Latest from Android Central in Amazon-echo-dot

Cyber Monday sales are nearing an end with 36% OFF Amazon's Echo Dot smart speaker

Zachary David — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 20:23:45 +0000

You can often find some of the best smart speaker deals around the holidays, and this year's Cyber Monday sale is looking no different. As such, Amazon is currently offering 36% off the price of the latest Echo Dot.

The Echo Dot comes with a smaller overall design than the regular Echo speaker, though it still boasts a pretty loud volume as a smart speaker. Like most smart speakers, the device offers instant access to Amazon's Alexa voice assistant, seamlessly letting users cue up music on their favorite streaming services or control smart home devices such as lights, thermostats, and more.

The Echo Dot also comes with a ring LED light on the bottom of the unit, unlike previous generations, which included a similar light near the top. It also has a 3.5mm headphone output, in case users want to plug the device into an external speaker, a TV, or another device. This deal is available for all three of the Amazon Echo Dot smart speaker colors, including Charcoal, Deep Sea Blue, and Glacier White.

Amazon Echo Dot: ~~$49.99~~ $31.99 at Amazon

The Amazon Echo Dot just dropped 36% during Amazon's Cyber Monday sale, meaning it's currently just $31. The smart speaker is not only smaller than the regular Amazon Echo, but it also comes with a price tag that's $50 cheaper—even before this Cyber Monday deal came along.View Deal

✅Recommended if: you're looking for a small countertop option for accessing smart home devices, Alexa's voice assistant, or music streaming across devices; you're looking to spend around $30-$50 on a smart speaker, and you don't want to upgrade to the larger Amazon Echo.

❌Skip this deal if: you'd prefer to upgrade to the higher-powered Amazon Echo, or another device, such as the Echo Studio or Sonos One; you're looking for a smart home device with a screen or other interface, rather than one that's just a speaker; you're looking for a smart speaker with industry-leading audio quality.

Amazon's Echo Dot boasts a small overall design that's easy to fit on counters and desktops, or just about anywhere in your home. While the smaller build than the regular Echo device does compromise a little on audio quality, sporting just a single forward-firing 1.73-inch speaker. Still, you can connect it to a second Echo Dot if you prefer stereo audio, or if you want to customize the audio you can utilize the EQ settings in the Alexa app.

While it may not be the best smart speaker from an audio perspective, given the smaller speaker, it's truthfully not much different from the regular Echo model otherwise. And it's hard to go wrong with a price tag of just over $30, especially if you don't need anything too terribly loud or high-quality.

Cyber Monday deals 2025 - quick links

Best Buy: up to 60% off Chromebooks, Android phones, and more
Amazon: early discounts on headphones, smart home tech
Walmart: early price drops on ASUS laptops, locked phones
Samsung: new Galaxy XR headset, trade-in opportunities
Verizon: free phones with new line, trade-in
T-Mobile: free Galaxy phones, $300 back w/ 5G Home Internet
Mint Mobile: 50% off Pixel 10, BOGO Unlimited plans
AT&T: get a free Z Flip 7 with trade-in, new line

More Cyber Monday coverage
The best Google Pixel deals of Cyber Monday
The best Samsung deals of Cyber Monday
The best Motorola deals of Cyber Monday

Are you ready for some football?! Score a touchdown and big savings on this NFL Echo Dot bundle

jerry.hildenbrand@futurenet.com (Jerry Hildenbrand) — Fri, 28 Nov 2025 16:23:29 +0000

Amazon puts up its in-house products at great prices for every Black Friday sale, and this one is for every NFL fan out there. My Buccs might not make the playoffs this year, but I'll still feel like a winner saving $30 on this NFL version of the newest Echo Dot in a nifty licensed mini helmet stand.

It's the same Echo Dot you know and love, only in way cooler packaging. There is a version for all 32 NFL teams, so no matter who you root for, there's one for you. What cooler way to watch NFL games on Prime TV than by telling this kitted-out Echo to fire up the telly? Sure, it costs more than the "regular" Echo Dot, but every NFL fan knows that officially licensed products are expensive, so now is the time to buy.

If you use Amazon Alexa or are considering it, the Echo Dot is a great way to dive in. If you're also an NFL fan, this is the way to do it. It's the newest generation of the Echo Dot in an officially licensed NFL helmet, and Black Friday means you can pick it up for a nice $30 off.View Deal

✅Recommended if: you already use Amazon Alexa or are ready to get into building a smarter home. Also, if Google Assistant/Gemini isn't cutting it for you anymore, Alexa is a great replacement.

❌Skip this deal if: you don't care about having a voice-activated assistant or smart home, or if you love the setup you already have. If you're not an NFL fan, you can save a lot of money buying the plain version, too.

I love having a few smart devices in my house; yelling into the dark to turn the light on or having the blinds open on command is handy and makes my life easier. I'm also thinking of moving away from Google Home to Amazon Alexa because of the seemingly endless issues with Google Home.

I'm also a big Tampa Bay Buccs fan. I was at the first game in the old Tampa Stadium as a kid, struggling through watching them lose their first 26 games, and eventually got to see them win a Super Bowl. This is a perfect item for me or any NFL fan - all 32 teams are represented. I can only wish it were a creamsicle throwback.

Saving 30 bucks is icing on the cake!

(Image credit: Amazon)

The Echo Dot is 50% OFF during Prime Day, but you're running out of time!

christinep2424@gmail.com (Christine Persaud) — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 23:00:24 +0000

Alexa, find me a great Prime Day smart home deal. The Echo Dot (5th Gen, 2022) might have been introduced two years ago, but it’s still the latest model of this popular spherical smart speaker. And as usual for Amazon Prime Day, it’s on for a deep discount at half off, from $49.99 to just $24.99. The time to buy a new Amazon Echo smart speaker is on Prime Day, and this one is one of the most affordable and versatile options around.

An Echo smart speaker is at the heart of many smart homes nowadays. Is there anyone who doesn’t own at least one? Even if you do, you might be in need of an upgrade to an older model, or realize the value and want a second (or third or fourth) in another room. Think the kitchen, nightstand, home office, or kid's room.

Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen, 2022): ~~$49.99~~ $24.99 at Amazon

The Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen, 2022) is one of the most affordable and versatile smart speakers you can get for the home. Once set up, it functions as your personal assistant, smart home control hub, desktop speaker, and more. Plus, it’s so darned cute!View Deal

✅Recommended if: You have other Alexa-enabled devices in the home and want a simple device to control them, or you’re looking for an affordable desktop speaker with smarts.

❌Skip this deal if: You need something with more booming bass, a display, or prefer Google Assistant.

The spherical smart speaker looks great on a shelf, kitchen counter, living room side table, or nightstand. Once set up, you can summon Alexa to ask questions, set timers or add appointments to your calendar, control compatible smart home devices, get weather and traffic updates, and of course, listen to music. It’s a high-tech alarm clock, a kitchen assistant, a homework helper – you name it.

It comes in three colors to match the room’s décor, and while this isn’t the version with the clock display, if you aren’t using it on a nightstand, you might not mind. Create a routine in the app with your compatible smart home devices, choosing from the many Alexa-compatible devices from both Amazon and other brands. Then give a simple command like “Alexa, good morning” to see the lights go on, your morning playlist queued up, and even the smart coffee maker starting a brew. It's like magic! I even use mine to start my robot vacuum.

Shop Prime Day 2024 at Android Central

(Image credit: Amazon)

1. Prime Day smartwatch deals
2. Prime Day phone deals
3. Prime Day tablet deals
4. Prime Day smart home deals
5. Prime Day smart TV deals

We reviewed the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen, 2022) model with the built-in clock, which is virtually identical but for the ability to display the time on the front. We appreciated the improved sound quality (yes, it’s worth upgrading from the 4th Gen model) and the built-in temperature sensor. Our reviewer recommends it for anyone who wants a great sounding but small Alexa speaker. At half price, you can’t go wrong. Snag this Amazon Prime Day deal and grab a few at 50% off to give to friends and family members as gifts, too!

Level up your smart home with 44% OFF the tiny Amazon Echo Dot (for a limited time)

zacharydvisconti@gmail.com (Zachary David) — Fri, 10 May 2024 22:58:00 +0000

Setting up a smart home is more accessible than ever, especially with smart speaker deals like this one. For a limited time, Amazon has launched a sale on the Echo Dot (5th Gen), cutting 44% off of the smart speaker's already low sticker price. The fifth-generation Echo Dot has an even better speaker than earlier models, and it's available in charcoal, deep sea blue, and glacier white. Whether you're adding to an existing Amazon Echo ecosystem or starting fresh, the Echo Dot makes it super easy to expand your home's Wi-Fi coverage, access Alexa, and control other Amazon smart home devices.

Echo Dot (5th Gen): ~~$49.99~~ $27.99 at Amazon

The Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) is currently 44% off, or $22 cheaper than the normal sticker price. From increasing your home's Wi-Fi coverage to the convenience of having Alexa and smart home controls easily accessible, the Echo Dot is a great, affordable option to start with when developing your smart home—or a good one to expand your home's current Amazon ecosystem.

Price comparison: $27.99 - Best Buy View Deal

✅Recommended if: you're looking for a simple, user-friendly smart speaker for your home; you're already a user of Amazon's Alexa voice assistant or smart home ecosystem; you're looking for a smart home device that includes a temperature sensor.

❌Skip this deal if: you prefer a smart speaker that includes a 3.5mm input; you're looking for a larger smart speaker with more volume.

The small Echo Dot is a great little smart speaker, offering the whole range of smart home functionality that Amazon's devices have become known for. The temperature sensor makes it compatible with Amazon's suite of smart home automation controls, and it can even be used to extend your Wi-Fi network further around your house.

The main downside to this Echo Dot generation is that Amazon got rid of the 3.5mm input, so if that's a priority for you, it might be worth considering the 4th Gen instead.

The Echo Dot Kids falls to a record-shattering low price with this Cyber Monday deal

namerah.saud-fatmi@futurenet.com (Namerah Saud Fatmi) — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 07:21:01 +0000

It's the last day of Cyber Monday and Black Friday deals, and it seems like the shopping season will go out with a bang. Just look at this awesome Echo Dot Kids deal for instance. The cutesy smart Alexa speaker is more than half off right now, bringing the price down to the lowest it's ever been. Usually sold for $59.99, you can get this speaker for only $27.99 on Amazon while the offer lasts.

Amazon's Echo Dot Kids (2022, 5th gen) comes in the same old orb shape as the past few Echo Dot models. While the form factor and embedded light remain the same, you get a lot of upgrades over the last generations that make this a worthwhile purchase. The 5th Gen Echo Dot Kids comes with better internals, so naturally, it sounds louder and better in general compared to its predecessors. It can also expand your Wi-Fi coverage up to 1000sqft and has a built-in temperature sensor for smart home routines.

Since this adorable smart speaker is made for children, you get Amazon Kids+ which adds a two-year worry-free guarantee, fantastic parental controls, and kid-appropriate content. There are also two fun Owl and Dragon designs to choose from, tickling the fantasy of kids and brightening up their rooms. Your child can ask Alexa questions, or make the assistant play music and read books out loud. It's an excellent educative and interactive present for any young child.

Android Central's Cyber Monday deal hubs:
Tech | Phones | Tablets | Wearables | TVs | Smart Home

Amazon Echo Dot Kids (2022, 5th Gen): ~~$59.99~~ $27.99 at Amazon

Amazon's latest Echo Dot Kids (2022, 5th Gen) is at its lowest price ever, slashing the retail price by a whopping 57%. This is your best opportunity to get this adorable smart speaker for your child. It also makes for an excellent, age-appropriate gift.

