-into-a-compact-design-with-plenty-of-color-but-youll-be-waiting XZnPJiLabEcNQUbA5Mu4oF Wed, 01 Oct 2025 13:00:00 +0000 Wed, 01 Oct 2025 13:04:31 +0000 false false false

Just a day after Amazon rolled out two new smart speakers – the Echo Studio and Echo Dot Max – Google has also launched a new speaker for the home, alongside a complete rethinking, redesign, and re-architecting of the Google Home app and ecosystem.

Furthermore, it is the very same one we saw teased during the Made by Google event in August, where the Pixel 10 family was launched. The aptly-named Google Home Speaker is Google’s new flagship, designed with Gemini onboard and built to deliver robust audio from a compact, pint-sized build.

It’s priced at $99 in the United States – we’re still waiting on UK and Australia pricing – but it’s not launching today alongside the rollout of the new Google Home. It won’t even arrive in the coming days or weeks; instead, it’s set for a Spring 2026 release (so sometime between March and May).

It’s not all bad news, though. On paper and in a brief first look, the hardware does impress. Google is also being intentional with the timing of the Google Home Speaker launch, something the company highlighted in its announcement post and reiterated to TechRadar.

Google Home Speaker

(Image credit: Jacob Krol/Future)

Given the massive overhaul of the Google Home app and backend, the tech giant’s approach is to focus on ensuring that the transition goes smoothly, solves potential issues, and runs well on existing hardware.

Importantly, Google Home infused with Gemini will support the original Google Home from 2016 and the Nest Hub from 2018. While it won’t offer the full Gemini Live experience, it will include a large portion of the features. Google specifically noted: “The timeline for this new speaker is intentional. Our top priority is rolling out Gemini for Home in early access to the tens of millions of speakers and smart displays already in your homes.”

Even so, with this speaker first teased in August and Google not releasing a dedicated smart speaker since 2020’s Nest Audio, expectations for the Google Home Speaker are high. With the release still months away, Google isn’t releasing full specs yet, but here’s what’s known and what I gleaned from a few minutes with an early unit.

It’s much more compact than the original Google Home and the Nest Audio, landing about on par with an Echo Dot or an Apple HomePod Mini – maybe the size of two Google Home Minis stacked together. Just like the new Echos or a HomePod Mini, Google is opting for a softer outer shell, in this case a woven yarn mesh available in four shades: Porcelain, Hazel, Jade, and Berry.

Google Home Speaker

(Image credit: Jacob Krol/Future)

The last two especially stood out to me, particularly the warm, vibrant red named Berry – a perfect option that would have been great for the holiday season.

The ring light now sits at the bottom, integrated into the bezel between the rubber base and the woven mesh. It glows blue when Gemini is speaking or red when the microphone is muted. Controls for play/pause and volume are built into the top.

Google Home Speaker

(Image credit: Jacob Krol/Future)

The design looks clean, and under the hood is a speaker setup that delivers omnidirectional audio with full 360-degree coverage.

I heard some brief snippets of music in a large conference room with a lot of empty space – and in the moment, the Google Home Speaker sounded solid, producing a surprising amount of volume without sacrificing clarity. Still, it’s likely the hardware isn’t final yet.

As with a HomePod Mini or nearly any Echo, you can group multiple Google Home Speakers or pair them in stereo, even using them with the Google TV Streamer to easily upgrade your TV’s audio.

Google Home Speaker

(Image credit: Jacob Krol/Future)

Naturally, you can also ask Gemini for everything from topical questions to smart home controls. In both demos and Google’s promises, it’s a much more nuanced, human-like experience that supports casual conversation.

For instance, you might say, “You’re making cookies but are out of vanilla,” and it will understand the context, or you might request that lights turn on and off a few times while you’re out.

That’s the promise Google wants to test thoroughly on existing Google Home devices before bringing the new speaker to market. It’s possible the company may tweak the hardware – especially the internals – before launch, particularly to compete with other new smart speakers. By next Spring, there will likely be fresh competitors.

For now, though, the Google Home Speaker is set to arrive in Spring 2026 for $99.99 in Porcelain, Hazel, Jade, or Berry.

@techradar

♬ original sound - TechRadar
]]> <![CDATA[ I heard the Amazon Echo Dot Max and instantly forgot the original Dot ever existed ]]> https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-speakers/i-heard-the-amazon-echo-dot-max-and-instantly-forgot-the-original-dot-ever-existed rNj5ZztYLfu9peGy6oGiMM Tue, 30 Sep 2025 20:00:00 +0000 Tue, 30 Sep 2025 23:06:43 +0000 false false false

You know that feeling you get when, after a long flight, your ears pop, clear, and you can hear again? Right, it's like the world opens up to you. I had that feeling, however fleetingly, when listening to the new Amazon Echo Dot Max for the first time.

It was just minutes after Amazon concluded its massive device rollout on September 30, 2025, where the company unveiled new Echo Shows, Kindle Scribes, and Echo Smart Speakers. I was ushered into a small room filled with the new Amazon Echos (including the redesigned Studio), where I could finally hear Amazon's new audio wares away from the thrum of people and noise in the large demo room.

To understand what I was about to hear, you need to know more about this new smart speaker. The new Amazon Echo Dot Max is not just an audio update; it's a complete redesign. Sure, the body is still round, but the Amazon Alexa ring of lights has moved from the base to a carve-out on the face and surrounds the "stop listening" and volume controls. There's also a new seamless mesh body.

Inside, however, is an all-new sound system that includes one high excursion woofer and a custom tweeter. This is one fewer tweeter than the fourth-gen Echo, but one more than the Echo Dot. Amazon's audio engineers worked near magic to open up the aural space of the Dot Max so that every bit of air inside the chassis serves the sound output.

Amazon Echo Dot Max Hands On
Lance Ulanoff / Future
Amazon Echo Dot Max Hands On
Lance Ulanoff / Future
Amazon Echo Dot Max Hands On
Lance Ulanoff / Future

Listen up

Back to my aural experience.

"Now here you go again

You say you want your freedom,"

called out Stevie Nicks' instantly recognizable voice from the previous generation Echo Dot. It sounded fine.

A second later, the Amazon exec switched to the Amazon Echo Dot Max.

"Pop!'

Yes, it was like my ears cleared, and I heard the Fleetwood Mac song anew.

"Like a heartbeat drives you mad
In the stillness of remembering what you had"

sang Stevie Nicks, and it was impressive. Full of far more bass than a speaker of that size has a right to have, and the clarity at the highs was sharp and pin clear.

Impressive for a $99 speaker.

Amazon Echo Dot Max Hands On

(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)

The Amazon exec switched to the Echo Studio, and if you read my colleague Jake Krol's hands-on, you know it sounds room-filling and impressive in the way only a speaker of that size and design possibly could.

There are, by the way, many Echo Dot Max features I did not get to try, like its out-of-the-box Alexa+ capabilities, which are assisted by a far-field microphone system. There's also the new AZ3 processor (the studio gets the AZ3 Pro)that will assist with edge-case AI tasks (one that might not need larger models, like basic discussion cues)

Yes, this new speaker is double the price of the Echo Dot (which is not going anywhere), but you're paying for the new design, Alexa+ readiness, and, of course, that surprising level of sound quality. Plus, if you invest in up to five of them, you can quickly build a decent home theater surround sound system.

Amazon told us the speakers will be using the new Omnisence technology to read room acoustics and properly adjust the speakers for full Dolby surround sound as well.

For the moment, I'm impressed with the sound, but there is so much more to test on the Amazon Echo Dot Max. Stay tuned for our full review.

The Amazon Echo Dot Max, $99.99 / £99.99 / AU$199 is on preorder now and ships October 29.

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]]> <![CDATA[ Amazon’s new Echo Studio looks way better — and from my first listen, it still brings the oomph ]]> https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-speakers/amazons-new-echo-studio-looks-way-better-and-from-my-first-listen-it-still-brings-the-oomph SyehR64uzZRars6t6iAJER Tue, 30 Sep 2025 19:30:00 +0000 Tue, 30 Sep 2025 19:49:13 +0000 false false false

You could say it was only a matter of time until we got new Echo speakers to match the major revamp that is Alexa+, and Amazon finally delivered just that. Unveiled at Amazon’s singular, major hardware event on September 30, 2025, in New York City, Panos Panay – the devices chief – showed the new Echo lineup.

Yes, the current Echo Dot is sticking around, but symbolically replacing the full-sized Echo is the Echo Dot Max, and a new Echo Studio brings the oomph. The latter retails for $219.99 / £219.99 / AU$429 and immediately piqued my interest, then shortly after, my ears were treated to a demo.

Amazon completely redesigned the Echo Studio – gone is a rounded, plump cylinder-stump first-generation studio, and in is a much more modern orb that takes its design cues from the also brand-new Echo Dot Max and even from the orb, melon-sized 4th Gen Echo speaker.

The Echo Studio is a gray orb with a woven mesh outer – Panos says no seams will be found – that features a concave cutout for the power and volume controls and a flat bottom so that it doesn't roll off the table.

Amazon Echo Studio hands on
Lance Ulanoff / Future
Amazon Echo Studio hands on
Lance Ulanoff / Future
Amazon Echo Studio hands on
Lance Ulanoff / Future

Surrounding that control panel impression is the now-iconic Alexa ring of LEDs. It can glow blue when it’s listening, red when the microphones are muted, and green if you have a notification (the latter color only enhances its slightly Death Star-like looks).

It’s a very modern-looking speaker that looks strikingly different from, say, a Sonos Era 100, but is more in line with a HomePod if it were tilted or even the forthcoming rumored next-gen speaker from Google. The Echo Studio is distinctly an Echo and, unlike the former, it’s now one that can happily sit on a table, shelf, or in a stereo pair – or up to a group of five – on a home entertainment cabinet.

Beyond its good looks – which I think the Echo Studio excels at from a first glance – it also sounds remarkably good. In a demo shortly after the keynote wrapped, I was taken into a room filled with new Echos as well as a Fire TV.

While Amazon didn’t opt to spin a track from Electric Nebraska or Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen, we did hear Dreams by Fleetwood Mac – first on the regular Echo Dot, which didn’t offer much in the area of sonic clarity or room-filling sound. Still, it laid the sonic groundwork for the Echo Dot Max to provide better separation of flowing higher-frequency vocals above the lower-end, which in turn led us to the far more powerful Echo Studio.

@techradar

♬ original sound - TechRadar

Amazon’s $219.99 smart speaker not only got pretty loud in a packed demo room, but also offered excellent separation and clarity of elements within a given track in a quick demo. The vocals especially sounded great, and there was indeed an oomph on the downbeat via the built-in woofer.

