New 2022 Smart Audio Report from NPR & Edison Research Shows Slowing Smart Speaker and Voice Assistant Adoption

NPR and Edison Research released its annual Smart Audio Report, showcasing voice technology trends in the US. The 2022 Report highlights the increased usage of voice technology, with 35% of Americans 18+ now owning a smart speaker. In 2022, 62% of Americans 18+ use a voice assistant on any device – smart speakers, smartphones, TV remotes, in-car systems, a computer/laptop, and tablets. While suggesting growth, the report also shows adoption and usage is stalling.

New data from the latest installment of The Smart Audio Report from NPR and Edison Research confirms that smart speaker adoption continues to grow in the U.S. with 60M adults A18+ (24% of the population) now owning a smart speaker. And with spoken word audio listening up 20% from 2014, cutting into time spent with music, it's clear the audio landscape is changing dramatically – driven by technology advancements and content preferences alike.

The Smart Audio Report Spring 2019 is part of the industry's longest-running public research series about smart speaker consumer behavior in the U.S.. The updated research reveals how smart speaker user behavior and perceptions are evolving as owners 'settle in' with their devices and the market matures out of its introductory phase. According to the survey promoted by NPR And Edison Research, seven-in-ten smart speaker owners use their device daily despite common concerns around security and privacy, while those same factors are leading reasons non-owners have not acquired a device.