Price tracker: Best Buy - $27.99 View Deal

Cyber Monday Quick Links

It's prime time to get 25% off the Echo Dot with Clock with this fantastic Prime Day deal

tips@androidcentral.com (Chris Wedel) — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 13:00:14 +0000

The wait is over, and the smart home deals are rolling in during Amazon's Fall Prime Day event. As you probably guessed, some of the best deals are on Amazon's own devices, and that includes its excellent Alexa-enabled smart speakers.

One of our favorites from Amazon is the Echo Dot with Clock. Not only is this smart speaker more powerful than its small package might lead you to believe, but it also has a super helpful LED display behind the fabric cover. This feature does what you'd expect and shows you the time, but it can also show song titles of music that's playing, the outside temperature, and more.

25% off an excellent smart speaker with a clever display

See all the October Prime Day deals: USA | UK | Canada | India

Amazon Echo Dot with Clock (5th Gen, 2022 release): ~~$59.99~~ $44.99 at Amazon

While you could get the regular Echo Dot, this model with a built-in display gives you so much more functionality because it can more than just show you the time. With 25% off, why not get the best!?View Deal

Rival sales: Best Buy | Walmart | Dell | Newegg | HP | Target

Along with being able to use Alexa for all the commonly known tasks, like controlling your home's lights, playing music, setting timers, and more, the Echo Dot with Clock (5th Gen) has a temperature sensor that you can use to trigger custom Alexa Routines. For example, if you're bedroom is getting warm, you can set a temperature threshold, and when it is hit, Alexa can turn on a fan.

This is just one example of how the Amazon Echo Dot with Clock goes beyond being a basic smart speaker. So, don't let this great deal slip by, and be sure to check out the rest of the awesome Prime Big Deal Day savings.

Amazon Echo Pop vs. Echo Dot: Which should you buy?

andrew.myrick@futurenet.com (Andrew Myrick) — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Amazon Echo Pop

Cheapest Alexa speaker

The Amazon Echo Pop may not look like much, but it still packs an impressive punch in a small and even more affordable package. Plus, there are some fun, new colors to choose from.

Amazon Echo Dot

Better in a lot of ways

Amazon's Echo Dot was last refreshed in 2022, and includes all of the same features as the new Echo Pop. But it also has a few extras that you won't find.

It’s been a while since Amazon released a new Echo device, but the company surprised a lot of people with the release of the Echo Pop in 2023. Until then, the Echo Dot served as the best Alexa speaker under $50, but it seems that the company saw a need to come in with a smart speaker even cheaper.

Amazon Echo Pop vs. Echo Dot: Design

(Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

As written in the review, the Amazon Echo Pop really looks like an Echo Dot that was chopped in half. It features an omnidirectional design as the speaker will play audio facing in the direction that you place it. Meanwhile, the Echo Dot’s globe-like design attempts to provide 360-degree audio in any room that you place it in.

	Amazon Echo Pop	Amazon Echo Dot
Price	$39.99	$44.99
Speakers	1.95” front-firing speaker	1.73-inch front-firing speaker
Hands-free Alexa	✅	✅
Motion Detection	❌	✅
Temperature sensor	❌	✅
Built-in eero	✅	✅
Matter support	✅	✅
Dimensions	99 x 83 x 91mm, 196g	100 x 100 x 89mm, 340g
Colors	Charcoal, Glacier White, Lavender, Bloom, Midnight Teal	Charcoal, Deep Sea Blue, Glacier White

When it comes to controls, the Echo Pop relies on three hardware buttons placed on the top, just behind the LED light bar that lets you know when Alexa is listening. Hardware buttons are hardly a bad thing, but controlling the Echo Dot is done using the built-in accelerometer as you’ll just need to touch the top to adjust the volume or invoke Alexa.

Amazon Echo Pop vs. Echo Dot: Sound quality

(Image credit: Chris Wedel/Android Central)

On paper, the Echo Pop should beat out the Echo Dot with its larger 1.95-inch woofer compared to the 1.73-inch woofer found in the Dot. However, we still prefer the sound coming from the Echo Dot, regardless of how large the room is that you are placing it in. The Echo Pop is better suited for a bedroom or home office, whereas the Echo Dot works well in larger rooms, even if it falls short of the standard Amazon Echo in terms of filling the room with sound.

Something worth pointing out here is the fact that neither the Echo Pop or Echo Dot feature a 3.5mm headphone jack. It comes as a bit of a disappointment, as we would have liked to have the option to use either of these smart speakers as traditional speakers with a phone, tablet, or Chromebook.

Amazon Echo Pop vs. Echo Dot: Extra features

(Image credit: Jeramy Johnson / Android Central)

Over the past few years, there’s been a lot of focus on improving the overall smart home experience, but the fact remains that there are just too many different brands using their own proprietary systems. The Matter standard aims to remedy this, and the Echo Pop is the first Alexa speaker to come with Matter support out of the box. Thankfully, the Echo Dot wasn’t left out to pasture, as Amazon rolled out an update in late 2022 making 17 different Alexa products compatible with Matter.

One other common feature shared between the Echo Pop and Echo Dot is the ability for these speakers to be used as an eero Wi-Fi extender. When paired with a mesh Wi-Fi system like the eero Pro 6E, you can set these up and extend your Wi-Fi connection by up to 1,000 square feet while providing up to 100 Mbps speeds.

Where the Echo Dot truly begins to pull away is in some of the “extra” features that Amazon has implemented. These include the temperature and motion detection sensors that are built into the Echo Dot, which you won’t find in the Echo Pop. This might not be of much use to some, but being able to create an Alexa Routine to turn on your air conditioner when your home starts getting too warm is a nice “quality of life” improvement.

Amazon Echo Pop vs. Echo Dot: Which should you buy?

(Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

The Echo Dot is definitely the “better” smart speaker compared to the Echo Pop, even with the latter coming in with a $39.99 price tag compared to $49.99. However, making the decision between these two really comes down to whether you want to take advantage of the built-in sensors and the size of the room that you’ll be using the speaker in.

If you want to have Alexa fill your living room with sound or like the muted color choices, then the Echo Pop is the way to go. But if you’re looking for a bedside smart speaker that can be used to help wake you up in the morning, then the Echo Dot is a fine choice.

Amazon Echo Pop

For smaller rooms

You'll get the most out of Amazon Echo Pop if you plan on putting it in small room or your night stand. Otherwise, it might get drowned out and be more of a frustration than a useful smart speaker.

Amazon Echo Dot

Works well everywhere

The Amazon Echo Dot works well regardless of what room you put it in, while also providing you with things like motion detection and a built-in temperature sensor.

Amazon Echo speakers make your home smarter and most models are cheaper than ever

tips@androidcentral.com (Samuel Contreras) — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 17:08:58 +0000

When science fiction was dreaming about how we'd interact with computers, one of the first ways we saw gain traction on TV was voice commands. Star Trek, for example, didn't come up with a touch screen but instead a speaker. This isn't surprising as speaking is the primary way we communicate with others so it makes sense to build tech that adapts to that.

The Amazon Echo Dot series is an affordable line of smart speakers that connect to Wi-FI and use Alexa to answer questions and complete actions. This is helped by the massive Alexa library of Alexa skills that help control your smart home tech. Amazon Echo devices are some of the best Alexa devices you can buy thanks to their size and price.

Amazon Echo deals: Amazon | Best Buy | B&H

You can use Alexa on your Echo speaker to control Wi-Fi access, check your door locks, change the temperature, or even just play some music. Speaking of music, the Echo Dots have solid sound for their size and are great for some background music or listening to podcasts. This can all be controlled with your voice so you don't need to touch your phone each time you want to change the song which is especially useful with an Echo in the kitchen or bathroom.

Since Echo can do so much, it makes sense to be within earshot of one at all times. Luckily, Cyber Monday savings have made these smart speakers cheap enough that you can get one for every room your frequent.

Get two Echo Dots for $50 or bundle one with a Philips smart light for maximum savings

Amazon Echo Dot (5th gen): ~~$49.99~~ $24.99 at Amazon

Amazon's Echo Dot is available in three colors: Glacier White, Charcoal, and Deep Sea Blue. This smart speaker has some big upgrades over older generations with a slightly larger speaker at 1.73 inches and some extra features like a temperature sensor, motion sensor, and eero support built-in. That is, this can act as an eero mesh extender.

The light ring on the bottom makes it easy to see when the Echo Dot is listening and the dedicated mic off button helps you to be confident Alexa isn't listening to anything you don't want it to.View Deal

Amazon Echo Dot with Clock (5th gen): $59.99 $39.99 at Amazon

With all of the features of the standard Echo Dot, Echo Dot with Clock adds a digital clock to the front. That clock display can also be used for other tasks too, such as displaying a song name or the current weather. Echo Dot with Clock is an excellent addition to a bedside table, or really, any room where you get ready for school or work.View Deal

You can also get your Echo Dot with a free Philips Hue smart lightbulb so make sure you add the right bundle to your cart. There are a few other bundles as well as one including an eero router. Since the 5th generation of Echo Dot supports eero mesh expansion, you can start a mesh Wi-Fi deployment with just a single eero and an Echo Dot.

These bundles are on the same product page so be sure you're adding the one you want to your cart.

Amazon Echo Dot Kids (5th gen): ~~$59.99~~ $29.99 at Amazon

This Echo Dot has a special colorful design to appeal to kids. You can get one with a dragon design or an owl to help your kids express themselves a bit. Rather than asking if they've remembered to turn off the hallway light, you can ask if they told Alexa to do so.View Deal

Amazon Echo Glow: $29.99 $16.99 at Amazon

Echo Glow is simply a smart light in a form factor that matches your Echo Dot. It's smart thanks to Alexa and can act as an automated night light or even as a light to help you wake up in the morning. With RGB control, you can set it to be whichever color works best for the room or time of day. You'll need an Echo device to use this light.View Deal

Amazon Echo Dot (3rd gen): ~~$39.99~~ $14.99 at Amazon

This older Echo Dot is simply a smart speaker with Alexa. It has a slightly smaller speaker driver than the current generation Echo Dot but should still be fine for spoken word programs or hearing responses from Alexa. If you're looking for the cheapest way to get Alexa in a room, this is it.

Keep in mind that this Echo Dot doesn't come with the temperature sensor, motion sensor, or eero-built in like the fourth and fifth generation Dots. View Deal

As mentioned, Amazon Echo Dot now works with eero mesh systems. If you have an eero mesh or are ready to upgrade to one, you can use either Echo Dot (5th gen) or Echo (4th gen) as an eero mesh extender. Echo Dot (4th gen) is getting eero support with a software update. These aren't the fastest eero mesh extenders in the world but they can help keep your internet running smoothly in all parts of your home.

If you want an Echo for listening to music, it's worth it to upgrade to the Amazon Echo (4th gen) or the Echo Studio. Amazon Echo (4th gen) looks a lot like Echo Dot in pictures but it's quite a bit bigger and has much more speaker power.

Looking for bigger sound? Amazon Echo and Echo Studio are on sale too

Amazon Echo (4th gen): ~~$99.99~~ $49.99 at Amazon

This Echo speaker is available in three colors: Glacier White, Charcoal, and Twilight Blue. This Echo is a beefier unit with a three-inch woofer for bass tones and two 0.8-inch tweeters for high-pitched tones. This speaker array allows the Amazon Echo to deliver much richer audio and will sound better in a large room.