Amazon then lit up five Echo Studios – two in the rear and three facing me in the front – to play Thriller by Michael Jackson, and this showed off the spatial audio chops, with creaks in the back and footsteps in the front, and then being quite literally surrounded by the track.

Now, this setup would be well over $1,000, so I’m not sure how common it will be, but from a first listen, a single Echo Studio doesn’t disappoint in the audio department.

That’s largely thanks to the technology under the hood – three full-range drivers and a single high-excursion woofer all work in unison and are controlled by Amazon’s new high-end chip, this AZ3 Pro. This controls the audio experience and can fine-tune it for the room based on what the far-field microphones are hearing, as well as onboard algorithms.

And that about sums up my first impressions of the Echo Studio. While it is 40% smaller than the original, I believe it still packs a strong punch with sound, especially at the lower end of the spectrum or when grouped with others. I especially like the new design here, which I think will make it a much more appealing smart speaker option for the masses.

We’ll be back soon enough with our complete thoughts after we’ve had time to put the Echo Studio through its paces. However, if you’re sold, the Echo Studio is now available for preorder at $219.99 / £219.99 / AU$429 and will begin shipping on October 29, 2025. And it’ll be eligible for Alexa+ right out of the box.

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]]> <![CDATA[ Amazon just unveiled 4 new AI-powered, Echo speakers – here's the full lineup and how much they cost ]]> https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-speakers/amazon-just-unveiled-4-new-ai-powered-echo-speakers-heres-the-full-lineup-and-how-much-they-cost y6fQxE5bxPBRCwqpxJ8zxP Tue, 30 Sep 2025 16:04:36 +0000 Tue, 30 Sep 2025 16:08:21 +0000 false false false
  • Amazon has four new Echo speakers for your consideration
  • They are the Echo Studio, the Echo Dot Max, and two Echo Shows
  • All of these speakers come with Alexa+ out of the box

Having announced the upgraded Alexa+ AI assistant earlier this year, Amazon has now revealed four shiny new Echo speakers to take advantage of it: the Echo Dot Max, the Echo Show (in 8-inch and 11-inch sizes), and the Echo Studio.

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All four of these models are upgrades on existing speakers, with faster processors, more memory, and advanced sensing capabilities intended to deliver "ambient AI experiences that fade into the background of daily life" – think reminders that you hear when you walk into a room, for example.

First up, the Echo Dot Max, a new take on the 5th-gen Echo Dot that brings with it a new design, 3x the bass power, two internal speakers, plus all the internal upgrades. It's yours for $99.99 / £99.99 / AU$199.

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Then we have the new $219.99 / £219.99 / AU$429 Echo Studio, replacing the old Echo Studio. It's 40% smaller, looks a lot like the Echo Dot Max, and includes a high-excursion woofer and three full-range drivers. Spatial audio and Dolby Atmos are supported, and like its predecessor, it's one for the audiophiles out there.

As an added bonus, Amazon says you can easily set up a maximum of five Echo Studio and Echo Dot Max devices as a surround sound system for your Fire TV. This was possible with the existing hardware, but the limit was a 2.1 channel system. Preorders are open now, with availability on October 29.

Show me the speakers

Next there are the two new Echo Show models, with 8-inch and 11-inch screens. The design has been revamped from the older versions, and they now have a more modern look and improved touchscreens.

There's a 13-megapixel camera that can recognize you, and personalize the information (like calendar schedules) shown on screen. With two front-facing speakers and a custom woofer, Amazon promises superior sound from these units as well.

The on-board software has been reconfigured too, to surface more information and information that's more relevant – across entertainment, shopping, and the smart home. You can also now connect your Oura account to get health and wellness data up on your Echo Show screen, with more partners to come.

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These two speakers are available from November 12, though you can preorder them now. The 8-inch model costs $179.99 / £179.99 / AU$349, while the 11-inch model – actually a new screen size for the series – is $219.99 / £219.99 / AU$429.

All of these new products come with Alexa+ out of the box, Amazon says, which means you get the smarter, more conversational, more natural AI assistant at your disposal – something more like Google Gemini rather than Google Assistant.

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]]> <![CDATA[ 4 ways my Amazon Echo Dot makes my day easier – from waking up to winding down ]]> https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-speakers/4-ways-my-amazon-echo-dot-makes-my-day-easier-from-waking-up-to-winding-down AULJG9jLSAmqY5FiaZy27E Thu, 18 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000 Thu, 18 Sep 2025 12:00:11 +0000 false false false

I’ve had Amazon smart speakers for years, starting off with one of the little puck–shaped ones back in the 2010s. But I must admit, it took me an awfully long time to use it for much more than asking for the weather, a radio broadcast, or a bad joke.

In more recent years, especially since upgrading to the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen), working from home more, and becoming very familiar with some of the best smart home tech and the best smart lights, in particular, I don’t go a day without saying the magic word.

I’ve grown to really appreciate how helpful my Echo Dot can be in different scenarios and the time it saves me. Utilizing the features available helps me in some unexpected ways, from waking up in the morning to answering queries without disrupting my flow as I work, each thing making my day a little more efficient.

Below, I’ve listed my favorite features and the ways I use them to make my day a little easier. If you’re considering jumping on the bandwagon, I recommend checking out our pick of the best Amazon smart speakers for some inspiration.

1. Rise and shine

I sometimes have trouble waking up to my alarms in the morning, finding that I sleep straight through my usual phone alarms. I found I had the same problem with the alarm on my Echo Dot, too, until I happened upon a particularly helpful feature – turns out, there’s a setting that gradually increases the volume of the alarm over time.

This is a great feature for two reasons: firstly, it can prove a little gentler for light sleepers, as it starts quietly and slowly builds, so it’s less of a shock to the system. Secondly, and most crucially for me, the volume can be adjusted in the settings to get pretty loud, meaning it’s more likely to rouse me.

A closer view of the top of the Echo Dot.

(Image credit: Cesci Angell / Future)

I’ve found it really helpful that my alarms can be set to trigger wake-up lighting with my smart lights, too, which is particularly nice in the darker winter months. I also have it set to recite the day’s weather after dismissing it, so I know what to expect and can plan my outfit accordingly.

2. Don't forget

I’ve found I get so much more done in a day when I have a timer on the go. I’m a naturally forgetful person, and chores like my washing rarely get done efficiently if I don’t set a timer to remind me.

I put a timer on every time I put a load in, so I get an audible reminder when it’s finished. And I happen to be in the middle of something, I simply ask Alexa to remind me in a set amount of time, to ensure I don’t forget about it.

A close-up of the controls from the back of the Echo Dot.

(Image credit: Cesci Angell / Future)

Reminders are also fantastic for reminding me of birthdays, to make an appointment, or reply to correspondence within a deadline, which are things likely to get lost in the abyss if I don’t get prompted. So, while this is quite a simple tactic, it’s honestly been a game changer for my daily routines.

3. Staying in the groove

This tip may not prove helpful for everyone, but it’s been a big help to me whenever I’m working from home.

I often need to convert currencies and units of measure when writing articles, but opening a new tab and looking these things up can disrupt my flow. Instead, I’ve started asking Alexa for these conversions, so I can carry on typing and simply pop back and fill in the answer.

The Echo Dot is pictured in front of an iPad and MacBook on a desktop.

(Image credit: Cesci Angell / Future)

Utilizing my Echo Dot in this way has also made it quick and easy to check what time it is in different time zones, so I can ensure I’m messaging colleagues or contacts in other countries at the most efficient time.

4. Winding down

My Echo Dot is also an asset when the day is drawing to a close, and I want to settle down and relax. I like that I can ask Alexa to continue my latest audiobook, or to play something from my Spotify account as I get ready for bed, or when I’m settling down.

The routines on the Alexa app mean I don’t need to think about my lighting, as I can automate it to turn my smart lights on at set times, with a brightness level and color of my choosing, and can set them to power off at set times, too.

The Echo Dot is pictured next to a filament bulb that's lit up in a warm white colour.

(Image credit: Cesci Angell / Future)

I don’t make much use of the latter, though, to be honest, as my bedtime is often sporadic. Instead, I tend to ask Alexa to turn off all the lights as I settle down into bed, ready to be awoken reliably in the morning, with gentle lighting and a weather forecast, helping me to get up and face the day.

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]]> <![CDATA[ New Echos and Kindles are coming tomorrow – 5 things to expect from Amazon's big 2025 hardware launch ]]> https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-speakers/amazon-teases-major-hardware-launch-here-are-5-things-to-expect-from-new-echos-to-kindles orjJLZYXSCS4N4Z34w6ZnD Mon, 15 Sep 2025 18:42:59 +0000 Tue, 30 Sep 2025 14:18:17 +0000 false false false
  • Amazon has sent out invites for a big new hardware launch
  • It's taking place on September 30 in New York, USA
  • The teaser suggests we'll see new Echo speakers, Kindles and more

Amazon has announced its own Apple-style event for September 30, where we'll likely see it launch new Echo smart speakers, Echo Bud earphones, a new Kindle and more.

The launch will take place at 10am ET / 3pm BST on September 30 in New York City, which works out as 12am on October 1 in Australia. Fortunately, the invitation (below) has given us some good pointers on the new products we'll likely see revealed.

Amazon's last big consumer event was for its new Alexa+ subscription service on February 26 and this September launch will likely give us several new bits of hardware that will all play nice with its revamped voice assistant.

So what exactly does Amazon have in store? We've run our magnifying glass over the invite above to give you our best guesses below.

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Amazon's invite dissected – what to expect

An Amazon teaser showing new Echo and Kindle devices

(Image credit: Amazon)

Amazon's invite for its annual Devices & Services event (above) has dropped a few clues for the launches we'll likely see – here are some of our best guesses...

1. A new Amazon Echo Studio smart speaker

Amazon Echo Studio

(Image credit: Future)

The upper-right quadrant of Amazon's invite looks very much like a smart speaker – possibly a new Amazon Echo Studio. This would be a long-overdue update; the original Echo Studio launched in 2022, and although it still holds a place in our roundup of the best smart speakers, there’s plenty of room for improvement.

This speaker’s main selling point will likely be Alexa+. It took months for the AI-powered assistant to arrive on Echo Show devices, but hopefully Amazon has ironed out the kinks and Alexa+ will be available on the new Studio from day one.

This will necessitate a big upgrade to the speaker’s silicon, and I’m also hoping this will result in improved 3D audio, which was quite a mixed bag with the original Studio.

