WIRED has released its updated buying guide for the best smart speakers of 2025, featuring comprehensive reviews of devices from Amazon, Google, and Apple. The guide highlights the Google Nest Audio as the top overall pick while introducing new recommendations including the JBL Authentics 200 as the best third-party option and repositioning the Sonos Era 100 for audiophiles seeking premium sound quality.
WIRED just reshuffled its smart speaker recommendations for 2025, and the changes reveal how rapidly the voice assistant landscape is evolving. The tech publication's comprehensive buying guide maintains Google's Nest Audio as the top overall pick, but introduces significant changes to address both hardware updates and the shifting assistant ecosystem.
The most notable addition is the JBL Authentics 200, now positioned as WIRED's top third-party smart speaker recommendation. Priced at $200 on Amazon, this speaker tackles a growing consumer pain point by supporting both Google Assistant and Amazon's Alexa simultaneously. "That makes this speaker particularly appealing for folks with a sprawling collection of smart products from both," WIRED reviewer Nena Farrell writes in the updated guide.
The recommendation reflects broader industry fragmentation as voice assistants become more specialized. While Amazon continues expanding its Echo ecosystem, Google is transitioning to its new Gemini for Home assistant, creating uncertainty for consumers invested in existing smart home setups.
Sonos faces a different challenge with its Era 100, which WIRED repositioned from overall favorite to "best for sound quality" at $219. The speaker lost Google Assistant compatibility that its predecessor offered, leaving users with only Alexa support despite superior audio performance. "My only complaint is the lack of Google support, and I expect that to remain true as Google switches from Google Assistant to Gemini for Home," Farrell notes.
The timing coincides with major ecosystem transitions. Google announced Gemini for Home is rolling out in early access, eventually replacing Google Assistant entirely. Unlike Amazon's Alexa+, which will cost $20 monthly, Gemini for Home remains free with optional premium tiers.
Amazon isn't standing still either. The guide details four new Echo devices launching October through November 2025, including the Echo Dot Max ($100) promising "three times the bass" and the third-generation Echo Studio ($220) with improved audio processing.
