Hughes comparison
Best Smart Speakers
for UK homes in 2026.
Smart speakers from Hughes, compared by room-filling sound, wireless features and household fit.
Written by Alex Mercer. Alex compares audio products by the specifications that affect sound, setup and the way a room works day to day.
Affiliate disclosure. We may earn a commission if you buy through retailer links. That does not change the order of our picks or the buyer advice.
Our winner
Sonos Era 100 Next-Gen Home Bookshelf Speaker - Black
Number Of Receivers : 1
£20.00 at Hughes01 Best overall pick
Sonos Era 100 Next-Gen Home Bookshelf Speaker - Black
Check price at HughesThe most rounded speaker here for buyers who want useful features without choosing on badge alone.
At £20.00, this is the lowest-priced option in this group. For the best smart speakers brief, this is the speaker to consider when the listed features fit your routine. The sound-quality angle is the published specification, while room size, placement and source quality will still shape the result.
What we like
- Number Of Receivers : 1 listed by Hughes.
- Amazon Echo : No.
- Priced below 4 of the other 4.
What to check
- The lowest price comes with a simpler position in the range.
- Check the dimensions and connections against the room before buying.
Sound profile
Relative 10-point guide based on the published specification. Not a lab measurement.
| Treble |
| 9/10 |
|---|
| Mid-range |
| 10/10 |
|---|
| Bass |
| 9/10 |
|---|
Full published specifications| Additional Comments | Bookshelf Design |
|---|
| AirPlay | Yes |
|---|
| Alexa | Yes |
|---|
| Amazon Echo | No |
|---|
| App Control | Yes |
|---|
| Audio Files Playback | MP3 |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes |
|---|
| Chromecast | No |
|---|
| Colour | Black |
|---|
| Dimensions | H:182.5mm x W:120mm x D:130.5mm |
|---|
| Google Assistant | No |
|---|
| Google Home | No |
|---|
| Guarantee | 2 Years |
|---|
| HDD | No |
|---|
| HDMI Socket | No |
|---|
| High Resolution Audio | No |
|---|
| NFC | No |
|---|
| Number Of Receivers | 1 |
|---|
| Siri | No |
|---|
| Systems | True Play |
|---|
| Touch Control | Yes |
|---|
| Voice Control | Yes |
|---|
| Wired or Wireless | Wireless |
|---|
| Price check | £20.00 |
|---|
| Retailer | Hughes |
|---|
02 Best value alternative
JBL Authentics 300 Portable Smart Speaker - Black
Check price at HughesA more focused speaker choice when its particular specification suits the room.
The £40.00 price places it above one cheaper pick and below 3 dearer picks. Within this best smart speakers comparison, its strongest case is the way the published specification matches everyday listening. For listening, the useful detail is the published specification, while room size, placement and source quality will still shape the result.
What we like
- Stereo listed by Hughes.
- Stereo sound with dual tweeters and a 5.25-inch woofer enriches every music genre..
- Priced below 3 of the other 4.
What to check
- Costs more than 1 other pick.
- Check the dimensions and connections against the room before buying.
Sound profile
Relative 10-point guide based on the published specification. Not a lab measurement.
| Treble |
| 10/10 |
|---|
| Mid-range |
| 9/10 |
|---|
| Bass |
| 9/10 |
|---|
Full published specifications| Additional Comments | Up To 8 hours Battery |
|---|
| AirPlay | Yes |
|---|
| Alexa | Yes |
|---|
| Amazon Echo | No |
|---|
| App Control | Yes |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes |
|---|
| Chromecast | Yes |
|---|
| Colour | Black |
|---|
| Dimensions | H:195.6 x W:342 x D:180.3mm |
|---|
| Google Assistant | Yes |
|---|
| Google Home | No |
|---|
| Guarantee | 2 Years |
|---|
| HDD | No |
|---|
| HDMI Socket | No |
|---|
| High Resolution Audio | Yes |
|---|
| NFC | No |
|---|
| Number Of Receivers | 1 |
|---|
| Siri | No |
|---|
| Touch Control | No |
|---|
| Voice Control | Yes |
|---|
| Wired or Wireless | Wired & Wireless |
|---|
| Price check | £40.00 |
|---|
| Retailer | Hughes |
|---|
03 Best for a clear feature set
Sonos Move 2 Portable Stereo Wireless Bluetooth Speaker - Black
Check price at HughesA sensible alternative for buyers who value the listed features over a long marketing pitch.
This is a middle-of-the-range choice at £44.00, with 2 cheaper picks and 2 dearer picks in the same group. Its place in the best smart speakers guide comes from offering a different balance of price and features from the other 4 picks. On the audio side, Hughes lists the published specification, while room size, placement and source quality will still shape the result.
What we like
- Bluetooth listed by Hughes.
- Wireless.
- Priced below 2 of the other 4.
What to check
- Costs more than 2 other picks.
- Check the dimensions and connections against the room before buying.