2. A new color Kindle

Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature edition e-reader showing graphic novels, cookbooks, and fiction, as well as settings

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

That bottom-right hand segment of the invite is easily the most straightforward part of the teaser, showing off what seems to be some kind of new color Kindle.

With the Kindle Colorsoft out in the wild (and some early teething problems with its screen resolved) it’s about time that Amazon expanded its color line-up, so a new model makes a lot of sense.

It might just be the perspective, but the screen appears bigger than that of the Colorsoft, with much thinner bezels to our eyes – closer to the look of the existing Kindle Scribe.

The slither of text in the corner of the image is interesting too: “with the [...] stroke of a pen”. Could this just be a coincidence, or a little hint that this upcoming device will offer stylus functionality?

We’ll have to wait and see whether the Scribe is about to get a colorful refresh, but it’s our most firm prediction right now.

3. Some new Amazon Echo Buds (2025)

Amazon Echo Buds (2023)

(Image credit: Amazon / James Holland)

It makes sense: the original Amazon Echo Buds landed in 2019; the second-gen setarrived in 2021; the most recent Amazon Echo Buds (2023) hit shelves in (you guessed it) 2023 and here we are, in 2025.

To date, Amazon’s Echo Buds products have proved solid but unspectacular performers under intense review, gaining four-stars and not a half-star more in the six years since they joined the market.

What needs to change – if indeed this is the glowing top plate of a fourth-gen. earpiece we see before us? Well, the price-tag has never been an issue, but more energy and impact through the bass would be our top request; less fiddly on-ear controls would be second.

Oh, and active noise cancellation really is becoming a must-have in 2025, so that’d be third.

One other thought: is hands-free Alexa the earbuds USP it once was? Not with ChatGPT available in even Nothing’s most affordable earbuds, plus Gemini arriving on the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, with more Samsung and Sony earbuds to follow, we'd wager. So, it’ll be interesting to see how Amazon proceeds…

4. New Amazon Fire TVs or a Fire tablet

Amazon Omni QLED with Top Gun Maverick on screen

(Image credit: Future)

The bottom-left corner of the invite shows a TV screen or display with a bezel, which suggests a couple of possibilities.

The most likely one is that Amazon is preparing a fresh range of Fire TV sets. Its lineup currently has a few options, led by the Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED (which our review branded "one of the best-featured cheap 4K TVs you can buy" when it landed back in 2023).

Below that is the Fire TV 4-series and the entry-level 2-series, which also arrived in 2023. Our Amazon Fire TV 32-inch 2-series review didn't exactly sing its praises, but did conclude that it's a "functional TV at a budget-friendly price".

Beyond TV sets, we could instead get a new Fire tablet, though this seems less likely. Last month, some compelling rumors predicted that Amazon was planning to revamp its Fire tablet range by replacing Fire OS with Android. That would be a big deal, but the rumor from Reuters suggested this wouldn't be happening until 2026.

The final Fire TV possibility is, of course, new Fire TV Sticks. Rumors earlier this year predicted that Amazon could switch to a new operating system (Vega OS) for its little streaming sticks in 2025, which would likely prove controversial. It isn't yet clear if that also means new hardware, but we'll likely find out at Amazon's event.

5. Some surprises – Echo Frames and Echo Auto 3?

Amazon Echo Frames (3rd Gen) review

(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

Beyond new Echo speakers, Echo Buds, Kindles and Fire TV hardware, Amazon has a range of other tech that it's kept on simmer – could any of these be updated at its September 30 event?

The Amazon Echo Auto 2 – an in-car microphone that lets you talk to Alexa – landed way back in 2022 and is now unavailable, so it's long overdue an update. Could Amazon be prepping a version that runs its new Alexa+ assistant?

It's also likely to be a big week for smart glasses, with Meta Connect 2025 kicking off on September 17. Could Amazon respond with an update to its Amazon Echo Frames (Gen 3), which have snuck into our guide to the best smart glasses?

Amazon's hardware events have traditionally been a blizzard of new announcements, so all of the above are possible. We'll be bringing you all of the news live, so make sure to return to TechRadar in a couple of weeks for the full rundown.

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]]> <![CDATA[ 'Who in the hell would want red cameras?' – details of four new Nest devices have leaked, but has Google lost the smart home race already? ]]> https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-home/google-has-a-mountain-of-obstacles-to-overcome-with-its-new-nest-speaker-cameras-and-doorbell-and-one-of-those-is-amazons-budget-friendly-echo-devices j5xBKEjdmH3ei7UjWZRAP7 Tue, 26 Aug 2025 13:48:27 +0000 Tue, 26 Aug 2025 15:20:53 +0000 false false false

During last week’s Made by Google event, we got an early glimpse of what appeared to be a new Google Nest smart speaker (sitting discreetly on a table beside F1 driver Lando Norris). Now, three more devices appear to have leaked: a new version of the Nest Video Doorbell, and a pair of home security cameras. The details come courtesy of Android Headlines, which hasn’t disclosed the identity of its source, but has included several pictures that seem to be from marketing material to back up its claims.

Based on the specs provided so far, it sounds very much like Google is taking the fight to Amazon, competing with Echo speakers, and Ring doorbells and cameras.

We don’t have prices and release dates for the new Nest devices yet, but it seems unlikely that Google will be able to compete on cost alone. Amazon’s products are some of the cheapest smart home devices around, so Google is likely relying on the power of Gemini for Home to give it the edge. It might just do that, as Alexa+ continues to roll out at a glacial pace, but we'll have to get hands-on with both before we can compare the two directly.

On the subject of prices, Google is apparently renaming Nest Aware to Google Home Premium, with multiple paid tiers. These will presumably work in a similar way to Ring Home, with the most expensive option offering support for more devices, extra storage for videos, and additional AI-powered features. For more details on the different Ring payment plans that Google will be competing with, take a look at our complete guide to Ring Home subscriptions.

Personally I’m hoping for a package that bundles the best features of Google One AI Premium together with Google Home Premium for a lower price than the two separate services, but I’m not going to hold my breath.

Unlike Amazon, Google is also facing a serious problem with disillusioned users who claim that their smart home devices are no longer working as advertised, throwing up error messages or failing to recognize commands. In fact, there are so many complaints that a US law firm has announced that it has "begun investigating a possible class action".

The new Nest devices will have to be something really special to turn that around, so let's take a closer look.

Nest speaker with 360-degree audio

First, the speaker. Early details are scant – we already assumed that it would feature Google Gemini – but Android Headlines' mystery source has gleaned a few interesting snippets of information.

The new speaker will apparently offer some interesting AI-powered features, including one that will detect when you’re away and watch out for worrying sounds that suggest someone may be trying to break into your home. This would tie the speaker into your home security system, together with the doorbell and two security cams, so it makes sense that Google is apparently launching the trio together as AI-powered eyes and ears to guard your home.

We’ve not been told anything about the silicon responsible for all of this, but the new Nest speaker is presumably much more powerful than its predecessors, which were released before AI began wending its way into our homes, and therefore had much more modest processing requirements.

Amazon Echo

(Image credit: Amazon)

The only other titbits that have been revealed are that the new Nest speaker will offer 360-degree sound, and can be paired with a Google TV streamer. It sounds as though it sits somewhere in between the existing Nest Mini and Nest Audio, aiming to provide the best of both worlds with both a relatively compact design and respectable audio quality.

Its closest rival appears to be the 4th-generation Amazon Echo, but the Nest’s 360-degree sound and inclusion of Gemini for Home could give it two big advantages. Although the Echo sounds good, and can be paired with a Fire TV streamer, its speaker is front-firing and it’s yet to receive the promised upgrade to Alexa+.

Amazon has promised that its AI assistant will be coming to its existing smart speakers, but hasn’t said when, and I’m guessing that most processing will need to happen in the cloud due to the Echo’s less powerful processor, which could result in more latency than you’ll get with the new Google Nest speaker.

Doorbell with local storage (sort of)

Now let’s take a look at the new Nest doorbell. Based on its specifications, it sounds like Google will be competing directly with the current wired Ring Video Doorbell, but personally I think that’s a risky strategy.

Video doorbells have come a long way in the last few years, and although Ring might still be the biggest name, it’s facing stiff competition from rivals like Swann and Eufy, whose doorbells can store all your footage locally on an SD card without the need for a paid monthly plan (for more details, take a look at my guide to subscription-free video doorbells).

According to Android Headlines, the new Nest doorbell will have some local storage, but only as a backup option in case it loses internet connectivity. It will keep an hour of video for you, but won’t be an alternative to paid-for cloud storage.

The new Nest doorbell’s 2K resolution is another potentially limiting factor. Over the last year we’ve tested a couple of models that can record at 4K (namely the SwannBuddy4K and Lorex 4K Battery Doorbell), and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if we see a 4K Ring doorbell in the next year or so. By releasing a 2K model in late 2025, Google is at risk of being left behind.

Split image of three video doorbells mounted on walls

Philips, Eufy, and EZVIZ have all released excellent video doorbells that give you full functionality and local video storage without a subscription plan (Image credit: Future)

Judging from the leaked 3D render, it looks like Google’s new doorbell will only have one camera, which also surprises me. It’s now standard for video doorbells to have dual cameras for a greater vertical field of view, allowing them to capture visitors’ faces as well as packages left on your doorstep, with equal clarity. Without a bottom camera, the Nest model might not be able to ‘see’ parcels effectively, potentially leaving them vulnerable to porch pirates.

Then there's the price. The latest Ring Doorbell wired costs just $49.99 / £49.99 / AU$89, whereas the most recent Nest Video Doorbell had a launch price of $179.99 / £249.99 / AU$329. It’s unlikely that Google will be dropping its prices to match Ring, so I can only surmise that it’s relying on Gemini to give the new Nest Video Doorbell the edge.

According to the leaked specs, the new Nest doorbell will offer features including Activity Zones, Garage Door Alerts, and Familiar Face Alerts – all of which will be familiar to current Nest doorbell owners – plus new intelligent alerts that will send you a notification when an animal, person, or vehicle is spotted. Other doorbells offer something similar, so the Nest doorbell’s success will depend on how fast and accurate these all are, and how well the software can avoid false positives.

Red is the new black?

For me, the new indoor and outdoor Nest security cameras sound much more tempting than the doorbell. Both of these are wired, though it’s possible that Google may release a battery-powered model at a later date.

Again, Google seems to be aiming to eat Ring’s lunch, and its new cams appear to be direct rivals to the plug-in versions of the Ring Indoor Camera and Outdoor Security Camera, but there are some significant differences.

