4 Best Alexa Speakers (2026): Echo Dot Max, Echo Dot, Echo Show 11

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Best Overall Alexa SpeakerAmazon Echo Dot MaxRead more $100

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Best Affordable Alexa SpeakerAmazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)Read more $50

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Best Alexa Smart DisplayAmazon Echo Show 11Read more $220

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Best Affordable Alexa Smart DisplayAmazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen)Read more $150

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Amazon started the smart speaker game, but finding the best Alexa speaker has only gotten harder as the company launches more and more devices. Amazon has the largest range of smart speakers and displays by a long shot, which can be overwhelming to dive into. The most recent were launched late last year: the Echo Dot Max, the Echo Studio (2nd Gen), the Echo Show 11, and the Echo Show 8 (4th Gen). But Amazon has plenty of older, cheaper models available, too.

If you're looking for something small and simple to control your home, either an Echo Dot ($50) or the Echo Dot Max ($100) is your best bet. The Dot Max has really impressive sound for its compact size and is my overall favorite Alexa speaker, but if you're only going to use it for voice commands rather than jam sessions, you can get away with the older, cheaper model, especially if you want to buy a few to place around your home. For anyone looking for a smart display, the Echo Show 11 ($220) is the best of Amazon's newest smart displays that come designed for the updated assistant, Alexa+. The older third-generation Echo Show 8 ($150) is still a great value if you want something cheaper.

Read on to see every Alexa speaker I've tried (hint: it's all of them) and what I think after testing each one. You can also learn more about Alexa+, and we've got guides on setting up your Echo speaker, creating Alexa routines, and the best tricks an Echo Show can do.

Updated June 2026: I've trimmed the picks in this guide to four and added a new Honorable Mentions section. I've also updated pricing and Alexa+ details.

Table of ContentsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron

Comparing the Best Alexa Speakers
Honorable Mentions
More Alexa (and Alexa-Compatible) Speakers
What’s Alexa+?
What’s the Difference Between an Echo and an Echo Show?
When’s the Best Time to Buy an Echo?
How and Where Should You Set Up Your Alexa?
Is Alexa Always Listening?
How Do You Remove Ads and Spam From an Echo Show?

Best Overall Alexa Speaker
- Photograph: Nena Farrell
- Photograph: Nena Farrell
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Amazon
Echo Dot Max
$100
Amazon
Out of Amazon's latest smart speakers, one landed on top for me: the Echo Dot Max. It's still a similarly sized speaker to past Dot models (though this model is slightly taller at 4.27 inches while the older was 3.9 inches) but has much better sound than ever before, putting it on level with the Echo (4th Gen) we previously recommended. I was really impressed with the sound quality and volume for such a small speaker. It also doesn't lack in bass like smaller speakers usually do. Amazon is no longer selling the plain Echo, which was last updated in 2020, so the Echo Dot Max is really your only powerful sound option that isn't upwards of $150.
While it still has the rounded design that was introduced in the 2020 Echo speakers, both the Echo Dot Max and new Echo Studio introduced a new design style with a front panel that looks like a dust cap, but instead houses the volume controls and the microphone mute button. There are also tap controls on the top to stop music, and it has a built-in smart home hub that was never before available in such a small speaker. It comes with Alexa+ right out of the box, but if you don't have a Prime membership, you'll only have a 30-day trial and then need to pay for either Prime or the Alexa+ $20 monthly fee (choose Prime).
Speaker arrayOne 2.5-inch woofer; one 1-inch tweeterAudio optionsCompatible with Bluetooth and services like Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, and SiriusXMExtra featuresTap controls; smart home hubWIRED/TIREDAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronWIRED
- Impressive, room-filling sound, especially for its small size
- Compatible with Alexa and Alexa+, and good at hearing requests, even with loud music playing
- Has a built-in smart home hub
TIRED
- Expensive for such a small speaker
Best Affordable Alexa Speaker
- Photograph: Nena Farrell
- Courtesy of Amazon
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Amazon
Echo Dot (5th Gen)
$50
Amazon
The fifth-generation Echo Dot is a few years old now, but it's still a great little speaker. It's got powerful, robust sound for its size, and it works great if you want Alexa handy on a bookshelf or on a small side table. It's one I always find myself setting up somewhere in my house, whether it's in my hallway so I can ask quick questions as I move through the house, or in my bedroom as an alarm clock. It's some of the best sound you can get for this price, especially when it's on sale.
Speaker arrayOne 1.73-inch speakerAudio optionsCompatible with Bluetooth and services like Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, and SiriusXM; capable of lossless high definition.Extra featuresn/aWIRED/TIREDAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronWIRED
- Impressive sound for such a small size, with solid bass compared to previous generations
- Good size for bedside tables and smaller rooms
TIRED
- Won't fill a large room with sound like other picks in this guide

