Many ask: which smart speaker offers the best value under $100? With numerous budget options from lesser-known brands, it can be tough to identify models that combine quality, durability, and portability without overspending. A key goal for a smart speaker at this price point is to deliver rich sound that fills a room while remaining affordable. Our selections focus on practicality and price, ensuring none exceed $100.
Table of Contents
Below, we highlight the top affordable smart speakers rigorously tested across various environments and uses. These models avoid cheap build or sound quality, instead providing excellent performance and enjoyable features without breaking the bank.
Echo Pop (Newest gen)
| Features | Specifications |
| Dimensions | H8.9×W10×D9 cm |
| Speakers | Front-firing |
| Voice Assistant | Amazon Alexa |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
| Power | Mains operated (USB cable included) |
| Special Features | eero Wi-Fi extender capability |
| Colors | Charcoal, Lavender Bloom, Glacier White |
The Echo Pop Mini offers impressively rich audio within a compact, semi-spherical form that easily fits into any spot in your home. Its front-firing speaker produces clear audio for music, podcasts, and Alexa responses, while the stylish color options like Lavender Bloom make it as much a décor piece as a tech gadget.
Buy it if
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You want an affordable smart speaker that doesn't compromise on basic features
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You have limited space on countertops or shelves
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You want to start building an Alexa-based smart home
Don't buy it if
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You need multi-room stereo capabilities
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You want advanced audio features like spatial sound
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You need powerful, room-filling sound
Echo Pop (Newest gen) | Full sound compact Wi-Fi and Bluetooth smart speaker with Alexa
Echo Dot (Newest gen)
| Features | Specifications |
| Dimensions | H8.9×W10×D9 cm |
| Speakers | 1 internal speaker (1.8 watts) |
| Voice Assistant | Amazon Alexa |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, iPhone compatible |
| Power | Mains operated |
| Controls | Physical buttons, tap-to-snooze |
| Model Number | C2N6L4 |
| Warranty | 1-year manufacturer guarantee |
The Echo Dot offers improved audio performance over previous generations with clearer vocals and deeper bass in its spherical design. This versatile budget smart speaker serves as an excellent hub for controlling compatible smart devices, plus the tap-to-snooze feature makes it perfect for bedside use.
Buy it if
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You need a reliable alarm with snooze functionality
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You use multiple streaming services (Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, etc.)
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You want a vibrant sound with clearer vocals and deeper bass
Don't buy it if
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You need audiophile-quality sound
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You want a built-in display
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You're looking for portable, battery-powered options
Echo Dot (Newest gen) | Big vibrant sound Wi-Fi and Bluetooth smart speaker with Alexa
Anker Soundcore Bluetooth Speaker
| Features | Specifications |
| Dimensions | 16.76×4.57×5.59 cm |
| Audio | Stereo system |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth |
| Water Resistance | IPX5-rated casing offers complete protection against liquids |
| Battery Life | 24 hours |
| Features | Built-in microphone for calls |
| Power Output | 5W |
| Aux-in | Yes |
| Color | Black |
The Anker Soundcore offers remarkable sound quality and portability at a price that makes it one of the best smart speaker deals available. With impressive battery life and rugged construction, this speaker delivers clear audio whether you’re at home or on the go, though you’ll need to connect to your phone for voice assistant features.
Buy it if
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You primarily use Bluetooth for audio playback
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You want good sound quality at a budget price
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You need a portable speaker with long battery life
Don't buy it if
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You want built-in voice assistants
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You need smart home control capabilities
-
You want Wi-Fi streaming options
Anker Soundcore Bluetooth Speaker Upgraded Version with 24H Playtime, IPX5 Waterproof
Echo Spot (2024 release)
| Features | Specifications |
| Dimensions | 3.6″ H×4.0″ W×3.4″ D |
| Weight | 2 lbs |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (2.4 GHz/5 GHz)| |
| Power Type | Electric |
| Voice Assistant | Amazon Alexa |
| Model | AMZ-SPOT-BL |
| Colors | Ocean Blue and black |
| Material | 36% recycled materials |
| Special Features | Customizable clock face, gradual light wake-up |
The Echo Spot is one of the top smart speakers under 100 that combines a smart alarm clock with smart display functionality, offering a sleek design that shows time, weather, and media information at a glance. Its rich sound with clear vocals and deep bass makes it perfect for bedside audio, while the customizable display adds both functionality and style.
