Most of us would like for our daily lives to be a little more seamless, and one way to do that quickly and (relatively) inexpensively is to get one of the best smart speakers for your home. Able to hook up with countless other smart devices around the home, answer queries, set alarms and reminders, adjust the heating, or even just play music and podcasts while you tend to chores, they really can transform your daily life.

Maybe you are completely new to smart home technology in general? Or perhaps you already have a few smart devices but don’t know how to get the best out of them. Put simply, a smart speaker is a Bluetooth speaker that has an in-built assistant from Google, Amazon or Apple.

And new features are being added all the time, with features like Alexa’s ability to take a message from visitors when you’re away, or new sleep-focused features from Google, being announced in recent months. And if you want to make the best use of your new assistant, consider one of the best video doorbells, which work seamlessly with smart speakers and displays.

We’ve listed here what we consider to be the best smart speakers right now, and you can keep reading for more advice on how to choose.

The best smart speakers 2022

There’s a reason that Amazon’s Alexa has dominated the smart speaker world for years now, and that’s its commitment to simplicity and functionality in its own range of speakers. The Amazon Echo is the flagship display-free speaker, the larger sibling of the more minute Echo Dot, and a major update when it was released in 2020.

The biggest additions to the 4th Gen speaker are Zigbee compatibility, improved speakers and an in-built temperature sensor - all of which give the Echo an edge as a smart home hub. Having Zigbee on board means it can be used with devices such as Philips Hue, for example, and improved audio quality means it can be used more readily as a speaker for podcasts, music and audiobooks.

Multi-room listening (providing you have more than one Alexa speaker) allows you to not only extend audio across multiple areas of the house but also make announcements to other rooms (e.g. when dinner is on the table). All in all, this still deserves the top spot in our best smart speaker rankings.

Ensure you get the best price by using one of our Amazon discount codes.

Now that the original HomePod has been discontinued, Apple's only offering in the smart speaker space (though there are always rumours of a new device) is limited to the HomePod Mini. But thankfully this is a great device that can more than hold its own against the Amazons and Googles of the world.

The compact smart speaker uses Siri as its assistant, so will be especially suited to those who already use an iPhone, iPad or Apple TV in their daily lives. Cross-compatibility with other devices is possible but will be a little more difficult than with a Google or Alexa speaker.

But if it suits you, the HomePod Mini is a great choice. With 360-degree audio with automatic audio tuning, it will offer great sound quality when playing music, podcasts or anything else, and - good news for large families - Siri will recognise up to six different people, serving individualised answers and results. 

A new version of Amazon's smallest smart display was revealed in 2021, featuring a 5.5-inch touchscreen and 2MP camera to fulfil our growing need for regular video calls and meetings from home. Its ability to do more than a screen-free Echo device, and the amount it offers to the average household, make it our pick for the best smart speaker with a display.

On standby mode as a normal voice-activated device, you can benefit from on-screen lyrics with music, step-by-step recipes or just a digital photo frame, and when needed it can become a small screen for streaming or - as mentioned - chatting with friends and family.

Amazon has thought of privacy, too, as a camera cover has been included along with a mute switch to turn the microphone off.

Taking a different approach to the smart display idea, Google's Nest Hub (2nd Gen) offers a 7-inch touchscreen for organisation and other smart features but doesn't have a camera. If you don't plan to use it for video calls, though, this could be the better choice.

Often you’ll find yourself asking queries to your voice assistant such as, 'how old is the queen' and the Google Home is generally the speaker that’s going to be better at getting that right. It’s because Google has all of that knowledge from its search engine that it can bring up pretty much immediately – but bear in mind, the two competing voice assistants are getting better at this all the time.

Sleep has been prioritised with this 2nd Gen device, with Sleep Sensing monitoring sound and motion, as well as the conditions of the bedroom, to give you a full morning report. You can also use gestures to do things like pause a song or snooze an alarm, which is a nifty touch for convenience.

Many people would be happy with a smart speaker that just listens to their commands and answers queries, but others will understandably want their device to function as a quality speaker for music, podcasts and more. The Google Nest Audio has been designed with these people in mind.

Earlier speakers from both Amazon and Google were criticised for their low-quality audio output, but companies have worked hard to rectify this mistake ever since. Google's Nest Audio not only features updated hardware but also boasts adaptive tuning software that tweaks sound based on the environment.

You can also pair multiple speakers, either for multi-room listening and announcements or for stereo sound in a single space. The only reason the Audio doesn't find itself higher on this list is its design, which is really just an expanded version of the Nest Mini. Still, it comes in a variety of lovely colours.

How to choose the best smart speaker for your home

When it comes to buying the best smart speaker, there are a few factors worth considering to ensure you get the most for your money. These include:

Smart assistant

Your choice of smart speaker will be determined by your preference of smart assistants. Popular choices include Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri. Read each of our reviews to decide which is the best option for you:

Design
If you're design-conscious, it's worth seriously considering the aesthetic appeal of each smart speaker, ultimately opting for a design that suits the look and feel of your home.

Sound quality
You'll also need to decide if you're looking for a smart speaker with impressive sound quality, in its own right. This will likely cost you a little more than a more basic smart speaker, but it will replace any other sound system in your home.

Capacity
If you're looking to build a larger smart home system, it's worth ensuring your smart speaker has the capacity to do everything you're expecting of it.

• Back to top

If a baby monitor is one (of the many) things on your list to buy for a new arrival then our Nanit Pro review is worth a read.

I’ve been using the Nanit Pro with a floor stand for several months since my daughter arrived and although, admittedly, it took some getting used to, I couldn’t be without it now. The day and night vision has to be up there as one of the best you can get, along with all the handy functions such as two-way talk and background audio. I’m still using it, and will probably continue to use it until she sleeps through the night every night (which will be the dream) so until that point I’ll keep you informed on how the camera performs for mine and my family's needs.

If that doesn’t speak enough for how much I vouch for this camera then keep scrolling to hear more about how I’ve found the set up and using it, from day ‘til night. Whilst you’re here you may as well stop by our best baby monitor guide, to compare against more top buys. 

Nanit Pro specifications

• Video resolution: 1080P HD
• Power supply: Mains
• Subscription: 1-year subscription to the Nanit Insights app

 Who does the Nanit Pro suit? 

• Expectant parents: it’ll be on the list
• New parents: for more confidence when you’re putting baby in their crib
• Family and friends wanting to buy a (generous) gift: they can be added to the app so they can keep a watchful eye on baby, or for easy use if they get tagged in to babysit.

The setup

I’ve been testing out this baby monitor with a camera on the accompanying floor stand, so setting up the hardware was pretty intuitive and I didn’t need to get out the toolbox (hurrah). The stand has three legs and slots together in three sections, which ends up making it stand 68cm (approx) in height above the crib. The camera head – the hub of all footage, sleep tracking and temperature and humidity – then slots on to two pins.

The magic then comes once the app is downloaded onto your smartphone. The app is available on iOS, Android and Amazon Echo Show. I have an Android phone so I have only used the app on this device, but I’m sure that across other smart devices there is no differences to the user-experience. There is no parent unit with this baby monitor so you’ll need to ensure that your existing smart device is always charged and near you. When you’re watching the live stream, your device shouldn’t ‘time out’ so you’ll always have baby next to you (so long as you keep your device to hand).

With the app installed on your smart device you can start to use this smart baby monitor. To start with you’re asked to enter your child’s name, gender, due date and date of birth. This information is used for memories which are automatically stored in a digital baby book that you can share. You’ll also receive personalised messages to your inbox (from Nanit) which offer words of encouragement, guidance and ideas once a week or so, if you opt for this. 

You can add multiple users, too. Ours, for example, has Mom (that’s me) and Dad on our plan. If you upgrade your subscription for a fee, you could have up to a whopping 50 parenting team members. You may have noticed here that I snuck some English-American language in (Mom), because that’s what is used in the app. This is something which you can’t change, but what you can change are the units used for temperature, weight and length to something you’re more familiar with as imperial and metric options are both available.

Using the Nanit Pro

It's simple. And is (pretty much) all done on the app. There are a few elements to the Nanit Pro which makes it all work as a package. You can even buy accessories separately so you can build your own, if you like. They all bring something different so to make it easier to digest I'll rally through my findings in separate chunks.

The camera
When baby finally falls asleep in their crib you’ll receive real-time notifications of movement or sound. You can adjust the sensitivity (frequency) of these notifications as and when something is detected. These are useful if you’re not watching the live stream as they’ll come as an alert on your phone. Less useful are notifications on the temperature and humidity in the bedroom, which you’ll only get when using the floor stand or wall mount. The temperature is pretty accurate and aligns with the GroEgg (RRP £27.99 at Amazon) but the humidity levels are pretty far out with scores in excess of 70 per-cent most nights – our bedroom surely can’t be more humid than the Amazon rainforest, right?

If baby wakes up, two-way audio is mega useful for talking to baby, or your partner if it’s their turn to soothe. If that doesn’t work? There’s a bank of background music such as waves, white noise and birds which is there to help soothe (although this caused more confusion than anything else), along with a light and the ability to take a photo of your view of the crib.

We have noticed that when watching the live stream whilst sat in our 120 year-old home that we lose connection. We’ve tried various gadgets and gizmos to increase the wi-fi strength throughout the home but, alas, it still drops out. Nanit say that it’ll all still work if our internet goes down, which is great, but if the wi-fi strength isn’t there all the time there’s not too much that can be done – keeping patient helps, though.

I’ve checked all over the camera, the stand and in the app – even mistaken the reset button for the switch – and there doesn’t appear to be an on / off button. I’ve been turning it on / off at the mains as I didn’t want it running when we don’t need it.

Floorstand
I opted for this because I wanted to be able to move it around. You can, however, choose the wall mounted version if you prefer to keep floor space clear.