If you're getting an Echo with the intent of listening to music on it, it should be this Echo, or the next one down.View Deal

Amazon Echo Studio: ~~$199.99~~ $154.99 at Amazon

The Amazon Echo Studio is an Echo that's focused on delivering the best audio experience possible. There's a large tweeter on top for high tones, three mid-tone speakers in the middle, and a large 5.3-inch subwoofer on the bottom. This speaker even as an optical input so you can plug a wide range of CD players, game consoles, or TVs into it.View Deal

Our Echo Studio review noted the powerful bass and rich audio thanks to its speaker array. This speaker packs the most punch and will be the best pick for bass-heavy music. The extra speaker range due to the component layout may also help you notice more depth in your favorite music such as a bass line or percussion rhythm that would be drowned out on a single small speaker

Amazon has an Echo device so just about any size room or use. Getting a powerful Echo can help eliminate multiple devices from your room since you won't need a speaker system with the Echo Studio nearby. Still, if you want an Echo in a room where you already have a speaker system, the built-in 3.5mm auxiliary out port makes it quick and easy to hook into a speaker system.

Amazon Echo Dot Kids (2022, 5th gen) vs. Echo Dot Kids (2020, 4th gen): Roaring fantastic speakers

tips@androidcentral.com (Chris Wedel) — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 13:15:01 +0000

Amazon Echo Dot Kids (2022, 5th gen)

The latest Echo Dot Kids offers the same overall shape as before but loads of new tech inside. It gained a larger speaker, a tap-to-control feature, new dragon and owl designs, and more. The 5th gen smart speaker is a solid but unnecessary upgrade.

Pros

Fun Owl and Dragon designs
Better sound quality than previous models
Built-in temperature sensor for smart home routines
Can expand your Wi-Fi coverage up to 1000sqft
Amazon Kids+ brings fantastic parental controls and kid-appropriate content

Cons

The "Hey, Disney" feature still isn't ready
Missing character-specific responses at launchSome Amazon Kids+ experiences are underwhelming without a display

Amazon Echo Dot Kids (2020, 4th gen)

Amazon's Echo Dot Kids (2020, 4th gen) was the first in the line to gain the spherical design. This also ushered in the tiger and panda designs. A great speaker for kids, even if it lacks some of the more advanced features.

Pros

Vast system of kids content and skills
Wide compatibility with peripheral devices
Loud enough for a bedroom or playroom
Cuter designs

Cons

Only four music services supported by Kids+
AC power adapter instead of USB-C

Now on the 5th version of its smart speaker for kids, Amazon continues to find new ways to make these devices an enticing prospect for families. While the new Amazon Echo Dot Kids (2022) isn't featuring any experiences not found on the Echo Dot Kids (2020) model, it does offer some impressive upgrades. Let's go over those changes and whether they are worth upgrading from a 4th gen model or if you should stick with it.

Amazon Echo Dot Kids (2022, 5th gen) vs. Echo Dot Kids (2020, 4th gen): All-around great speakers for kids

(Image credit: Chris Wedel/Android Central)

Right away, you can see that both the 2020 and 2022 models are quite cute. These speakers are Amazon's first time putting characters on their kid-focused smart speakers. Previously there were some pattern options but not the fun designs we now have. Aside from being the cutest options, they are also just flat-out some of the best smart speakers for kids.

No, it isn't just because of how they look but because of the fantastic Amazon Kids+ software that keeps them safe for kids. I'll give a brief explainer of what you get with the software, but we have a helpful guide for a full breakdown. At its core, Amazon Kids+ is two things — a curated library of over 20,000 kid-specific games, apps, books, and videos, and it's full of parental controls.

While the Amazon Echo Dot Kids (2022) and 2020 models offer the same Amazon Kids+ software, the hardware differences can alter how it is enjoyed.

When you buy any Amazon Kids device, it comes with a free year of service. After the first year, the service is $7.99/mo for non-Prime members and $4.99 for those that are. If you choose to pay annually, it is $79/yr or $48/yr. But the service isn't locked to a single device. So, if you purchase an Amazon Echo Dot Kids speaker, the subscription that comes with it can be used on a Fire TV or Fire tablet, like the new Fire HD 8 Kids Pro.

Along with gaining access to a massive library of content for kids of all ages, parents also get a suite of excellent parental controls. You can set when the speaker responds to commands, volume levels, what content is accessible, and more. These don't change whether you have the 4th or 5th gen Echo Dot Kids device.

(Image credit: Android Central)

As for the hardware, these two speakers have the same overall size, the same buttons, and a light ring on the bottom. But the actual speaker inside is slightly larger on the Echo Dot Kids (2022), and I could notice the improved sound during my review of it. As noted in the review of the Echo Dot Kids (2020) model, it was a big jump in sound quality from the 3rd gen, but not as big going from 4th to 5th.

Amazon also brought many of the new hardware improvements from the new Echo Dot with Clock (2022). This includes a temperature sensor that not only lets you see the temperature of the room the speaker is in via the Alexa app but it can also act as a trigger for smart home automation.

	Echo Dot Kids (5th Gen)	Echo Dot Kids (4th Gen)
Size	3.9 x 3.9 x 3.5 inches	3.9 x 3.9 x 3.5 inches
Weight	10.7 OZ	12 oz
Processor	AZ2 Neural Edge	AZ1 Neural Edge
Speaker	1.73-inch speaker	1.6-inch speaker
3.5mm port	🚫	✔️
Bluetooth	✔️	✔️
Wi-Fi	802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz / 5GHz)	802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz / 5GHz)
Buttons	Volume up and down, Mic off, Action button	Volume up and down, Mic off, Action button
Pair for stereo sound	✔️	✔️
Light ring	Runs along base of speaker	Runs along base of speaker
Colors	Dragon, Owl	Tiger, Panda
Retail cost	$60	$60
Compatible with eero routers	✔️	🚫
Built-in temperature sensor	✔️	🚫
Tap-to-control	✔️	🚫
Amazon Kids+	1 year included free and two-year worry-free warranty	1 year included free and two-year worry-free warranty

Speaking of home connectivity, Amazon also enabled the new Echo Dot Kids (2022) to act as a Wi-Fi extender for the excellent eero mesh routers. When using this feature, the speaker can help expand your Wi-Fi coverage by up to 1000sqft.

The tap-to-control option is a new feature you and your child will appreciate in the new smart speaker. The familiar physical buttons from the Echo Dot Kids (2020) model are still present, but now you can also simply tap the speaker's top to pause a song, stop a timer, snooze an alarm, and more. For some kids, it can be difficult to remember what phrase is necessary to control some speaker functions, but bopping the speaker can come naturally.

Amazon Echo Dot Kids (2022, 5th gen) vs. Echo Dot Kids (2020, 4th gen): Should you upgrade?

(Image credit: Chris Wedel/Android Central)

The answer isn't as clear as some may think. If you already own an Echo Dot Kids (2020) but aren't interested in smart home automation or plan to use an eero mesh router, then you probably don't need to upgrade. However, any Echo Dot Kids prior to the 2020 model is worth the upgrade.

Improvements in the Amazon Echo Dot Kids (2022) are tangible and can offer an improved experience for the whole family. Better sound, easy touch controls, expanded smart home features, and more, are meaningful. So if you are in the market for a new smart speaker for the entire family, then the newest speakers are definitely the way to go.

Amazon Echo Dot Kids (2022)

Bringing the same shape from the 4th gen speaker, the latest model also gained new characters, improved sound, new sensors, and of course, still has the wonderful Amazon Kids+ in tow.

Amazon Echo Dot Kids (4th gen, 2020)

The Amazon Echo Dot Kids (4th gen, 2020) was a big improvement over the prior generation with a new design, fun characters, and better sound. Plus, it still has access to the fantastic Amazon Kids+

Amazon Echo Dot Kids (2022) hands-on: Cute, smart, and plenty of fun for kids

tips@androidcentral.com (Chris Wedel) — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 17:00:29 +0000

Smart speakers have become so common in many households in the past few years, and it can all be traced back to Amazon with the original Echo in 2014. But as time has passed and popularity has risen, the Echo has evolved into many forms and for more users. The Echo Dot is the least expensive smart speaker in the line, and the new Amazon Echo Dot Kids (2022) is the latest in the lineup with a focus on children.

While Amazon could have just put a cute design on the spherical speaker and said it's a kid's edition, it takes it a step further than that. Of course, the Echo Dot Kids speakers look cute, and the inclusion of kid-appropriate content is at the center of it all, thanks to Amazon Kids+. This feature not only makes the kids happy but parents too because it also brings a host of safety features. So with all of that out of the way, let's get into what's changed in the new Amazon Echo Dot Kids (2022).

Amazon Echo Dot Kids (2022) hands-on: A smart speaker the whole family can enjoy

(Image credit: Chris Wedel/Android Central)

Just some housekeeping here; I will refer to the Amazon Echo Dot Kids (2022) simply as Amazon Echo Dot Kids moving forward for simplicity. However, I'll be sure to differentiate when comparing to other models.

Not long ago, Amazon held its Fall 2022 Devices and Services event, in which there were some really great announcements. One of them was the new Echo Dot Kids alongside the standard Echo Dot and Echo Dot with Clock, which we also reviewed. These three speakers share nearly everything short of the LED clock display, Amazon Kids+ features, and color choices. But the speaker, sensors, Alexa, and more are all the same for each device.

To get all the details of the new sensors and what's changed from the 4th generation Echo Dots to the new 5th gen models, check out the Echo Dot with Clock review. I'll try briefly describing what changed from the Amazon Echo Dot Kids (4th gen) to the 5th generation here.

Amazon is still the only smart speaker brand offering kid-specific devices that bring both fun designs and safe content.

Amazon added touch controls to Echo Dot Kids to go with the familiar buttons. These new touch controls allow you to tap the speaker to pause music, stop a timer, snooze an alarm, and more.

For folks with additional smart home devices like thermostats, lights, etc., the built-in temperature sensor can trigger routines like turning on a smart fan should the room reach a specific temperature. But to make all of those smart features work even better, the Echo Dot Kids is compatible with all of the best eero routers — except the first generation — to expand your Wi-Fi coverage up to 1000sqft. The new models are the same size as before but have a larger speaker.

	Echo Dot Kids (5th Gen)
Size	3.9 x 3.9 x 3.5 inches
Weight	10.7 ounces
Processor	AZ2 Neural Edge
Speaker	1.73-inch speaker
3.5mm port	🚫
Bluetooth	✔
Wi-Fi	802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz / 5GHz)
Buttons	Volume up and down, Mic off, Action button, Tap to control
Pair for stereo sound	✔
Light ring	Runs along base of speaker
LED clock	🚫
Colors	Owl, Dragon
Retail cost	$60
Compatible with eero routers	✔
Built-in temperature sensor	✔
Amazon Kids+	1 year included free and two-year worry-free warranty

Even if most kids won't notice the hardware changes of the Echo Dot Kids, they will surely love the new designs on the outside.

The sound quality is impressive, considering the device's small size. Kids will love listening to their favorite music, audiobooks, and other fun, safe content from Amazon Kids+. If you're unfamiliar with the service, we have a helpful guide on Amazon Kids+ to get you up to speed. In short, it is a specially curated library of apps, games, videos, books, and more for kids. Purchasing the Amazon Echo Dot Kids gets you a free year of service that can also be used on the excellent Amazon Fire Kids tablets.

