5 ESSENTIAL ADD-ONS

Each of these smart displays is part of a bigger ecosystem. Here’s what else you can add to your smart home setup

1 AMAZON ECHO

The standard, non-display Echo, which offers a decent mix of audio quality, aesthetic appeal and price if you want to get into the Alexa system instead. If you already own a lot of smart home kit, splash out on the Echo Plus, which also acts as a smart home hub and makes it easier to group disparate devices (this model can still control smart home gadgets via Alexa commands). $69, amazon.com.au

2 2 GOOGLE HOME MINI

If you want Google Assistant in every room, this is ideal. It’s the smallest and cheapest of its line, and can often be found at a discounted price. The audio is good enough for podcasts or radio, and it works multi-room with the Lenovo Smart Display. $45, store.google.com/au

3 GOOGLE HOME

It’s getting a little dated now (expect a new version this year), but the Google Home is a cheaper option if you don’t need the display of the Home Hub – you still get all the magic of Google Assistant on board, and the audio is respectable if you’re cranking out tunes while doing the washing up. $199, store.google.com/au

4 AMAZON ECHO DOT

The smallest and cheapest Echo is perfect if you’re not that fussed about audio quality – it’s still fine for podcasts or the quick tune, though. Like the Home Mini, it’s regularly available with money off. $59, amazon.com.au

5 GOOGLE HOME MAX

If you want top audio quality mixed with your smarts, go for the Google Home Max, which has the sort of high fidelity you’d expect from the HomePod or a Sonos speaker. It’ll even use acoustic vibrations to work out how best to direct sound in the room it’s placed in. Again, it’s multi-room with other Google-powered speakers. $549, store.google.com