The most obvious of these is their design. We’re fans of Nest’s affordable and functional cams here at TechRadar, and they regularly find a place in our roundup of the best home security cameras, but I have to admit that they’re not particularly easy on the eye. It’s definitely a case of function over form.

Ring Indoor Cam on table

Ring cameras are functional, but not beautiful (Image credit: Future)

The new Nest cams have a friendlier look, with rounded bodies and mounts, and will reportedly be available in a range of colors - not just black and white - so you can pick something that will blend better with your decor (or stand out, in the case of the red model).

Commenters on the Google Home subreddit seem to generally agree that the red option is an eyesore, but personally I like it as a way to let people know they’re being recorded - like a big red 'rec' button in your living room. You might think otherwise, though.

Comment from r/googlehome

The only potential design downside for me is the lack of a physical privacy cover on the indoor cam. This would shield the lens and microphone when you want a moment to yourself, and is one of the features we appreciated when testing the latest Ring Indoor Camera.

Both of Google’s new cameras will record at 2K, whereas the equivalent Ring cameras are limited to 1080p, and you’ll get the same Gemini-powered alerts and notifications as you do with the new Nest doorbell too

Again, according to Android Headlines there’ll be a limited amount of local storage in case the camera loses Wi-Fi connectivity. If you’re looking for a cam that will store all your videos locally and give you full control over them, take a look at our guide to subscription-free home security cameras.

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]]> <![CDATA[ 'Why should I give Google money?' – former Nest fans decry new leaked model, and I really can't blame them ]]> https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-speakers/why-should-i-give-google-money-former-nest-fans-decry-new-leaked-model-and-i-really-cant-blame-them QHapGVamEZweMHiMGK2nD9 Thu, 21 Aug 2025 22:00:00 +0000 false false false

Gemini is coming to Google Home, and during yesterday’s Made by Google event, we saw our first glimpse of an unreleased Google Nest speaker - a roughly spherical device with a colored light at the base, seen sitting on a table beside F1 driver Lando Norris.

It’s about time too, given it’s been four years since Google’s last home hub, the 2nd-gen Nest Hub, launched in 2021. The question is, after such a long and rocky road, will anyone want it?

First of all, I find it interesting that Google has given us a peek at a speaker, not a smart display. It suggests that Google is taking a different approach to Amazon (which released two new Echo Show hubs late last year, and those are now the primary interface for its new subscription-tier Alexa+ service), and Apple (which is rumored to be announcing a new Apple Intelligence-powered display in September).

The Gemini presentation certainly didn’t tease a new Pixel Tablet – Google’s semi-portable smart home hub, which you can detach from its base and carry from room to room – though perhaps it’s keeping that up its sleeve for later in the year.

Google Pixel Tablet with speaker dock

There was no sign of an updated Google Pixel Tablet to compete with the new Amazon Echo Show devices (Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)

Despite its lack of a screen, the new Nest will need a serious silicon upgrade to keep pace with its rivals. The Echo Show 15 and 21 both sport Amazon’s new AZ2 processor, which the company claims will let them run an LLM locally with no latency, so the Nest will need a complete internal overhaul to compete, with a brand new chipset and more RAM.

That will mean a big price increase from previous Nest speakers - but will people be willing to pay? Google is currently facing an outcry from users who report that their existing Nest devices are throwing up error messages, or no longer recognizing commands. A US law firm has even announced that it has "begun investigating a possible class action" against Google because so many owners are reporting problems.

Device owners on the Google Home subreddit are certainly skeptical that the new speaker represents a fresh start for Google’s hardware.

“Not buying another Google Home product until they fix the thousand plus dollars worth of devices that I already bought and have been getting worse and worse with each passing week,” says the top-rated comment.

“Seriously I've never bought a tech product that literally got worse over time. It's insane. Why should I give Google [any more] money?”

A chilly reception

That’s not the only issue - users living outside North America (including me) might not ever be able to use the new Nest to its full potential. In its Gemini for Home announcement, Google explained that users can “conveniently issue multiple commands at once to control your home: 'Dim the lights, and set the temp to 72 degrees.'” But I won’t.

That’s because Google is ending support for its older smart thermostats in October, and won’t be selling any new ones in Europe - including the Fourth-Generation Nest Learning Thermostat that launched last year in the US and Canada. According to Google, this is because “heating systems in Europe are unique and have a variety of hardware and software requirements that make it challenging to build for the diverse set of homes.”

4th-gen Google Nest Thermostat on the wall

The Fourth-Gen Nest Learning Thermostat should work seamlessly with Gemini, but Google says it'll never be available in Europe (Image credit: Future)

That also means we’ll miss out on hot water control - a feature coming to Google Home very soon according to Android Authority, which secured confirmation from Google Nest and Home Chief Product Officer Anish Kattukaran.

I’m curious to learn more about the new Nest, but with Google’s current usability issues, a potentially high price tag, and a lack of commitment to customers in Europe, it’ll have to work hard to convince me it’s a good investment.

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]]> <![CDATA[ Google teases mysterious Nest smart speaker – and it looks like a HomePod Mini crossed with an Echo Dot ]]> https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-speakers/google-teases-mysterious-nest-smart-speaker-and-it-looks-like-a-homepod-mini-crossed-with-an-echo-dot BBNzX5g6HhKxLiruWPBZaL Thu, 21 Aug 2025 12:06:25 +0000 false false false
  • Google showcased new hardware at the Made by Google event
  • This includes a mystery smart speaker we haven't seen before
  • It could materialize at an event in a few months

The August 20, 2025, Made by Google event gave us plenty of new hardware to feast on – including (of course) the new Google Pixel 10, 10 Pro, and 10 Pro Fold Android smartphones. But in a quick (not-quite-blink-and-you ’ll-miss-it) segment, we caught a glimpse of an unannounced Google smart speaker.

The showcase was packed with cameos, and in one such star-studded showcase, we saw Formula One driver Lando Norris and NBA player Giannis Antetokounmpo trade places – and use Gemini’s advice to better tackle the other’s sport.

Pixel 10 phones made an appearance, and Norris also used a new mini speaker with Gemini.

A new Google smart speaker praising Lando Norris

(Image credit: Google)

As you can see in the image above, the device isn’t like anything Google currently makes – our Audio Editor Becky Scarrott described its look as “like a HomePod mini in a Google dress but with an Echo Dot ring around the bottom,” which perfectly sums it up.

It also seems to possess Google Gemini’s reasoning powers based on how it was used, suggesting it might launch as part of the Gemini for Home upgrade Google has promised.

While the Gemini upgrade is also promised for existing smart speakers and displays, it certainly makes sense that Google would want to upgrade its lineup with some new hardware.

Google Nest Audio

(Image credit: Google)

We haven’t had new hardware since the Google Nest Hub (2nd generation) in 2021, and before that, the last Nest speaker we got was the Google Nest Audio, which just squeezes into our best smart speakers list (but mostly because it’s the best for Google).

So we’re long overdue for an upgrade, and it seems Google is all set to deliver one in the not-too-distant future.

Most likely we’ll see something “in the fall" (so September through to November) as that’s when Google has promised a major update, which should also solve the many complaints Nest users have about their devices.

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]]> <![CDATA[ This Legend of Zelda Lego set is cheaper than a Nintendo Switch 2 and will keep you entertained for far longer – I should know, because I have both ]]> https://www.techradar.com/seasonal-sales/yahaha-this-legend-of-zelda-lego-set-deal-makes-the-best-set-ive-built-in-years-almost-gbp50-cheaper-for-prime-day pAt8qwFuqNSS5e3yeTYTQU Thu, 10 Jul 2025 11:49:30 +0000 Fri, 11 Jul 2025 13:27:29 +0000 false false false

As an ex-Lego retail worker, I'm always excited for an excuse to wax lyrical about my favorite sets; I'm also a huge Legend of Zelda fan, so imagine my excitement when this Amazon Prime Day deal popped up on my radar. Right now, you can slash 18% off the retail price of Lego's Great Deku Tree lego set, now £212.40 (was £259.99) at Amazon.

• See all of today's best Amazon deals

Amazon Prime Day is great for Lego deals, although this year has been a little slow going. This record-low price on a relatively new Lego set is a real treat, bringing the price down by almost £50. I wonder if they accept Rupees?

Best Amazon Echo deals

Record low! In the vast, deep forest of Hyrule lies the Great Deku Tree, but now it can also reside on a display unit near you thanks to this 2500-piece Lego set. It comes with three Link minifigures (both child and adult Link from Ocarina of Time as well as Breath of the Wild Link) in addition to Breath of the Wild Zelda. You might think that strange, but that's because this clever kit is actually a 2-in-1 set which can be rebuilt to resemble the Deku tree in both games.View Deal

I've actually got my hands on a Nintendo Switch 2, and while I love it, I'm already out of things to do. I've already played and completed my backlog of original Switch games, speedrun Mario Kart: World and have little-to-no interest, personally, in Donkey Kong Bananza, so there's a bit of a wait until I'm entertained by it again. In that time, however, I can build and rebuild this 2-in-1 Lego set over and over again.

So, why do I love this set so much? For one thing, the fact it's a 2-in-1 doubles the time spent building, and gives you an excuse to come back to the set over and again. Really, though, it's the intricacy and level of detail in the set that makes my heart soar as a series fan. If only they'd found a way to incorporate Majora's Mask, I'd be dealing with the set of my dreams.

The inclusion of Link's treehouse home is a lovely touch, and it's really fun to see how iconic staples from the game series including Link's arsenal of tools and weapons are rendered in Lego form.

Also consider

Lowest price: Say "Hello there" to an excellent Prime Day deal. This behemoth of a Lego set is a delight to build, and with £185 sliced off its original price tag, it's almost a no-brainer. While it's still expensive, this 7,541-piece set is sure to surprise and delight the Jedi (or Sith) in your life. View Deal

]]> <![CDATA[ One of our favorite Echo smart displays is at its lowest price this Prime Day, and there are even more deals to grab from Amazon's smart home range ]]> https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-home/these-are-the-best-echo-smart-speaker-deals-to-shop-this-prime-day-and-theres-a-record-low-on-a-near-perfect-device 7TpHtTu6EGnDkTnp4XqPPe Mon, 07 Jul 2025 19:15:22 +0000 Thu, 10 Jul 2025 15:58:46 +0000 false false false

Amazon Prime Day is still going strong on its third day, and there are still some great deal lying around on the best smart speakers - mainly its range of Echo devices that we've tested.

