Google just released the Home Speaker, its first smart speaker in half a decade. It's a small device designed with Gemini at the core, but it's not very impressive as a speaker. A single, tiny full-range driver is responsible for all the sound. Luckily, if you want a smart speaker with high-quality audio chops, you can get the Amazon Echo Studio instead for just $75 more than the Home Speaker during Prime Day.
Amazon's Echo Studio is an impressive smart speaker. It has large audio drivers with Dolby Atmos support, an integrated mesh Wi-Fi extender, and complete Alexa support. This device really does it all, and the Echo Studio justifies its price tag. It's an easier sell for Prime Day, as you can get the Echo Studio for only $175, saving 20%.
✅ Recommended if: you need a smart speaker with sound that can fill your living room; you want Dolby Atmos and spatial audio support; you value a smart home controller with a built-in mesh Wi-Fi extender.
❌ Skip this deal if: you don't have a lot of Amazon Echo or Matter accessories; you want Gemini or Siri instead of Alexa.
Too many smart speakers skimp on sound quality, but the Echo Studio doesn't make that mistake. This speaker includes three full-range drivers and a 3.75-inch high-excursion woofer. There's software support for lossless audio, spatial audio, and Dolby Atmos. Everything you'd need from a living room or home theater speaker is here. You can even pair two of them together to create a stereo set for room-filling sound.
The Echo Studio uses four microphones to ensure it picks up your voice, even when music is playing. Alexa is the voice assistant, and you can subscribe to get the upgraded Alexa Plus version.
Another neat Echo Studio feature is the built-in Wi-Fi mesh extender. You need an Eero router to use it, but if you have one, the Echo Studio can add up to 1,000 square feet of extra coverage for up to 10 connected devices. It also has Zigbee, Matter, and Thread support, so the Echo Studio can be the centerpiece of your smart home.
The Google Home Speaker's sound quality is somewhat disappointing, and if you're looking for something better, the Amazon Echo Studio is a great alternative. For only $175 until time runs out, you can't beat this smart speaker's feature set.
All Prime Day 2026 - quick links
- Phones: major savings on Pixel, Samsung, and beyond
- Wearables: up to 50% off Garmin, Galaxy Watch, and Fitbit
- Headphones/earbuds: huge discounts on Beats, Sony, and more
- Smart Home: up to 60% off Alexa devices
- Tablets: Galaxy Tab, Kindle, and Amazon tablets from $50
- Smart TVs: cheap smart TVs from $69.99
- Chromebooks: discounts on ASUS, HP, and Lenovo