It was easy to set up since it can all be slotted together. And there has been some great effort made to have some level of cable management with the floor stand. Plastic tubes wrap around the wires which can be slotted together so little hands can’t easily get hold of it and put in the mouth. I’ve found that how we’ve positioned the floor stand (in the corner of our room between our bed and baby's bed) means the cable management gets a little confined in the space causing the tubing to easily become detached. I guess this isn’t also helped by the three legs which take a bit of navigating around with the furniture that surrounds it. 

And on those legs are glow-in-the-dark feet which would be useful if the stand was stood in the middle of the room, or elsewhere which would be more of a trip hazard. I have mistaken these for a dummy when I’ve dropped one on the floor during the night…!

It’s not overly sturdy, either, so just be careful when manoeuvring it. It is top heavy with the camera in situ, and you really don’t want to damage it. 

Accidents do happen though so if the stand breaks then you can get buy the floor stand separately over on the Nanit website. 

Breathing band
This comes in the box with the Nanit Pro. It's in the small size which Nanit say is suitable for 0–3 month olds. Every baby, and parent, is different so this may or may not be useful to you. 

Personally, I have not tried this so cannot vouch for its effectiveness, etc. She kept scratching at it and didn't easily settle on each attempt so, I'm afraid to say, it didn't work out for us. We didn't let our daughter out of our sight for the first few months. She wasn't even in her own room until we were seven months in.

However, what I can say about it is that it feels good quality. It's made from cotton which is naturally breathable. There's a Velcro fastening. And there are no cables, hook-ups or anything. Just an eye pleasing black and white pattern which is the only colourways babies can see for the first few months, or so I'm told. It's this pattern that the Nanit camera will monitor for any changes to your baby's breathing pattern, alerting you when they need you.

If you enjoyed using the breathing band which comes with the Nanit Pro, the larger size is available on the Nanit website.

Other breathing wear
I was also sent the Nanit swaddle to try out. It's made from the same soft material as the breathing band and is suitable for babes who can't yet rollover. It does rely on your baby being comfortable swaddled, however. My child, for example, really didn't like it.

I can totally see the benefits of the swaddle for any new parent, but I  would personally wait to see how your baby responds to being swaddle, before splashing out £49.99.

The Nanit pyjamas look good. They too have the unique pattern, are made from your same cotton material and are suitable for up to nine month olds. They've even been designed with a zip fastening which is a godsend when desperately trying to change a nappy quickly at 3am.

Multi-stand
This takes up less space than the floor stand but does need something sturdy to perch on close to the cot. And it doesn't have the same level of analytics available as the floor stand, just live streaming. You'll also need to re-add the camera to the app when using another Wi-Fi. All other settings will stay the same though.

It comes with its own plug so its ready to grab when you need, but doesn’t come with a carry case – this can be bought separately.

What’s the difference between the Nanit Pro and the Nanit Plus? 

Although you may be hard pushed to get your hands on the Nanit Plus, you may be curious to find out what the key differences are between the new and old models.

The image quality is perhaps one of the most significant upgrades with the Nanit Pro featuring a 1920×1080 pixel resolution, which is a marked upgrade from the 1280x960 pixel resolution of the Nanit Plus. This also allows for a much improved night vision which is pretty crystal clear, until you properly zoom in on the little one's face (for example!)

Nanit Pro’s new night light is stronger and gives off a warmer glow than the previous model’s. And the status light – a completely new feature to the hardware – indicates different functions such as power cycling, Wi-Fi connectivity and pairing with a flashing blue LED light. A physical reset button (which I originally mistook for an on/off button) now replaces what once was a pinhole on the original model, too.

Ordering and delivery

The Nanit Pro camera is available at nanit.com, as well as some of your favourite online and in-store shops including Amazon, John Lewis, Mamas & Papas and more. Depending on the retailers delivery promises, you could have this smart baby monitor all set up the day after ordering.

Don’t love it? There’s no need to worry. On Nanit’s website it clearly states that they have a 45-day happiness guarantee which means that you’ll get all your money back if returned within this time period.

Don't just take my word(s) for it...

A John Lewis customer echos how highly we rate the image quality, and the ability to speak to baby. They bought it as a gift and feel that it’s a really excellent piece of equipment.

And a customer at Mamas & Papas have found that it’s ‘very user friendly’, and we concur.

Over at Amazon, there are 1,268 global ratings (and counting) with 81 per cent five star ratings and eight per cent four star ratings. It takes a bit of filtering to find out what customers think about the camera since there’s a lot on there commenting about the multi-stand but, in a nutshell, users have found it really easy to use, were impressed with the picture quality and how you can have more than one user on it. Any negatives were to do with the extra charges of a subscription and that the multi-stand didn’t work as expected (insights and breathing wear).

Real Homes verdict: is the Nanit Pro for you and your family? 

This is, without a doubt, one of the more expensive baby monitors with a camera. It costs in excess of £299 but what it has to offer rivals the majority of its competitors. We’re particularly impressed with the HD video, two-way talk and alerts when motion or sound is detected. 

It was super easy and quick to set up, and the app is equally easy and quick to navigate. In fact, it’s the app which steals the show because it’s the hub of where you can not only live stream but also engage with your baby, track sleep, read milestone messages and manage settings. It is pricey, yes, but it’s worth it for everything that comes with it. 

About this review – and our reviewer

Jennifer is our Appliances Editor across the homes titles at Future. This means that she spends her days working with brands to ensure that you get the best products for your home. She lives in a Victorian terrace which is undergoing an unintentional renovation so whilst stripping back walls, ceiling and floors (etc!) she visualises how the space can be best used with a suite of gadgets, gizmos and home comforts to make home life that little bit more streamlined.

As with all our reviews the Nanit Pro has been tested first-hand in our home, using it just as you would so you know exactly what you are buying. The products are given to us free of charge and we test them for as long as it takes until reporting back to you, our readers. In this instance, the Nanit Pro is still in use at home so we'll continue to test it and update this review should there be anything worth noting.

December 25th is almost here – well, nearly – and you’re probably feeling those stress levels rising. Or, maybe you're looking forward to seeing people outside of a Zoom call for Christmas 2020?

Either way, these are the cool technology gifts we're buying this weekend. A little bit of tech could help make the whole Christmas season run a bit more smoothly, especially if you're entertaining (and we are). 

Whether it's a smart speaker to get the party started, or a robot vacuum cleaner to make cleaning up a breeze, these the eight gadgets every homeowner needs this Christmas. Get Alexa to order them for you, and you can sit down with a mince pie to watch Home Alone for the 300th time. Merry Christmas!

1. A smart thermometer (so you don't poison anyone)

When it comes to cooking, a smart oven gives you greater and more convenient control over your oven, allowing you to preheat it and turn it off using your phone – great for when you need to get away from the kitchen for some family time. But something like the Meater Plus Wi-Fi thermometer can be delivered in time for Christmas and will help to ensure the turkey is perfectly cooked. Simply put it into the thickest part of the bird and load up the app – it will ask a few questions about what you’re cooking and how, and then can offer you notifications for key stages in the cooking process.

2. A smart speaker (to start the party)

When it comes to entertainment, smart speakers – or even multi-room music systems – are fantastic for spreading the Christmas cheer throughout your house, whether you fancy the Christmas classics or a bit of Bublé. The Amazon Echo Plus is best for sound quality, but even the smaller Amazon Echo Dot will get the party started. If you want to stream Christmas tunes in the bedroom, you can pre-order the Amazon Echo Dot with clock, which also doubles as an alarm (not that you'll need one of those when the kids wake up at 4am on Christmas Day!).

3. Tablet based party games (take up less space)

Games that can be played on a tablet are a lot of fun. A real party favourite is Heads Up, where one person holds the tablet or phone up in front of them, words flash up, and their fellow game players have to give clues to help them guess what word it is. It’s free to download with a few themes for free, with others available for around 99p each. You can also play a variety of games with through your smart speaker, Alexa, for instance, has free games that include a song quiz and name-that-movie challenge. 

4. A robot vacuum cleaner (there's always a mess)

Cleaning up is probably the worst part of entertaining, but a robot vacuum could make life easier. It’s no replacement for a deep clean, and it’s not going to clear up the mountains of wrapping paper, but it’s great for staying on top of things. You can set it to do a quick run around the kitchen and living room when you sit down to eat, to ensure things are looking a little fresher for those after-dinner drinks and games. The very best will work over wooden floors, rugs and carpet, and even return themselves to their docking station for charging, so your guests are none the wiser you have a robot helper!

5. A new dishwasher? (Black Friday is the time to buy)

Unfortunately, we still don’t have appliances that can do the washing up for us, but there are smart dishwashers that can give you a bit of extra control to make getting through the piles of dishes a little easier. The cleverest adjust their settings depending on how dirty the dishes are, to avoid them needing a manual clean at the end. You can also control wash cycles from your phone, turning the dishwasher on and off to suit, as well as receive notifications on when it’s ready for the next load.

• Check out our pick of the best dishwashers on sale today

6. Alexa (she's sooo helpful)

Still need to do some last-minute shopping? Then tech can help you out with that, too. If you have a smart speaker that supports Alexa, you can order things from Amazon just using your voice, be that presents, paper or Prosecco. You will have to have the various settings in place on your connected Amazon account to make it work, such as 1-Click ordering and valid payment details, but it only takes a few minutes to get that set up if it sounds helpful.

7. A video doorbell (what, you've still not got one?!)

A smart doorbell, like the Ring 2 Video Doorbell, will allow you to speak to delivery people as they arrive, and tell them a safe place to leave your precious parcels. You don't even have to be home to do this. It's genius.