While the opportunity to snag one of favorite smart displays, the Echo Show 8, for a record-low price of £89.99 (was £149.99), Amazon has dropped the price of its smaller Echo Pop speaker which is now £19.99 down from £44.99 - that's over 50% off!

• See all of today's best Amazon deals

All of the best deals on the best Alexa speakers we've found are listed below, but some of them have already started to slowly crawl back up in price as Prime Day's final day looms closers - so that's more of a reason to skip the waiting and act fast. Grab your new Alexa companion now!

Best Amazon Echo deals

Record low! If you're looking for a larger smart home display, Amazon has the latest Echo Show 8 on sale for £89.99. That's an excellent price on a device we scored 4.5-stars in our review, calling it "near-perfect". Thanks to Alexa compatibility, the eight-inch display allows you to make calls, watch movies, check the weather, and control compatible smart home devices completely hands-free. View Deal

If you're looking for a more robust sound, Amazon also has the Echo Dot for its lowest price. Amazon's best-selling smart speaker offers an improved audio experience, plus a new temperature sensor and all the handy features from Alexa, like playing music, answering questions, and checking the weather completely hands-free.View Deal

Looking to buy a smart speaker for a small space? Amazon's early Prime Day deals include the all-new Echo Pop for just £19.99 - the cheapest Echo device you can buy right now. For that money, you're getting a compact smart speaker with Alexa built-in, so you can play music, ask questions, and check the weather completely hands-free.View Deal

Amazon's upgraded Echo Spot pairs a 2.83-inch touch screen with a 1.73-inch front-firing speaker, making it an ideal smart alarm clock. With Alexa onboard, you can ask the assistant for the weather, play music, or even schedule alarms. Today's early Prime Day deal is a return to the record-low price.View Deal

Amazon's best-selling Echo Show 5 is on sale for only £59.99 in today's early sale. The 2023 Echo Show 5 features a compact 5.5-inch display but packs impressive sound with deeper bass and clearer vocals. With Amazon Alexa, you can listen to podcasts, movies, music, and more.View Deal

Also consider

Another interesting record-low takes form in the Echo Hub, now £119.99 (was £169.99) at Amazon. This display was Amazon's first attempt at a true smart home hub, and one I scored 4.5-stars in my review for its simple design and excellent utility for those with a few smart devices under their belt. It's far from Amazon's most popular Alexa device, but if you want to dip your toe into home automation, it's a solid start.

Amazon's Echo Hub might just be the brand's most underrated product, but I'm biased as a home automation enthusiast. There are certainly better dedicated hub devices out there, but at its price, with its specs and ease-of-use, this is a great device for those stepping up their smart home game, especially if you already use Alexa at home. View Deal

]]> <![CDATA[ I’ve covered a lot of Amazon Echo bundle deals, and I’ve found 3 in the early Prime Day deals that are really good value ]]> https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-home/ive-covered-a-lot-of-amazon-echo-bundle-deals-and-ive-found-3-in-the-early-prime-day-deals-that-are-really-good-value KR3v5WEKf8dmF2kRzEpv66 Fri, 04 Jul 2025 13:12:06 +0000 false false false

Amazon's range of Echo speakers make up some of the best smart speakers out there, tying all parts of your smart home set up together. Although Amazon's early Prime day sale is in full swing, deals on Echo speakers have been quite sparse – until now.

Now that we're getting closer to Amazon's huge sales event we're seeing more Echo speaker bundle deals crop up than before, especially with Echo Spot, and Echo Dot (5th Gen) models. I'll be honest, though I can't see them being an audiophile's best friend, they're still mighty smart home hubs that cover all the basics, and even better now they're bundled with the best smart lights and best video doorbells.

Shop Amazon's full Prime Day sale

But why is now a good time to buy? For starters, Amazon's early Prime Day sale has been rather quiet with all things Echo speakers until now, and some of the smart home bundles it has on offer are dropping to Black Friday prices.

I know what you're thinking – Amazon Prime Day is still a few days away – but although it's tempting to hang around in the hope of further price drops, there's always that chance they'll return to their retail price. So if you're not prepared to take that risk, allow me to show you what I think are the best Echo bundle deals to grab in the early Amazon Prime Day sale.

Best US Amazon Echo bundle deals

This bundle deal will save you $27 on two basic smart home products that are perfect if you're a newcomer to the world of smart home set ups. While we've seen it reach lower prices, this is the cheapest it's been since last year's Black Friday event, so there's a chance it could shoot back to its full retail price very soon. View Deal

Record low price: This is one of the biggest savings on an Echo bundle so far, knocking off a huge $220 off Amazon's smart glasses (which we've credited for their excellent microphones and responsiveness). Usually, Echo Frames are in the $300 range, so not only are you saving more than 50%, the Echo Spot speaker is basically a free add-on. View Deal

If you want an Echo speaker that packs more of a punch with sound and smart features, then I'd suggest going for this Echo Dot bundle, which saves you $26 and comes with a smart bulb for pairing. Like other bundles, this one has seen better days when it comes to pricing, but that's not to say it's not a deal worth missing out on because there's a chance it will shoot back up in price come next week.View Deal

Best UK Amazon Echo bundle deals

With deeper bass and smarter tools such as its room temperature sensor, the Echo Dot (5th Gen) is another small yet mighty smart speaker, which is £89 off in this Ring Doorbell bundle. That's less than half price. The standalone price for this Ring video doorbell is around the £70 mark, while the Echo Dot is around £55, so there's no denying that this is one of the best smart home deals to grab this Prime Day. View Deal

Got more than one room you want to integrate into your smart home ecosystem? This bundle deal gives you not one, but two Echo Dot (5th Gen) speakers for the price of one, plus a smart light bulb. This is a bundle to go for if you have spaces in that are missing smart home fun, but if you're fully kitted out, there's no reason for you not to give one away as a gift. View Deal

This is another two-pack Echo speaker bundle, but with Amazon's Echo Spot speaker: the company's flagship smart alarm. Though it's alarm functions can overshadow its other features, we were still pleased with its audio quality for its size, and its simplicity for a smart speaker. It's definitely one to think about if you want a smart speaker starter kit while saving £76 in the process. View Deal

Each of these speakers makes a great companion if you're new to smart home tech, or if you're not too fussed about immaculate audio quality and need something small and simple to fill a space.

Speaking from my own experience, Amazon's Echo Pop has served me well for the best part of a year, covering all the smart home basics I need for a small space. These range from flash briefings, linking to my music streaming services, and giving me an extra pair of hand when it comes to using my smart TV.

]]> <![CDATA[ Not ready for a full smart home refit? Here are three simple smart home hacks to make every day easier ]]> https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-home/three-simple-smart-home-hacks-to-make-every-day-easier nbeF3ZFxYbnu8SFdAdpgk4 Tue, 01 Jul 2025 17:03:08 +0000 false false false

Not ready for a full smart home refit and all the cost and inconvenience that entails?

The good news is there are plenty of products on the market which enable you to make your home smarter without breaking the bank.

Below, we look at three simple smart home hacks to make your life more comfortable and maybe help you show off to your neighbors!

1. Smart speakers, TVs, and displays

An obvious place to start, maybe, but it’s difficult to ignore these seriously impressive devices.

According to Statista, the number of smart speakers/voice assistants worldwide hit 8.4 billion in 2024. That’s more than the entire world’s population, and if you don't have one of the best smart speakers yet, you really are missing out.

While initially they may have been used mainly for streaming your favorite music, the latest Amazon Echo (Alexa) and Google Nest (Google Assistant) devices really serve as versatile command centres for the smart home. They're even starting to embed advanced AI features for greater functionality.

Voice assistants are great for controlling connected devices, with voice commands such as ‘Alexa, turn off the living room lights’ or ‘Hey Google, set the thermostat to 70 degrees.’ What’s more, they can be used for managing daily schedules, creating alarms for waking you up or taking the food out of the oven as well as sending reminders based on information from your calendar.

Voice assistants can even communicate with one another, creating a sort of intercom for the house – handy if you want to call the kids for dinner without having to shout.

Person's hand holding Amazon Echo Dot smart speaker

A simple smart speaker like the Amazon Echo Dot is a great entry point into the world of smart home tech (Image credit: TechRadar)

Most of the best TVs now are smart devices with built in Wi-Fi and voice control, which allow you to stream content from online sources such as Netflix and Amazon Prime as well as conventional TV channels. Many even offer you personalized viewing choices thanks to algorithms that 'learn' your preferences.

Even if you don’t have a smart TV, you can turn your existing TV into a smart device with one of the latest 4K dongles such as an Amazon FireStick 4K, Roku Streaming Stick Plus or Chromecast Ultra. Also available are set-top boxes such as Apple TV 4K.

Finally, there are also smart displays such as the Amazon Echo Show 15 and Echo Show 21, which combine all of the features of a smart speaker with a wall-mounted TV.

These are ideal for streaming shows and movies in the living room, bringing up the latest recipes while cooking in the kitchen, or listening to music in the home office when studying or working. Our guide to the best smart displays will help you find one that will suit your home.

Defiant Smart Outdoor Plug
Defiant Smart Outdoor Plug

Wanna turn off your festive outdoor lights without getting out of bed? The eternal hassle of the holidays, am I right? Luckily, the Defiant Wi-Fi and Bluetooth–enabled outdoor smart plug lets you turn your outdoor devices on or off. Schedule your outdoor lights to switch on at night via the Hubspace app. Just imagine—your holiday lights pop on when everyone knows you're out of town. That's a flex.

2. Home security

Ring Video Doorbell Pro installed on brick wall

Video doorbells are an affordable way to improve your home security and make sure you never miss a package delivery (Image credit: Future)

The last few years have seen a revolution in home security.

Not so long ago you would have needed a hard-drive based video surveillance system connected to several CCTV cameras to monitor your property. Now, you can buy a wired or wireless home security camera for less than $100 that will record footage when it detects motion, and stream it directly to an app on your smart phone before storing it either on your device or in the cloud.

Thanks to companies like Ring and Blink, you can also pick up an affordable digital video doorbell that allows you to speak to someone who comes to the door no matter where you are in the world. They also let you keep an eye on packages left on your doorstep, so you never miss another delivery.

Wireless cameras and video doorbells are particularly easy to install, and are a simple way to add a layer of smart security to your home. Some are cheap to buy at first, but require a monthly subscription plan if you want to use all their features, but not all do. Our guide to the best video doorbells will tell you everything you need to know.

If you want to take your security up another notch, you can replace traditional locks with smart locks that can be open and closed using your smartphone, a PIN, a fingerprint, or facial recognition rather than a set of keys. Many of them also work with other smart devices, so if you leave the house the doors will lock automatically, or if someone comes to the door the lights around the property will switch on.

