To achieve a smart home, you need a voice assistant to run it. A smart home assistant, usually folded into a smart speaker, will let you command your smart home with your voice and run various routines.

But which assistant should you choose? Each of the big players comes with its own pros and cons, but I recommend choosing based on what you already use day-to-day. Your smartphone is the easiest entry point to pick from Apple or Google, or if you want a huge suite of smart speakers to choose from and have a Prime subscription, you may want to consider Amazon.

Take a look around what's already in your home to see what works with which ecosystem before deciding. The best system for you will be the path of least resistance, whether that's using your smartphone's dedicated assistant or sticking with a platform that best integrates with the devices you already have.

Alexa still has the widest range of options. Amazon owns Ring, so those smart home security devices work seamlessly with an Echo speaker, but we don't recommend using Ring's cameras because of its partnership with Axon, which enables local law enforcement to request footage directly from Ring users.

Apple's biggest appeal is its convenience for its existing users. Apple does have smart speakers, the HomePod and HomePod Mini; both double as smart home hubs compatible with Matter over Thread. But I've never found it easier than using Amazon or Google.