Some things like videos and apps won't work with the smart speaker because it doesn't have a display. For a smart display, you could consider the Echo Show 5 Kids. So even though using Amazon Kids+ on the Echo Dot Kids won't have the full library available, it still provides a lot of great content for kids. Plus, Amazon Kids+ is about more than just the content.

(Image credit: Chris Wedel/Android Central)

Using Amazon Kids+ on the Echo Dot Kids also provides parents with plenty of controls to set when the speaker is available to interact with, the age range of accessible content, kid-appropriate Alexa responses, and more. These safety features get even more helpful when applied to devices like tablets.

A feature that's been talked about for over a year now but still isn't available is the "Hey, Disney" voice assistant. This is supposed to let you access Disney content specifically designed to work with Echo devices. However, the feature is still missing despite getting another plug during Amazon's Fall 2022 event.

But even with the Amazon Echo Dot Kids missing out on the fun of Disney, the speaker is still the best option for parents that want to let their kids use a smart speaker. My kids have enjoyed using the Dragon model we've been testing. Parents still get all the Alexa features that we're used to, and kids get safe, entertaining interactions with the voice assistant.

(Image credit: Chris Wedel/Android Central)

Once the speaker is set up and Amazon Kids+ is enabled, nothing further needs to be done for your kids to interact with it. We changed the wake word in the Alexa app from the standard Alexa to Ziggy to make it a bit more fun when talking to the cute dragon speaker. But that's a personal choice that isn't required in order for kids to use the Amazon Kids+ features.

Amazon continues to do a great job at offering devices the whole family can enjoy while ensuring kids aren't exposed to inappropriate content. The hardware improvements in the Echo Dot Kids over previous generations only solidify Amazon as a leader in the smart home space with some of the best smart speakers, kids or otherwise.

Amazon Echo Dot Kids (2022)

While the kids may not fully appreciate the improved sound quality, built-in temperature sensor, eero router compatibility, and other techie changes, they are helpful changes regardless. But the fun new designs and ever-expanding Amazon Kids+ library are bound to make your children smile.

Pros

Fun Owl and Dragon designs
Better sound quality than previous models
Built-in temperature sensor for smart home routines
Can expand your Wi-Fi coverage up to 1000sqft
Amazon Kids+ brings fantastic parental controls and kid-appropriate content

Cons

The "Hey, Disney" feature still isn't ready
Missing character-specific responses at launch
Some Amazon Kids+ experiences are underwhelming without a display

Amazon Echo Dot (2022) vs. Echo Dot with Clock (2022): Should you clock in or not?

tips@androidcentral.com (Chris Wedel) — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 13:30:31 +0000

Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)

Pros

Great sound quality for the size
It can act as a Wi-Fi extender with eero routers
New tap feature for quick controls
Built-in temperature sensor for smart home automation
Costs less than the Dot with Clock

Cons

No LED clock or display
It doesn't come in Twilight Blue

Amazon Echo Dot with Clock (5th gen)

Pros

Improved sound quality from last previous models
Added features to the LED display
Works with eero routers to improve Wi-Fi coverage
Temperature sensor helps with automation
Tap to control music, timers, and more

Cons

Costs more than the standard Echo Dot
Doesn't come in Charcoal or Deep Sea Blue

The Amazon Echo Dot and Dot with Clock have been some of Amazon's most popular smart speakers for years now. This is largely due to the amount of helpful features that you get in these devices without needing to spend the extra cash on the larger Amazon Echo. Sure, you'll get better sound quality from that speaker, but unless you are really trying to bump the tunes for a party, the smaller option can be the better deal. So, when it comes to Amazon Echo Dot vs. Amazon Echo Dot with Clock, which should you buy? Well, let's talk about it.

Amazon Echo Dot (2022) vs. Echo Dot with Clock (2022): Oh, so similar

(Image credit: Amazon)

When Amazon announced the new Echo Dot (5th gen) and Dot with Clock (5th gen) at its 2022 Devices and Services event, there were some nice updates to the smallest smart speakers in the lineup. The speakers' overall size remained the same compared to the Echo Dot (4th gen) and Dot with Clock (4th gen), but at the same time, the new models picked up slightly larger speakers. While the earlier models didn't have bad sound, anytime it can get improved, it's a good thing.

Amazon added some pretty helpful new improvements to the new Echo Dot and Doth with Clock without making the devices any bigger.

Better sound is great, and all, but Amazon made some other pretty impressive improvements on top of the sound. Both smart speakers have a built-in temperature sensor. This can come in handy when controlling some of the great smart home devices, such as a fan or a smart thermostat like the ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium we reviewed earlier this year. You can even automate your home by creating an Alexa Routine with the indoor temperature as a trigger.

While you may or may not have a use in your home for the temperature sensor, the new tap-to-control feature will likely be a heavily used one. This new addition lets you simply tap the speaker's top to snooze an alarm, stop a timer, pause a song, end a call, and more. Sure, you could use your voice, but sometimes if you are near the speaker, it can be much easier just to tap it than use your voice, especially if you don't want to disturb others.

	Echo Dot with Clock (5th Gen)	Echo Dot (5th Gen)
Size	3.9 x 3.9 x 3.5 inches	3.9 x 3.9 x 3.5 inches
Weight	10.7 ounces	10.7 ounces
Processor	AZ2 Neural Edge	AZ2 Neural Edge
Speaker	1.73-inch speaker	1.73-inch speaker
3.5mm port	🚫	🚫
Bluetooth	✔	✔
Wi-Fi	802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz / 5GHz)	802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz / 5GHz)
Buttons	Volume up and down, Mic off, Action button, Tap to control	Volume up and down, Mic off, Action button, Volume up and down, Mic off, Action button, Tap to control
Pair for stereo sound	✔	✔
Light ring	Runs along base of speaker	Runs along base of speaker
LED clock	✔	🚫
Colors	Glacier White, Twilight Blue	Glacier White, Deep Blue Sea, Charcoal
Retail cost	$60	$50
Compatible with eero routers	✔	✔
Built-in temperature sensor	✔	✔

Do you happen to be a fan of eero routers? As some of the best mesh Wi-Fi routers on the market, many users will like one of the new features to join the Echo Dot lineup. Amazon has added a functionality that allows the new Echo Dot and Dot with Clock to act as extenders for eero Wi-Fi systems. This new feature can expand your coverage up to 1,000 square feet to compatible eero systems, which are all except eero Home Wi-Fi System (1st gen).

Unfortunately, while Amazon was adding all of these great new features, it took away one I'm sure many users will be sad about. The new Echo Dot and Dot with Clock lost the 3.5mm headphone jack that has been a staple in the series since they first hit the scene. It's possible Amazon knows that fewer people are using the audio port than those that don't, but it will still be a downer for users who depend on it.

Amazon Echo Dot (2022) vs. Echo Dot with Clock (2022): Time for the separation

(Image credit: Amazon)

There is one big difference in everything these two speakers share: the LED display. See, I called it display because, on previous models of the Amazon Dot with Clock, those LEDs only functioned as a clock, for the most part. With the 5th generation smart speaker, Amazon has finally brought some added functionality to this helpful feature. Now the LED display on the Echo Dot with Clock can help show you the artist and title of a song playing, the weather, alarms, and more.

While the display isn't an earth-shattering feature for everyone, it can prove vital for others. Being able to glance over and see what time it is or the name of a song you're listening to can be quite useful. But, depending on the person, the additional $10 to get the display over the standard Echo Dot may not be worth it.

(Image credit: Amazon)

Depending on your home's decor and personal taste, the other difference between these two could be a deal breaker — color choices. For some reason, the only color both of the new Echo Dot options share is Glacier White. The standard Echo Dot dropped the Twilight Blue Dot with the clock kept in favor of a darker Deep Sea Blue. You'll also have the choice of Charcoal in the regular Echo Dot.

Aside from the display and colors, these two speakers offer the exact same features and sound quality. Along with the additions we covered in the previous section, the new Echo Dot and Echo Dot with Clock can still pair with other Echos or with your Fire TV to bring more immersive surround sound. They still pack all the smarts you expect from Alexa.

So, the choice comes down to how much you feel you'd use the LED display on the Echo Dot with Clock. Because to get it, you'll spend an extra $10 should you forego the standard Echo Dot. You'd also only be choosing between two colors instead of the three Amazon bestowed upon the clockless Dot. Regardless of the Echo Dot you pick, you'll get one of the most advanced and best smart speakers that come in a compact size. We'll have reviews coming soon for the new speakers, so we'll be sure to update you if we find anything that stands out between them.

Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)

Great sound, impressive smart features, built-in temperature sensor, and more all in the most compact Amazon Echo available. To make it even better, it's also the cheapest you'll find from Amazon.

Amazon Echo Dot with Clock (5th Gen)

Adding the new display features to the already helpful LED clock makes the $10 cost difference between the standard Echo Dot that much more hand wringing since they share everything else. But if you won't use the display, that $10 is worth hanging onto.

Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) vs. Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen)

michael.hicks@futurenet.com (Michael L Hicks) — Mon, 10 Oct 2022 21:52:28 +0000

Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen)

Faster Alexa + energy efficiency

The Echo Dot 4th Gen doesn't make major strides from the previous model, but improves where it counts. Alexa commands are twice as fast thanks to an improved chip, the speaker is front-facing for directed sound, and the speaker design is both more stylish and more energy-efficient.

Pros

Striking revamped design
Improved processor chip for Alexa commands
Low power mode
Made from recycled plastics and fabrics
Front-facing speaker

Cons

Slightly pricier
Has the same size of speaker as previous Dot
LED ring less visible

Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen)

Compact + wall-mountable

The Echo Dot 3rd Gen is designed to be wall-mounted, which many users prefer. Plus, Amazon will continue to update the Echo Dot 3rd Gen with the latest Echo and Alexa tech, including the Sidewalk Bridge program and Guard Plus security features for smart homes.

Pros

More compact
Selling at a discount with similar specs
Can be mounted on the wall
Works with Sidewalk and Guard Plus

Cons

Speaker isn't forward-facing
Uses older processing chip for Alexa commands
Muddy sound mixing at higher volumes
Clock version no longer available

Although Amazon launched the Echo Dot 5th Gen in October 2022, the 2020 Echo Dot 4th Gen and 2017 Echo Dot 3rd Gen remain in stock. The two petite-sized speakers aren't that different from one another in functionality, but the 4th Generation Dot makes significant improvements in Alexa commands, environmental impact, and sound design.

If you're wondering how the Echo Dot 4th Gen vs 3rd Gen stack up against one another — whether either device is still worth buying on sale when the newer model will arrive soon — we have all the information you need.

Echo Dot 4th Gen vs 3rd Gen: A minor specs upgrade

The Echo Dot 4th Gen has the same services and connectivity as its predecessor: Bluetooth and Wi-Fi protocols haven't changed, nor have the smart home devices or streaming services to which you can connect the Dot. Amazon also generally keeps its old Echo devices compatible with the newest Amazon initiatives and programs, like Amazon Sidewalk and Amazon Guard Plus.