Our list of the best smart locks includes options for every door, including devices that can be retro-fitted onto your existing lock so there's no drilling involved.

3. Smart lighting

Nanoleaf Lines in red and orange hues

(Image credit: TechRadar)

Installing smart lighting is one of the simplest ways to make your home smarter. Several options are available, ranging from straightforward dimmable smart bulbs to complete synchronized lighting systems that paint your room in a palette of different colors to set the mood. Take a look at our guide to the best smart lights for our top recommendations.

Smart lights can be controlled using specialized wall switches, operated from anywhere via a smartphone app, or connected to a smart speaker or display for voice control. You can also set schedules for lights to turn on or off automatically, mimicking occupancy when you're away, or to brighten and wake you gradually in the morning.

You can also use smart lights together with motion sensors – so they only activate when you're in the room – or connect them to contact sensors so they turn on when a door or window is opened or closed. It's a handy way to reduce energy consumption, and the self-adhesive sensors can be installed in seconds with no drilling.

Conclusion

You don’t have to spend a fortune all at once to turn your house into a smart home. Instead, it could be a much more gradual process.

For example, you could easily start with one of the best smart plugs that enable you to switch your devices on and off via a smartphone app before going on to make changes using one of the smart home hacks above.

Whether you just want to be able to keep an eye on your property while you’re abroad or want an all-singing, all-dancing LED lighting system, there’s a solution for everyone. Turning your house into a smart home has never been so easy or such fun.

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]]> <![CDATA[ Still waiting for Alexa+? Here are 3 ways to make your Echo speaker smarter today ]]> https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-speakers/still-waiting-for-alexa-here-are-3-ways-to-make-your-echo-pop-smarter-today eHViLihd6iNQkenQiYRZtN Thu, 19 Jun 2025 20:00:00 +0000 false false false

Smart home hubs are one of the best ways to tie together all of the tech in your house, and the best Alexa speakers are more than qualified for the job. While these hubs are great for integrating into your smart home ecosystem, they also rank among the best smart speakers.

For me, my small but mighty Amazon Echo Pop speaker does just the trick. I use it every day without fail, and I'm excited to see how the upcoming Alexa+ voice will enhance my Pop and other smart speakers. Though it isn't every audiophile’s best friend, my Echo Pop works wonders for filling smaller spaces with sound – but there are a few tricks I use to push its potential even further.

If you’re considering buying an Echo Pop speaker or any model from Amazon’s range (which I think you should), I’ve spent ample time customizing my own to get the best listening experience possible. The best part is that each one is very straightforward and makes the most of some of the best Alexa Skills, meaning they’re great if you’re a first-time Echo speaker owner.

Here are three things I’ve done with my Echo Pop to make the most of my smart speaker experience, while we wait for Alexa+ to land.

1. Enable BBC Sounds for radio and podcasts

Alexa’s integration with the best music streaming services is one of the voice assistant’s biggest perks. But while this is something I use every day, sometimes I want something different to my Spotify playlists. This is where the BBC Sounds skill comes in handy.

With the BBC Sounds skill, it brings you one step closer to the array of radio stations and podcasts the BBC has to offer, and all you have to use is your voice. It’s a perfect skill to enable if you’re a huge music fan like myself and want to listen to more radio stations without having to rely on having a car – and it’s very easy to set up.

A screenshot of how to download the BBC Sounds app in the Alexa app

(Image credit: Future)

Just head to the ‘Skills & Games’ section in the Alexa app and search ‘BBC Sounds’, and then you’ll be prompted to sign into your BBC account. From there, you’ll be able to use the BBC Sounds skill to fill the silence of any room by asking Alexa to play different podcasts or radio stations.

For example, using the command ‘Alexa, play 6 Music’ will launch BBC Radio 6 Music, which is a station I’d recommend if you’re really into your music. Alternatively, you can pick up where you left off on podcast episodes by saying ‘Alexa, launch BBC Sounds’, and it will reply with ‘Hello, what would you like to hear?’.

2. Hands-free smart TV control

This is a surface-level feature for smart speaker users, but it can be an essential one if you’re a first-time Echo speaker owner. Since getting a smart TV – I have the Hisense 6 Series model – pairing my TV with my Echo Pop speaker has been a simple yet effective way of amping up my smart home setup. Plus, it's fun to give your smart TV new name to use in commands.

Alexa on a Fire TV in 2025

(Image credit: Amazon)

To get started, open the Alexa app and add a new device by tapping the ‘+’ sign at the top-right corner and then choose the ‘TV’ option. Once you’ve selected your TV brand, follow the instructions on your TV’s screen to complete the setup – this will involve enabling a specific Alexa skill for your TV brand. In my case, Hisense TVs will need the VIDAA Alexa skill.

Once your smart TV and Echo speaker are connected and you’ve given your device an easy-to-remember name, using the prompt ‘Alexa, turn on (device name)’ will launch your smart TV home page. When it’s turned on you can use commands to open specific streaming platforms, for example ‘Alexa, open Netflix on (device name)’.

3. Customize your Flash Briefing

Flash Briefings are the perfect way to hear the biggest news headlines in one short segment, and I think they’re a great way to get your day started.

You can ask your Echo speaker ‘Alexa, what’s my Flash Briefing?’ and it will respond based on the news source you have set in the Alexa app – and you can also set a default news source based on your own preferences.

Go to ‘Settings’ in the Alexa app and scroll down to ‘News’ under the ‘Alexa Preferences’ header. Tap ‘My News Channel’ and from there you can set a different news source if you’re not a fan of the default setting – I’m a BBC News fan myself.

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]]> <![CDATA[ The Alexa+ rollout is finally happening – here's what early testers love and hate about it ]]> https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-speakers/the-alexa-rollout-is-finally-happening-heres-what-early-testers-love-and-hate-about-it TXb6B4d5iYbbdtN35cdcAh Wed, 11 Jun 2025 15:54:01 +0000 Wed, 11 Jun 2025 19:29:24 +0000 false false false
  • Alexa+ is still rolling out to test users, reaching 1 million users after hitting 100,000 back in May
  • Those with access have been taking to Reddit to share their experiences with Amazon's new AI-enhanced voice assistant
  • So far it's garnered mixed reactions, but most users seem to be satisfied

Amazon has been taking its time with the roll out of Alexa+, the company’s new voice assistant with a big AI revamp, but after hitting the 100,000 user milestone in May, Alexa+ has now reached 1 million test users – a huge jump in just a few weeks.

When the company announced Alexa’s first major upgrade in February, it said that Alexa+ would be US-only for now before being rolled out widely, though this date is still unknown.

It’s been difficult to find a person or close friend who has early access, but now more users are sharing that Alexa+ has been activated on selected Echo devices. Additionally, users are sharing their first impressions of the new AI features – which has garnered a range of mixed reactions.

Alexa+ activated from r/alexa

Alexa’s new voice causes a divide

After deep diving through different Reddit threads, the main feature that has divided early access users is the new Alexa+ voice, whose major redesign aims to offer a less robotic inflection (similar to ChatGPT) with improved recognition capabilities.

Some users have been impressed by its ability to carry out a straight conversation without having to pre-prompt it, with one user stating that it provides a natural back-and-forth flow.

However, the user also highlighted its similarities with other voice assistants, adding: "It's early days, but it feels a tiny bit closer to what I have with ChatGPT." By the sounds of it, Alexa+ will have to offer something a little different if it wants users to stick around.

So I am actually liking Alexa+ from r/alexa

Another user went even further, describing the new Alexa+ voice as "obnoxious", but they also highlighted the fact that the new assistant has the ability to change its tone: "I asked if she could soften her voice, and she offered to make it more 'feminine' (her words not mine)."

I’ve spent a few days with Alexa Plus from r/alexa

Testers have been generally pleased with how Alexa+ stands above other LLMs with its detailed explanations and clear understanding of voice prompts. One Reddit user was impressed that "[it] understands everything regardless of how you stumble on words."

Comment from r/alexa

Another user shared a similar positive experience, but went on to explain that Alexa+ would fall into the trap of contradicting itself, admitting to it and apologizing when the called out.

Comment from r/alexa

Despite a few hiccups with the new Alexa+, the response from testers has been generally positive which makes us intrigued to see what it will be like once it’s widely available. So far it’s not enough for users to fully subscribe to, but time will tell.

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]]> <![CDATA[ Alexa+ rollout hits major milestone, but Amazon warns the technology is currently still ‘primitive’ ]]> https://www.techradar.com/computing/artificial-intelligence/alexa-rollout-hits-major-milestone-but-amazon-warns-the-technology-is-currently-still-primitive 7gsKutvYkRUM97Vnw4v6mL Fri, 02 May 2025 10:32:58 +0000 Fri, 02 May 2025 16:07:12 +0000 false false false
  • Amazon’s Alexa+ AI has just hit 100,000 users in the US
  • Yet the firm’s CEO has warned agentic technology is still “primitive”
  • Alexa+ is rolling out in waves, but is still missing some key features

Like many other Big Tech firms, Amazon jumped on the artificial intelligence (AI) bandwagon by launching its own AI assistant named Alexa+ in February. Now, the company has announced that the tool has been rolled out to 100,000 users.

Right now, Alexa+ focuses on providing a conversational experience with an AI chatbot, although Amazon aims to imbue it with “agentic” abilities in the future. That would enable it to work as an agent on your behalf, interacting with third-party apps in order to carry out the tasks you ask of it.

That little tidbit came from Amazon CEO Andy Jassy during the company’s recent earnings call. There, Jassy explained that “Our intention is for agents to perform wide-ranging complex, multi-step tasks,” and that “there haven't been action-oriented agents like this until Alexa+.”

Yet the most recent update to Alexa+ is missing some of the key features that Amazon demonstrated in February, as pointed out by The Washington Post. It wouldn’t be the first AI to arrive without promised abilities – Apple’s AI-powered Siri has faced numerous delays and disruptions – and it shows how difficult it can be to pull ahead in the ongoing AI arms race.

Even Jassy admitted that Alexa+ was facing challenges. In general, agentic AI tools are still “primitive,” the Amazon CEO noted, with Amazon’s own Nova Act AI model aiming to improve their accuracy from a mere 30% to 60%. Eventually, the goal is to achieve over 90% accuracy, but clearly Alexa+ isn’t there yet.

Limited availability

Alexa AI

(Image credit: Amazon)

Enrolling 100,000 users might sound impressive, but it’s a small fraction of the 600 million Alexa devices in existence. Amazon has previously stated that it aims to launch Alexa+ in waves, so we should expect to see availability increase in the US over the coming months. There's no news about an international rollout yet.