Best Alexa Smart Display
- Photograph: Nena Farrell
- Photograph: Nena Farrell
- Photograph: Nena Farrell
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Echo Show 11
$220
Amazon
I'm surprised to say that out of Amazon's two newest Echo Show devices, the new Echo Show 11 ended up being my favorite over the fourth-gen Echo Show 8. I actually liked the larger screen, and it didn't feel ridiculously large like the Echo Show 15 does or the Echo Show 10 before it, but it helps that the base is much smaller on the Show 11 than the Show 10's rotating, Wall-E-esque base.
The Echo Show 11's screen is bright and crisp, and I loved how the landscape photo slideshows looked on it. There's a little side menu you can swipe to see things like your smart home favorites, and I found the sound quality immersive and more well-rounded than the new Show 8. Taylor Swift's “You're On Your Own, Kid” sounded beautifully dimensional, while “Opalite” didn't lose its bass like it did on the newer Show 8. It's got a 13-MP camera like we've seen on Show 8 models, and this larger display is one I'd be more likely to stream a show on compared to the smaller Show 8 and Show 5 sizes. If you're looking to get one of the newer displays, this is the superior option.
Speaker array2.8-inch woofer, two full-range driversAudio optionsCompatible with Bluetooth and services like Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, and SiriusXMExtra featuresZigbee smart home hub that supports Matter and Thread; 13-MP camera; 11-inch 1920 x 1200 displayWIRED/TIREDAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronWIRED
- Great sound and a good screen size (and quality) without being bulky
- Built-in smart home hub and spatial audio capabilities
- Made for Alexa+ and comes with it, no waiting list required
TIRED
- Has on-screen ads
- Has preset content it will show unless toggled off
Best Affordable Alexa Smart Display
- Photograph: Nena Farrell
- Courtesy of Amazon
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Amazon
Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen)
$150
Amazon
The Echo Show 8 has been our favorite smart display for Alexa for three generations in a row, and the 2023 model remains my preferred option of the Show 8 models, even though there's a new version. The 8-inch screen is a good size for just about everything, from weather updates to recipes and video chats (thanks to the 13-MP camera), without being overly bulky.
The third-gen model has a smart home hub and spatial audio. I was also happier with the sound quality on this one compared to the new fourth-gen Echo Show 8 ($180). While the new model comes with Alexa+ right away and has an updated screen experience, the speaker is a little weaker and doesn't have the same bass and depth level to the songs as the third-gen version. The biggest irritation I have with the third-gen version is that Amazon will show lots of ads on it (along with other Echo Show devices), but there are some ways to get around that.
Speaker arrayTwo 2-inch speakersAudio optionsCompatible with Bluetooth and services like Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, and SiriusXMExtra features8-inch display with 1280 x 800 resolution; 13-MP camera with auto-framingWIRED/TIREDAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronWIRED
- Smart display adds extra features you won't get on a regular smart speaker, and the 8-inch size is ideal for most things
- Has a built-in smart home hub
- Physical cover for included camera
TIRED
- Has a camera, which not everyone might want in their home

Comparing the Best Alexa Speakers

ModelSpeaker ArrayScreen SpecsCamera SpecsOther FeaturesAmazon Echo Dot MaxOne 2.5-inch woofer; one 1-inch tweeterNoneNoneTap controls; smart home hubAmazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)One 1.73-inch speakerNoneNoneNoneAmazon Echo Show 11One 2.8-inch woofer; two full-range drivers11-inch display with 1920 x 1200 resolution13-MP camera with auto-framingZigbee smart home hub that supports Matter and Thread; spatial audio; Dolby AtmosAmazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen)Two 2-inch speakers8-inch display with 1280 x 800 resolution13-MP camera with auto-framingZigbee smart home hub; spatial audio

Honorable Mentions

While I wouldn't call these smart speakers my absolute favorites from Amazon, they have some excellent qualities that make them stand out among the vast lineup of Echo models.

The Echo Studio (2nd Gen) is the best Alexa speaker for sound quality. This is the second version of the Echo Studio to be our audiophile pick. The current version is a similar size to the old Echo (4th gen), but the musical power on this speaker is almost ridiculous. It filled my entire second floor's long great room with music, and I didn't even need to reach the highest level of volume to pull it off. Honestly, I'm almost afraid to use it at full blast. Not only was it loud, but clear and delivered a nice amount of blast, beautifully playing soft tones of Tracy Chapman's “Fast Car” and the piano riffs of “Dark Blue” by Jack's Mannequin with its three 1.5-inch drivers, plus a 3.75-inch woofer. The harmonizing of “What Is This Feeling?” by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo sounded beautiful, too. If you're looking for big sound in an Alexa box, this is it. It's a similar size to the Apple HomePod, but I like the sound much better and it's cheaper, too. You'll also get a built-in smart home hub, spatial audio and Dolby Atmos, tap controls like the Echo Dot Max, and early access to Alexa+ right away.