Buy it if
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You want a smart speaker under $100 with a display
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You want to control smart home devices visually and by voice
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You need a smart alarm with gentle wake-up features
Don't buy it if
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You need the highest audio quality possible
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You're concerned about privacy (though it has privacy controls)
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You want portability or battery operation
Echo Studio (Newest gen)
| Features | Specifications |
| Dimensions | 206×175 mm (height×diameter) |
| Audio | Three 51 mm speakers, a tweeter, and a woofer with bass aperture to maximize bass output |
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, spatial audio |
| Audio Input | 3.5 mm mini-optical TOSLINK |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi and Bluetooth |
| Voice Assistant | Amazon Alexa |
| Smart Home | Built-in hub |
| Color | Charcoal |
| Special Features | Best-sounding Amazon speaker |
The Echo Studio represents Amazon’s premium audio offering, delivering exceptional sound quality with Dolby Atmos spatial audio technology. This flagship device sits at the higher end of the smart speakers under 100 dollars range, offering audiophile-level performance while maintaining the convenient Alexa functionality found in less expensive models.
Buy it if
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You're an audiophile who also wants smart features
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You need a smart home hub built into your speaker
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You want premium audio quality with spatial sound
Don't buy it if
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You're on a tight budget
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You have limited space (it's larger than other Echo devices)
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You need portability
Soundcore by Anker Select 2S
| Features | Specifications |
| Dimensions | 5.5×18.5×6.5 cm |
| Output Power | 20 W stereo sound |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wireless Stereo Pairing |
| Water Resistance | IPX7 Waterproof |
| Battery Life | 16 hours |
| Special Features | BassUp Technology, Custom EQ |
| Use Cases | Home, hiking, outdoors |
The Soundcore Select 2S delivers powerful 20W stereo sound with enhanced bass in a portable, waterproof package. As a top smart speaker under 100, it offers excellent value for outdoor enthusiasts with its IPX7 water resistance and 16-hour battery life, though it lacks the built-in voice assistants of dedicated smart speakers.
Buy it if
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You need a waterproof speaker for outdoor adventures
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You want powerful stereo sound in a portable package
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You value customizable audio with EQ settings
Don't buy it if
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You want integrated voice assistant capabilities
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You need smart home control features
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You want Wi-Fi streaming options
Anker Soundcore Mini
| Features | Specifications |
| Dimensions | 9.4×9×8.9 cm |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth with 66-foot range |
| Audio Quality | Enhanced bass for size |
| Water Resistance | No |
| Battery Life | 15 hours |
| Special Features | Enhanced bass, Noise-cancelling microphone, travel-friendly design |
| Aux-in | Yes |
| Power | 5 W |
The Anker Soundcore mini packs impressive functionality into an ultra-compact form, offering 15-hour battery life and enhanced bass response. This cheap smart speaker solution delivers surprising audio quality despite its tiny footprint, making it perfect for travelers or those with limited space who still want decent sound on the go.
Buy it if
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You want a budget speaker under $100
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You need ultra-portability and long battery life
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You need a travel-friendly audio companion
Don't buy it if
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You want room-filling sound
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You need built-in voice assistants
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You want smart home integration
RIENOK Bluetooth Speaker
| Features | Specifications |
| Dimensions | 21×7.7×7.9 cm |
| Battery Life | 30 hours |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Water Resistance | IPX7 Waterproof |
| Power | 30 W Enhanced bass |
| Use Case | Outdoor, travel, sport |
The RIENOK offers a powerful 30W output with enhanced bass in a portable, waterproof design that’s perfect for outdoor adventures. This smart speaker under 100 delivers impressive sound with modern Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, though it lacks the smart assistant integration found in Amazon Echo or Google Nest Audio devices.
