Best smart speakers & displays: 12 top picks for smart homes

Here is a 174-word summary of the news article: The article provides an overview of the best smart speakers and displays on the market, highlighting top picks in several categories. The Amazon Echo Spot (2024) is recommended as the best value option, offering Alexa integration, a handy display, and smart home control capabilities. The Google Nest Mini is highlighted as a capable, affordable smart speaker with Google Assistant. The Apple HomePod mini impresses with its audio quality, while the Amazon Echo Dot (5th gen) is the best budget-friendly choice. For music lovers, the Sonos Era 100 and Era 300 are highlighted for their exceptional sound quality. The Amazon Echo Studio offers immersive 3D audio support. Portable options like the Sonos Move 2 and Sonos Roam are also reviewed. The article also covers smart displays, with the Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) and Google Nest Hub Max identified as top picks. The piece emphasizes key factors to consider when choosing a smart speaker, such as audio quality, platform compatibility, voice assistant capabilities, and additional features.