8. Non-stop Christmas movies (obviously)

Whether your fave Christmas movie is Elf, Die Hard or It's A Wonderful Life, you need a smart TV in your life. Order now and you'll be able to stream all manner of movies whenever you want – some services like Netflix will require a subscription, while others will be chargeable per movie. If you don't want to invest in a new TV but want smart capabilities, invest in an Amazon Fire Stick, which simply plugs into the USB port on your TV and allows you to steam content from Amazon Prime and other providers.

• Best streaming devices: keep up with your favorite box sets, wherever you are

Great deals on all the best Christmas gifts:

Looking to buy the Amazon Echo Show (2nd Generation)? Smart idea. This Alexa device is best placed in a kitchen or living room, and it makes controlling all of your already-owned smart tech a breeze. Boasting a large 10-inch HD screen, the Echo Show can be used to watch TV, play games and even video call family and friends.

Currently, this is Amazon's largest Echo Show device on offer, just in front of the Echo Spot, Echo Show 5 and Echo Show 8. We've spent quite a while reviewing this device and have been using it in our home for the last year or so. Here's how we've been getting on with it and if we still think it's worth all of the fuss...

Looking for more advice? See our guide to the best smart speakers for your home.

• Read our Amazon Alexa review for a deeper insight into this smart assistant
• Find the best Amazon Echo deals at our page – don't overpay

Amazon Echo Show: specifications

• Weight: 1755 grams
• Dimensions: 24.6cm x 17.4cm x 10.7cm
• Screen size: 10.1in 
• Speaker size: Dual 2n drivers with a passive bass radiator
• Camera quality: 5MP
• Included in the box: Echo Show, power adaptor/cable (1.8 m) and guide

Who will the Amazon Echo Show suit?

The Amazon Echo Show is suitable for just about anyone who wants to make their life easier at home. We recommend placing your Amazon Echo Show in your living room or kitchen to make the most of its features. 

Those who have newborn babies can use it to view their baby monitor, or ask it to play soothing music to help the baby sleep. You can order formula just by asking, and thanks to the screen you can make sure it's the right one.

A toddler will be entertained for hours talking to Alexa, with a copious amount of games to play, and stories and jokes to tell. Teenagers can use it to blast their music all day every day, and to check on their favourite football team to see how they played in their last game, or to help with their French homework translation.

Young adults can use it to see easy-to-follow recipes to help prevent cooking fails, set reminders to remember bin day, check their local cinema for screenings and take group photos at parties. Adults can do their oh-so-fun finances using Alexa, view their commute to work, whether it be by plane or train, and make announcements to the kids' devices. It's also a huge help when it comes to purchasing last-minute gifts. 

The elderly can ask Alexa for updated news stories, information on local shops and their closing times or what the weather will be like in a week's time, and for those who are hard of hearing, subtitles can be turned on, so the device works just as well. It can also play the role of someone to talk to if you're lonely, and most importantly, you can connect with other family members so easily, whether it be through messaging, audio call or video call.

Amazon Echo Show: where should I put it?

For those who are thinking of placing this smart home product in their kitchen, the Echo Show can set timers, show you videos of recipes, order your food shopping (or a cheeky takeaway), play music and even set a reminder for you to take your rubbish out every week. 

If you're thinking of placing your Echo Show in your living room or even bedroom, then each morning you'll be greeted with updated traffic information on your route to work, weather information and the top news titles will be displayed on screen. The kids will be kept happy with the games they can play, and during Christmas, there's even an open-an-advent-calendar every day if you ask.

If you currently own other Alexa devices, then you can sync them together, so you can tell everyone that dinner is ready or turn off all devices while watching a family film, to ensure that family time isn't disturbed.

Amazon Echo Show: how to use it

The Echo Show is happily easy to set up, especially if you're using the quick manual which comes in the box. For those who are newbies to Alexa, you can download the Alexa app to your phone where you can see recent activity on your device(s), and essentially control your Echo Show from afar. This is also where you can add other smart devices such as a smart doorbell or smart thermostat. 

Similar to other smart home devices, the Echo Show needs to be plugged in at all times in order to work. This is one point which is a slight disadvantage, especially if you want to move the device from room to room as the product will turn off each time. However, if you just want the Show in one room as you're decked out with other Alexa products in other rooms, then this isn't a problem.

The beauty of the Echo Show is that it really does make boring or stressful tasks less painful, such as cooking new recipes, as you can see a step by step video to ensure you don't miss a step, you can ask Alexa to re-order bin bags when you discover that you've only got a few left,  you can ask how to say 'how are you?' in Japanese, and even watch the morning news while you're waiting for the kettle to boil.

There are three buttons on the Echo Show: the first one is a mute button for when you don't want Alexa to respond or listen, and also to turn the camera off; the other two buttons control the volume of the speakers – although you can also control the volume by saying 'Alexa, turn the volume down/up'. 

Operation is easy – if you want the device to go on standby, you say 'Alexa, goodnight' or if you want to turn it off completely, you can simply just switch off at the wall or unplug it.

Amazon Echo Show: how I use it

How have I been using the Echo Show? 

Setting timers when cooking
I started off with the basics, like setting a timer, which is very handy when you have 10 things going on at once while cooking and aren't sure if your roast potatoes have been roasting for long enough. You can set several timers at once, as well as reminders. Now, we never forget to put our bins out!

Asking for recipes
A lifesaver for those who have a sparse collection of cookbooks, I am always asking Alexa for a recipe whether it be for dinner or dessert. It's also handy for us to have in the kitchen when it comes to converting measurements. And, the Echo Show can tell you food replacements should you not have something you need for a recipe.

To listen to music
The Amazon Echo Show connects Spotify so I can play my own playlists and control everything from the volume, to which song is playing and more, all hands-free.

For a morning greeting
First thing I did after receiving my Amazon Echo show was set up my daily routine, so that every morning when I say 'Alexa, good morning' or 'Alexa, start my day', she tells me any information I may need to know about my commute to work, she tells me the weather and also if there has been any breaking news. I've also connected my calendar so that if I have something on – work or home life – I'm aware.

To control other smart devices
I also use my Echo Show to be notified when someone knocks on my door – thanks to my Ring Doorbell 2 – and I can use it to control my Dyson Pure Hot + Cool, as well as the smart bulb and smart plug in my bedroom. In other words: it's a great way to control smart tech in other rooms without actually having to move. 

Games
After a few too many Proseccos, we sometimes like to play Alexa's song quiz (I highly recommend). You can also entertain little ones with the huge range of Alexa games available to download on your device.

Amazon Echo Show: screen

It's true: the Amazon Echo Show (2nd Gen) boasts a huge 10-inch HD screen – perfect for watching and playing. This screen works by touch so you can control your Alexa by touch or voice.

Amazon Echo Show: pros

Well, other than the fact that all of my friends are absolutely amazed by a smart-home device which has a screen and it makes me feel slightly cool, I really like the fact that the Amazon Echo Show really can be used by anyone, at any age. 

Now when I have guests over, I'm more often than not in less of a rush thanks to the Echo Show. I'm used to following a recipe from a tiny phone, but now I just ask Alexa to show the recipe, play some music and set a timer for when I need to start cooking or take food out of the oven. 

All-in-all, the Amazon Echo Show has an answer for nearly all of my questions and queries, and when you get one, you'll wonder how you ever survived without the help.

Amazon Echo Show: cons

The need to be plugged in constantly is a big disadvantage for me, because I'm used to having wireless devices, and because our Echo Show is in our kitchen, when we move into the dining area to eat, I always want to take it along for music, but unplugging and plugging back in can be a hassle. 

Amazon Echo Show: how is it different to other Amazon devices?

All Amazon Echo devices are different – the Echo Dot is their most affordable, the Echo Spot the smallest with a screen, the Echo Show 8 is a mini version of the Amazon Echo Show 2nd Gen and so on. Simply enough, all Alexa devices can pretty much do the same thing, with the exception of those with a screen. The one you buy should depend on what size you want or need, as well as who will be using it and how much money you have to spend. See all Echo devices below.

Amazon Echo Show: where to buy

• Argos
• Amazon UK
• Currys PC World
• Very
• John Lewis

Also read:

• How to set up Alexa – a little help
• Our Amazon Alexa review – here's what we thought

Considering buying an Amazon Alexa device? Whether you've got your eye on the Echo Dot or the Echo Show 5, we're here to help you decide whether this smart assistant is the best choice for you. For those who don't know: Alexa is owned by Amazon, while there are several other smart assistants to choose from such as the Google Assistant, Apple's Siri, Microsoft Cortana and so many more. Should this be your first delve into the world for smart home devices, you'll want to make sure – ahead of paying – that the one you choose you will like, especially before buying compatible tech such as smart bulbs, plugs, and more – there are currently 10 plus Alexa devices to choose from.

We've written a jargon-free Amazon Alexa review below so you know all about this smart assistant ahead of buying one. From the basics to the stuff only serious Alexa users know. And, to do so, we've enlisted the help of TechRadar's James Peckham. So sit back, relax, and get ready to discover what Amazon Alexa is really about...

Don't miss our pick of the best smart speakers – you'll need one once you've decided which smart assistant is for you. First up, prices. See all Amazon Alexa smart speakers – otherwise known as Amazon Echo devices – below along with their best current prices. Or, head to our Amazon Echo deals page afterward.

Amazon Alexa: what?

Amazon Alexa is one of the easiest to use voice assistants on the market. It’s also one of the most accomplished as it got out of the gates earlier than a lot of the competition and Amazon’s collective brain has been tinkering away on extra features and improvements since its launch in 2014. 

Alexa is built into the whole Amazon Echo range of products including:

• Amazon Echo
• Amazon Echo Dot
• Amazon Echo Auto
• Amazon Echo Dot with Clock
• Amazon Echo Spot
• Amazon Echo Plus
• Amazon Echo Show 5
• Amazon Echo Show 2nd Gen
• Amazon Echo Studio

That’s not all though – there’s a huge range of third-party gadgets of speakers, soundbars, and more that also tote the voice assistant.