Buy it if
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You want powerful 30W sound in a portable package
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You need waterproof construction for outdoor use
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You value the latest Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity
Don't buy it if
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You need voice assistant integration
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You want Wi-Fi streaming capabilities
-
You need smart home control features
RIENOK Bluetooth Speaker 30W Wireless Speaker Portable Dual Pairing HD Stereo Sound
Comparison Table
| Feature | Echo Pop | Echo Dot | Anker Soundcore | Echo Spot | Echo Studio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price Range | $20–40 | $40–50 | $30–50 | $80–90 | $100+ |
| Voice Assistant | Alexa | Alexa | None built-in | Alexa | Alexa |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi & Bluetooth | Wi-Fi & Bluetooth | Bluetooth | Wi-Fi & Bluetooth | Wi-Fi & Bluetooth |
| Portability | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Water Resistance | No | No | IPX5 | No | No |
| Battery | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Display | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| Best For | Small spaces | General use | Portable audio | Bedside/desk | Premium audio |
| Feature | Soundcore Select 2S | Soundcore Mini | RIENOK |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price Range | $50–80 | $20–30 | $40–60 |
| Voice Assistant | None built-in | None built-in | None built-in |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth | Bluetooth | Bluetooth |
| Portability | Yes | Very high | Yes |
| Water Resistance | IPX7 | No | IPX7 |
| Battery | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Display | No | No | No |
| Best For | Outdoor use | Travel | Outdoor/parties |
Smart Speakers Over $100
For those willing to invest more in their audio experience, smart speakers priced above $100 offer premium features that justify their higher cost. The Amazon Echo Studio sits at this threshold, delivering studio-quality sound with Dolby Atmos support. Other premium options like the Sonos One, Apple HomePod, and Google Home devices in this category feature advanced room-tuning capabilities, superior microphone arrays for better voice recognition, and more powerful drivers for richer, room-filling sound. These high-end devices serve as excellent centerpieces for whole-home audio systems when paired with more affordable satellites like the Echo Dot Kids.
Conclusion: Find Your Budget Smart Speaker
The 2025 lineup of budget smart speaker options offers an impressive variety to suit almost any need. Amazon continues to dominate with its Echo lineup, including standouts like the versatile Echo Dot and compact Echo Pop. For those needing portability, Anker’s Soundcore products deliver excellent value with long battery life and rugged construction.
When choosing the best smart speaker under $100 2025, consider your primary use case. If voice assistance and smart home control are priorities, Amazon’s Echo devices provide the most seamless experience. For outdoor adventures or travel, the portable options from Anker and RIENOK offer better durability and battery power. And if you want the convenience of a display, the Echo Spot delivers excellent value with its visual interface and alarm clock functionality.
With such quality options available at affordable price points, there’s never been a better time to add voice-controlled convenience to your home or upgrade your existing smart home setup with one of these excellent affordable smart speaker choices.
Top Smart Speakers Under $100
Are budget smart speakers under $100 good for music quality?
Most smart speakers in this price range offer clear and balanced audio suitable for everyday listening. They won’t match premium speakers in bass or fullness, but many deliver surprisingly strong performance for their price.
Do cheap smart speakers work well with voice assistants?
Yes. Even under $100, smart speakers usually come with full support for voice assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri, allowing hands-free control for music, alarms, smart home devices, and quick questions.
Can a smart speaker under $100 control my smart home devices?
Most models support common smart home platforms and can manage lights, plugs, thermostats, and other connected devices as long as they’re compatible with the same ecosystem.
Do budget smart speakers have multi-room audio features?
Many do. You can often group several speakers together to play music throughout your home, even if they’re inexpensive, as long as they’re within the same brand’s ecosystem.
What features should I prioritize when choosing a smart speaker under $100?
The most important factors are sound quality, microphone sensitivity, voice assistant support, compatibility with your smart home system, and any extras like Bluetooth, display screens, or portability.
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