The primary differences between the Echo Dot 4th Gen vs 3rd Gen are physical changes made to the external design and internal components. We break down the differences (and similarities) below:

	Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen)	Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen)
Size	3.9 x 3.9 x 3.5 inches	3.9 x 3.9 x 1.7 inches
Weight	12 ounces	10.5 ounces
Colors	Charcoal, Glacier White, Twilight Blue	Charcoal, Heather Grey, Plum, Sandstone
Processor	AZ1 Neural Edge	MediaTek MT516
Speaker	1.6-inch speaker	1.6-inch front-firing speaker
3.5mm port	3.5 mm line out	3.5 mm line out
Bluetooth	Yes	Yes
Wi-Fi	802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz / 5GHz)	802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz / 5GHz)
Buttons	Volume up and down, Mic off, Action button	Volume up and down, Mic off, Action button
Pair Multiple Dots for Stereo Sound	Yes	Yes
Free Audio Calls in North America	Yes	Yes
Light ring	Runs along base of speaker	Runs along top of speaker
Wall-mountable	Yes (technically)	Yes
Alexa Guard Plus	Yes	Yes
Amazon Sidewalk Bridge	Yes	Yes

The AZ1 Neural Chip makes your Alexa commands faster than ever before, and the Echo Dot gives you access to this upgrade at a fair price.

First and foremost, upgrading to the 4th Generation model gets you the AZ1 Neural Edge chip. Amazon alleges that it processes Alexa commands twice as fast as its 3rd Generation Echos; we can't validate this with 100% certainty, but our Echo Dot 4th Gen reviewer was totally satisfied with the response time to his commands.

Considering the Echo Dot is more useful as an Alexa speaker than as a dedicated music player, that's a fairly significant reason to upgrade.

Amazon Echo Dot 4th Gen with Clock, 3rd Gen with Clock, and 4th Gen (Image credit: Jeramy Johnson / Android Central)

The second change is much more obvious: Both Echos are the same width, but the 4th Gen took on a spherical shape that's twice as tall as the sardine can-shaped 3rd Gen model.

The ball-shaped Echo Dot 4th Gen has fabric covering the entire top portion, with blended buttons slightly elevated on its top; and the LED ring has been moved to the bottom. With the 3rd Gen model, you have a hard plastic top that makes the buttons more visible and shows off the trademark LED array.

Our Echo Dot 3rd Generation reviewer felt that the old LED array was "segmented" and "not quite as smooth" as other Echo devices — but it was, at least, easily visible due to its placement. With the Echo Dot 4th Gen, the bottom LED is bright but more "problematic" because it means the full height of the device must be visible from any angle, or else you won't be able to tell what color is flashing or whether it's listening to you.

The 3rd Gen model also gives you buttons with a "tactile and satisfying click," while the 4th Gen model — similar to the larger Echo (4th Gen) speaker — also has a nice click and blends more seamlessly into the fabric, but may not be quite as responsive as the previous model.

(Image credit: Jeramy Johnson / Android Central)

Both devices have a 1.6-inch speaker, but the 4th Generation model makes it a front-facing model. Our 3rd-Gen reviewer found that the tiny speaker had strong volume and decent bass considering its size, but that it does get muddier at the higher volumes.

For comparison, our 4th Gen review says that you get "much louder output and a richer, more well-rounded sound" than you get with the 3rd Gen model. And when he paired two 4th-Gen Echo Dots for stereo sound, he was totally "blown away" by the "impressive" quality on display.

The final change to the Echo Dot's design is a new focus on responsible environmental design and energy use. Amazon reportedly used "50% post-consumer recycled plastics, 100% post-consumer recycled fabric and 100% recycled die-cast aluminum" to build the 2020 Echo Dot. Moreover, all the 4th Generation Echos now feature a "Low Power Mode" that activates whenever the Dot is idle, so it will drain less electricity over time.

The Echo Dot 3rd Gen is the better mounted option

(Image credit: Android Central)

Both Echo Dot models are 3.9 inches wide and deep, so if you buy the 4th Gen Dot, you can place it exactly where your 3rd Gen Dot sits now. Except, of course, if you mount the 2019 Echo Dot on your wall. It may lack the focused audio of the 4th Gen model, but it's specifically designed to be screwed sideways into a mount and spread audio throughout a room, without taking up too much room.

For comparison, the 4th Gen model is twice as thick, protruding further from the wall and making it more of a potential hindrance or eyesore. Plus, the front-facing internal speaker means it isn't exactly built to spread from the wall throughout the room.

The 3rd Generation Echo Dot can be mounted on an outlet, the wall, the ceiling or even on a desk stand.

Amazon told The Verge that it would continue to sell the 3rd Generation model for customers that want to wall-mount an Echo speaker, making it clear that the 4th Generation model is not built for it.

We've collected the best Echo Dot wall mounts available, and there are 4th Gen accessories — they just work by placing your Echo Dot on a circular tray that juts out from the wall. 3rd Gen mounts take better advantage of its thinner frame for much more versatile and attractive designs.

Echo Dot 4th Gen vs 3rd Gen: Otherwise, it's time for an upgrade

(Image credit: Jeramy Johnson / Android Central)

Wall mounting aside, the 4th Generation model improves on the old Echo Dot in all the areas that count. Improved Alexa response time makes voice commands more appealing and easy to use; the front-firing speaker gives you a clear audio boost; and the low power mode and recyclable materials will make you feel greener when you use it (just make sure to recycle or donate your old Echo Dot!).

The Echo Dot (4th Gen) is the second-best Alexa speaker behind the larger Echo (4th Gen), and this takes up less space and costs half the price. For comparison, the Echo Dot 3rd Generation is still perfectly effective as an Alexa speaker, but it won't age quite as well and the price difference between generations is negligible, especially since the 4th Gen frequently goes on sale nowadays.

Due to their small sizes, neither Echo Dot will quite hit the audio quality of a more powerful, expensive speaker. But it's a cheap way to access lightning-fast Alexa commands, and we've collected a list of the best speakers to use with an Echo Dot that pair its smarts with another brand's beautiful audio.

Lastly, we'll note that both models came with variant models, either with an LED clock or kid-friendly designs. But the 3rd-gen versions are no longer in stock on Amazon, whereas the Echo Dot 4th Gen with Clock and 4th Gen Kids Edition remain available. If you want to see the time without asking, or want a safer smart assistant option for your kid, you'll want a newer generation device.

Although this isn't the focus of this guide, we'll also briefly mention how the newest Echo Dot (5th Gen) compares to the 4th Gen model. Amazon claims the 5th Gen has an "improved audio experience for clearer vocals, deeper bass, and vibrant sound," though specifically it has a "1.73-inch front-firing speaker" instead of a 1.6-inch speaker.

The Clock LED can also show more information, a complaint we had with the last model. In addition to showing the time, weather, and alarms, it can show things like "song titles...when you ask." And it'll add a temperature sensor, so you can specifically check the temperature in whichever room the Dot is in.

Amazon may take the 4th Gen model off sale in favor of the 5th Gen, but in the meantime, it's not too far behind its successor in quality.

Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen)

Faster Alexa + energy efficiency

The Echo Dot 4th Generation makes more of a statement thanks to its new spherical design, but thankfully remains just as affordable as ever. A new processor chip means that Alexa has become faster than ever, the low power mode will do wonders for your electric bill, and it even sounds better.

Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen)

Compact + wall-mountable

The Echo Dot 3rd Generation remains a viable device to consider buying today, thanks to a variety of mounting options. It can be held in place magnetically, mounted directly to an outlet, or even placed on a desk stand. While not as fast or green as the new model, it's a cheap and effective device for Alexa access.

Amazon Echo Dot & Echo Dot with Clock (4th Gen) review: Having a ball

jeramy.johnson@futurenet.com (Jeramy Johnson) — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 16:47:25 +0000

Everyone who knows me or has read my work here on Android Central knows that I'm a big fan of Amazon's Echo smart speakers and its Alexa voice assistant, so it should come as no surprise that I jumped at the chance to review the new Echo Dot with Clock (4th Gen) and Echo Dot (4th Gen). That being said, aside from the new spherical shape introduced first with the larger Amazon Echo (4th Gen), I didn't think there would be all that much to get excited about. Well, after spending several days with the two newest Echo Dots, I can admit that I was wrong; these things are fantastic!

We're now on the fourth generation of Echo Dot devices, and each has improved pretty dramatically over the previous version (though the jump from Gen 1 to Gen 2 wasn't huge). I should know; I have at least one of each generation of Echo Dot in my home right now, and they all still work perfectly well. But each generation does look better than the last, and wow, has the sound improved as well. My experience with the Echo Dot lineup is mirrored in Amazon's sales figures. The company claims that the Echo Dot (lineup) is the best-selling speaker ever, and that the Echo Dot with Clock is already the best-selling clock on the site. Like, out of all clocks. Wow.

We decided to combine our review of the two new Echo Dots because they are essentially the same device, with one key difference — the Echo Dot with Clock has, well, a clock on it. That added functionality is neat, and I'll get into it a bit more below, but aside from that differentiator, the two Echo Dots look, sound, and perform exactly the same. So with all of that preamble out of the way, let's dive into our review of the fourth-generation Amazon Echo Dots.

Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) and Echo Dot with Clock (4th Gen): Price & release date

(Image credit: Jeramy Johnson / Android Central)

Amazon announced the Echo Dot (4th Gen) and Echo Dot with Clock (4th Gen) at its fall 2020 hardware event, alongside a larger Echo (4th Gen), Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen), and products by Ring and Eero. The Echo Dot (4th Gen) began shipping to customers on late October 2020, while the Echo Dot with Clock (4th Gen) began shipping in early November 2020.

The Echo Dot (4th Gen) generally retails for $50, and the Echo Dot with Clock (4th Gen) for $60, but both devices are often discounted below that price, especially on shopping holidays like Prime Day and Black Friday. Currently, the Echo Dot is selling for $25, and the Echo Dot with Clock is $35, thanks to the announcement of new models at Amazon's 2022 Devices & Services event.

The 5th Gen Amazon Echo Dot and Echo Dot with Clock pick up new features like a temperature sensor, improved ultrasound motion detection, and better speakers. Pre-order is open now, with the Echo Dot coming in at $50 and the Dot with Clock at $60. These items will be released on October 20th.

Dynamite design, superior sound, getting greener

Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) and Echo Dot with Clock (4th Gen): What I like

(Image credit: Source: Jeramy Johnson / Android Central)

Since we're combining these two devices into one review and because they're so similar, most of the pros and cons apply equally to each. When they don't or when something is specific to one of the devices, I'll make sure that it is clear.

Style is subjective, but I've decided to roll with the spherical shape of the new Echo Dots.

The first thing we have to address is the design of these new Echo Dot speakers. I understand that design is completely subjective, but I think this new direction for the Echo speakers is a good one. The spherical shape of the Echo and Echo Dots gives the speakers a softer, more organic look and feel than the previous canister or puck designs. I'm also a fan of the more muted tones of Glacier White, Charcoal, and Twilight Blue in particular.

Because the device has a different shape, several of its physical components have been moved around or redesigned to accommodate the new form factor. The buttons now blend into the fabric, though they are raised and textured so that they're easier to find and press than in their previous flat plastic iterations. The light ring has been moved to the bottom of the speaker (more on this later), which definitely gives it a distinct look. If you have a Charcoal-colored speaker and press the mute button to make the LED red, it takes on a Death Star meets RoboCop look.

(Image credit: Source: Jeramy Johnson / Android Central)

The LED on the Echo Dot with Clock has not changed from the previous version and still shows you the time, but you can also ask to see the temperature and set timers and alarms. It does retain its adaptive brightness capability, so you won't be blinded by the clock when trying to sleep in a dark room. That's a nice touch.

Now let's move on to the setup process. If you already have the Alexa app installed on your phone, and particularly if you have any other Echo or Fire devices connected to the app and have stored your Wi-Fi password securely with Amazon, you will be up and running in a matter of minutes. One nice new-to-me touch that I particularly enjoyed was Alexa saying "hello" in English, Spanish, and French to begin the process. Much love to my multilingual assistant!

