4 Best Alexa Speakers (2026): Echo Dot Max, Echo Dot, Echo Show 11

Amazon started the smart speaker game, but finding the best Alexa speaker has only gotten harder as the company launches more and more devices. Amazon has the largest range of smart speakers and displays by a long shot, which can be overwhelming to dive into. The most recent were launched late last year: the Echo Dot Max, the Echo Studio (2nd Gen), the Echo Show 11, and the Echo Show 8 (4th Gen). But Amazon has plenty of older, cheaper models available, too.

If you're looking for something small and simple to control your home, either an Echo Dot ($50) or the Echo Dot Max ($100) is your best bet. The Dot Max has really impressive sound for its compact size and is my overall favorite Alexa speaker, but if you're only going to use it for voice commands rather than jam sessions, you can get away with the older, cheaper model, especially if you want to buy a few to place around your home. For anyone looking for a smart display, the Echo Show 11 ($220) is the best of Amazon's newest smart displays that come designed for the updated assistant, Alexa+. The older third-generation Echo Show 8 ($150) is still a great value if you want something cheaper.

Read on to see every Alexa speaker I've tried (hint: it's all of them) and what I think after testing each one. You can also learn more about Alexa+, and we've got guides on setting up your Echo speaker, creating Alexa routines, and the best tricks an Echo Show can do.

Updated June 2026: I've trimmed the picks in this guide to four and added a new Honorable Mentions section. I've also updated pricing and Alexa+ details.