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Smart speakers are great to have, as they can assist with everyday questions, tasks, and entertainment. Yet, while they do well on their own, it doesn’t mean you’re able to’t step them up with some accessories.
While individually useful, accessories help adapt your smart speaker to its environment or enhance its capabilities. Here are some of my favorite accessories I’ve purchased for my smart speaker that helped take it to the next level.
1Mounting My Smart Speaker
While smart speakers are typically advertised as being placed on a surface, getting a mount for them can be helpfuldepending on the environmentyou’re placing them in.
I have installed two types of mounts for my smart speakers over the years. One was a shelf-like mount that allowed the speaker to elevate itself, and the other was a mount that positioned the speaker against the wall. The latter option became more efficient since it also hid the excess cable within its design. This meant no loose wires running around, which would become a safety hazard.
While I haven’t mounted every smart speaker in my house, I do specifically do so in the kitchen. Having it mounted there gives me peace of mind, knowing that, for example, if a spill were to happen, my speaker would be safe.
My kitchen also has a lot of appliances and tools scattered across the counters, so there’s little to no safe spot for the speaker. Mounting it keeps it out of the way and provides a secure place for it, especially with the limited available surface space.
Additionally, given the frequency with which objects are moved, pushed, and rearranged in the kitchen, I would fear for the speaker’s safety if it were to find itself in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Apple HomePod Mini
The Apple HomePod Mini is a Siri-enabled smart speaker for those invested in the HomeKit ecosystem. Compact and discreet, the HomePod Mini is available in five different colors, too.
Amazon Echo Dot 4th Gen Smart Speaker
Compact and stylish, the Amazon Echo Dot 4th Gen Smart Speaker delivers crisp sound and Alexa’s smart features. Perfect for music, smart home control, and voice assistance in any room. Small size, big functionality.
By mounting my smart speaker—which I previously didwith an Amazon Echo Dotand now dowith a HomePod mini—I have peace of mind knowing it’s elevated and out of harm’s reach while also saving the limited surface space I have.
2Elevating My Smart Speaker With a Stand
While a mount is excellent for areas that don’t have excessive available space, they are not always the best accessory for every environment.
For example, the mount works great in my kitchen, where the outlet is located above the counter, making it easily accessible. However, in my living room, where the outlet is positioned lower to the floor, the amount doesn’t come in handy. With this mentality in mind, it’s best to opt for a smart speaker stand. Placing your smart speaker on this keeps it elevated—like a mount would—and out of harm’s way.
This came in handy when I had my smart speaker on the nightstand next to me, and I got up in the middle of the night to get a drink of water. Unfortunately, due to being half-awake, I knocked over the glass, and the water got everywhere, but luckily, the speaker was safe.
Due to its elevated position by the stand, no water came into contact with it, and it remained bone dry. However, I can’t say the same for the other objects on my nightstand.
Adding a stand not only provides your speaker with protection against accidents and mishaps but also adds additional height. This is great for speakers on a lower-than-normal table that could benefit from a slight height adjustment. Which stand you opt for depends entirely on which speaker you have and there are “alphabet brands” all over marketplaces like Amazon that will cater to you. So if you have a HomePod mini then awooden elevated standmight do, while Google Nest Mini owners might prefer adesktop speaker holder.
By adding a stand underneath your speaker, you add a layer of protection and height that you may not have initially considered necessary. Yet, when deciding which stand to get, just ensure it matches the aesthetic of the surrounding environment.
3Using My Speaker Virtually Anywhere With a Power Bank
Your smart speaker is typically intended to be stationed in your home, but if you’d like to use it outdoors and are not near an electrical outlet, then you may think you’re out of luck. Fortunately,the right power bankcan be a lifesaver in this situation.
While it’s not the first accessory you’d think of pairing with your speaker, it is a good alternative to turn to when the moment arises. For me, I like to bring the smart speaker outside onto my porch when the weather is warmer. It allows me to control everything with my voice and play my favorite music without having to change or select a song physically.
However, there is not an outlet on my deck, so this is where a power bank comes into play. While I initially thought plugging my HomePod mini into my 100W power bank wouldn’t work, I was happily surprised to see the speaker function normally, as if it were plugged into an outlet.
Now, there are two caveats that you need to think about before jumping into using your smart speaker with a power bank. The first step is to ensure that you have an internet connection available to connect to the speaker.
Luckily, my deck has internet coverage available, thanks to the mesh router located in my kitchen; however, some people may experience dead spots where the internet doesn’t reach. In this case, you’re able to use a personal hotspot to connect with your speaker, allowing you to utilize its basic functionality.
Another consideration to keep in mind is the power output of the power bank. Your smart speaker requires a certain level of wattage to power it, and a small power bank that you throw into your bag will most likely not be powerful enough to do so.
Belkin BoostCharge Power Bank 20K with Integrated Cable
With a built-in USB-C cable, a USB-A and a USB-C port, you can simultaneously charge three devices with 30W shared output. Ensure your smartphone and tablet have power no matter where you are.
