Want to use smart speakers to improve your TV's sound: Pluses and minuses

Connecting a smart speaker-- Amazon Echo or Google Nest -- to your TV seems like an affordable solution to make it smarter and sound better. However, there are certain things to keep in mind. There are two aspects of attaching a speaker to your TV. The first thing is you want better sound quality. As far sound quality is concerned, you may buy a decent soundbar for the price of a smart speaker that actually sounds better than Amazon Echo or Google Nest speakers. The next most obvious point to get a smart speaker for your TV is to add voice command support. So, there are four things to consider before you connect a smart speaker to your TV.

Soundbars provide better audio than smart speakers: If you buy any mid-range soundbar for your TV, the audio quality will be way better than compared to smart speakers. So, if your sole objective is to improve the audio quality of your TV, it's better to invest in a sound bar or even home theatre system.

Getting a smart speaker for voice commands: Now, if you already have a soundbar or audio system and wish to add voice commands to your TV, then getting a smart speaker may make sense. But even if you find a compatible smart speaker for your TV, remember it would be difficult for that smart speaker to cancel the loud sound from your TV and listen to other instructions.

For example, if you connect a smart speaker to your TV and also use the same speaker to control lights or AC of the same room, you will have to pause or lower the volume of the TV to give voice commands for other tasks like switching off the AC or turning off the lights. The experience won't be seamless. And using two different smart speakers in the same room could be a hassle in itself altogether.

Not all TVs are compatible with all smart speakers: If you are getting an Amazon Echo device, ensure that it is compatible with your TV. Remember to check for compatibility before buying a smart speaker to connect to your TV.

Most newer TVs already offer voice support with remote: If you buy a new TV, the chances are you will get a remote that supports voice commands at the press of a button. This solves smart connectivity requirements altogether, so, investing in a good soundbar may make more sense if you want to enhance the sound quality of your TV.