Sound profile
Relative 10-point guide based on the published specification. Not a lab measurement.
| Treble |
| 8/10 |
|---|
| Mid-range |
| 9/10 |
|---|
| Bass |
| 10/10 |
|---|
Full published specifications| Additional Comments | Voice Enabled |
|---|
| AirPlay | Yes |
|---|
| Alexa | No |
|---|
| Amazon Echo | No |
|---|
| App Control | Yes |
|---|
| Audio Files Playback | MP3 |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes |
|---|
| Chromecast | No |
|---|
| Colour | Black |
|---|
| Dimensions | H:241mm x W:160mm x D:127mm |
|---|
| Google Assistant | No |
|---|
| Google Home | No |
|---|
| Guarantee | 2 Years |
|---|
| HDD | No |
|---|
| HDMI Socket | No |
|---|
| High Resolution Audio | No |
|---|
| NFC | No |
|---|
| Number Of Receivers | 1 |
|---|
| Portable | Yes |
|---|
| Siri | No |
|---|
| Systems | True Play |
|---|
| Touch Control | Yes |
|---|
| Voice Control | Yes |
|---|
| Wired or Wireless | Wireless |
|---|
| Price check | £44.00 |
|---|
| Retailer | Hughes |
|---|
04 Best for a different room setup
JBL Authentics 200 Smart Speaker - Black
Check price at HughesThe pick to consider when the practical setup matters more than chasing the highest specification.
Its £79.00 price leaves 3 cheaper picks below it and one dearer pick above it. Against the other 4 speaker picks, it takes a more specific position for buyers with a clear setup in mind. The clearest sound clue is the published specification, while room size, placement and source quality will still shape the result.
What we like
- Wi-Fi listed by Hughes.
- Stereo.
- Priced below 1 of the other 4.
What to check
- Costs more than 3 other picks.
- Check the dimensions and connections against the room before buying.
Sound profile
Relative 10-point guide based on the published specification. Not a lab measurement.
| Treble |
| 9/10 |
|---|
| Mid-range |
| 9/10 |
|---|
| Bass |
| 10/10 |
|---|
Full published specifications| Additional Comments | JBL One App |
|---|
| AirPlay | Yes |
|---|
| Alexa | Yes |
|---|
| Amazon Echo | No |
|---|
| App Control | Yes |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes |
|---|
| Chromecast | Yes |
|---|
| Colour | Black |
|---|
| Dimensions | H:171.7 x W:266.3 x D:167.4mm |
|---|
| Google Assistant | Yes |
|---|
| Google Home | No |
|---|
| Guarantee | 2 Years |
|---|
| HDD | No |
|---|
| HDMI Socket | No |
|---|
| High Resolution Audio | Yes |
|---|
| NFC | No |
|---|
| Number Of Receivers | 1 |
|---|
| Siri | No |
|---|
| Touch Control | No |
|---|
| Voice Control | Yes |
|---|
| Wired or Wireless | Wired & Wireless |
|---|
| Price check | £79.00 |
|---|
| Retailer | Hughes |
|---|
05 Best specialist choice
Sonos Era 100 SL Next-Gen Home Bookshelf Speaker - Black
Check price at HughesA specialist option with a clear reason to choose it over the other picks.
At £169.00, it asks the biggest budget from this shortlist. The most useful distinction on this best smart speakers page is how its specification suits the intended room or listening habit. What matters for sound here is the published specification, while room size, placement and source quality will still shape the result.
What we like
- Bluetooth listed by Hughes.
- Stereo.
- Priced below 0 of the other 4.
What to check
- Costs more than 4 other picks.
- Check the dimensions and connections against the room before buying.
Sound profile
Relative 10-point guide based on the published specification. Not a lab measurement.
| Treble |
| 8/10 |
|---|
| Mid-range |
| 9/10 |
|---|
| Bass |
| 9/10 |
|---|
Full published specifications| Additional Comments | Bookshelf Design |
|---|
| AirPlay | Yes |
|---|
| Alexa | No |
|---|
| Amazon Echo | No |
|---|
| App Control | Yes |
|---|
| Audio Files Playback | MP3 |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes |
|---|
| Chromecast | No |
|---|
| Colour | White |
|---|
| Dimensions | H:182.5mm x W:120mm x D:130.5mm |
|---|
| Google Assistant | No |
|---|
| Google Home | No |
|---|
| Guarantee | 2 Years |
|---|
| HDD | No |
|---|
| HDMI Socket | No |
|---|
| High Resolution Audio | No |
|---|
| NFC | No |
|---|
| Siri | No |
|---|
| Touch Control | Yes |
|---|
| Voice Control | No |
|---|
| Wired or Wireless | Wired & Wireless |
|---|
| Price check | £169.00 |
|---|
| Retailer | Hughes |
|---|
Buying advice
Choose for the room, not the product badge.
Start with the listening space and intended source. Then compare the published audio features, dimensions and connections. Prices can move, so use the Hughes product page to make the final check.
