Independent testing

How much independent testing exists for each smart speaker

Of the 10 smart speakers we track, 4 have been physically measured by at least one independent lab. Below is every one, ordered by how much independent hands-on evidence stands behind it — densest first.

A coverage record, not a ranking of which is best.

Product Independent labs Metrics measured Outlets on record
Sonos Move 2 2 1 4
Amazon Echo (4th Gen) 1 2 4
Google Nest Audio 1 1 4
Sonos Era 100 1 1 4
Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) 0 0 4
Amazon Echo Studio (2nd Gen) 0 0 3
Apple HomePod (2nd Gen) 0 0 3
Apple HomePod mini 0 0 4
Google Nest Mini (2nd Gen) 0 0 3
Sonos Era 300 0 0 3

Each figure is a count of what independent testers actually did — how we count. A low count means little independent evidence has been gathered yet, never that a product is worse. See also the Smart Speakers buying guide and the reviewers we cite.