8 cool smart speakers for home or work

1. Harman Kardon Citation 500

Smart speakers: Harman Kardon Citation 500

The 200 W column is equipped with four speakers - two woofers and a pair of tweeters. For wireless connection, Bluetooth 4.2 and Wi-Fi modules are provided. You can also play content using Chromecast technology.

The top of the Citation 500 has a full color touchscreen control. The model is compatible with the Google Assistant voice assistant: it allows you to give commands to the smart home and play music at the user's request, as well as answer questions and help plan the day. The speaker can be configured via the mobile application for iOS and Android. The device is powered by the mains.

2. Yandex. Station

Yandex's smart speaker uses a five-speaker speaker system with a total power of 50 watts to output sound. With the help of Alice's voice assistant, you can control music and smart home devices, listen to news feeds and weather forecasts, search and watch movies, include funny stories and fairy tales for children, set an alarm, and find answers to questions.

Yandex. Station is equipped with Bluetooth 4.1 and Wi-Fi modules for communicating with gadgets and connecting to the Internet. The connection is indicated by a backlit indicator at the top of the device. For accurate speech recognition, seven microphones are installed inside. The speaker can be configured via the mobile application for iOS and Android.

The set with the device comes with an AC adapter and an HDMI cable for connecting to a TV.

3. JBL Link Portable

JBL Link Portable with a power of 20 W performs voice commands with the help of "Alice": starts music, answers questions, reminds of important dates. The capacity of the built-in battery lasts for eight hours of autonomous work. The speaker casing is IPX7 waterproof and can be used in the bathroom, in the rain or on the beach.

On the case of the column there are power and volume control buttons, as well as LED indicators showing the connection with "Alice". For wireless connection to the Internet and gadgets, there are Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2 modules. All settings are available in the Yandex application for iOS and Android.

4. JBL Link Music

The compact JBL Link Music speaker works only from the mains and is positioned as an exclusively home or office version of the model above. It is also equipped with a 20W audio system and works with the voice assistant "Alice". The wireless connection is via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2. For detailed settings, you need to use a mobile application on Android or iOS.

5. Harman / Kardon Citation One

Smart speaker with two speakers with a total power of 40 watts. Supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2 and Chromecast for wireless connection and content streaming. This model uses Google Assistant as a voice assistant. Two sensitive microphones help identify commands.

Citation One allows you to listen to music, search for information on the Internet and control your smart home. Two such speakers can be combined into a stereo pair. When using for the first time, you need to set up the system via the Google Home app. The device works only from the mains.

6. LG WK7Y

The LG WK7Y 30W speaker with support for Alice's voice assistant will help you control your smart home, listen to music, search for information and plan your day. On the upper part of the case there is a control panel with touch buttons, on the front side there is also an indicator of communication with an assistant. The device connects to the Internet and gadgets via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi modules. Powered by the mains.

7. Prestigio Smartmate

A portable smart speaker can work both from the mains and from the built-in battery (up to 9 hours). Prestigio PSS101Y is compatible with "Alice" and detects voice commands using four microphones.

This model will help you listen to music, control smart home devices, find out the latest news, entertain children, set an alarm and much more. Like other smart systems, the Wi-Fi module is used for internet connection, and Bluetooth 4.1 is used for communication with gadgets. On the upper part there are control buttons.

8. Yandex. Station Mini

Miniature column "Yandex. Station Mini" with "Alice" and the function of gesture control allows you to adjust the volume and play virtual musical instruments with the movements of your palm. Wireless communication is established using Bluetooth 4.2 and Wi-Fi.

Using voice commands, you can perform all the usual tasks: from interacting with smart home technology to fairy tales for children. To determine commands, four microphones are built into the column. The speaker power is 3 W. The device is powered by the mains.