The best Google Assistant smart speakers in 2022

Smart speakers can get pretty expensive, but Google keeps it simple with the Nest Audio. At only $99 and still filled with a bunch of features, the Google Nest Audio represents the best value on this list by far. The audio quality outmatches other speakers in this price range, providing robust, well-balanced sound across the whole room. The three far-field microphone array allows for a highly responsive device. On-device processing provides improved and expedited Google Assistant commands, especially for music, for an even more seamless experience.

The Google Nest Audio isn’t perfect though; many users note the occasional issue with Bluetooth connectivity. Plus, the lack of an aux input is always a bummer, but far from a deal-breaker, especially with an Android phone that could so easily cast to it. Overall, you really can’t beat the value of the Google Nest Audio, and if you’re wary about straying from Google’s home base, we highly recommend this speaker.

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Speaker portability is an underrated feature when it comes to this kind of technology, and the Sonos Move provides it in spades. With an 11-hour battery life and an easy-to-use charging dock, it truly combines the premium smart speaker experience with the location flexibility of a handheld device. It is pretty large for a portable speaker, but it comes equipped with a handy indent for easy carrying. At only six pounds, you shouldn’t have too much trouble lugging it to the backyard. Plus, it’s water-resistant, so you won’t have to worry about a splash ruining your extremely expensive smart speaker.

Did we mention that this smart speaker costs almost $400, nearly four times as much as the Nest Audio? If you really want a portable smart speaker that doesn’t compromise on features and functionality, and you’ve got some extra money lying around, the Sonos Move is absolutely the way to go.

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Everybody loves a good compromise, and the JBL Link Portable is exactly that: a solid middle ground between premium features and portable ease of use. It doesn’t have the sound quality of some of the more expensive, larger options on this list, but it’s more than respectable, particularly for the smaller size of the speaker. For portability, it weighs barely more than a pound for easy transportation. Plus, it’s completely waterproof; it can be fully submerged without damage.

The charging port is accessible, and with 8-hour battery life, this speaker should be able to handle any hang. However, it is missing the auxiliary input, which will put a damper on things when someone else wants a turn with the music. Plus, no JBL Connect app support means no customizable audio settings. All that aside, though, the JBL Link Portable provides the all-in-one device you need for an all-around smart speaker experience.

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Sometimes you’re just looking for an extension of your smart home setup, and that’s where a good Google Nest Mini comes in handy. These small, inconspicuous smart speakers will give you the full coverage needed to truly make you feel like you’re in a smart home. The impressive microphone recognition makes this even more apparent, and you won’t endure any overlapping responses with the Google software.

Full disclosure, the sound quality is outright bad, particularly compared to virtually any speaker on this list. However, the price reflects that at only half the cost of the Nest Audio. Combined with the lack of auxiliary input, you likely don’t want to make this your only option. However, if you need a secondary speaker to add to your array, the Nest Mini is an affordable option that will do precisely that.

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Everyone loves perks when it comes to premium tech, and the Belkin SoundForm Elite comes with one that will make everyone happy: a wireless charger. That’s right; this smart speaker comes with a handy dock for your smartphone. It has a 10W wireless charger that can keep your device pumping when you’re kicking back and listening to some tunes.

As you might’ve expected with a smart speaker with a built-in wireless charger, the price is a bit high, but unfortunately, the sound quality doesn’t match that premium price tag. At times, the bass is too much, while the overall balance just feels a bit off. You do get some solid voice recognition, though, thanks to the two microphones on the device, so at least there’s that.

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While it may not have a fancy badge on it, we really do like the Sonos One when it comes to smart speakers for Google Assistant. It provides a great overall audio experience combined with impressive sound quality that fills the rooms thanks to the automatic Trueplay feature built-in. It’s not too big and not too small, providing robust sound in a small package that won’t take up too much room.

It’s not portable, so it doesn’t have Bluetooth functionality. Still, Wi-Fi connectivity should be more than enough, and it does pair easily and effectively with other speakers, so you can create a full audio environment. The price is a bit high, but the sound quality alone is worth it.

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It’s not technically a smart display, but the Bose Home Speaker 500 has a tiny, somewhat LCD screen on the front of the device to provide some basic information, like artists, song titles, and some cool backgrounds. That added perk isn’t all you’ll find on this premium speaker; the sound quality is excellent, with wall-to-wall stereo sound from only a single speaker. It is a premium device, though, with a hefty price tag of $349. That may be a little high in the cost range, particularly with all the affordable options.

It doesn’t feature Chromecast functionality, which feels like a huge miss for a Google Assistant-enabled speaker. It does have an auxiliary port, so you have options as far as playing your tunes. Overall, this option is costly, but if the small LCD screen speaks to you or you’re building out your Bose ecosystem, you could do a lot worse than the Home Speaker 500.

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