For example, some of the top-end speakers in the Sonos range come with Amazon Alexa built-in, as well as speakers across the JBL, Ultimate Ears, Libratone, and others. Browse our guide to the best soundbars to find out more.

Plus some other smart appliances, such as smart fridges, are Alexa enabled so that you can look up recipes on your fridge via your smart assistant. Mind-blowing.

Amazon Alexa: is this smart assistant the one for you?

The first step to building a smart home system is ensuring you have a smart speaker that allows you to communicate with your smart assistant. This is essential to controlling the rest of your smart home set-up.

Often, in choosing a smart speaker, you end up choosing a smart assistant by default. The most popular options include Google Assistant (available on Google Home Hub products), Siri (on Apple products) and Alexa (on Amazon products).

While you won’t necessarily buy a product because it's Amazon Alexa compatible, you do need to think about what other smart home tech you'll want to control via your smart assistant, in future. 

After all, you won't be able to switch eco system further down the line without incurring unwanted costs. So, ask yourself: does Alexa cater to the smart fridge/smart thermostat/smart plugs I've got my eye on? Or would Google or Siri-enabled smart assistants be a better choice?

Amazon Alexa: standard features

Amazon Alexa has always been built around smart speakers, and the fact it has been out in people’s homes for almost five years now means it’s one of the most fully fledged voice assistants you can invest in. Here's everything Amazon Alexa has to offer, in terms of default features:

• Smart home control
• Timers and alarms
• Calendars
• News
• Lists
• Weather forecast
• Access to Spotify, Amazon Music Unlimited, TuneIn (which can be used to play the radio) and Audible (for audiobooks) as part of Amazon Alexa's impressive audio offerings.

Amazon Alexa: basic features

Ask Alexa to play a track and it will immediately be able to find the music you want directly from your preferred streaming service. If you also ask for it to play from Spotify, or another service, specifically it’ll be able to do that.

Timers work accurately, lighting turns on and off on demand, alarms are easy to set and it’s easy to ask about the weather, too. Essentially, the default features for Amazon’s Alexa work exactly how you’d like them.

• How to use Philips Hue with Alexa

Amazon Alexa: skills

In addition to Alexa's standard features, there are a whole host of extras, also known as 'skills' available to users, too. According to most recent statics, there are over 70,000 to choose from, though this is constantly increasing. Some of our favourite examples include:

• Ask for answers for questions that come directly from the internet.
• Listen to Ted Talks or catch up on BBC New headlines.
• Guided meditation and audio based workouts.
• Fitness tracker.
• Translation.
• Create heating or lighting zones to complement your smart home set up.
• Sleep sounds.

There are thousands more Skills that you can download easily from the app and the likelihood if you’ll be able to find yourself a variety of skills you want to install on your smart speaker immediately.

Amazon Alexa: do these skills work?

More and more of these search options are getting better with stronger contextual information, but for the time being Google Assistant is a touch better at answering more questions with more depth.

If you’ll regularly be asking for information like this, you may want to look at Google Assistant as your voice helper of choice.

The thing with all voice assistants is they will continue to improve with time. Alexa will be better a few hours after this review is first published as Amazon is continuously working on it, and the same thing goes for Google Assistant and Siri on smart speakers.

Amazon Alexa review: the verdict

You’ll find that Amazon Alexa works with a lot of the top-end services you will use to make your dream smart home a reality. Here's everything you need to know:

• Amazon Alexa works with both iOS and Android phones, and we’ve found the app easy to control.
• Alexa will also be able to control most smart home products you may want to buy. Including Philips Hue, Hive, Ring, TP-Link, Nest, August Smart Home, Logitech Harmony and many more.
• You can connect in your smart home devices with ease, via the app, making any setting alterations required.

When you’re buying smart home equipment, you’ll spot a logo with a blue icon that says 'works with Alexa' next to it. That’s how you’ll know it’s compatible with your speaker.

Amazon Alexa: where can I buy one?

You can buy an Amazon Alexa device from Amazon themselves – here is where they are usually cheapest – but also from other US and UK retailers, too. Find the very best Amazon Alexa deals below.

Looking for more reviews?

• Apple Siri review
• Google Assistant review
• Best smart home tech for your house

Buying an Echo Show 5? We can get behind this. A great investment for a bedside table, the Amazon Echo Show 5 is undoubtedly one of the best smart speakers you can buy. It's slightly more feature-packed than the Echo Dot, yet smaller and cheaper than the Echo Show 2nd Gen. A very good happy medium in the Alexa smart speakers world. In fact, there's not much this smart speaker can't do. Some of the things that we use it for include switching off lights, turning on smart fans, playing sleep sounds, setting alarms, controlling smart plugs and so much more.

With a smart display and a camera, the Echo Show 5 can also be used to make video calls and watch videos, although we should stress that this is not all that it should be used for. You can also turn off the camera – there's a cover for it – and mute the microphone, if you like. A great bedroom companion for an attractively low price tag, we think. Read on to find out how we got on with it.

When you're done reading, we'd recommend comparing the Echo Show 5 to our pick of the best smart speakers. 

• Read our Amazon Alexa review for a deeper insight into this smart assistant
• Find the best Amazon Echo deals at our page – don't overpay

Amazon Echo Show 5: specifications

• Weight: 410g
• Dimensions: 14.8cm x 8.6cm x 7.3cm
• Screen size: 5.5in
• Speaker size: Full range 1.65 built-in speaker
• Camera quality: 1MP
• Included in the box: Echo Show 5, power adaptor/cable (1.5 m) and 'Things to Try' guide

Who will the Amazon Echo Show 5 suit?

Anyone who's considering a smart speaker who might also want to watch videos, too. Think of it as somewhere between a smartphone (the Echo Show 5's 5.5in screen's resolution isn't much better so don't expect TV-quality images) and a tablet (although it isn't flat and needs to be plugged in to work so isn't as portable). 

For those who remember, it's about the size of a traditional clock radio, so it'll sit neatly on a kitchen worktop or – as it did throughout our test – on a bedside table. 

It's worth noting (for the technophobes out that) that it's really easy to set up. You simply input your details, and download the Alexa app on to your smartphone to control it remotely and to access all of Alexa's Skills (weather reports, story telling... and so on).

Amazon Echo Show 5: how to use it

The Echo Show 5 features three different buttons: one for turning the microphone on or off; one for turning the volume up and the other for turning the volume down. The device works via voice command and touch screen. However, Alexa can’t switch to some menus via voice command, which means you will need to use the screen and a totally hands-free experience you'll be used to from traditional smart speakers (such as the Echo Dot) isn't an option.

What else? The screen can be dimmed and brightened, there's also a Do Not Disturb setting that I liked.

Amazon Echo Show 5: how I use it

Here's how I use the Amazon Echo Show 5 daily, which will give you a good idea of how it can be useful. 

Got me started in the morning
It sat on my bedside table, and once I'd woken up the device with 'Alexa, good morning', it gave me the weather forecast, traffic information for my commute to work, some news briefings and what was on my calendar for the day. I also asked to listen to the radio. 

Helped me get to sleep
Alexa has an application called Sleep Sounds that you can enable from your smartphone. From here you can choose a sleep sound – the thunderstorms one is my fave – to help you get to sleep and stay asleep.

Allowed me to answer the door from my bedroom
I synced it with my Ring doorbell, too, so if anyone came to the door, it told me 'There is someone at the door'. I could then talk via the Echo Show screen and view the Ring doorbell's camera from my bedroom. Ideal if I'd just got out of the shower. 

See our best video doorbell buying guide for the latest buys at the best prices.

Let me work my bedroom fan by voice control
This smart display is, as I've already said, compatible with other Alexa-enabled devices. In our case, that also meant our Dyson Pure Hot + Cool fan, heater and air purifier (see our review for more on that). I could simply say: 'Alexa, turn on Dyson' and it would. 

Gave me privacy when I wanted it
I was conscious that there was a camera in my bedroom. Happily, there's a shutter that slides across the camera to disable it. You just need to remember to do so. 

Helped me find my phone
Ask Alexa to find your phone and it will call it for you. A life saver. 

Gave me an alarm clock with bonus features
This device doubles as an alarm clock which can be customised to suit both your personal preference and your room's decor, or you can use it to show off one of your own photos. The Echo Show 5's clock display is dimly lit, which is great because I am a very light sleeper. Plus, the sunrise effect will also help you wake up naturally; this effect can be set to begin 15 minutes before alarms set between 4am to 9am. 

Find the best wake up lights in our buyer's guide.

Turn on the bedroom light
I use this Alexa device to turn on and off my bedroom light each day. This is great for when you are snuggled in bed and really don't want to get up to flick the switch, while it also makes getting up in winter easier when you can say "Alexa, turn on bedroom light' and be instantly awake.

Vacuum the house
The Echo Show 5 connects to my robot vacuum so I can say 'Alexa, turn on robot vacuum' and it will start cleaning. I can also instruct Alexa to send the vacuum home once i think it's finished.

Turn off hair straighteners
I always worry that I have left my hair straighteners on after leaving the house. After buying and connecting a smart plug to my Alexa, I can check remotely and turn the plug off from my phone, or simply ask her to do so. Great for peace of mind.

Connect it with another smart speaker
I've connected the Echo Show 5 with my Sonos S1 speaker so that I can control it using my voice. This is great since the speakers built into the Echo Show 5 aren't quite as impressive as the Sonos S1, while the Sonos S1 isn't as smart. Joining them together means I can reap the benefits of both.

See our best smart plugs guide for some recommendations.

How else could it be used?

Play music videos and stream movies
As I said above, the screen isn't that much large than my smartphone's so I didn't enjoy watching videos or shows on the Echo Show 5 any more than I would have done on my phone – plus, because it has to be plugged in to work, there was no portability.

