Wired just published its comprehensive 2025 guide to the best Alexa-enabled speakers, testing everything from Amazon's latest Echo Hub to third-party options like the Sonos Beam. The timing couldn't be better - Amazon's new Alexa+ service launches this year with AI-powered features, making smart speaker choice more crucial than ever.
Wired just dropped its definitive 2025 Alexa speaker guide, and the landscape is shifting faster than anyone expected. The publication tested eight of the year's most promising voice-enabled speakers, from Amazon's latest Echo devices to premium third-party alternatives that are giving the retail giant serious competition.
The standout pick isn't what you'd expect. Wired crowned the Amazon Echo Hub as their top recommendation for smart home control - a sleek, tablet-like device designed to be wall-mounted rather than placed on counters. "It's a great choice for anyone who wants something focused on smart home control only," reviewer Nena Farrell writes. At $180, the Hub strips away the speaker entirely, instead focusing on Zigbee and Matter integration.
But here's where it gets interesting: the timing of this review coincides with Amazon's rollout of Alexa+, a $20-per-month AI upgrade that fundamentally changes how these devices work. Starting March 28, 2025, all voice recordings - even from standard Alexa users - now get sent to Amazon's cloud servers. The company killed its "Do Not Send Voice Recordings" privacy feature to support the new AI capabilities.
The competitive pressure is real. Sonos claimed the compact soundbar crown with its Beam Gen 2, selling for $499 with deep discounts at major retailers. "The small, pill-shaped bar will seamlessly work with any other Sonos speakers you have," Wired notes, highlighting how third-party manufacturers are building ecosystems that rival Amazon's own.
Stock shortages tell another story. Amazon's Echo Studio, which Wired calls "our favorite Echo speaker for sound quality," has faced major availability issues. The $200 device "was only in stock for a few days of July," and Amazon wouldn't confirm when steady availability would return. Similar supply constraints hit the Echo Sub, now only available through third-party retailers like Best Buy.
The review reveals how fragmented the smart speaker market has become. Premium options like the at $250 integrate Alexa without requiring hardware. Meanwhile, budget picks like the Echo Pop at $40 offer basic functionality but compromise significantly on audio quality.