The Echo Spot (2nd Gen) is the best Alexa speaker for bedside tables. The Echo Spot returned in 2024 after a few years of discontinuation, and it's a great little bedside companion thanks to its half-circle screen that displays the time, plus any alarms you have set are also visible under the main time. You can customize the clock with a couple of different color and face options, and the screen dims nicely when the lights are out to a gentle red that's easy to read without lighting up the room. I like asking for alarms set to my latest playlist or some lo-fi jams, and it's easy to set that up with a voice request. Unlike the Echo Shows, it doesn't have a distracting, constantly moving slideshow that would be annoying for the bedroom, nor does it display ads or have a built-in camera. (Nobody wants a rogue camera in their bedroom.) It does not have fantastic sound, but it's plenty loud for an alarm or casual listening while you get dressed in the morning.

The Echo Dot Kids (5th Gen) is the best Alexa speaker for kids. Do your kids really need their own Alexa speaker? That's up to you. This special edition of the Echo Dot is nearly identical to the fifth-gen Dot above, but it has easy-to-use parental controls that allow you to set time limits, filter explicit content, and review activity. The owl- or dragon-themed sphere comes with a year of Amazon Kids+, which includes thousands of Audible books and other special games and features. After that, you'll be charged $3 per month. Alexa can help your kids spell, play their favorite music, or—via another speaker in your house—remind them of dinner time.

More Alexa (and Alexa-Compatible) Speakers

There are a lot of Echo devices out there, and some third-party speakers that are Amazon Alexa–compatible. Here's every Alexa smart speaker we've tried and what we thought of it.

Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) With Clock for $60: I like this version of the older Echo Dot that adds an LED clock to the front of the speaker, and was thrilled to see it in stock again last year. The LED clock can also display information like the weather when you ask Alexa questions. It's once again temporarily out of stock as of this writing, and has had spotty availability for the past year or so. Still, it's a good find when it's available.

Amazon Echo Hub for $180: The Amazon Echo Hub is similar to an Echo Show, but without the speaker. Instead it's a thin device that feels a bit like a tablet, designed to be mounted on the wall (or placed on a separately purchased stand, which is how I used it) and used to control your smart home devices. It's a great choice for anyone who wants something focused on smart home control only. You can still ask Alexa questions and even play music, but the thin speakers aren't worth playing music from. But you can tell your Echo Hub to play music on a different set of speakers, and even set up default speakers to work with it. It's a great companion device if you already have a smart home setup.

Amazon Echo Pop for $40: The Echo Pop is a perfectly fine little speaker, and the cutest one in Amazon's lineup. Does it have great sound? No. It's fine enough for background tunes or if you're limited to a dorm room, but you'll get much better sound for a similar size from the Echo Dot (but you'll pay a little more, and you won't get as cute of colors)!

Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) for $90: This smart display is another just-fine option, but it's too small to be a great display, and the included camera makes it a no for a bedside table; better to go with the above Echo Spot or an Echo Dot.

Amazon Echo Show 8 (4th Gen) for $180: I usually love an Echo Show 8, but this model didn't have the same sound quality as the older model. If you're going to get one of Amazon's new displays, you're better off getting the Echo Show 11 ($220) for the same experience with a slightly larger screen (while it's a 3-inch difference, it doesn't feel that big) and better sound.

Amazon Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen) for $300: This smart display is a good display, but it clearly wants to double as a TV and isn't very good at it yet. I'm hoping we see better TV-related performance in the future to make it worth adding to a kitchen or office. It does a great job with widgets, though, thanks to the massive 15.6-inch screen. There's also the larger Echo Show 21 ($400), which is essentially the same thing but larger.

JBL Authentics 200 for $360: This JBL smart speaker supports both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, letting you switch between them for different tasks without changing your preference in the app. That makes this speaker particularly appealing for folks with a sprawling collection of smart products from both.

Sonos Era 100 for $189: If you're looking for a speaker that can talk to Alexa but isn't necessarily made by Amazon, the Sonos Era 100 is a great option. We just wish we liked the Sonos app better. You can catch our entire guide to the Sonos ecosystem here.

What’s Alexa+?

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Photograph: Nena Farrell

Amazon has rolled out the new-and-improved Amazon Alexa, named Alexa+, which is built on generative AI and promises a more powerful assistant that can handle more conversational topics and requests. It's available for a free 30-day trial; after that, you either pay a $20 monthly fee or become a Prime member. Being a Prime member is the better deal, likely by design. Neither my colleagues nor I have been impressed enough by Alexa+ to say it's worth paying for on its own. I do like the updated, more conversational voice, and Alexa+ did a good job answering all kinds of questions quickly and thoughtfully. Check out our early access hands-on for everything I thought while testing.

Alexa+ has brought some changes, even for those not using it. It now requires that all voice recordings be sent to Amazon for processing, which wasn't required before. Amazon has changed its features to support this, and now all recordings with regular Alexa go to Amazon, too. There used to be a “Do Not Send Voice Recordings” privacy feature you could select to have voice requests processed locally, but it was discontinued on March 28, 2025, per an email Amazon sent to current users.