You can stream Amazon Prime Video but the rear-facing speakers don't play music that loudly or that cleanly. Something to consider if you're gifting this to a teen.

Amazon Echo Show 5: screen

Smart displays are simply smart speakers with a touch screen. What is a smart speaker (we hear some of you ask)? It's a speaker you can control via a smart assistant such as Alexa: think the Amazon Echo or Echo Dot.

What can a smart display do that a smart speaker can't? Well, with its screen it can be used to show videos, photos, allow you to video chat, display a clock face, weather forecasts... and so on. 

Echo Show 5: pros

It's affordable and does more or less everything my Echo Show 2nd Generation does, but is more compact, making it a better buy for my bedside table. I use it daily to do everything from answer my front door to turning on my robot vacuum, turning off my bedroom light, switching on my Dyson fan and checking that my hair straighteners are off. And also sleep sounds – what a great feature!

Echo Show 5: cons

The main downside – other than a disappointing screen resolution and speaker performance – is that it needs to be plugged in to work. So, if you have it in your bedroom like I did but want to use it to look up recipes in your kitchen, you'll have to unplug it, reboot it and start again. And if you're doing that you may as well just use your smartphone. 

Echo Show 5 VS Echo Show 2nd Gen

As I said above, both smart displays (see below) can perform much the same tasks. The Echo Show 5 is smaller, more lightweight and has the added bonus of a camera cover, plus there's a clock display on this device.

The Echo Show 2nd Generation may be bigger and a little heavier, and there's no clock display, but it does give you an improved viewing experience when it comes to videos and photos. For us, that makes the Echo Show 5 a better buy for a bedroom.

Amazon Echo Show 5: where to buy?

• Amazon - UK
• Amazon - US
• Argos
• Currys PC World
• John Lewis & Partners
• Very

More useful guides:

• Beginner's guide to smart assistants: Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri – a jargon-free explanation 
• Read our Echo Show 2nd Generation review if you are after a larger smart speaker

What is a smart speaker? The world of smart tech can seem like a confusing one, but it doesn't have to be. We're here to cut through the jargon and deliver the clear, concise information you need to increase the connectivity of your home, which will ultimately make daily life easier and more efficient. We'll fill you in on exactly what a smart speaker is, as well as providing information on what they can offer and why you might think about investing in one, if you haven't already.

What is a smart speaker?

A smart speaker differs from the average speaker in that it's designed to provide a home for a smart assistant – Alexa for the Amazon Echo, Google Assistant for Google Home and Siri for Apple devices are the most popular examples. 

This, in turn, allows you to play music, set timers, receive weather updates and control your smart home devices using simple voice commands, which has the power to make daily life easier and more efficient. 

Here's how a smart speaker might make life more efficient:

• Access your diary, with ease, so you know exactly what you're doing, when
• Connect smart bulbs – this will allow you to set lighting schedules for enhanced home security, improved ambience and more
• Turn off your heating with a single voice command, or from any location, to improve energy efficiency and reduce bills
• Keep a closer eye on your home from any location by connecting smart security systems, be that cameras, video doorbells or something more specific
• Keep up to date with the latest news, match results and other important information
• Order an Uber, and receive a notification when it pulls up, without having to reach for your phone
• Call friends and family members while pottering around your home

Discover more about smart tech

• 10 reasons you need a smart speaker
• Can't sleep? Here's how Alexa can help

The Philips Hue Starter Kit is without doubt the best smart lighting available. Why? Because it's stylish, easy to set up and super straightforward to use.

And while – at face value – smart lighting may seem like an unnecessary expense, when you dig a little deeper you'll soon discover that it's actually super handy for helping enhance your home security system, as well as transforming your home audio and cinema experiences, creating the perfect ambience and more.

Since so many of us received Amazon Echo and Google Home smart devices this Christmas, it's no surprise that we're (already) on the hunt for ways to expand our smart home systems – please don't tell us we're the only ones now surprisingly obsessed with all things smart home. And smart lighting is without doubt the best way to go.

The only downside to the Philips Hue Starter Kit is that it's not the most affordable option available on the market – though it's more than worth the investment – which is why we've rounded up the best prices currently available. 

Our handy table constantly compares the best prices from your favourite retailers to ensure you never pay more than necessary. So, if you're in the market for a Philips Hue Starter Kit, this is the place to be.

• Want to know more? We've written a comprehensive, jargon and bias free Philips Hue Starter Kit review 

Wondering how to set up Alexa? If you've been given an Amazon Echo or Echo Dot for Christmas, you might be only just getting around to wondering just how you get it set up with Alexa. 

We've got good news for you: it's very, very easy to set up your Echo, so long as you have wireless internet at home and a reasonably up-to-date operating system on your phone (IOS 11 and higher, Android 5.1 and higher, or Fire IOS 5.3.3 or higher).

Follow these easy tips for installing your new device. Haven't got the Echo yet? You could find one at a great price by heading to our January sales hub page. 

1. Download the Alexa app

If you're downloading Alexa onto a mobile device, simply go to your app store and type in 'Alexa'. If you're downloading for desktop, go to the Amazon Alexa website to download it.

2. Plug in the Echo

Connect up and plug in the Echo using the adapter provided. The device will glow blue, then orange when Alexa has connected up to it. You will hear Alexa saying that the device is ready for set-up.

3. Set up Alexa to your wi-fi

Typically, you'll be able to this via the Echo and will be guided through the process. If for some reason this hasn't happened, simply open the Alexa app and find your Wi-Fi network on there. You'll have the option to store your password on Amazon. If you're connecting up via an unsecured public network, that option won't be there.

The best Amazon Echo deals today:

Looking for tech gifts for the smart home tech lover in your life? If you're really not into technology, are only loosely acquainted with Alexa and can't recall which iPhone model we're on now (is it 5, 9, X, 9X, who really knows?) ,shopping for the techie in your life may seem like something of a daunting activity. But, it doesn't have to be.

Today's technology is pretty inspirational and – you'll be pleased to know – doesn't have to cost a fortune. So, we've rounded up some of the best (and most gift-worthy) tech to make the process of gift giving as simple and straightforward as possible this Christmas. Shop our top picks below and expect a pretty happy giftee. 

Today's best deals on tech gifts:

1. Pick up the super popular Amazon Echo Dot with clock

A bestseller this Black Friday, the Amazon Echo Dot with clock would make a perfect gift for those keen to expand a smart home system (aka most tech lovers).

As well as boasting all of Alexa's basic skills – setting reminders, providing updates on the weather, public transport, sports fixtures and more and playing music – this stylish smart speaker also features a simple, LED clock which makes it perfect for use as an alarm clock.

2. Gift the super stylish Ted Baker ConnecTed wireless chargers

You don’t think fashion or style when it comes to phone chargers usually, but this partnership between Ted Baker and mobile phone accessory maker Proporta changes all that.

Finished to the brand’s luxury standard, the Ted Baker Wireless Charger lets you charge your phone simply by placing it on to the wireless dock, no plugged-in cables necessary. And, unlike your usual charger, it’ll look mighty stylish left on your desktop surface.

• Shop the Ted Baker Wireless Charger in the UK

3. Help them upgrade their Alexa with Amazon's Echo Show 5

An upgrade from its older sibling – the Echo Show 2nd Generation – the Echo Show 5 is a super handy addition to a smart home set-up for those with security systems, as well as those of us who enjoy step-by-step tutorials and more. It comes complete with all of Alexa's usual functions, as well as some handy new skills, a super stylish design and more.

We also love the idea of gifting the Echo Show 5 to a partner, friend, or family member, who live far away as it make video calling super easy. Read our full review of the Amazon Echo Show 5 for more information.

• Shop the Amazon Echo Show 5 in the UK
• Shop the Amazon Echo Show 5 in the US

4. Or the Best Hub Max if they're a Google devotee 

If you're thinking of gifting a smart device, you really need to know whether your giftee is team Amazon Alexa or team Google Assistant. If the former, shop the above. If the latter, this is the one for you. Not sure? Drop them a text, feigning an interest in investing in a set up yourself. Simples.

If your giftee is a Google devotee, it really doesn't get much better than the Nest Hub Max. Released earlier this year, this model boasts an impressive 10 inch HD screen, plus a 6.5 MP camera which makes it super easy to video call friends and family.

• Shop the Google Nest Hub Max in the UK
• Shop the Google Nest Hub Max in the US

5. AirPods

It took a while, but we've finally reached a point where people wearing AirPods aren't ruthlessly mocked by their friends, family and the whole of Twitter. And now that we're there, they make a pretty cracking Christmas present.

Not something that people would necessarily buy for themselves, AirPods are the perfect gift the Apple user in your life. And there are two options available to you. The classic AirPods – which come complete with a charging case – or if you're feeling super generous, the newly released AirPods Pro.

• Shop Apple AirPods in the UK
• Shop Apple AirPods in the US

6. And a case to keep them in

If the techie in your life already has a pair of AirPods – or you're looking for something a little more budget friendly – why not buy them a super cute case to house their headphones in?

We love this Marble AirPods Case from Skinny Dip. They're stylish, yet understated and certainly don't cost a fortune. 

• Shop the Marble AirPods Case in the UK
• Shop similar Marble AirPods Cases in the US

7. Sky Now TV Smart Box

Love Sky TV programmes, but don’t want to commit to a costly satellite subscription? The Sky Now TV Smart Box is an affordable way of getting pay-as-you-view access to loads of Sky TV content away from any lengthy contracts, with individual monthly passes sold to all the best TV and movie content that Sky has to offer. 

This latest version of the Sky Now TV Smart Box is jammed full of techy features too, including 4K high resolution visuals and the ability to search for the show or movie of your choice using your voice alone.

For more inspiration, check out our guide to the best streaming devices.

• Shop the Sky Now TV Box in the UK

8. Samsung HW-MS650 soundbar

What’s a great TV without some great audio to support it? If you want to hear with supreme clarity the dulcet tones of the Queen’s speech this Christmas, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-MS650 to do it with.

