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Siri, Alexa, Hey Google… these words have been in our language for some time now.
They allow us to quickly obtain information, or obtain the list of our appointments for the day or the weather forecast for the coming weekend.
Do you want to listen to some music while ironing or listen to a stimulating playlist for your sports exercises?
Ask your voice assistant to play the music adapted to your request.
You can also interconnect several devices to play music in several rooms of the house or take advantage of home automation with connected lamps or the thermal management of your home.
Voice assistants make our daily life easier while being discreet.
Moreover, most are equipped with a button to mute their microphone in order to regain some privacy.
Selection of the best voice assistants in 2022
Echo Dot (4th generation): the speaker connected with Alexa
Echo Dot (4th generation): this version integrates a digital clock in the grid
Echo Dot 3: a particularly economical voice assistant
Bose Portable Smart Speaker: a powerful connected speaker with Alexa
Sonos One: Alexa and the Google Assistant integrated into a powerful speaker
Echo Show 5: the voice assistant with a screen
Echo Show 8: bigger and more powerful
Echo Show 15: a 15“ Full HD screen for more interactivity
HomePod Mini: the connected speaker according to Apple
Google Nest Audio: Google's voice assistant
Echo Dot (4th generation): the speaker connected with Alexa
Essential in the world of voice assistants, Alexa is integrated into this connected speaker designed by Amazon.
It has a built-in speaker to stream your music or chat with your loved ones via another compatible connected speaker.
In this new version, it has a connected hub to connect many compatible devices.
It can be used as a basis for your home automation installation by controlling your robot vacuum cleaner or the temperature of the rooms.
Most :
Easy to use ;
Sober and modern design.
The lessers :
Micro sometimes insensitive.
See the price on Amazon
Echo Dot (4th generation): this version integrates a digital clock in the grid
In the living room or on the bedside table in your bedroom, this version incorporates a digital display clock in the speaker's fabric grille.
It gives you access to all connected services such as audio streaming with Prime Music, Apple Music or audiobook playback with Audible.
It can manage the light with Philips Hue bulbs or the temperature in your room.
Most :
Integrated clock.
The lessers :
Loss of Bluetooth signal at times.
See the price on Amazon
Echo Dot 3: a particularly economical voice assistant
This version of the voice assistant by Amazon is the one that democratized Alexa and the concept of the connected speaker.
Even if it is less powerful, it is always up to date to play your music and answer your questions.
Moreover, with its very small price, it is difficult to resist it.
Most :
His price ;
Elegant design.
The lessers :
Less responsive to the latest model.
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Bose Portable Smart Speaker: a powerful connected speaker with Alexa
Playing in another category, Bose's smart speaker focuses on sound quality with noteworthy bass reproduction.
It can replace a Hi-Fi system while providing you with the advanced functions of a voice assistant with the integration of Alexa.
It also syncs with other Bose smart products for multi-room music playback.
Most :
Sound quality;
IPX4 protection.
The lessers :
Its price is high;
Significant weight for a portable speaker.
See the price on Amazon
Sonos One: Alexa and the Google Assistant integrated into a powerful speaker
The voice assistant is here integrated into a living room speaker.
Sonos specializes in the design of quality speakers with appreciable sound reproduction.
Here you have the voice assistant of Google and Alexa.
The sound volume is important.
The control keys are placed on the upper part.
As an option, you can order a wall bracket.
Most :
Large volume.
The lessers :
Fairly high price.
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Echo Show 5: the voice assistant with a screen
With the Echo Show 5, the voice assistant takes a step forward by adding a 5“ HD screen.
You will be able to watch different content directly on the screen of your connected speaker such as Netflix or Prime Video.
You can also enjoy the video transmitted by your connected doorbell.
It gives you access to video calls with its built-in camera.
Most :
Increases the possibilities of the assistant with the addition of the display.
The lessers :
Its screen is a bit small.
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Echo Show 8: bigger and more powerful
Its screen is significantly larger and its price practically doubled.
However, the data sheet fully justifies it.
The integrated camera increases to 13 MP while the HD touch screen increases to 8“, ideal for viewing your agenda or watching a series before going to bed.
Most :
13 MP camera;
Good size screen.
The lessers :
Higher price.
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Echo Show 15: a 15“ Full HD screen for more interactivity
Straight out of a futuristic film or a simple logical evolution of the Echo Show, this version features a 15.6“ Full HD 1080p screen and a 5MP camera.
Alexa allows you to organize the display with different widgets to have useful information at your fingertips.
Agenda for the day, reminders, shopping list, etc. More than just a simple screen, your voice assistant also allows you to display your photos.
Most :
Microphone mute by button and integrated camera cover;
Configurable individual profile to access your personal agenda;
15.6“ Full HD screen usable in portrait or landscape mode.
The lessers :
Stand optional.
See the price on Amazon
HomePod Mini: the connected speaker according to Apple
If voice assistants from Google and Amazon are very widespread, we must not forget Siri, the voice assistant developed by Apple.
The latest generation is even more compact and comes in different colors.
It offers 360° sound distribution.
It is AirPlay 2 and Apple Music compatible.
Most :
Seamless integration into the Apple ecosystem.
The lessers :
Price a little high for a model without screen.
See the price at Boulanger
Google Nest Audio: Google's voice assistant
Nest Audio is the voice assistant designed by Google.
It incorporates two speakers.
Integrating Google Assistant, it is also compatible with Android and iOS.
It connects via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. The mic provides long range to hear you even across the room.
Most :
Discreet design;
Double speakers for better sound reproduction.
The lessers :
Its price remains high for a simple voice assistant.
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Why buy a voice assistant in 2022?
At first, it looks like a gadget capable of talking to us to answer our questions.
Then, we realize the interest of a voice assistant.
It provides us with a lot of information, but can also act for us.
Coupled with home automation, you can ask it to close the shutters and turn off the light when you leave your home.
You can ask him to send your robot vacuum to the kitchen after baking a cake.
Ask him to add an alarm in 20 minutes to get this delicious cake out of the oven and take the opportunity to check the weekend weather to prepare a picnic while baking.
Did you miss last night's game because of a meeting at the office?
Ask him for the result and the latest information on your favorite team.
His only flaw?
He can't bring you a beer in the living room... yet!
How to choose your voice assistant in 2022?
To select your future voice assistant, choose a model that matches your budget.
It is better to choose one of the latest models to enjoy greater responsiveness.
Newer models have more powerful processors and more memory.
Coupled with a connected speaker, your voice assistant allows you to listen to your music in streaming.
If you want to use it as the main audio system, it is possible to choose a model with high musical performance instead of taking a simple first-price connected speaker.
It remains to check under which system this speaker works for better integration with the other devices in your home.
A real daily help, the voice assistant provides you with many small services to make your life easier. It becomes particularly interesting as soon as it is coupled with home automation.
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