The primary functionality difference between the two is that the Megablast has integrated Amazon Alexa voice control. To enable this, the Megablast adds Wi-Fi to its connectivity options. That means you can use Alexa to stream tracks from Amazon Music Unlimited or Spotify, although iPhone users should note that it's not AirPlay compatible, so Apple Music streaming is Bluetooth only. As part of that smart speaker angle, Ultimate Ears sells an optional Power Up base ($39.99)

Amazon's popular Echo family of devices keeps growing. From the first can-shaped Echo, to the big-screen Echo Show, and even the cute Echo Dot, you can get Alexa into your home any number of ways. These Echo products can answer your questions, help you order essentials for your home, play all sorts of audio content, and even function as the control hub for your burgeoning smart home. These are our favorite Amazon Echos for every home and every budget. The Echo Plus is the best-sounding Echo.

The Amazon Echo kicked off the smart speaker trend a few years ago, but it's no longer alone. There are dozens of smart speakers already on the market in 2018 and a ton more are coming. You need to decide which voice assistant you prefer (there are now four--Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, and Cortana) and what features are most important to you. Does it need to play Spotify? Does it need to connect to your other speakers and smarthome gadgets?