6 Best Soundbars With Google Assistant and Alexa
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Music lovers and movie lovers have found that using soundbars is a great way to enhance their experience without installing an entire surround sound system.
Thanks to Google and Amazon, smart speakers can connect to Google Assistant and Amazon’s Alexa to change the song, adjust the volume, and even order groceries, all with the sound of the owner’s voice.
- The best soundbar for use with Alexa is the Samsung HW-Q900T (check prices on Amazon). It comes with Alexa built-in and provides a sleek look with great sound.
- The best soundbar for use with Google Assistant is the Vizio SB36512-F6 (check prices on Amazon). It gives a fantastic audio and video experience and has built-in Google Assistant.
This article will take a look at both of the top soundbars for use with each virtual assistant and a few other options that provide great experiences for users. Check it out below!
Also read: 5 Best Soundbars for Bass Music
Best Soundbar for Use With Alexa
The Samsung HW-Q900T is the best soundbar with Amazon’s virtual assistant, Alexa. This soundbar has sixteen speakers that provide 360-degree sound. It also has Bluetooth compatibility so that users can connect their phone, TV, tablet, or other devices to stream music or video with clear sound.
The soundbar is also supported by Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. This technology uses software to recreate the experience of surround sound without the need of having extra speakers.
Audio is delivered from all angles through the wide range of speakers placed at each end of the soundbar. This placement creates a large, vivid sound stage. The soundbar consists of 2 up-firing channels, seven channels, and one subwoofer channel.
This soundbar can sync the Samsung Q Series speakers with the speakers on Samsung QLED TVs to provide excellent cinema-level sound. The resulting sound is much fuller and more immersive than the TV alone.
As mentioned, this soundbar comes with Alexa built-in. This allows you to use all of Alexa’s features without needing a new device. The most significant advantages this provides are the enhanced sound and the ease of doing tasks hands-free.
Another fantastic feature of this soundbar is its ability to analyze the content being played. This is especially important for movies, TV, and podcasts. This technology allows you to hear voices even at their lowest level. No more need for subtitles or constantly turning the volume up during a hushed conversation and down during a battle scene.
Best Soundbar for Use With Google Assistant
The best soundbar for use with Google Assistant is the VIZIO SB36512-F6. The built-in Google Assistant allows you to check the weather, use smart home technology, and control your music with just your voice.
This soundbar also has Chromecast built-in for easy streaming of music, TV, and movies directly from your phone, tablet, or other Bluetooth-compatible devices. This makes streaming seamless while providing high-quality sound.
The VIZIO SB36512-F6 provides surround sound thanks to its upward-firing speakers and Dolby Atmos Technology. The Dolby technology allows the sound to move around you and fill the entire room.
The speakers on the back of the soundbar, together with the upward-firing speakers, provide a movie theater-like surround sound. The wireless subwoofer also provides an excellent quality base sound.
Other Great Soundbars for Use With Alexa or Google Assistant
Bose Smart Soundbar 700
Another excellent option you can use with either Amazon’s Alexa or Google Assistant is the Bose Smart Soundbar 700. It’s considered to be one of the best Bose soundbars on the market thanks to its deep base, magnificent sound, and convenient access to other technology.
A great feature of this soundbar is that both Alexa and Google Assistant are built-in. This will allow you to use the speaker regardless of which one you use, or even switch between them.
The Bose soundbar has microphones that filter out noise and enable the microphone to pick up your voice from anywhere in the room. That means no more having to yell at the top of your lungs or scoot a step closer after each shout until your request is heard.
If you use Alexa, this soundbar provides even more features. Bose’s Voice4Video technology allows you to control your TV and the soundbar with a single command.
You can also use Alexa to take calls or make them with the soundbar, Amazon Echo products, or other Bose products. Essentially, it eliminates the need to dig through your couch for your phone when you hear it ringing.
The soundbar is Bluetooth compatible and allows you to stream content from both Spotify and Apple Music. It also gives you three ways to control the device: you can use a remote, the Bose Music app, or your voice.