Once you get your Echo Dot set up and start listening to it is when you really appreciate how far this little device has advanced over the generations. Something about the new shape and special sauce that Amazon baked in equates to much louder output and a richer, more well-rounded sound than is even present on the Echo Dot (3rd Gen). What's particularly remarkable is how Amazon achieved this with essentially the same size speaker found in the previous generation. However, Amazon does specify that the speaker on the newer Echos is front-firing. I also love that Amazon keeps including the 3.5mm audio jack on these devices. This means you can plug in headphones if you want, or you can physically connect your Echo Dot to a larger, more powerful legacy speaker and get Alexa voice control over your fancy Hi-Fi equipment.

I thought the Echo Dot (4th Gen) sounded great on its own, but when I paired it with the other Echo Dot with Clock, I was blown away.

As with other Amazon's Echo smart speakers, you can pair two of the Echo Dot (4th Gen) speakers together for stereo sound or pair one or two with a Fire TV to enhance your audio experience while watching TV. This works whether you have two regular Echo Dots or an Echo Dot and Echo Dot with Clock. As with other Echos, the pairing feature only works if the devices are from the same generation; i.e., you cannot pair an Echo Dot (4th Gen) with an Echo Dot (3rd Gen). I paired the review devices that I received and placed one on each side of my iMac. When I asked Alexa to start playing music, I felt like the guy in that old Maxell "Blown Away" ad from the 80s. It was that impressive.

As much as I enjoy having my Echo Show 5 parked just to the side of my iMac, its color screen that is always changing can be a bit of a distraction. I've come to appreciate just having the clock there to look at (and then ignore) as I worked writing this review.

During Amazon's September 2021 event, alongside a bunch of new hardware and software that was announced, one of the new features was Motion Detection for the 4th gen Echo devices that includes the two Dot variants. The feature allows the speakers to use an ultrasonic tone to detect if someone is in the room and enables Occupancy Routines, such as turning on the lights when you enter the room and off when you leave.

Source: Jeramy Johnson / Android Central (Image credit: Source: Jeramy Johnson / Android Central)

Finally, I want to say a few words about sustainability. Amazon made this topic a centerpiece of its fall 2020 hardware event, and it seems to be putting its money where its mouth is — literally. According to its Climate Pledge Friendly program, these new Echos will be made largely out of 100% recycled materials, including the plastic fibers comprising the mesh cover and the aluminum components within. Amazon also has built-in software optimizations to enable the Echos to operate much more efficiently and draw much less power when not in use. It will soon roll out an energy dashboard in the Alexa app so that customers can better understand, and manage, their energy usage. Amazon also pledges to offset its customer's use of power through its devices moving forward and to be a net-zero carbon company well before its self-imposed 2040 deadline.

I have both a first-generation Echo (2014) and first-generation Echo Dot (2015), and they look and work as good as ever. The sound isn't as good as the newer models, but they can do everything else that a new Echo speaker can. That durability also speaks to the quality craftsmanship and is another way that Echo devices can be seen as sustainable; after all, the most sustainable speaker is the one you already have.

Little bois getting big, lower light rings, no new functionality

Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) and Echo Dot with Clock (4th Gen): What I don't like

(Image credit: Source: Jeramy Johnson / Android Central)

Just as I mentioned in my review of the original Echo Dot with Clock, there isn't a whole lot to criticize here with these fourth-generation Echo Dots.

While I listed it as a pro for me, the new design may not be to everyone's liking. Even though I personally love the spherical styling of the new Echos, it does conjure up images of cannonballs, bowling balls, or shotputs (especially if you get the Charcoal-colored ones). Of course, it was often said that the older Echo Dots looked a lot like hockey pucks, so I guess you'll have to decide if the sports metaphor upgrade is worth it for you.

The massive design change means that the Echo Dot is no longer the svelte little speaker it once was. It's going to be more difficult for these to fade into the background.

The new design also means that these Echo Dots are considerably larger than previous versions. If you look at some of the comparison shots above, you can see that the new Dot is nearly three times as tall as the older ones. The newer Dots are also much denser than the older ones. This means that the Echo Dots (4th Gen) won't tuck away quite as nicely as previous versions, and any kind of brackets or mounts for them will be considerably bigger as well. So if you want an unobtrusive Echo, you're probably stuck with the Echo Dot (3rd Gen) or an out-of-the-way Echo Flex.

I do like that Amazon kept the iconic light ring on the fourth-generation Echo speakers, but its new placement at the bottom of the device could prove to be problematic. I worry that the light ring won't be as visible for many people, and thus it could be less helpful as a visual cue as to when Alexa is listening or what the device is trying to communicate through its different color notifications.

Finally, we get to the LED clock feature. I appreciate its functionality and have no reservations recommending it for purchase, but I do wish that Amazon had made some upgrades to it over the previous generation. It's still only one color, and it can only convey the same basic information as before. Perhaps now that the major design refresh has been completed, a fifth-generation Echo Dot with Clock might see some upgrades to the LED feature.

The competition

(Image credit: Source: Jeramy Johnson / Android Central)

As with larger voice assistant-powered smart speakers, Amazon also pioneered the smaller category of these devices back in 2015. Since then, we've seen several challengers in this space (including some that have been Alexa-enabled), but the two most notable competitors are Google Assistant-powered speakers from Google/Nest and Lenovo.

Pound-for-pound, the most obvious and direct competitor to the Echo Dot line, has been the Google/Nest Mini speakers. These have been roughly the same size, shape, and design and for the most part, had very similar capabilities and sound. Now that there has been a significant refresh to the Echo lineup, and now that the new Nest Audio is available that more competes with the Amazon Echo (4th Gen), it remains to be seen how a Nest Mini (3rd Gen) might match up against these Echo Dots (4th Gen).

The Lenovo Smart Clock 2 is better matched up against another Echo (the Echo Show 5), but its newer black and white Smart Clock Essential device is priced closer to the two new Echo Dots. The Smart Clock Essential has a monochrome LED display that is larger and more functional than that built into the Echo Dot with Clock (4th Gen), and its 1.5-inch speaker is roughly on par, though it is back-firing.

The last device that you might want to consider in place of one of the new Echo Dots is one of the older ones. The Echo Dot 3rd Gen is still a great little device that sounds on par with the Nest Mini, and it's still available from Amazon for even less than the fourth-generation Dots.

Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) and Echo Dot with Clock (4th Gen): Should you buy?

(Image credit: Android Central)

You should buy this if ...

You have a first or second-generation Dot
You want an attractive smart alarm
You want good sound at an affordable price

You should not buy this if ...

You want room-filling sound
You want or need more display functionality
You prefer Google Assistant or Siri

The Echo Dot (4th Gen) and Echo Dot with Clock (4th Gen) are both great additions to any Alexa-powered household. They represent an improvement on previous generations in nearly every measurable way. While I don't advocate throwing out an Echo Dot (3rd Gen) in favor of one of these newer devices, I can't recommend them highly enough if you're new to the Echo and Alexa life, or if you have really old smart speakers that need replacing. Bottom line — if you need a clock, get the Echo Dot with Clock (4th Gen). If that's not important to you, just stick with the regular Echo Dot (4th Gen). Either way, you should enjoy the updates that Amazon has made to each.

Amazon Echo Dot (4th gen)

The regular Echo Dot 4th Gen is every bit as good as its sibling with the clock, minus the clock. If you are going to place this device out of your sightline, or if you don't need or care about the LED showing you time, temperature, and timers, then you might as well save a few bucks and pick up one of these. It's available in that beautiful Twilight Blue, and it makes a good second speaker to pair with an Echo Dot with Clock

Amazon Echo Dot with Clock (4th gen)

The same great smart speaker as above, but with the handy clock display. Considering how much we ask our old Alexa speakers what time it is, this is an excellent upgrade for just a few bucks more.

The LED on the Echo Dot with Clock (4th Gen) is good for showing you the time, temperature, or timers, and that's it. If you need or want more, get a smart screen display like an Echo Show 5, Nest Hub, or Lenovo Smart Clock.

Amazon's biggest announcements from the Devices & Services event

derrek.lee@futurenet.com (Derrek Lee) — Wed, 28 Sep 2022 23:54:13 +0000

Amazon held its latest launch event on Wednesday, announcing a ton of new hardware products and software upgrades to enhance your smart home. From new smart speakers to better Wi-Fi and even a new Kindle with a stylus pen, there was quite a lot to see at Amazon's Devices & Services event. We're surprised the company was able to squeeze it all in the span of about an hour.

It was an invite-only event, although we gathered some of the most significant announcements from the launch.

Echo speakers as Wi-Fi extenders

(Image credit: Amazon)

Amazon has a new generation of Echo Dot speakers, outfitted with an impressive and even a temperature sensor that can, for instance, turn on a fan if it notices your home is too hot. And the new Echo Dot with Clock can provide users with more information at a glance.

More importantly, users with eero mesh Wi-Fi routers can add the new Echo Dots to their system, extending their Wi-Fi to even more areas of their homes. And this capability is rolling out to 4th generation Echo devices as well.

The Echo Show 15 finally lives up to its name

(Image credit: Amazon)

The Echo Show 15 is an impressive smart display that's great for the entire family, and Amazon is making it even better by adding Fire TV. This allows families to access the Fire TV UI to watch their favorite shows and movies, making it almost like having another TV in the house.

There are other updates coming to the display, such as personalized Alexa routines, video sticky notes, and more. However, the addition of Fire TV is easily the most notable.

More Fire TV hardware

(Image credit: Amazon)

Speaking of Fire TV, Amazon has a few new devices for users looking to upgrade their setups. The first is the next-generation Fire TV Cube, which has a built-in speaker, HDMI ports, and 4K upscaling that should make your content look good no matter how you're watching it.

There's also the new Fire TV Omni QLED Series, which features HDR10+ Adaptive, 96 dimming zones, built-in Alexa, and an ambient mode that will show you a slideshow of images if it detects your presence. It's available in 65-inch or 75-inch 4K models.

Kindle with a stylus

(Image credit: Amazon)

Amazon just launched a new Kindle device, but the company isn't done. The new Kindle Scribe brings a new level of productivity to the e-reader thanks to the included stylus pen that allows users to notate while they read. Users can even create sticky notes or send documents to their Kindle from their computers, allowing them to edit them with the pen.

Now you have a tablet that can do more while still keeping you productive.

More security

(Image credit: Ring)

Amazon has a few companies under its umbrella, including Ring and Blink. Both these companies make smart home security cameras, and both have launched their latest products. Blink's new Wired Floodlight Camera brings 1080p recording and Person Detection, while the new Ring Spotlight Cam Pro adds 3D Motion Detection and Birds Eye View to let you see the bigger picture.

It sees you when you're sleeping...

(Image credit: Amazon)

One product we weren't expecting is the latest addition to Amazon's Halo lineup. The Halo Rise is essentially a smart lamp that can monitor your sleep thanks to no-contact sensors. It's not too unlike Google's Nest Hub (2nd Gen), although it doesn't have a display and comes with the added privacy of not including microphones. It can also wake you up at the most ideal times, depending on your sleep pattern, and you can set alarms to your favorite tunes.

And more

(Image credit: Amazon / Android Central)

Of course, it wasn't just about devices, but there were also some updates to services, too. Alexa Together, Amazon's service for remotely taking care of aging loved ones, is gaining customizable alerts to give caregivers better peace of mind.