It may be over a year old (making it more affordable than at launch, too, and perhaps a Black Friday steal this year, too) but it remains the superior soundbar on the market, with physics-defying bass handling, incredibly powerful and punchy sound, support for lots of input sources and a massive array of streaming services including Spotify, Deezer, Tidal and more.

The MS650’s one-body design offers a 3.0-channel (left, right, centre) mix powered a superb combination of six woofers and three tweeters - all powered by their own individual 20W amps. Though it’s not capable of delivering fancy overhead Dolby Atmos sounds, it’s otherwise about as good as soundbars get.

Not sure this is the model you want to gift? Browse our guide to the best sound bars.

• Shop the Samsung HW-MS650 in the UK
• Shop the Samsung HW-MS650 in the US

9. Subscriptions to Spotify, Xbox Live, PlayStation Plus, Netflix or Amazon Prime

Looking for a useful, simple stocking filler? Or a gift for the person who has everything? We'd recommend picking up a subscription to an online service. They’re the sort of essential that’s a costly chore to maintain, but well appreciated as a gift – and easy to pick up last-minute, if you’d forgotten that special someone’s special preference. 

You’re looking at an average of £10 a month for most of the following services, though premium and entry-level accounts for some services are also available. 

• Gift a Spotify membership
• Gift an Xbox Live membership in the UK
• Gift a Playstation Plus membership in the UK
• Gift an Amazon Prime membership

10. Parrot Anafi Drone

Played around with drones before and looking for the next step up and away into the skies? The Parrot Anafi is the drone for you.

Ultra compact thanks to its folding frame design, it shoots pro-quality 4K HDR video and can capture crystal clear 21MP photos. And that’s before flying the thing, with beginner-friendly controls letting you make high-speed, daring stunts way above your head.

• Shop the Parrot Anafi Drone in the UK
• Shop the Parrot Anafi Drone in the US

11. Botvac D4 Connected

Next up, a piece of home tech that even the least techie amongst us are guaranteed to appreciate. Yep, that's right, a robot vacuum cleaner. And a good one at that.

While the best robot vacuum cleaner won't replace their regular current vacuum cleaner entirely, what it will do is make keeping up with daily chores easier and more efficient. Especially this Botvac D4 Connected Robot Vacuum Cleaner, which boasts an impressive runtime – particularly when compared with competitor products – and makes use of lasers to ensure a more effective clean.

12. GPO Brooklyn Boombox

Want to bring some retro cool to your next party? The GPO Brooklyn Boombox is the only way to be playing Run DMC’s Christmas in Hollis this festive season.

Aesthetically a dead-ringer for the 80s classic boombox, it’s got all the mod cons you could ask for from a contemporary music player, from Bluetooth connectivity to USB playback. It’s even got a CD player and a tape deck, as well as an FM radio, with a microphone input allowing for karaoke sessions too. It’s the office Christmas party on your shoulder.

• Shop the GPO Brooklyn Boombox in the UK
• Shop the GPO Brooklyn Boombox in the US

Looking for more gift inspiration?

• The best eco-friendly and ethical gifts to give this Christmas

Our Google Nest Hub review is a must-read if you're considering purchasing a smart speaker. It's the smart display (by which we mean 'screen') that sets the Google Nest Hub apart from other smart speakers on the market. And it makes controlling a wider smart home system easier and more efficient.

If you think the Google Nest Hub looks familiar, it's likely because you've seen it before. But, under its another name: the Google Home Hub. Following a recent rebrand – and a £20 price drop – it now forms part of the Nest family of smart products, which include everything from smart thermostats to security cameras and video doorbells. 

But, what did we think? We spent a week with the Google Nest Hub in our home to see what it’s all about, and to decide whether its worth investing in. Discover everything you need to know, below.

• Head over to The Hub for more smart home advice, information and unbiased reviews

What is the Google Nest Hub?

The Google Nest Hub is part of a growing section of tech called smart displays. Like the Amazon Echo Show 5 (see our review on that too), the Google Nest Hub is ultimately a smart speaker, like Google Home, and contains all the smarts of Google Assistant, but with a 7in display tagged onto the front of it. (We've written a Google Assistant review, if you'd like to learn more about that, too.)

That display naturally forms the focal point of the device, and hides the majority of the fabric-covered speaker, which doubles as a stand.

The display means not only can you get a visual information as part of any smart assistant activity, but it can also double up to offer media playback from YouTube, work as a digital photo frame for displaying your pictures and be act as a hub for controlling all of your smart home devices in one place. Plus it makes a pretty fancy desk clock too.

What it isn’t is a tablet – there’s no ability to download apps or do any internet browsing here. This is a smart display in the purest sense.

How easy is it to set up the Google Nest Hub?

When you first plug in the Google Nest Hub and turn it on, you’ll be prompted to download the Google Home app (iOS/Android) on your phone. If you have other Google smart devices in your home, you may well already have it downloaded.

From the app, you will need to add the Hub to your devices by pressing the '+' icon – the app will then look for devices ready to connect, display a code on both devices to be sure you’re connecting to the right one and that’s it done. You’ll then have an option to name the speaker so you can easily identify it, connect it to the same Wi-Fi that your phone is on, and confirm you want to switch on Google Assistant.

Once you’ve done all that, you can start to personalise your Google Assistant experience, by adding your accounts for Spotify or YouTube Music, teach Google Assistant your voice and set up Duo W-Fi calling. 

The only downside is the Hub has no camera so can offer voice calls only, rather than the video calls you can do with something like the Echo Show 5.

Who will the Google Nest Hub suit?

If you’ve been thinking about investing in a smart speaker, but like the idea of the visual element to bolster the experience, then the Google Nest Hub could be worth considering – as long as you don’t mind paying a bit more for the privilege. 

By comparison a Google Home Mini, which also offers all the smarts of Google Assistant but without a display, is only £49. So it’s something to consider.

While having a smart home setup to control isn’t a necessity, it’s worth thinking about whether you’ll want one in the future (and what you might want), as well as considering any smart devices you already have, to make sure they’re compatible with Google Home. 

Of course anything from Google’s Nest line will be a perfect match, as will Chromecast and Google Home devices, not to mention a whole host of third party products. But if you already have Amazon Echos dotted around your house, for example, you might find the Alexa-packing Echo Show 5 a better match.

How will you use the Google Nest Hub?

There are several areas that the Google Nest Hub excels in, which I found useful. 

Its display makes the smart assistant experience better

The big one, of course, is that it adds a visual element to any smart assistant activity. Ask Google for a weather update and you’ll get a weather graphic for the day; ask Google for a recipe for onion soup and it can pull up a YouTube video; ask Google to play your cooking playlist and it’ll find it on Spotify and offer you on-screen controls. 

It will even recognise your voice with a bit of pre-programming. That means when you ask it things like “how’s my diary looking today?” or “how’s my route to work?”, it will bring up personalised information for you, based on what you’ve told it, and not your partner, for example.

It just adds a whole new dimension to the smart speaker experience, and I found the combination of voice control and touchscreen interaction makes the very most of a voice assistant.

And for those times you’d rather there wasn’t a smart speaker in your room? There’s a physical mute button that will give you peace of mind that the Google Nest Hub isn’t listening in.

It’s a gorgeous digital photo frame. 

The screen on the Google Nest Hub screen is clear and punchy but not reflective, so when it’s not doing other things, it does a grand job of displaying your pictures just as well as a real photo frame would do – and its size is perfect too.

It also features an Ambient EQ Light Sensor at the top of the screen, which – if turned on – will adjust the display to match the colours and lighting in your environment. Not only does this mean the photos it displays will blend in with your home decor, but your screen won’t be blaring brightly in the corner of a dimly lit room either.

You can choose to have the Hub cycle through pro photos from Google’s vaults, or connect it to your Google Photos account, and have your own pictures scroll through instead. 

Even better, you can choose specific albums or even faces you want to see using Google Photos’ facial recognition feature, so you don’t get random email screengrabs appear in the middle of your favourite holiday snaps. Plus Google will only show the good shots, using machine learning to avoid duplicates and blurry snaps – clever stuff.

It’s great for media playback

While it’s very unlikely you’ll sit and watch a whole movie on the Nest Hub, its 7in display is a great size for quick internet videos, plus offers on-screen controls for music playback too. 

The sound is just ok though – it’s fine for casual listening, and nice and clear for radio or podcasts, but you’ll want to invest in the larger Google Nest Hub Max if you were hoping for something to fuel the playlist for a kitchen party.

You can control your smart home from it

As long as you’ve set up a smart home device within the Google Home app, you will be able to control it either by touch or voice from the Nest Hub.

Swiping down from the top of the screen will give you the ability to monitor all your devices in one place, including your connected cameras, lighting, heating and speakers. It’s here that you can also set up routines, to trigger a number of smart home devices into action with a single command. 

For example, saying 'hey Google, good night' could lower your thermostat, turn off your lights and TV and turn on your security camera.

As you’d expect, the Google Nest Hub works seamlessly with other Nest devices. I was testing a Nest IQ home security camera at the same time as the Hub, and could bring up a live video stream on the screen with ease. 

Equally, Nest Hello doorbell owners can have their doorbell video stream pop up when the doorbell rings, and if you subscribe to Nest Aware for facial recognition, the Hub will even announce who it is when it does.

What did I like about the Google Nest Hub?

The Google Nest Hub is a superb smart display that has all the brains of Google Assistant but with the richer experience that having a display offers, including smart home control.

Its screen and form factor are just the right size for a desk or bedside table too, and its display is great quality for displaying your pictures.

What didn’t I like about the Google Nest Hub?

The sound could be better, and the lack of camera is a shame, particularly when you can get one on competitor devices. It would be nice to have the option to video call.