If you need a multi-room listening experience, then this soundbar is compatible with other Bose smart speakers and soundbars for easy connectivity throughout your entire house.
VIZIO V Series 5.1 Soundbar
The VIZIO V Series 5.1 Soundbar is an excellent option for getting a theater-like experience without a complete surround sound system. With Dolby Audio 5.1, this soundbar provides optimal sound for 4K HDR content.
The soundbar has a frequency level of 50Hz-20kHz and a 96dB pressure that provides accurate and powerful sound. Paired with DTS Virtual:X, this feature creates a clear, room-filling sound.
It comes with a 5-inch (12.7-cm) wireless subwoofer that provides a deep base and can be placed anywhere in the room, making the setup even easier. The Bluetooth connection also allows you to use voice control through Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri from other devices through the soundbar.
Polka Audio Signa S3 Soundbar
Another great option with built-in Google Assistant is the Polka Audio Signa S3 Soundbar. It may be ultraslim, but includes a 5.25-inch (13.33-cm) subwoofer that provides powerful, deep bass. Dolby Digital and Polka’s combined technology prevents delays and offers crisp sound for conversations in movies, TV, and podcasts.
The 2-inch (5.08-cm) design of this soundbar allows you to either mount it on the wall or place it directly in front of your TV. This slim design won’t block the TV screen or the remote sensor. You can plug the soundbar into your TV through optical input, HDMI, or a 3.5mm (0.13inches) jack.
Of course, Bluetooth technology allows you to stream your music or content, but you also have the option to do so with Google Chromecast or over Wifi with Google Home.
As an added extra, this soundbar comes with an HDMI cord and optical cables. This allows you to quickly set up the soundbar and subwoofer as soon as you receive the product.
Sonos Arc Soundbar
The Sonos Arc Soundbar provides high-quality sound using Dolby Atmos technology. You can control it with a TV remote, the Sonos app, Apple Airplay, or your voice.
Trueplay technology makes optimizes the sound based on each room’s unique acoustics. This ensures your sound will always be clear, no matter where the soundbar is placed.
The slim design of the soundbar gives you different options for placement without having to worry about sacrificing aesthetics. You can mount the soundbar to the wall or set it in front of your TV and you will barely notice it.
This soundbar has Amazon’s Alexa built-in for accessible voice control features. This allows you to optimize your hands-free use throughout the entirety of the room.
Sonos worked with Oscar-winning sound engineers to tune the Arc in a way that enhances human voices. This will allow you to hear every word said in every movie, TV show, or podcast.
The Sonos Arc also allows you to wirelessly connect other devices, like a Sonos subwoofer or a pair of One SL rears, to have an authentic home theater experience. The device is also compatible with Sonos’ app and Sonos S3.
Factors To Consider When Buying a Soundbar
A few essential things should be considered when looking to purchase a soundbar:
- The type of virtual assistant: If all of your devices are only compatible with either Alexa or Google Assistant, it makes sense to double-check that your soundbar falls in the same category. This will make it easier to stream content and use your other smart home devices with the soundbar.
- Visual appearance: Looks and aesthetics matter when it comes to a soundbar. You want a soundbar that blends in with the rest of the room and doesn’t distract you from the content you’re watching on your TV screen. Make sure to get a soundbar that looks great in the room you’re putting it in.
- Connectivity: Be sure that the soundbar you buy is compatible with your Bluetooth devices. Though most of them are, things can get tricky if you have some soundbars that support multi-room listening and some that don’t.
Conclusion
All of the soundbars discussed above are packed with technology optimized for human voices and surround sound, and are compatible with other devices.
However, the best for using Amazon’s Alexa is the Samsung HW-Q900T. Its slim design and sixteen speakers will give you an amazing listening experience and reliable voice control features.
The best soundbar for use with Google Assistant is the VIZIO SB-36512-F6. This soundbar has built-in Google Assistant and Chromecast for easy hands-free control and a wide array of choices for streaming.
The most important factors to consider when buying a soundbar are sound, Bluetooth compatibility, and aesthetic.