Echo Show devices are also gaining some features, like Shop the Look, which lets users describe the clothing they want to shop for and shows them a selection of items, or Creative AI, which gives kids the chance to create stories with Alexa.

And looming over every announcement was "Ambient Intelligence," which Amazon describes as digital services that work naturally in the background and adapt to users so that we don't have to think too hard about using the products. Amazon says that 90% of Alexa routines are initiated without users saying a word and that Ambient Intelligence should be proactive and personal.

How to preorder the Echo Dot (2022): your budget-friendly buying guide

patrick.farmer@futurenet.com (Patrick Farmer) — Wed, 28 Sep 2022 23:17:04 +0000

Amazon unveiled a bunch of new devices this morning, and folks everywhere are asking how to preorder the Echo Dot (5th gen) as soon as possible. Well, you've come to the right place.

The newest version of the Alexa smart speaker will be released on October 20th, and three versions are available for preorder now: the standard Echo Dot, the Echo Dot with Clock, and the Echo Dot Kids. The standard Dot is selling for $49.99 and is available in Charcoal, Glacier White, and a particularly stylish Deep Sea Blue variety.

The Echo Dot with Clock is selling for $59.99 and is available in Cloud Blue and Glacier White, while the kid-friendly version is also $59.99 and available in either adorable owl or ferocious dragon varieties.

No matter which Echo Dot you choose to buy for your home, you'll be getting a new-and-improved Amazon smart speaker that delivers improved audio quality, deeper bass than previous generations, and seamless device pairing. One of the coolest things about the newest generation of Echo Dot smart speakers is that each unit also acts as a range extender if you use Amazon's eero WiFi — adding up to 1,000 feet of coverage to your existing connection. Not too shabby for a small talking orb! Keep reading for links to preorder the speakers now.

Preorder the new 5th Gen Echo Dot today!

Echo Dot (5th Gen): $49.99 at Amazon

With the newest Echo Dot, Amazon worked hard to pack a ton of next-gen tech into the same small package that we all know and love. The result is the best Dot yet, a device that comes complete with clearer audio, new temperature sensors, and a built-in eero Wi-Fi range extender. View Deal

Echo Dot (5th Gen) with Clock: $59.99 at Amazon

As with the standard Dot, the 5th-Gen Echo Dot with Clock takes all of the good stuff that we loved about past generations and levels it up. The dot text display has also been improved and can now show you information such as song details, weather, and more. View Deal

Echo Dot (5th Gen) Kids: $59.99 at Amazon

Just because it's cute doesn't mean it's not powerful. The Echo Dot Kids packs all the same power as the other two speakers into a pair of kid-friendly designs (Owl and Dragon) with corresponding voices. The device also comes with intelligent parental controls and a full year subscription to Amazon Kids Plus. View Deal

Curious about everything else that was announced this morning? Take a peek at our Amazon Live Blog to see all the new stuff in one place.

New and existing Amazon Echo Dot speakers can enhance your home Wi-Fi

derrek.lee@futurenet.com (Derrek Lee) — Wed, 28 Sep 2022 18:08:27 +0000

What you need to know

Amazon announced several new Echo speakers and devices at its September launch event.
An update to the Echo Studio will bring spacial audio to the speaker. It is also available in a new colorway.
The new Echo Dot features a temperature sensor to help control other smart home devices.
New and 4th-gen Echo speakers are gaining eero capabilities to act as Wi-Fi extenders.

Amazon's big launch event is here, and the company is showing off its latest hardware devices to enhance the smart home experience. Among these is new Echo speakers, which come with improved sound and even some cool Wi-Fi enhancements.

The first isn't a new product but an update to an existing one. Users with the Echo Studio will be able to take advantage of the spatial audio, the latest trend in audio-enhancing technology. This custom-built audio processing is built on Amazon's 3D audio technology.

The device is also now available in a new Glacier White color option.

(Image credit: Amazon)

The next-generation Echo Dot is also built with better audio in mind. The device features a custom full-range driver, which Amazon says will enable better bass and clearer vocals.

But in addition to audio, Amazon has outfitted its Echo Dot and Echo Dot with Clock with the AZ2 Neural Edge processor and sensors to help control your smart home. For example, the temperature sensor can turn on a fan if it senses your home is too warm. The new processor also powers ultrasound motion detection and enables faster on-device Alexa processing.

The new Echo Dot also has new gestures thanks to the built-in accelerometer. This allows users to control playback just by tapping on the speaker.

For the Echo Dot with Clock, Amazon includes a high-density dot display that gives users more information beyond the time. This includes song information, weather, calendar events, and more.

(Image credit: Amazon)

Echo Dot for Kids also gets new Owl and Dragon designs as well as additional voices to coincide with the latest designs.

The Echo Dot and Echo Dot with Clock retail for $50 and $60, respectively, while the new Echo Dot Kids can also be had for $60. Preorders are already open, and devices ship in October.

The best part is the speakers will have eero built in, meaning they'll be able to connect to your eero mesh system to act as Wi-Fi extenders in a similar way to Google's Nest Wifi, which combines a smart speaker with a Wi-Fi router. This capability will be available on the new Echo Dots and come to the 4th Gen Echo as an update on October 20. The Echo Dot (4th Gen) will receive the update in the coming months.

(Image credit: Amazon)

Lastly, Amazon launched the new Echo Auto, which comes in a smaller form factor and stronger adhesive, so you have more flexibility to place it where it's more convenient in your car.

(Image credit: Amazon)

The new Echo Auto has five built-in microphones so it can easily hear you when you bark Alexa commands at it. It will be available for $55.

Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)

The new Echo Dot (5th Gen) gets an upgrade with better sound, new smart sensors, and can even improve your Wi-Fi connection, acting as an eero mesh router to extend your connection to more places in your home.

How many Amazon Echoes do you need for your home?

jeramy.johnson@futurenet.com (Jeramy Johnson) — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 18:30:19 +0000

How many Amazon Echoes do you need for your home?

It depends on the size of your house, but three or four well-placed Echo speakers should give you decent coverage with Alexa assistance. The choice now comes down to where you think you'll best use Alexa. The most popular areas would be in the bedroom, living room, and kitchen.

Finding the right Echo products for the rooms in your home

Just how many Amazon Echoes do you need in your home? Deciding on the best Alexa speaker to get, along with how many, are tough questions to answer since every house is different, and everyone has a unique preference. There are many Alexa-compatible devices that you can choose to make your home a truly smart home. An Amazon Echo (4th Gen) is a great place to start because it's Amazon's best-sounding speaker for the price. From there, either an Echo Dot with Clock (4th Gen) or an Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) will be your best bet for filling out other rooms in your home.

In the living room

(Image credit: Joe Maring / Android Central)

The living room is where the family gathers and is an essential space for entertaining guests. In a lot of ways, it's the heart of the home, so placing an Amazon Echo in this space is a no-brainer. We recommend the Amazon Echo (4th Gen), which delivers a much-improved sound and smart home capabilities over the previous generations, thanks in part to its spherical shape and built-in Zigbee hub.

Music lovers will enjoy the dynamic sound and support for connecting other speakers. You can pair two Echos together for stereo sound, or combine with an Echo Sub for a room-filling feeling. If you've been holding off on investing in Sonos or other high-end wireless speakers, this might be the option you've been waiting for.

Even a single Echo (4th Gen) will fill a larger room with sound. It can be connected to any existing speaker system you may own. Plus, depending on the layout of your home, Alexa might still be able to hear you from adjoining rooms. Wherever you need a bit of extra coverage, there's are Echo Dots (4th Gen) to fill in the gaps.

In the kitchen

(Image credit: Chris Wedel / Android Central)

Once you've used an AI assistant in the kitchen, you'll forget how you got by without one. Alexa can handle timers, read out recipes, and play music or podcasts as you prep ingredients and plate a home-cooked meal — or you can use Alexa to order a pizza instead.

An ideal kitchen setup involves an Echo Dot with Clock on the counter or a cupboard shelf. Not only does this newest Dot show you the time at a glance, but it will show your timer when you ask Alexa to "set a cooking timer for 25 minutes." Sound quality isn't a huge priority in the kitchen, but the Dot's microphone should pick up your voice across the room or over a noisy food processor.

A kitchen is also an excellent place for the Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen). At 10 inches, it's the perfect size to see from across the kitchen. Plus, its unique rotating display can follow you as you move around prepping dinner. It also doubles as a secondary home security camera. And, of course, you can ask it to display recipes from a nearly unlimited amount of Alexa cooking skills or show cooking videos on YouTube through its Silk internet browser.

If you truly want a big screen experience for watching shows while cooking or a more prominent display to follow recipes on, then the Echo Show 15, which looks like a photo frame on the wall, will do the job wonderfully. And while you can use it to rotate through your favorite pictures, you can also set widgets and shortcuts that appear on the screen. This makes it easy to get an overview of your day while you're getting yourself and the rest of the family ready to head out the door.

In the bedrooms

(Image credit: Chris Wedel/Android Central)

Smaller side rooms are where the affordable Echo Dots truly shine. Alexa is accommodating for setting morning alarms, giving you a morning rundown for news and weather, or playing music or podcasts while you unwind.

You can get a brand new Echo Dot with Clock (5th Gen) for a reasonable price, and it's a significant improvement in sound quality and design over the older style. Plus, you can check the time, temperature, or timers at a glance, which you can't do with the regular Dot speakers. The latest model also brings new features like tap-to-control, a temperature sensor, eero Wi-Fi expansion, and more.

Echo Dot bundles are available that pair the smart speaker with a smart bulb, stand, or even other Echo devices. These bundles are often much more affordable than purchasing the accessories separately and can go a long way towards helping you build out your smart home much faster.

The Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) is more suited to the bedroom than the larger Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen). It features not only a physical mute switch but also a physical slider that covers the camera. These privacy features help to make the Echo Show 5 the perfect nightstand smart alarm.

There are also Echo speakers tailor-made for your children, including the E cho Dot Kids Edition (2022) and the Echo Show 5 Kids. Both come in fun colors and offer tons of age-appropriate content and industry-leading parental controls through Amazon Kids+.

In the in-between

(Image credit: Amazon)

While the new Echo Auto (2nd gen, 2022) isn't technically for your home, it does bring your smart assistant with you so you have full access to all of your favorite playlists on Amazon Music, podcasts, and assistance from Alexa, on the road.

You simply plug the Echo Auto into the USB port in your vehicle, or if your automobile doesn't have one, you can pick up one of these excellent car chargers. It has a five-microphone array and a small speaker, making it ideal for issuing commands or requests to Alexa like "Alexa, turn on the lights" or "Alexa, order more detergent."

Amazon Echo (4th Gen)

The best place to start with Alexa

The Echo (4th Gen) has a stunning spherical design with better sound and a built-in Zigbee smart home hub.

Amazon Echo Dot with Clock (5th Gen)

Now, even more perfect for your nightstand.

The smallest Echo speaker also comes with an LED clock, and when an alarm comes up, you can tap the top to snooze it.

Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen)

Smart display, video chat machine, and security camera.

The Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) has a moving display that can keep the screen always in your eyesight. It also doubles as a home security camera.

Best speaker to use with your Amazon Echo Dot

christinep2424@gmail.com (Christine Persaud) — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 17:55:45 +0000

QUICK MENU

1. At a glance
2. Best overall
3. Best immersive
4. Best bookshelf
5. Best bass
6. Best premium
7. Best all-in-one
8. Best DAC

Are you searching for the best speakers for Echo Dot? I love how easy the 4th Gen Echo Dot makes it to listen to music, search for news, add items to your grocery list, and so much more. The device's sound quality isn't terrible, but it doesn't meet the mark when you're looking for more than just low-level background music while you work or do chores.

