Speakers are foundational to the way we enjoy music from Spotify, Apple Music, and other services — and our own music collections. And increasingly, they’re also a convenient way of controlling smart home devices compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, or Siri. Companies like Sonos offer multiroom audio platforms capable of synchronizing music across speakers of all different sizes. Whether you’re looking for a smart speaker or a simple Bluetooth speaker to take everywhere, The Verge covers the best of what’s out there in 2025.
Borla, which makes loud performance exhaust systems for cars, has a new “exhaust system” for the Mustang Mach-E... which is just speakers playing preloaded engine sounds that can be controlled by an app. This is silly, but not as silly as Dodge pretending its fake EV exhaust system is not just speakers.
Amazon recently dropped a slate of new gadgets — including a new entry-level Kindle and a fifth-gen Echo Dot speaker — but it’s the last-gen devices that are receiving the biggest discounts right now. The latest Echo Show 5 is currently on sale for an all-time low of $34.99, for instance, which is great if you’re looking for a compact smart display for your nightstand.
The company announced last month that the update was on the way. If you’re looking to pick up one of the high-end speakers, it now comes in white, too.
The long-awaited $429 Sub Mini doesn’t disappoint, but there are still reasons to opt for the standard Sub
This is like the fifth or sixth generation of these things. What are their meetings like? Do they go to frat parties to get feature ideas? Why did they go from “Mega Bass” to “Extra Bass” for the past few years back to “Mega Bass” for this one? Is this one team’s passion project or do they hire mercenary party speaker engineers? Please, someone contact me.
Sonos finally announced its new Sub Mini this morning, after months of Chris Welch scooping them on it.
It’s exactly what we expected — a smaller version of Sonos’ older Sub — but the $429 price tag is hefty, considering Sonos recommends pairing it with a $279 Ray or $449 Beam soundbar.
Sonos’ assistant only takes music requests, and that actually works out in its favor
The Ray offers fantastic voice clarity and crisp sound, but this optical-only soundbar isn’t without frustrations