Of those users who have tried it out so far, few have shared their thoughts or given insights into how well it works. That changed recently, though, when user Pretty2be took to Reddit to answer questions on the AI chatbot.

During the session, Pretty2be stated that Alexa+ is good at interpreting natural speech and is able to avoid interrupting you. Other positive feedback included its speech synthesis capabilities, although the user criticized its tendency to push you towards Amazon Music, even when you try to use Spotify.

We don’t know when Alexa+ will roll out to more users, but it’s clear that there’s still work to be done, judging by both Pretty2be’s feedback and Amazon CEO Jassy’s comments. Hopefully the missing features will arrive before the next 100,000 users sign up.

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]]> <![CDATA[ Alexa+ early adopter gives their thoughts: "Old Alexa was hot garbage but this new one was a pleasant surprise" ]]> https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-speakers/alexa-early-adopter-gives-their-thoughts-old-alexa-was-hot-garbage-but-this-new-one-was-a-pleasant-surprise qNEEY5v68vdzg2QGghpN4B Wed, 23 Apr 2025 19:00:00 +0000 false false false

It's been almost two months since Amazon announced Alexa+, but despite the company's claims that the new AI-enhanced voice assistant would begin rolling out in waves shortly after, we haven't heard from a single person who's actually used it – until now.

Reddit user Pretty2be is an early adopter who says they have been using Alexa+ for six weeks and has launched an AMA (ask me anything) thread to answer questions about their experiences.

To verify that they're the real deal, they have posted a picture of their username written on a piece of tape, attached to the screen of an Amazon Echo Show displaying the words 'Alexa+ Early Access'.

Their overall opinions seem pretty positive, but there's enough criticism to dispel the idea that they might be an Amazon employee paid to promote Alexa+ on Reddit – and some might argue they're not using it to its fullest.

According to The Wall Street Journal, a senior employee on the original Amazon Echo team was horrified to find that people were underusing the smart speaker's capabilities, and essentially using it as an elaborate egg timer.

Amusingly, that still seems to be one of Pretty2be's main uses for the AI-enabled upgrade, though they're more impressed by the performance of Alexa+ when it comes to "setting multiple alarms or timers at a requested interval starting at a requested time."

I’ve been using Alexa+ for ~6 weeks. AMA! from r/alexa

Thankfully for the Alexa+ team, Pretty2be didn't stop there, and reports that the new assistant works particularly well for controlling connected smart home devices (including smart lights from a non-Amazon brand, a Ring video doorbell, and a smart thermostat).

"Only used old Alexa a few years ago but it was smooth and intuitive to set up the devices I have," they wrote when asked about the overall smart home experience.

Smooth operator?

According to Pretty2be, Alexa+ is good at interpreting natural speech, and can generally tell from your tone of voice whether or not you've finished asking a question to avoid interrupting you.

They admit that they haven't tested text-to-speech with Kindle books yet, but say that speech synthesis has improved, too: "I can say the voice in general is very nice, some longer delays than old Alexa but very smooth replies once it responds! I have not detected any “off” or robotic sounding replies!"

However, it sounds like the smooth-talking new assistant isn't without its quirks. For example, when asked to play a song from Spotify, Pretty2be says that Alexa+ will instead try to push them towards Amazon Music.

Comment from r/alexa

Overall, though, they were pretty impressed by their experience. "Old Alexa was hot garbage but this new one was a pleasant surprise," they concluded. "I did not pay for my device but I would purchase it myself if I had to return my current one."

We still don't know when Alexa+ will begin rolling out more widely. Back in February, Amazon promised that Echo Show owners in the US would get access very soon, but we're still waiting for that to begin.

We're poised and ready to receive it when it finally does, and will bring you our own impressions as soon as we do.

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]]> <![CDATA[ Amazon is experimenting with renaming Echo speakers to Alexa speakers, and it's about time ]]> https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-speakers/amazon-just-experimented-with-renaming-echo-speakers-to-alexa-devices-and-its-about-time qiX3kEyGdMWD7Ce3KXQXHM Thu, 27 Mar 2025 16:58:16 +0000 Thu, 27 Mar 2025 17:21:04 +0000 false false false

In the decade-plus since Amazon introduced its line of Echo smart speakers, we've been using "Alexa" to address them. It's the default wake word, and soon, as Alexa+, will be the name that marks its most significant AI glow up.

However, the hardware is still officially known as Echo Dot, Echo Show, and so on – but if a new report is any indication that might change, and we could end up calling an Echo Show an Alexa Show.

After a tip-off from a reader, The Verge was able to confirm that sometimes you might see an Echo Show listed as an Alexa Show on Amazon.com, as part of a test the online retail giant is running. I've tried without success to get Amazon.com to show me such a result, but I truly hope the name change becomes a real thing.

The reality is, no one thinks about their Amazon smart speakers as 'Echo' devices. We call them Alexas because that's the name they respond to. We've never said, "Echo, what's the weather tomorrow?" Perhaps if Amazon had gone that route back in 2015, we might be arguing that these are truly all Echo devices.

Echo has never been a great name. The Oxford Dictionary defines Echo as:

"A sound or series of sounds caused by the reflection of sound waves from a surface back to the listener."

If all the various Echo devices were simply speakers, this might make some sense. But Echo smart speakers are not simply reflecting our voices and requests; they're listening, thinking, and they're responding, and not simply bouncing back what we said.

Also, the combination of names isn't much better. "Echo Show" is not great. It ends up sounding like the "an echo you can see." Nothing in it says, "intelligence plus a display."

Now, let's try out "Alexa Show". We already know what Alexa means, and the combo instantly becomes "smarts you can see".

Just imagine

Even though Amazon is rolling out a much smarter and more generative AI-infused Alexa with Alexa+, I do not see the need to squeeze a '+' into the various product names. However, putting 'Alexa' front and center on products is probably a smart way to incentivize more Alexa+ adoption.

It tickles me to imagine the entire Amazon line of the best Alexa speakers, many of which are part of our best smart speakers list, refashioned around the 'Alexa' brand ideal:

  • Alexa Dot
  • Alexa Spot (for more simplification, combine with above)
  • Alexa Studio
  • Alexa Pop
  • Alexa Frames
  • Alexa Earbuds
  • and so on

I'd even argue that the branding could extend to other Amazon native devices like the Fire Stick line (Alexa Fire Stick) and Fire tablets (Alexa Fire Tablet). Kindles would make sense only if Amazon decides to integrate some basic Alexa features (not likely, though, since most people read their kindles offline).

A dose of reality

As much as I want Amazon to fully adopt the Alexa branding across all these devices, it's not likely to happen. When I asked Amazon directly about the test they threw a giant bucket of cold water on the idea of a major product category rebranding.

An Amazon spokesperson told me: "I wouldn’t read too much into this. Customers love both Echo and Alexa, and search for our products in a number of different ways – we’re running an experiment to better understand product discovery, but that doesn’t mean anything is going to change."

As I read that, though, the message is not "it will never change." Instead, they said, "...that doesn’t mean anything is going to change."

It's like when I ask my wife if she thinks we'll win the lottery and she says, "Almost certainly not," and I always answer, 'So, you're saying there's a chance..."

Dropping Echo and adopting Alexa everywhere would be a smart move, and I still hope Amazon takes it from experiment to strategic update. What do you think? Let me know in the comments below.

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]]> <![CDATA[ Alexa Plus needs a flagship smart speaker – here are 5 things I'd like to see in the next Echo ]]> https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-speakers/alexa-plus-needs-a-flagship-smart-speaker-here-are-5-things-id-like-to-see-in-the-next-echo WpPrWGomNAZGdB9VL2YNgY Sat, 01 Mar 2025 18:00:10 +0000 false false false

So it’s official: Amazon is finally launching Alexa+, the new AI-infused voice assistant that has been over a decade in the making. It marks the most significant upgrade of Alexa yet, injected with an unprecedented intelligence that brings every aspect of your schedule together in one harmonious place. It’s really quite impressive, but there’s one thing I think it lacks: a flagship Echo speaker.

Before Amazon announced Alexa+ at its Alexa event, I, like many others, had my list of expectations ready, and a new Echo speaker was at the top. Considering it's been five years since its last smart speaker - the Amazon Echo (2020) - a hardware upgrade is more than overdue, but as Amazon’s 70-minute event went by, nothing was mentioned.

While it was difficult for me to suppress my disappointment amidst the excitement of the arrival of Alexa+, it’s clear that Amazon is saving its next-gen Echo smart speaker for another date. It’s exciting to think about what Amazon might have planned for that device, and now that we know Alexa+ is on the way, that makes room for major software and hardware upgrades for one of the best smart speakers out there. Having said that, these are the upgrades I want to see in Amazon’s next Echo speaker.

An integrated smart screen/ display

Amazon Echo Spot on a nightstand

(Image credit: Amazon)

Over the past five years, Amazon has given its undivided attention to its line of Echo Show products, combining the Alexa voice assistant with smart display devices to make the Alexa experience more visual. From the release of the Echo Show 8 to its much larger 21.5 inch Echo Show 21 display, Alexa is becoming increasingly more visual, and it's about time it came to Amazon’s Echo speaker family.

In 2024, Amazon revived its Echo Spot device, which looks like the basic Echo Pop speaker but has a small smart display – but it is not a smart speaker. Therefore, we know that Amazon can implement a smart screen into its next Echo speaker model; the proof is there. When paired with the new Alexa+ voice assistant, the next Echo speaker could be unstoppable.

More color options

Echo Pop smart speakers in blue, white, black, and purple

(Image credit: Amazon)

Amazon’s color scheme has been translated into the designs of its Echo speakers, and while I love a strong brand image, I also want something that will pop. Though I recognize Amazon’s previous attempts at offering different color options to consumers (take a look at the Echo Pop and the Echo Dot Kids), there’s only so far you can go with black, white, blue, and grey tones.

For the next Echo speaker, I want to see Amazon take a bold leap with the color options. Imagine a sunset orange or a forest green Echo speaker beaming in the corner of your room - now that would make my music listening experiences pop.

Ambient lighting

Smart light

(Image credit: Getty)

Speaking of making the next Echo speaker pop, how cool would it be if Amazon’s next smart speaker model doubled as a speaker and lamp? My social media feed is inundated with interior design videos of apartments with the best ambient lighting I’ve seen, and nothing screams ‘I have my life together’ more than a cozy, warm lamp in the corner of your room.

