Who this is for: If you enjoy having instant access to news, weather, music, and trivia, a smart speaker is ideal—ask, and you shall receive. Smart speakers also provide a convenient way to control smart-home devices, using voice commands instead of having to fiddle with an app. They also consolidate controls among different brands, so you can group and run devices with a single command. For instance, by saying “Alexa, good night,” you might tell all of the downstairs and outside lights to turn off, as well as adjust the thermostat. Because smart speakers can connect to one another, having a few around the house works as an easy-to-use intercom system—you can variously make announcements, or, with some models, you can speak to housemates in real time.
