Advice about smart speakers needed

[WindyKnickers]

I know I'm probably the last person under 50 to not have any smart tech in my house but its just never been necessary. Anyway DD is now off to secondary next year and really into her music, audiobooks and podcasts so I want to get her a smart speaker for her birthday to bring her up to speed.

I'm prepared to pay for a spotify subscription but is there a cheaper way for her to access what she wants on demand? She has the free Spotify on her phone (linked to my second email address) so I presume I just upgrade that?

Which speaker or device would you get for a preteen? I'd like her to be able to use it around the house eg if she had friends over and they were hanging out in the garden. I don't have any particular love for either amazon or Google but want it to be budget friendly and easy to set up and use because I'm not good with this stuff.

TIA

I've got an Amazon echo. Easy to set up with the Alex app. We have a family Spotify account, one payment, everyone has their own Spotify. About £15 pm.

We also have an Alexa Echo dot (3rd gen) and it’s been great - easy to use, reasonable sound quality etc. I think it would be great for an 11 year old, especially if she has a phone so can use the app to set it up exactly how she likes. If budget allows (or for a future birthday/Xmas) you could also get her a battery base (just search Amazon for the relevant model plus battery base) which means it can be moved around the house and garden without being plugged in

I always recommend the UE speakers. All three kids have them, very portable and resilient.

I found this at John Lewis & Partners. What do you think?  https://www.johnlewis.com/ultimate-ears-boom-3-bluetooth-waterproof-portable-speaker/lagoon-blue/p3713641?tmad=c&tmcampid=7&sshare=jlappioss_Y29tLmFwcGxlLlVJS2l0LmFjdGl2aXR5LkNvcHlUb1Bhc3RlYm9hcmQ=