Best Smart Speaker Review

We take a look at our top 3 smart speakers to suit any budget.

Welcome to the twenty-first-century people! We now live in a world where your speakers can come with Bluetooth connectivity, clocks, internet access and even voice control. While the tech industry generally uses the term smart speaker to describe a speaker that comes with voice control such as Amazon’s Alexa, technically, any speaker that does more than just emit sound can be referred to as smart.

As such, in this review, we have featured speakers with a wide range of capabilities. While some have voice control, others rely solely on Bluetooth connectivity. However, they all have one thing in common; they don’t compromise on audio quality.

Benefits of a smart speaker

Apart from acting as speakers, they usually perform a variety of other functions
Allows you to control them using your phone or voice
Easy to set up

Disadvantages of a smart speaker

Smart speakers with voice control are always listening to what is happening in your house. This can pose a security threat

In this review, you will find an affordable basic speaker, a moderately priced one and an expensive high-end buy. We guarantee you that all our featured speakers are versatile and highly efficient. They truly are the best that money can buy.

Best Budget Smart Speaker

The Morpilot Bluetooth Smart Bulb

This affordable smart speaker stands out in more ways than one. First of all, it features an LED light, giving you access to 9 main colours and supporting over 16 million more. For a more animated feel, the Morpilot Bluetooth Smart Bulb features a white light that twinkles according to the rhythm of the music playing.

Yet another thing we love about this smart speaker is the fact that it can be controlled by a smartphone using the JBSmartPro app and the speaker’s Bluetooth connectivity. Moreover, the Morpilot Smart Bulb features a sleeping timer assistant and a high lumen LED chip that makes it significantly brighter than its competitors while saving on energy consumption.

It is also worth noting that this smart speaker ships with an informative user manual.

Benefits of the Morpilot Bluetooth Smart Bulb

Can play music from any source
Compatible with both Android and IOS smartphones
Bright yet energy saving
Has a lifetime of 50,000 hours; the equivalent of 5 years of non-stop lighting
Easy to install

Disadvantages of the Morpilot Bluetooth Smart Bulb

One Morpilot speaker can only connect to one smartphone
Doesn’t come with voice control

Manufacturers Specs

Weight: 231 grams
Bulb length: 144 mm
Bulb diameter: 80 mm
Type of bulb: LED
Bulb lifespan: 50,000 hours
Voltage: AC100-240V/50Hz-60Hz
Total power: 12W
LED power: 6W
Speaker power: 3W
Wireless range: 10m/33ft
Temperature: 5700-6300 K
Bluetooth Version: V4.2

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Rating

Ultimately, the Morpilot Bluetooth Smart Bulb does all that it promises to do. At such a low price tag, we would be surprised if you found a better smart speaker.

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Best Value Smart Speaker

The Vobot Smart Alarm LED Clock

If you are looking for a speaker with voice control, the Vobot Smart Alarm LED Clock is just what you need. This speaker comes with Amazon’s Alexa that helps you to play music, access information, listen to news and even control your smart home devices.

On top of its speaker and alarm clock functions, this device also features a proximity sensor and a clear LED display that can be customized with multiple options. This smart speaker ships with a user manual, a 12-month warranty and lifetime technical support.

Benefits of the Vobot Smart Alarm LED Clock

Easy to set up and use
Can perform a variety of functions
Provides good audio quality

Disadvantages of the Vobot Smart Alarm LED Clock

Doesn’t come with Bluetooth
Requires regular Alexa app updates

Manufacturers Specs

Weight: 150 grams
Dimensions: 90 × 90 × 74 mm
Type of display: LED dot matrix
Voltage: 5V
Current: 2A
Speaker power: 5W
Connectivity: 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n
AUX OUT: 3.5 mm

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Rating

This Alexa enabled smart speaker is perfect for those who are looking for a voice controlled device that doesn’t break their bank accounts. It is sleek, durable, and does all that it claims to do. Ultimately, it gives you good money for your money.

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Best Performing Smart Speaker

The JBL Horizon Wireless Bluetooth Dual Alarm Clock FM Radio

This is yet another impressive speaker and clock combo. This JBL smart speaker comes with a ton of features that make it stand out from its competitors. These include:

3 original digital alarm tones for an added variety
2 customizable alarms for you and your partner’s comfort
5 programmable FM radio presets
Smartphone control by the use of Bluetooth or a traditional buzzer
Ability to stream music from any Bluetooth phone or tablet
Compact design for ease of storage
Clear LCD display that lets you easily read date and time
Built-in light sensors that allow you to automatically adjust brightness according to the environment
2 USB ports that you can use to charge your mobile devices even when the speaker system is turned off
Snooze button for increased ease of use
Ambient light that gradually increases in intensity to help you wake up easier
The built-in 5-hour battery that allows you to use it even during a power outage

It is also worth noting that this smart speaker ships with the following accessories:

An FM antenna
A power adapter with exchangeable plugs
A safety sheet
A Quick Start guide

Benefits of the JBL Horizon

Stylish design
Easy to use
Compatible with both Android and iOS devices

Disadvantages of the JBL Horizon

It can’t be limited to a certain volume
It doesn’t have a switch off button

Manufacturers Specs

Weight: 890 grams
Height: 160 mm
Width: 183 mm
Depth: 86 mm
Type of display: LCD
Frequency response: 70 Hz to 20 kHz
Power: 2 × 5W
Connectivity: Bluetooth

Gallery

JBL Horizon Wireless Bluetooth Dual Alarm Clock FM Radio

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Overall Rating

In spite of a few flaws here and there, the JBL Horizon is quite a stand-up smart speaker. It is efficient in both its speaker and alarm clock functions, making it one of the best clock and speaker combos on the market right now. Although it costs a small fortune, it is more than worth it.

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Best Smart Speaker (Overall Winner)

The Vobot Smart Alarm LED Clock

While all our featured smart speakers are quite impressive, it is not lost on us that the Vobot Smart Alarm Clock is by far the best. Although it is very similar to the JBL Horizon, it comes with the added advantage of including voice control. This makes it capable of doing above and beyond what the JBL Horizon can do.

It allows you to access the internet, listen to the news, control smart home devices and so much more. We also love that it is much cheaper than the JBL Horizon. On the other hand, although the Morpilot Bluetooth Smart Bulb can perform a variety of functions, it also doesn’t feature voice control.

No matter how you look at it, the Vobot Smart Alarm Clock is the best smart speaker in this review. It gives you the widest range of services for the least money possible.

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The Bottom Line

In this day and age, voice-controlled smart speakers are the in thing. Many people already have one and those who don’t really want one. The fact that they can perform out of the box activities like reducing the house lighting and setting the thermostat makes them popular among people who are always on the go.

That is why we truly believe that our top pick, the Vobot Smart Alarm Clock is the best smart speaker on the market right now. However, you should know that voice-controlled speakers are always listening to conversations occurring in the house. This poses a security threat in that a third party can gain access to personal conversations.

At the end of the day, even the best of products have a flaw or two. You just have to choose the flaws you can live with.

Best Smart Speaker Review