How to choose a smart speaker — expert tips, top best gadgets of 2025

In recent years, smart speakers have rapidly evolved from simple music speakers to multifunctional devices capable of finding the right information, controlling equipment and entertaining users. In this regard, the choice of a smart speaker has turned from a simple purchase of a gadget into a responsible decision on the arrangement of the digital space at home. Izvestia tells us how to choose the perfect voice assistant and which devices top the rating in 2005.

What is a smart speaker?

A smart speaker, or smart speaker, is a device with a speaker and microphone that works on the basis of artificial intelligence (AI). At its core, it is a virtual assistant implemented as an independent device. The gadget is equipped with a wireless communication module and has many useful functions.

The history of smart speakers began in 2015 with Amazon. Four years later, every third home in the United States had a device. The boom came later in Russia, as international giants such as Apple and Google did not support the Russian language for a long time, and sales of local brands started only in 2018.

The first gadgets performed only two key tasks — they played music and responded to voice commands. Modern models have long gone beyond that. Today, they meet a wide variety of requirements, including smart home management.

The device formats range from compact cylinders and cubes to mini-boomboxes, and their dimensions range from pocket—sized to solid floor models.

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Smart Speaker Functions and Features

The functionality of the device directly depends on the capabilities of its voice assistant. It allows the speaker not only to play sound, but to maintain a dialogue, access the Internet, set timers, alarm clocks, call a taxi, make calls and send messages.

The main practical task of the speaker is to control other smart devices: sockets, switches and household appliances. Manufacturers are constantly expanding the list of additional features. A number of models in 2025 can boast not only sound, but also other useful features.:

• image projection;
• measuring the room temperature;
• creating a live sound effect;
• interactive lighting;
• the function of wireless charging of other devices.

How to choose a smart speaker: key criteria

The choice of a smart speaker is based on individual needs, depending on what tasks are assigned to the device. Experts identify several basic parameters that you should pay attention to before buying.

• The voice assistant is a fundamental parameter. All speaker features, access to applications, and support for music services depend on it.

• Sound quality is the most important parameter for music lovers. When evaluating the sound, you should take into account the speaker power (20-50 watts is enough for a small room), the frequency range (standard — from 50 Hz to 20 kHz), the number of speakers (the best option for surround sound is four speakers).

• Sound enhancement technologies create the effect of spatial sound and adapt audio to the acoustics of the room.

• Additional functions make using the device more convenient. For example, the ability to integrate with other devices and control the speaker from a smartphone.

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Recommendations for choosing a smart speaker

For users who need a gadget to get basic information — news, weather, currency rates, as well as for entertainment, any budget model is suitable. Before buying, it is only important to check the availability of wireless Wi-Fi interfaces, Bluetooth and speaker volume.

To control a smart home, you will need a model with support for several wireless communication protocols, such as ZigBee, Matter and Bluetooth. In this case, the speaker power fades into the background, but the quality of the gadget becomes a critical condition. It is also important to have an LED display that displays the status of connected devices.

Top of the best smart speakers in 2025

In the first half of 2025, Russians bought 2.5 million smart speakers, spending more than 22 billion rubles on them. Sales ratings compiled on the basis of data from major retailers and expert reviews identify several models that are in consistently high demand.

According to the report "M.Video", the top sellers include devices that optimally combine functionality and price. Among them:

• Yandex.Station with Alice, an assistant who has gained wide popularity due to the support of Russian services and the quality of Russian speech recognition. Today, its more compact and advanced versions have appeared on the market.: "Yandex Station Midi", "Yandex Station Light" and "Yandex Station Duo Max", which can be used to control a smart home.

• VK Capsule is a smart speaker with a Marusya voice assistant that can turn on music, find out the news, tell the weather forecast, set an alarm or make reminders. It is more often chosen by users of VK services (VK Music and VK Video).

• SberBoom is a model from Sberbank, which also demonstrates high sales due to deep integration with the bank's ecosystem.

Earlier, Izvestia told us what to look for when choosing a smartphone.

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