It needs plugging in constantly too, so you have to make a careful decision about where you’re like to get the use from it most. I plugged it in in the living room as that is where I spend a lot of my time, but it could equally find a home in a bedroom or kitchen, depending on what you see yourself using it for most.

Is it worth buying a Google Nest Hub?

If you’re keen to invest in a smart home set up and want an easy way to control it all from a central location, while also bagging a natty digital photo frame in the process – yes, absolutely.

At £119, it’s not prohibitively expensive, though the fantastic Amazon Echo Show 5 is now available with a £40-cheaper price tag of £80.

At 5.5in, the display on the Echo Show 5 is smaller though, and is arguably not as good quality, but it does come with a camera on board for video calls, and the ever-brilliant Alexa. You have to upgrade to the £219 Nest Hub Max to get a camera from a Google smart display.

Ultimately though, with the difference in capabilities between Google Assistant and Alexa getting smaller by the day, it probably comes down to what smart home devices you decide to invest in that will determine which smart display is right for you.

Real Homes verdict

Small but mighty, the Google Nest Hub offers all the smarts of Google Assistant and throws in a great screen for a richer experience. Smart home fans will find it a great tool for controlling all their devices from a single place, and Nest users will find it particularly slick at controlling other parts of the Nest family. The enhanced with a sharp display that doubles up as a great digital photo frame is a bonus.

More smart reviews:

• Still not sure whether a smart speaker is for you? Here are 10 reasons why we think you need smart audio

Not everyone has hundreds of pounds to spend on a smart security set up, and not everyone needs to either. The Moobox Pro XT is a simple, affordable smart security camera that, at £80, comes in at a third of the cost of some of offerings from the premium brands.

Despite its low price tag, it still comes with a number of important features, including a compact, battery-powered design, 1080p full HD resolution, an IP65 waterproof rating and motion detection alerts.

But is this an area to scrimp on or are you better saving up to go for a pricier model? Read on for our thoughts.

Compare the best home security systems in our handy guide. Then, we answer the question: do you really need smart security cameras?

• Head over to The Hub for more smart home technology news, advice and unbiased reviews
• Then, discover more tips on how to protect your home

What is the Moobox Pro XT?

The Moobox Pro XT is a wireless full HD smart security camera, with a separate hub that connects to your router.

Unlike the Arlo Pro 2’s rather chunky hub, the Moobox Pro XT’s is much more compact, and hooks up to your router in the same way, via ethernet cable. The cameras are a very similar size though, and aren’t dissimilar to look at either. You can sync up to four cameras with each hub.

The Pro XT stands upright on its own, or it comes with a magnetic wall mount if you prefer, which works really well with its wireless design. Moobox says the battery will last for four months, but the actual amount of time between charges will depend on how often it is recording.

For smart home enthusiasts, the Moobox Pro XT is not currently compatible with any smart speaker, so can’t be controlled with your Amazon Echo or Google Home speakers, for example. There’s also no web interface to control it with – you have to use the Moobox app, making it a little more restrictive than the pricier competition.

How easy is it to set up?

Getting the Moobox Pro XT online follows a similar process to setting up the Arlo Pro 2 and other home security cams. First you scan the QR code on the base of the hub to set it up within the app, then you go about adding your cameras. 

Each one requires the button on the camera’s base to be held down for a few seconds to put it into 'pairing' mode, and then a button on the hub to be pressed, to get them linked. It took us a few tries to get the lights flashing the right colours to connect, but we got there in the end.

Once the hub and camera have connected to one another successfully, their LEDs will flash green and then go out. You will then see that camera in your Moobox app.

Compared to some of its competitors, the Moobox app is pretty basic, which makes it very easy to use. On the homepage you’ll see all your cameras (extra cameras are available separately for £70 each), with an events tab for storing clips of any detected motion. The Moobox Pro XT can record video in 10, 15 or 30 second clips.

Who will the Moobox Pro XT suit?

The Moobox Pro XT is a very straightforward smart security setup, and would suit those on a budget looking for some very simple home surveillance.

That’s because, while it has specifications that match a lot of pricier cameras on paper, the features it offers are much more limited – and the experience is too.

So while it is wireless, full HD and weatherproof, it doesn’t have the ability to tell the difference between animals and humans in its notifications, for example. That means you could end up getting a lot of notifications indeed, especially if you have pets or are monitoring a garden.

If you were hoping to build it into a wider smart home setup too, you would need to look elsewhere – this doesn’t support any of smart assistants, like Alexa or Google Assistant.

How does the Moobox Pro XT perform?

The Moobox Pro XT is a bit of a mixed bag on the performance front, and it will depend on your requirements and expectations as to whether it will suit your needs.

Simple feature set means lots of alerts

The Pro XT is one of the simplest smart security cameras we’ve used, in terms of the number of features you have to play with once set up. That makes the app uncluttered and easy to use, but there is very little you can tweak in terms of settings. 

You can adjust the sensitivity of the motion detection to reduce unwanted alerts (like trees blowing in your garden, for example), and also set a timer to schedule when the camera should be on watch. However it leaves fancier controls like geolocation (being able to switch the camera on or off automatically based on when you’re at home or not), face detection and the ability to differentiate people and animals out of the equation. 

This means you get more notifications than you would with other, more sophisticated systems, which in turn affects the wireless camera’s battery life. While you can turn off the push notifications in your phone’s settings, you would have to trawl through hundreds of clips to find anything of note, which is not very convenient.

Average picture quality

Despite being a 1080p full HD camera with 120-angle wide angle lens, the image quality does lag behind the competition somewhat, which is probably due to the quality of the sensor the Pro XT uses. 

While day time shots are sharp enough for the most part, the image can become blocky and pixelated during motion playback, and is a little soft on detail thanks to heavy handed compression. Night vision footage fares a lot worse in this respect, and is grainy and poorly defined, even when there is ambient light. Pricier alternatives perform better in the pitch black.

Can be used indoors and outdoors

The fact the Moobox Pro XT can be used indoors and outdoors, thanks to its IP65 waterproof rating, makes it very flexible for the money. I found the range on it to be pretty good too, and had no problems installing it in the garden, some distance from the hub.

Free cloud storage, no subscription required

As part of its simple approach, Moobox doesn’t offer a subscription service, and just offers seven days of cloud storage for your footage for free. That means there are no hidden costs to Moobox, which will be reassuring for many. 

If you prefer, you can also store your footage locally on the Moobox Pro XT’s 16GB included SD card so it’s always to hand, no internet connection required.

Two-way voice is clear enough

The built-in mic and speaker allow for two-way talking via the camera, which is loud and clear. It’s arguably not as crystal clear as the performance from Arlo or Nest, but it should do the job at scaring off any unwanted visitors if required.

Motion detection only

The Moobox Pro XT only detects motion, and not sound, so it won’t pick up the sound of a window being smashed in another room, for example. Motion detection footage also doesn’t capture sound, despite there being a microphone on board for the two-way voice feature, which seems like a missed opportunity.

What did I like?

It’s a great, convenient design that rivals the likes of the Arlo Pro 2, and it’s also super simple to use. 

The price is also very attractive if you just need some casual surveillance for when you’re out of the house, and aren’t keen on paying for an ongoing monthly subscription to unlock the very very best features. With the Moobox Pro XT, you get everything that it offers straight out of the box.

What didn’t I like?

While its simplicity will be part of its charm for some, the amount of notifications that you receive when the camera is recording can be quite annoying. As I have dogs, having this camera in the living room when I was out meant I got a lot of notifications, even when I set sensitivity to low. If you have this focused on a garden or a driveway, I could imagine you’d get even more. Overnight, that could be very annoying indeed.

The video quality is also not the best, which is frustrating. If you have a product like this, you want to be sure what it captures will be reliable and usable when you need it, and at night, I’m not convinced it would be.

Finally, with no smart assistant compatibility, this won’t slot into a larger smart home set up, which is a bit of a shame.

Real Homes verdict

The Moobox Pro XT offers a decent performance for the price, but we can see the experience being frustrating for many due to inability to tailor the notifications you receive. 

These will be particularly frequent if you own pets or are using the Pro XT to keep on eye on the outside of your property, and those people may want to consider choosing a more sophisticated system to improve that.

The video quality isn’t the greatest either, particularly at night, so you’ll have to manage your expectations as to what this is capable of. Plus this works entirely on its own - there’s no way of adding it into an existing smart home setup, which is a bit of a blow for a smart security system.

If you’re happy to overlook these issues to get a surveillance system on a real budget, then the Moobox Pro XT could well be worth a look.

About our reviewer: Verity Burns

Verity Burns is our smart home tech expert. She has been writing about technology for over a decade, and spends a lot of time tinkering with the latest in smart home tech for The Hub section of Realhomes.com. You may even spot her chatting about smart home best buys and top tips on The Real Homes Show. 

When she's not writing, reviewing or offering tech support to various members of her family, she's a mum of three – one real baby and two furry ones. You’ll always find her in the living room, or recalibrating terrible TV settings at parties.

Read more on home security tech:

• Best video doorbell
• Ring Doorbell 2 review

Never heard of the Tado smart thermostat? You'll know everything there is to know (and more) by the end of this article. Worth it? To save as much as 31% on your heating bills*, we certainly think so. Plus when you think about the money you'll be saving post installation, the Tado smart thermostat as good as pays for itself. We're sold.

Discover how the Tado smart thermostat works; what it does; and how it could save you money below. Then, compare it to our pick of the best smart thermostats. Hint: it's in our second spot.

• Head over to The Hub for the latest smart home news, advice and information
• Then, read our handy guide: what is a smart thermostat and do I need one?