I know that this would be a feature I would certainly take advantage of, and it means that I wouldn’t have to spend a fortune on the best smart lights if I had the ability to alter brightness, warmth, and change colors.

Improved audio quality with Dolby Atmos integration

apple homepod

The Apple HomePod 2 is a smart speaker that supports Dolby Atmos. I just hope the next Amazon Echo speaker follows suite. (Image credit: Apple)

Echo speakers make great smart speakers if you’re not the biggest audiophile and want something that will fill a room satisfactorily. For the past decade, Amazon has honed in on improving the responsiveness of its Echo speakers, reinforcing their role as smart home hubs, but I’d like to see some of that focus shift to enhancing its audio performance.

As someone who constantly uses their Echo speaker predominantly for music, be that streaming my favorite albums on Spotify or listening to some good old white noise, I’m always picking up on the imperfections of my speaker’s audio capabilities.

One thing I’d like from the next Amazon smart speaker isn’t necessarily a more dynamic volume, but instead fine-tuned vocals and a throbbing, robust bass. Dolby Atmos integration is a no-brainer and a necessity when it comes to the future Echo speaker, which would be a huge upgrade in itself.

Non-Fire TV device pairing

Alexa on a Fire TV in 2025

(Image credit: Amazon)

Music streaming and video streaming go hand-in-hand, and as well as a new audio upgrade, the final thing that I and Echo speaker users alike would like to see is compatibility with non-Fire TV devices.

This would effectivley make a huge difference for your home theater setup. At the moment, Amazon Echo speakers can connect to third-party devices such as PCs and TVs but through Bluetooth only, which often requires fiddling with the Alexa app. If Amazon introduced an improved compatibility feature with the next-gen Echo speaker, which lets it connect a smart speaker to a non-Fire TV device, the whole experience would be a lot smoother and more direct.

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]]> <![CDATA[ All your burning Alexa+ questions answered – by one of the people who built it ]]> https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-home/all-your-burning-alexa-questions-answered-by-one-of-the-people-who-built-it QHu7TLRLoXvBV95q4Gvr65 Thu, 27 Feb 2025 14:17:32 +0000 false false false

Alexa just went from being a somewhat ordinary, if trusted, digital assistant to a powerful enigma. Alexa+ replaces the plodding of the original with conversational intelligence, proactivity, and true AI. It's a lot to take in and raises a lot of questions. I managed to get some answers from Daniel Rausch, Amazon's VP of Alexa and Echo and of the people who helped build Alexa Plus, to get some answers.

Even though I caught up with Rausch at the end of a long day, he seemed energized and clearly quite proud of Amazon's creation.

I started by asking him about something bugging me since the launch: How much of Alexa+ is Claude? Anthropic, Claude's developer, was touted as a partner in the development of Alexa Plus and listed during the presentation alongside Amazon Nova, Amazon's own large language model.

Rausch, though, quickly disabused me of that notion.

"You saw Amazon Nova models up there and they are definitely where we start at Amazon," Rausch began, "we always start with our own technology."

Raushe explained that there is "unbelievable price performance in those models, unbelievable latency, unbelievable accuracy."

Bedrock principles

It goes further than that, though. Rausch explained that Amazon's Bedrock is a sort of cloud-based foundation for all its generative AI work. Anthropic is a "really important partner," said Rausch, but the system Amazon's built is "model agnostic."

"Bedrock's goal is to serve highly capable, state-of-the-art models," he said. That means the system will pick and choose the best models for the job.

It makes sense this also may have been Rausch's way of not identifying which models, including Claude, are used when. "With Alexa," he added, "we have access to the full suite."

Daniel Rausch, Amazon VP Alexa & Echo

(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

It goes further than that, though. Large language models are not the end or destination. Rausch told me the Alexa+ experience extends and builds upon them. He discussed the "information experts" idea introduced during the launch event. The models use these experts to gather relevant and factual information. Rausch used the example of his constant queries about baseball, specifically the Yankees, but added that the system is smart enough to know that, in his house, only he likes to talk endlessly about baseball while his daughter has no interest.

"I would say the models are helping orchestrate the overall experience and are the foundation and are helping us build the rest," Rausch told me.

That art

Amazon Alexa+

Amazon Alexa+'s generative image work. (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

During the kids' section of the unveiling, or the part that described the new "Explore and Stories with Alexa," I noticed what looked like generative AI art.

Rausch confirmed that Alexa+ generates that art on the fly based on kids' ideas. During development, Rausch put the tools in front of some relatives' kids to gauge their reactions: "It is super-fun. A kid is describing the story, Alexa is helping them explore, 'Hey, what would you like to write a story about?'" For instance, the kid describes a bearded dragon playing a saxophone. "Alexa's off drawing some creative artwork, asking about the path of the story, 'Where does the bearded dragon live?' or 'What city is the bearded dragon visiting?' Of course, kids are unlimited in their imagination. They're riffing. They're saying, sometimes, things adults can't come out with."

It does sound like fun. I noticed that the images I saw looked like generative AI, and Rausch told me that was exactly what they were. He would not, however, reveal which generative image model Alexa+ is using. All Rausch would only say that "it's from the models on Bedrock."

Security

As with any generative AI, the key to Alexa+'s utility is data or rather your data. Generative tasks will be handled in the cloud, but Raush told me that all of it will be encrypted "in transit."

"It is incredibly secure and meets our standard practices of trust generally, which include deep security and privacy," he added.

"We always start with our own technology."

Daniel Rausch, Amazon VP Alexa & Echo

Naturally, this led me to ask about the kids' technology and what safeguards Amazon has built around the generative image creation.

Rausch described it as "incredibly safe," and said there are many safeguards in place to ensure "children are always kept safe."

I know many companies say their generative image platforms are safe, but Amazon has a track record in developing kid-friendly platforms and systems. The "Explore and Stores with Alexa" is an extension of all that work.

Not always a screen

Amazon Echo

This Amazon Echo will likely support Alexa Plus but will the experience suffer without a screen? (Image credit: Shutterstock)

It was hard to ignore the pervasive use of the Echo Show 21 smart display throughout the Alexa+ demo. I've naturally been wondering about all the Echo Smart speakers out there, at least the ones new enough to support Alexa Plus. What will the experience be like with them?

During the demos, Amazon actually cranked up the length of responses for the Echo 21 screens to show off what Alexa knows. But no one wants to stand around staring at a speaker waiting for these responses. Rausch told me that they designed Alexa Plus to deliver more concise responses on the speakers. All of this is customizable.

"The idea is we picked the right kinds of responses and the right interactions for the device and the modality that you're in," he added.

Is Amazon ready

Daniel Rausch, Amazon VP Alexa & Echo

Daniel Rausch, Amazon VP Alexa & Echo at the Alexa+ launch. (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

When Amazon delivers Alexa+ in March, that could mean millions of Echo owners suddenly having generative AI conversations with the newest chatbot on the block. It's potentially a big computational lift. Is Amazon ready?

"Yes," Rausch smiled, "It is very nice to have AWS at Amazon."

Amazon's massive cloud computing platform supports countless websites and services and will now supply the bandwidth for Alexa+. Still, it won't be everything, everywhere, all at once. Amazon is planning on rolling out Alexa+ in waves.

And now I feel like I'll understand Alexa+ a little better when those waves first hit the digital shore.

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]]> <![CDATA[ Want to try Alexa+? Here are the Echo devices it'll work on ]]> https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-speakers/want-to-try-alexa-plus-here-are-the-echo-devices-itll-work-on W29QTrecH5zzYpvJKyPLMb Thu, 27 Feb 2025 11:35:30 +0000 Thu, 27 Feb 2025 15:27:37 +0000 false false false

Amazon unveiled Alexa+, its new AI-powered voice assistant, at yesterday's Alexa event. It's the biggest upgrade Alexa has ever received – but will it work with your devices, or will you need to upgrade to get the most out of it? On stage, Amazon's team mostly demonstrated Alexa+ using the latest Echo Show devices, but will it also be available for older speakers and smart displays?

We're here to answer your questions, and hopefully put your mind at ease. If your device isn't among those supported, don't worry – you can keep using the standard version of Alexa, and you'll be able to try Alexa+ in your web browser or the Alexa app instead.

Note that Alexa+ will only be available in the US at first, but should be launched more widely before long.

An Amazon Echo Show 21 sitting on a stand in a kitchen

Alexa+ will be coming to some devices early, including the new Amazon Echo Show 21 (Image credit: Amazon)

Amazon Echo Show devices

If you own one of the current generation of Echo Show devices, not only will you be able to use Alexa+, you'll also be one of the first to access it as part of an early roll-out program. The Echo Show devices with early Alexa+ access are:

During its launch event, Amazon explained that Alexa+ will be rolling out in waves over the next few weeks (so from the start of March onwards).

If you own a first or second-generation Echo Show, unfortunately Alexa+ won't be available to you, but you can keep using the standard version of Alexa instead.

Amazon Echo Dot on table beside water bottle

Alexa+ will also be coming to smart speakers like the Amazon Echo Dot (Image credit: Amazon)

Amazon Echo smart speakers

Alexa+ will also be available for Echo smart speakers. Whether you own one of the more recent Amazon Echo devices, an Amazon Echo Dot, or even 2024's little Amazon Echo Spot, you'll soon be able to chatter away with the new Alexa and use it as your personal assistant.

The only exceptions are a handful of older Echo devices including:

  • Echo Dot 1st Gen
  • Echo 1st Gen
  • Echo Plus 1st Gen
  • Echo Tap
  • Echo Spot 1st Gen

These speakers won't become unusable, though. Alexa+ is optional for all devices, and if yours isn't supported, you can keep using the standard version of Alexa instead.

It seems like TechRadar's Editor-at-Large Lance Ulanoff is in luck. Despite his concerns, it sounds like his 10-year-old Amazon Echo speaker will not only keep working, but will support Alexa+ as well.

Amazon Fire devices

Amazon has said that Alexa+ will be available for "compatible Fire TVs and Fire tablets". It hasn't provided a list of exactly which ones will be included, but it seems safe to say that the Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED and Amazon Fire HD 10 will be among them. We'll keep you updated as soon as we know more.

Sonos Era 100 lifestyle image leak

Third-party smart speakers advertised as 'Alexa Built-In' won't get Alexa+ straight away (Image credit: The Verge / Sonos)

Third-party smart speakers

If you have a third-party smart speaker, you'll have to be patient. Alexa+ won't be available for Alexa Built-In devices like the Sonos Era 100 or Bose Smart Speaker 500 straight away, but Amazon says that it looks forward to expanding Alexa+ to additional devices in the future.

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