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Smart speaker vs smart display: what’s the difference?
David Nield
What is a smart speaker?
A guide to intelligent speakers and their voice assistants
In less than a decade, smart speakers have transformed from niche products owned by a few tech-savvy early adopters, to being embedded in around half of UK homes.
The first smart speaker, the Amazon Echo with its Alexa voice assistant, arrived in 2014. Essentially a search engine controlled with your voice, Alexa can answer general knowledge questions, read out the weather forecast, play music, and much more.
In less than a decade, smart speakers have transformed from niche products owned by a few tech-savvy early adopters, to being embedded in around half of UK homes.
The first smart speaker, the Amazon Echo with its Alexa voice assistant, arrived in 2014. Essentially a search engine controlled with your voice, Alexa can answer general knowledge questions, read out the weather forecast, play music, and much more.
Credit: ShutterstockThe Echo range has since grown to include several models of the Echo smart speaker, from the small Echo Dot and the new Echo Pop, to the larger, louder and more expensive Echo Studio.
Similarly, Google has its own range of smart speakers under its Nest brand, powered by the voice-activated Google Assistant.
Lastly, Apple has its HomePod smart speakers and a voice assistant called Siri.
Here we will explain exactly what a smart speaker is, how they work, what features you can expect from them, and how they differ from Bluetooth speakers and smart displays.
We’ll also explain the benefits of having multiple smart speakers, and some of the useful things their voice assistants can do.
What is a smart speaker?
More than just a way of listening to music
A smart speaker is a speaker that connects to the internet and can be controlled by issuing spoken commands to its voice assistant, or by using a smartphone application.
The hardware of a smart speaker is often very simple, with the product housing one or more individual speakers, microphones for the voice assistant to hear you, buttons for adjusting the volume, and a status light to indicate when the assistant is listening, thinking or has a problem.
Some smart speakers can be connected to other devices like phones and other speakers or sound systems, using a 3.5mm (1/8in) auxiliary audio cable.
It is important to remember the only thing smart speakers are constantly listening for is their “wake word”, which is the word or phrase used to get their attention. Only after hearing that do they react to what is being said. Wake words include “Alexa”, “Hey Siri” and “Okay Google”.
Smart speakers can occasionally mistake other sounds for their wake word and start listening by accident. They all have a mute button to switch off the microphone.
Credit: ShutterstockSmart speakers are different to Bluetooth speakers, which connect directly to devices like smartphones and simply act as a loudspeaker. Bluetooth speakers generally do not connect to the internet and do not have a voice assistant, although there are some exceptions.
There are also smart displays which, as the name suggests, are smart speakers with a screen attached. As well as replying audibly, they can show extra information to answer your questions.
Some smart displays also have integrated cameras and can be used for making video calls. Others offer touch controls for smart home systems.
How do smart speakers work?
The future of voice-activated technology
Smart speakers are powered from a plug socket and connect to the internet using wi-fi. This is how the speaker’s voice assistant answers your questions – it performs a web search to understand what you asked, then finds the answer and says it aloud.
Smart speakers are usually set up using a smartphone application. Amazon’s setup process is one of the simplest and is especially slick if you already have the Amazon or Alexa app on your phone. Once you have gone through the setup process once, adding a second or third Echo speaker takes just a few seconds.
Credit: AmazonAs well as answering questions by scanning the web, smart speakers can play music from streaming services like Spotify, set alarms and timers (especially handy in the kitchen), make phone calls, add items to your shopping list and control smart home devices like light bulbs (such as Philips Hue), plugs, security systems and thermostats.
They also work well in pairs and groups. For example, it’s possible to create a home intercom system using a pair of Amazon Echo smart speakers in different rooms, or to play music throughout your home with a set of Apple HomePods.
Most smart speakers can be wirelessly connected and turned into a stereo pair for improved music quality.
Current models
Smart speaker choices for 2023
Amazon
Amazon’s smart speaker range begins with the compact Echo Pop and Echo Dot extends to the larger and more acoustically impressive Echo, and is crowned by the Echo Studio flagship.
Crucially, while their maximum volume and sound quality differ, all models have the same Alexa voice assistance.
Through its Nest product range, Google offers the Nest Mini and larger Nest Audio smart speakers.
Both have a living room-friendly fabric finish available in several colours, and both work with the voice-activated Google Assistant.
Apple
Apple takes a similar two-pronged approach with its HomePod and HomePod Mini.
More expensive than its rivals, these smart speakers use the same Siri voice assistant as the iPhone and are best for buyers who already own other Apple products.
Other brands
Smart speakers are also available from other brands, like Sonos, Bang & Olufsen and Bose. While they also use Alexa and Google Assistant, they don’t have all the features offered by smart speakers from Amazon and Google themselves.
Written by Alistair Charlton he/him
Published: Updated:
Alistair has been a technology and automotive journalist since 2011. He specialises in smart home tech, from speakers and displays, to smart lighting, plugs, audio systems, security cameras and TV streaming devices.
Alistair has tested hundreds of products during his career and as a freelancer he currently writes for Wired, T3, Forbes, The Independent, TechRadar, BBC Science Focus and Grand Designs, among others.
When he’s not installing smart lighting and configuring home automation systems, he’s testing out some of the world’s most desirable cars and interviewing the people behind them.