So, what is a smart thermostat? Put simply, it's a device that connects your heating system to your smart phone, making it super easy to control your heating and hot water, from any location. The Tado smart thermostat is one of the most affordable options currently available on the market and comes highly rated in our round up of the best. Here's what it has to offer:

Climate Assistant

The Tado smart thermostat works to learn your heating behaviours, adjusting the climate of each room individually, depending on your preferences. Plus, it offers practical advice to help prevent mould, reduce humidity, improve air quality and more. 

It's through this understanding of your heating behaviours – by which we mean how, when and where you heat your home – that it helps users to save money. By identifying where energy is used unnecessarily, Tado can make recommendations that will ultimately lead to users reducing their energy usage and the cost of their bills. 

Geofencing

Another handy feature that helps (particularly forgetful) homeowners to reduce the cost of their monthly bills is geofencing. Using GPS to track your location, Tado ensures you never heat an empty house. How? Well, it's programmed to turn off your heating automatically the moment you step outside of a pre-allocated geo-fence. This ensures energy is saved, even if you forget.

The most affordable smart thermostat available

Although the Tado is half the price of similar models, it is compatible with a range of heating systems, including underfloor heating, and you can use it alongside the Amazon Echo for complete smart home functionality. 

*Learn more about the Tado Smart Thermostat and how you could save as much as 31% on your heating

• These are the 3 smart home gadgets every homeowner needs
• Amazon launches the Echo Flex, a smart speaker that plugs straight into the wall

Although 57 per cent of us own a smart assistant, playing music is still the main reason we buy one. This is according to research of 1,042 people carried out by the Real Homes Show, our online TV show, sponsored by Checkatrade, which now features a smart home tech section. But, it turns out, we're missing out on a whole world of fun.

If you're one of the 53 per cent of people who own an Alexa-enabled voice assistant (such as the Echo, Echo Dot or Echo Plus), or amongst the 22 per cent of people who own a Google Home device, here are nine of the weird, wonderful, and occasionally useful, things you could be using it for.

If you haven't got smart speakers yet, or you want extra speakers for other rooms, make sure you check out the best Amazon Prime Day deals when the sale goes live this weekend.

1. Ask Alexa or Google Home to play a game with you

Remember the days when everyone sat around playing Monopoly of an evening? Nah, us neither. You've got more chance of getting the whole family involved in a game if it's of the digital variety. Ask your smart assistant to play a game and you'll be spoilt for choice. From a name-that-song music quiz to a testing of your general knowledge, you'll find something to keep everyone entertained.

2. Add to your joke repertoire 

Friends fed up of your cheese jokes? They're probably not very Gouda (sorry). Luckily, both Alexa and Google Home Assistant can help improve your puns. Ask either to tell you a joke, remember it and prepare for the laughs to roll in. You might even pick up a cracker (sorry, again).

3. Tell everyone when dinner is ready

If you've got teenagers in front of Fortnite and your other half glued to the TV, then yelling that dinner is ready can fall on deaf ears. Instead, use your smart assistant and speakers as an intercom. Great fun for making announcements, especially if they embarrass the kids... 'Josh, hope you're having fun up there with your new girlfriend...'.

4. Make a handsfree phone call

Still dialling friends and family on the old dog and bone? That's sooo 2018. Instead, sync your phone to your smart assistant and then use it to make handsfree calls, either on the phone or to your smart assistant. Letting your mum natter away while you get on with something useful? Priceless.

5. Get help in the kitchen

If it's that time of the week when there's nothing in the fridge but some cheese, an egg and half a pepper, your smart assistant can come to your rescue. Ask your smart assistant for recipes containing the items you have. And if you're confused as to how many grams are in a cup, they can help with that, too.

6. Learn a new language

If 'paella, por favor' is the extent of your Spanish skills, then use your smart assistant to learn some more of the local lingo before you jet off on holiday. Alexa can teach you a word of the day in your chosen language, or let you listen and learn from a daily audio lesson, both using the Daily Dose app. Google Home Assistant, meanwhile, can translate words and phrases into English, German, French, Spanish, Italian and Japanese for you. Bonne chance!

7. Remember all the stuff you usually forget

Fed up of getting home from the shops and realising you've forgotten the milk? Then use your smart assistant to send you reminders or make lists for you. For instance, say 'Alexa, add eggs to my shopping list' or 'Hey Google, remember my work door passcode'. Using the linked app, you can listen back to your reminders or get them entered into a linked app, such as AnyList, and Todoist.

8. Get a better night's sleep

Having trouble nodding off? Ask Google Home Assistant to play you white noise on your bedroom speaker, which is proven to help you drift into the land of nod. Alexa, meanwhile, can teach you to meditate – simply ask Alexa to open Headspace or Mindful Meditation and then sit back, relax and fall asleep.

9. Control your smart home

Okay, we're guessing you already know this, but as most of us are only using our smart assistants to play music, it's worth a recap. Both Alexa and Google Home Assistant-enabled devices can be synced with everything from smart lighting to smart washing machines, allowing you to control your devices using your voice if you're at home, or using the app if you're out and about. Clever, aren't they?

Choose your Alexa or Google Home device...

Check out these related articles:

• Check out the best tech to help you get a good night's sleep
• No idea what a smart fridge is? Check out our handy guide
• Want to see who's ringing your bell? Get a smart doorbell

Residents in Birmingham are among the highest in the UK for smart appliance usage, according to new figures. Residents of Leeds and Cornwall follow just behind. These figures have been released as part of a survey that reveals just how fast the population of the UK is moving forward technologically at home. 

This month, for example, almost a sixth of UK smart speaker owners will eschew the TV weather reports and their smartphone weather apps to ask their smart assistant for local weather reports instead, reveals smartphone company e2save. 

And, as if we needed any more proof, just look at Amazon's Christmas 2018 best seller: the company’s own mini smart speaker, the Echo Dot. Compare that with Christmas 2015's best seller, Adele’s 25 album, and you'll see how far we've come with smart home tech.  

• Best smart speakers: the top ways to control your home

Fortuna Burke, founder of It Really Works Vitamins and smart home tech fan, comments, 'Smart tech appliances really do make life much easier – to the extent that I’ve started completely relying on smart tech in my house. The only thing we don’t yet have are smart curtains.'  

Smart curtain tracks are of course just one of many voice-controlled smart home buys that we're beginning to embrace with enthusiasm; in fact, evidence shows that UK homeowners are increasingly relying on smart, hands-free tech features to switch on everything from lights and heating to the kettle.

The best – and most popular – smart home gadgets don't just give users smart phone-controlled, hands-free access, they allow us to monitor our homes from afar – think the Nest Learning Thermostat, for example. Marketeer Sarah Barnes has recently started using a smart thermostat so she can control her heating on the go. 'We used to always forget to time our heating to come on when we got home,' says Sarah. 'Now, we can just control the heating from our devices.'

In terms of 'What’s next?', over 50 per cent of Brits think that AI is the future for our homes. For Wasim Bux, product manager at insurance company iG04, developments in home security will come first. 'Some smart home footage can already be accessed without Wi-Fi,' he says. 'I believe there will soon be a large demand for products that can all work without being connected to the internet.'  

Despite the fact that smart home tech is still in its infancy, the fact remains that over a third of smart tech users find using a virtual assistant saves them time. 'Who knows? Maybe soon we’ll have robots in our homes,' said e2save’s Joe Linnington. We've got news for Joe. We already do.

Lead image: Wiser by Drayton

• Best smart thermostats: control your heating from your phone

Confirmed this week, Google are officially releasing a rival product to Amazon's Echo Show (read more about that launch in our news feature). With a 7-inch screen and similar functionality to Amazon's version, the new first-party smart display Google Home Hub will be released this month.

WHAT does the Google Home Hub do?

The Google Home Hub is a smart speaker with a screen; it can talk to you, help you out with to-do lists and also act as a photo frame to display all of your favourite memories. 

What features does the Home Hub have? 

An Ambient EQ light sensor, which allows the screen to automatically adjust to match the lighting in the room, and Home View, which shows an overview of all of your other smart products, allowing you to turn them off and on as you please. 

In the morning, Google Home Hub can give you a quick snippet of your day including the weather, what's on your agenda, your commute information (from Google Maps) and reminders from your to-do list. 

Unlike the Echo Show, Home Hub can access Google Maps, Photos and Calendar, and you can watch YouTube and YouTube TV on it (a serious advantage, we think). Better still, because they're the first retailer to offer a product this of this kind with YouTube on tap, Google is giving everyone who purchases a Home Hub six months of YouTube Premium for free. 

Oh, and did we mention it's also available in four different colours? Choose from chalk charcoal, aqua and sand. 

Why no front camera? 

Admittedly, no front camera makes video-calling trickier, although you can still easily voice call from the device. The reason for not including a front camera? Google want us to feel comfortable putting the Home Hub in bedrooms and bathrooms as well as kitchens and living spaces.

WHEN will the Google Home Hub be available to buy?

You can purchase the Google Home Hub from October 22 2018 onwards.

HOW MUCH will the Google Home Hub cost?

When released, you'll be able to get your hands on one of these for around £110 (that's $149, AU$210).

What's the difference between Amazon Echo Show and Google Home Hub?

The two products do basically the same thing, showing visual information about your day as well as controlling your smart home devices. The only difference is that Amazon's version has a front-facing camera and Google's doesn't. 

Amazon's 2nd Gen Amazon Echo Show (reviewed here by our mates over on TechRadar) is released on the 11 October, 2018. Here's an at-a-glance comparison:

• Screen size: Google Home Hub 7-inch | Amazon Echo Show 10-inch 
• Price: Google Home Hub  £110 / US$149 / AU$210 | Amazon Echo Show £219 / US$229 / AU$349
• Missing features: Google Home Hub front-facing camera and video call | Amazon Echo Show YouTube and YouTube TV

Check back for a first look soon, but for now...

• The best smart home tech for your kitchen
• The best smart home tech for your living room
• The best smart home tech for your bedroom
• The best smart home tech for your house