• by Chuck Martin , Staff Writer, March 8, 2018

Smart speakers have come out of nowhere.

Two years ago, fewer than 1% of the U.S. population had access to smart speakers. Today, it’s 20%, according to a new report.

More than a quarter (26%) of smart speaker owners have made at least one voice purchase and 12% shop by voice monthly, according to the study, comprising a survey of 1,000 U.S. adults conducted by Voicebot and Rain.

A similar study released earlier this week found that almost all (95%) consumers have at least heard of smart speakers. That survey, by Delineate, also found that one in 10 consumers already are using smart speakers to help them decide on brands and products, as I wrote about here (Consumers Turning To Smart Speakers To Help Decide On Brands, Products).

That study found that 25% of consumers without a smart speaker plan to get one.

The Rain study found that 10% of those without a smart speaker plan to get one this year. That would account for 50% growth in the smart speaker user base, if it happens.

The speakers are placed in many rooms, including the living room (46%), kitchen (41%), bedroom (37%), bathroom (6%), dining room (6%), garage (6%) and work office (3%).

As all other smart speaker studies, this one also shows Amazon out in front with its Echo smart speaker line. Sometimes it really pays to be first.