Connects to Alexa, Sonos, AirPlay 2, or Google Assistant

There are louder speakers and some that are more portable, but no smart speaker is a better buy than the Sonos One right now (8/10, WIRED Recommends). It sets the bar in a number of areas, including sound quality, stable multiroom audio, and smart-home utility. Plus, it’s probably compatible with whatever ecosystem you prefer—it comes with Alexa enabled but also supports Google Assistant and Apple’s AirPlay 2.

On the audio front, the Sonos One sounds great. It has a balanced sound profile and robust (but never boomy) bass for a speaker its size. It connects to about 100 streaming audio services around the world, which is most of them. It’s also one of the best smart speakers to buy if you plan to build a home theater setup—it connects to Sonos’ larger speakers and its TV soundbar.

It’s worth noting that Sonos was in a bit of hot water in 2020 over the fact that its older speakers weren’t going to get software updates. There is now a fix to support legacy hardware, but unfortunately, this is a reality of computer-powered speakers; unlike their analog predecessors, you can’t expect them to last forever. Sonos smart speakers, however, have a track record of lasting longer than anything else we’ve tested.

Connects to Google Assistant or Alexa

The pint-sized Sonos Roam (9/10, WIRED Recommends) has become our new favorite portable speaker. I (Parker) have taken it on road trips, to outdoor weddings, and in the basket of my bike. The simple-to-use Sonos ecosystem works with Google Assistant and Alexa, and the speaker has Bluetooth for when you’re out of Wi-Fi range. It even includes wireless charging, which makes it the perfect speaker to set down at home between trips outdoors.

You’ll get 10 hours of listening on a full charge at medium volume, and the thing is rugged; an IP67 rating means it can survive in 3 feet of water for 30 minutes. I’m not easy on speakers, and our review unit is still going strong. If you’re looking to up your out-and-about game, buy one of these and stash it inside a stainless to-go mug. Just grab a drink along the way.