Clever everyday helpers: Smart speakers put to the test

They respond to calls, know what the weather will be like and when the next bus will leave.

We're talking about smart speakers.

AllesBeste has tested 27 models.

Their names are Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant and they are tasked with making life a little more pleasant for us: Smart speakers.

As a rule, you have to decide on the respective language assistant with the purchase.

Apple devices, for example, are only available with Siri, while all Amazon Alexa speakers are waiting to receive commands.

Speaking of commands: You can now give a lot of these to the smart everyday helpers, even the light can be controlled by voice command if you have the appropriate hardware.

With all the advantages, the speakers also have one very clear flaw: they can be heard.

Although the microphone can be switched off manually on most models, hardly anyone will do that in practice, because without a microphone these smart everyday helpers are deprived of their functionality.

Even getting up for every voice command and switching on the microphone does not seem particularly useful or practical.

Therefore, before you buy such a device, you should be aware of the associated disadvantages.

Even with the voice commands, there is currently still a certain potential for errors.

In practice, for example, you have to be careful to use the correct vocabulary.

If the "light bar" in one's own memory becomes a "light line" or fades into a "light chain", the voice commands no longer work.

Smart speakers put to the test

The test portal AllesBeste tested a total of 27 smart speakers, the test winner was the Amazon Echo 4. The spherical speaker comes with Alexa as a voice assistant.

Their understanding of the language is quite mature, but here, too, there are always misinterpretations regarding what has been said.

Apart from the smart features, it is also the excellent sound that makes the fourth generation of the Echo the test winner.

You can find more information and other recommended alternatives in the extensive review of AllesBeste.