UGREEN 20000mAh 100W Power Bank
UGREEN’s 20000mAh 100W Power Bank is a high-speed portable charger designed to power laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Featuring USB-C PD 3.0 technology and multiple ports, it delivers reliable, efficient charging for all your devices on the go.
Anker PowerCore 24K Power Bank
With two USB-C ports and one USB-A port capable of delivering over 145W of charging power, the Anker PowerCore (24,000 mAh) portable charger is the ultimate on-the-go accessory.
In this case, ensure that you have a power bank with a wattage capacity that exceeds the amount your speaker requires. The HomePod mini comes with a 20W power adapter to plug into the wall, so I made sure that my power bank exceeded that amount to provide more than enough power.
Also, be aware that a smart speaker may draw more power from the power bank than a phone or tablet might. So, if you’re thinking of using portable power for an extended period, consider bringing multiple power banks in case one runs entirely dry.
A power bank isn’t the first accessory that comes to mind when pairing with a smart speaker, but it can be surprisingly helpful when you want to use your speaker away from an outlet. Most people keep their smart speakers stationary at home, but if you’re someone who likes to move them around, a power bank can make your smart speaker more portable.
4Improving the Sound With an External Speaker
Smart assistants are built into the body of a speaker—hence the name—so most offer good sound quality and can fill a room. However, if you want to turn up the volume beyond what the built-in speaker allows, that’s where anexternal speaker comes in.
When I had my Echo Dot, I plugged an external speaker into its aux port to enhance the sound. I would then adjust the volume to an appropriate level, allowing me to control it with my voice via the Echo Dot rather than manually on the external speaker.
This allowed the music being played to fill bigger rooms and output deeper bass than what the Echo Dot could achieve. It was an easy fix and simple to implement.
However, not all speakers support external audio output. When I got my HomePod mini, I noticed that it didn’t have an aux cord to plug a speaker into, and Icouldn’t connect it via Bluetootheither.
The only way to extend and enhance the sound on a HomePod is by pairing it with another HomePod tocreate a stereo pair. This setup provides a broader, more immersive soundstage by assigning one speaker as the left channel and the other as the right.
Adding an external speaker to my smart speaker helped create a more immersive sound experience in the room and allowed me to have more control over the sound’s direction. For most people in most environments, the built-in speaker will be sufficient, but if you’re looking to elevate your smart speaker’s sound quality, consider adding an external speaker.
Some that include aux input include options from JBL, UE, and Anker:
Anker Soundcore 2
If you’re looking for a speaker that can handle any weather and isn’t going to run out of battery life when you least expect it, the Anker Soundcore 2 is a fantastic option.
JBL Charge 4
Rugged, durable, and boasting 20 hours of playback time, the JBL Charge 4 was built to travel. The biggest drawback, however, is its lack of built-in voice controls.
5Expanding Usability With Smart Home Accessories
Smart speakers are great on their own when it comes to playing music and answering questions, but if you want to get the full extent of what they’re capable of, then you’ll want toconnect various smart home accessoriesto them.
Depending on theecosystem the smart speaker is part of, there is a wide variety of accessories to pair with it. Luckily, various accessories offer multiple ecosystem support, so you’re able to get one and use it with all smart assistants.
I started adding smart home accessories to my house in 2020, and it has helped make everyday tasks simpler. Especially whencaring for an elderly parent, being able to control different appliances with my voice became a huge help.
Over the years, I’ve installedvarious smart light switches,garage door openers,light bulbs,plugs, curtains, and more. They help me control different appliances—like the lamp behind the couch—without needing to struggle and go out of my way.
One of my most valuable ways of using smart accessories with my smart speaker is when I’m bringing in groceries. If my hands are all full, I can just ask Siri to close the garage door, and it will. Now, some smart accessories can be on the pricier side, but most—like plugs and switches—are relatively inexpensive. However, do keep in mind that the price you pay may reflect the quality of the accessory.
If you want to make your smart speaker more useful than just playing music and answering questions, then I would recommend starting to install various smart accessories. Once you start using them, you’ll wonder how you lived without them.
TP-Link Tapo P210M
The TP-Link Tapo P210M smart outlet takes the features of a Tapo smart plug and integrates it directly into a power outlet. This is also one of the first smart outlets to come with Matter compatibility, enabling it to work with just about any smart home ecosystem.
Philips Hue Color Bulbs
Add a splash of color to your home with Philips Hue lighting. Replace individual bulbs and control them with your voice, an app, or automatically by setting up routines.
Eve Dimmer Switch
The Matter-enabled Eve Dimmer Switch offers a host of premium features. From compatibility with Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home, and even Samsung SmartThings, to the ability to install in both 1- and 3-way lighting setups, this switch does it all. The wires are color-coded so you know exactly where they go, and the installation instructions are easy to follow. Plus, once it’s installed, setup with your preferred smart home platform takes seconds, not minutes.
Your smart speaker is great on its own, and even if you only use what comes in the box, you’ll still have a solid experience. However, it’s capable of much more—it can be used in different ways, styled to match your space, and expanded beyond its default setup.
How you take your smart speaker to the next level depends on your needs and environment. Sometimes, it just takes a little creativity and making the most of the resources available.