It's best to pair your Amazon Echo Dot with compatible speakers for a better audio experience. There are hundreds, if not thousands, out there for you to choose from, and here are some picks that you'll be sure to be happy with. Whether you want crowd-pleasing audio or fine-tuned high-end sound, you're sure to find the best speaker to use with your Amazon Echo Dot here.

At a glance

Best overall

1. Sonos One SL

Best overall

The Sonos One SL sounds phenomenal and gets amazingly loud. It's the perfect companion for your Echo Dot.

Read more below.

Best immersive

2. Amazon Echo Studio

Best immersive

Enjoy Dolby Atmos audio with the Amazon Echo Studio speaker. It produces spatial audio, delivering a truly immersive experience.

Read more below.

Best bookshelf

3. Edifier MS50A

Best bookshelf

Edifier's MS50A bookshelf speaker has wooden panels that look amazing and are great for acoustics. This 40W Bluetooth speaker sounds rich.

Read more below.

Best bass

4. Amazon Echo Sub

Best bass

Enjoy booming bass with the 100W Amazon Echo Sub. This powerful subwoofer is excellent for bass lovers.

Read more below.

Best premium

5. Sonos Five

Best premium

Go all out with the uber-premium Sonos Five. This high-fidelity speaker produces superior audio, but it comes at a high price.

Read more below.

Best all-in-one

6. Klipsch R-41PM powered speakers

Best all-in-one

Klipsch's R-41PM bookshelf speakers come with an amp built-in, so you get all you need right out of the gate.

Read more below.

Best DAC

7. Amazon Echo Link

Best DAC

While the Amazon Echo Link isn't a speaker, it is a useful accessory for your Echo Dot. You can hook up any stereo system to the Echo Link DAC and amp.

Read more below.

Best overall

(Image credit: Sonos)

1. Sonos One SL

Best overall speaker for your Echo Dot

Two color options

Compact design

Easy to use

Can connect with other Sonos speakers

Wi-Fi connectivity

No Bluetooth connectivity

No 3.5mm auxiliary input

Not portable

Sonos is known for its powerful hi-fi speakers, but it makes the dream of owning them a little more accessible with the Sonos One SL. This is not only the most affordable wireless speaker the company offers, but it also produces impressive sound quality and looks stylish to boot. Since it's so compact, it won't take up a lot of space in your home. Both the black and the white versions look good, so you can purchase the look you like best.

It features a midrange woofer and a tweeter, each powered by its own amplifier. It pairs beautifully with the Echo Dot and other Alexa-enabled devices, so you can control music by merely giving a voice command. You can purchase two of these speakers and set them up in the same room to provide a stereo audio experience.

One thing to note is that wireless connectivity runs through Wi-Fi. It doesn't support Bluetooth. Technically, Wi-Fi gives a better sound experience, but some might find the lack of connection options a downside. Similarly, you'll find an Ethernet port on the backside for a better internet connection. However, there is no 3.5mm auxiliary input, which some users might find limiting. Lastly, the Sonos One SL is intended to be a permanent fixture plugged in at all times, so it doesn't have a built-in battery for portable use. While this device does not have a microphone, its sibling, the Sonos One (2nd Gen), does.

Best immersive

(Image credit: Amazon)

2. Amazon Echo Studio

Totally immersive experience

Seamless wireless experience

Control other smart home devices

Hi-fi quality audio

3.5mm connection available

Fairly large

Might be more than you need

There's no better match for the Amazon Echo Dot than the Echo Studio, designed to enhance sound via high-fidelity, 3D audio with Alexa voice assistance to boot. With five speakers total, you'll get powerful bass and favorable midrange and highs. The inclusion of Dolby Atmos means you'll also get a 3D-like experience from just one single speaker, with audio that truly immerses you.

The best part about this speaker is that it will work seamlessly with the Echo Dot, using the same app and an easy setup process. But you can use it in a room where you want an improved sound experience. It even automatically senses the acoustics in the room and fine-tunes playback accordingly.

It comes with a built-in smart home hub, so you can also use it to control Zigbee-compatible devices. Using the Studio with the Echo Dot is as simple. Pair both to the system for Alexa control, and then you can use them together or play music from the Dot when you're working away. You can also swap to the Studio using voice control for a more immersive experience. If you want to go the wired route, it does have a 3.5mm line-out connection.

Best bookshelf

(Image credit: Edifier)

3. Edifier MS50A

Rich audio with woodgrain

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity

No microphone built in

40 watts total

Rich sound for the size

App stability issues

No microphone built-in

Edifier has been busy making a name for itself with affordable speakers punching well above their weight in sound quality. The MS50A is a compact smart speaker with a woofer for mid-bass putting out 25 watts and a tweeter adding another 15 watts for a total of 40 watts. This speaker can be run alone or as a stereo pair.

Input is handled either by Wi-Fi or Bluetooth 5.0 and works with Alexa so you can easily play music to it. There are no physical inputs as this speaker is intended to be used wirelessly only. There's also no microphone in this unit, which Edifier touts as a privacy speaker.

The MS50A also adopts Edifier's attractive woodgrain finish with a dark, removable mesh covering the drivers. If you're looking for an affordable smart speaker with great audio and don't mind the lack of a microphone, the MS50A is a great speaker.

Best bass

(Image credit: Amazon)

4. Amazon Echo Sub

Add some oomf

100 watts of sub bass 50Hz to 200Hz

6-inch down firing woofer

Wireless pairing

Works with most Echo speakers

Only works with Echo speakers

First thing's first, don't expect miracles with this sub. While the 100-watt power rating seems like a lot, it's not a huge amount for a floor subwoofer. The Echo Sub can be paired with either a third or fourth-generation Echo Dot, along with many other Echo speakers to add some of the deeper sub-bass that's simply not possible with a small smart speaker. This subwoofer will help round out your audio experience, but it isn't necessarily designed to make your Echo louder.

Even so, a subwoofer can add a lot of depth and help to lift the rest of your audio for a more pleasant listening experience. However, it's worth noting that it only works with playback on Echo devices. Its sealed 6-inch woofer also isn't going to deliver a ton of deep bass. That being said, for the price and for creating a fully Echo sound setup, The Echo Sub can go a long way toward improving audio quality.

Best premium

(Image credit: Sonos)

5. Sonos Five

A superior speaker for music lovers

Excellent sound

Looks good

Simple setup and pairing

Bluetooth and 3.5mm audio jack

Wi-Fi connectivity

Expensive

Doesn't come with remote

The Sonos Five is pricey, but it provides beautifully deep bass and crisp sound thanks to the three high-excursion woofers and two tweeters. Setting it up with your Echo Dot is easy, so you'll be listening to your favorite songs via voice commands in no time.

If the sound quality isn't enough, there's also the sleek design. Considering what it offers, this speaker is pretty compact and will look good on your shelf or entertainment center. Since it's a high-end speaker, it would be nice if it came with a remote, but it doesn't. So instead, you'll have to rely on Alexa or an app to control it from a distance.

One of the nice things about it is that you can stand it up vertically or horizontally to fit your home better. A built-in sensor adjusts sound quality accordingly, regardless of the device's orientation. You can even pair it with another Sonos Five to create stereo sound in your home. On the backside, you'll find a 3.5mm jack so you can plug in a compatible device and listen to music that way. This speaker supports Bluetooth and high-quality connections via Wi-Fi or Ethernet to pair with other devices.

Best all-in-one

(Image credit: Samuel Contreras / Android Central)

6. Klipsch R-41PM powered speakers

All of your music in one place

Great audio quality

Strong stereo separation

Tons of input options

Subwoofer compatible

Expensive for the level of power

Requires more setup than most Bluetooth speakers

Compact speakers are great for bringing crisp and clear audio to parts of the house without a lot of extra space, but you lose out on a few things like extra inputs, stereo width, and often remote controls. The Klipsch R-41PM bookshelf speaker pair has 35 watts of power per channel and requires no additional amplifier. Only one of these speakers is plugged into the wall, with the other powered by the built-in amp located in the main speaker. This speaker also includes numerous inputs, including a 3.5mm auxiliary port, stereo RCA inputs set at either line-level or phono, and digital optical input. It also has Bluetooth.

These speakers are also expandable with a subwoofer via the included port, adding more depth to your music without giving up any high-end clarity. If you have a turntable for your vinyl record collection, you can plug it directly into the speakers without a preamp. Klipsch also throws in a remote to make it easy to control volume and the sound source. The speakers even come with magnetic speaker grills to cover up your woofers if you prefer the look or have curious children in the house. This is a lot of speaker, to be sure, but if you want top-quality sound, this is a solid bet.

Best DAC

(Image credit: Amazon)

7. Amazon Echo Link

Connect your fancy speakers with an Echo Dot

Super compact

Works with several speakers

Easy to setup

Doesn't come with a speaker

Only one color option

Alright, alright, this isn't a speaker, and it doesn't come with one. However, the Echo Link is a good option if you already own a fancy speaker system and want to connect your Alexa device. You'll find inputs and outputs for both digital and analog devices on the backside of the DAC. You'll still need powered speakers or a receiver to work with it but if you're the type of person that already has a hi-fi system, this is a good pairing.

The design of the box isn't anything special, and it only comes in one color. However, it's so simple and compact that you can easily store it out of the way. It has support for both digital and analog outputs so no matter the age or complexity of your system, you can get connected.

Back to the top ^

Upgrade your Alexa Echo Dot setup with big, booming sound

When you're looking for the best speakers for Echo Dot, which is already a great Alexa device, you'll want something that gives you superior sound quality and added convenience for a reasonable price. There are hundreds to choose from, so we researched and created a list of the best ones compatible with the smaller Echo.

One of the best options out there is the Sonos One SL speaker. Its compact and stylish design makes it look good in any room without taking up too much space. You'll be able to set it up and pair it with your Echo Dot in no time. Best of all, it's decently priced, given the caliber of quality it provides.

Of course, the Echo Dot is a speaker and might suffice if you just want quiet background music while you work or do chores. If you're going to use it on its own, consider getting a good Echo Dot mount to keep it secured in place as a new member of the family.

Rawr! Save $35 on the super-cute Amazon Echo Dot Kids this Prime Day

tips@androidcentral.com (Chris Wedel) — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 19:25:12 +0000

Prime Day is in full effect, which means massive Prime Day deals on all Amazon devices, including things for kids. Amazon Echo smart speakers are extremely popular for various reasons, but sometimes kids need to have products specifically tailored to them. That’s why now is the perfect time to jump on this Amazon Echo Dot Kids deal for only $25 before it’s gone.

See all the Prime Day deals: USA | UK | Canada | India

Amazon Echo Dot Kids (4th Gen): ~~$60~~ $25 at Amazon

This cute smart speaker lets your child stay inquisitive and ask Alexa all the questions they think up. Because it is packed with Amazon Kids+, the answers and everything else that the Echo Dot Kids offers will be kid-safe. You'll have full control over the device too! Win-WinView Deal

The Amazon Echo Dot Kids brings all of the helpful and fun features adults enjoy on the standard version but adds an extra layer of kid-specific content, all wrapped up in a cute tiger or panda design. The special sauce for Amazon’s kid products is in the software, called Amazon Kids+.

Amazon Kids+ enables thousands of books, games, songs, and more for kids to experience from their very own smart speaker. But it’s not all about what kids can do; it’s also about what they can’t. For all of the fun kids can have with their Amazon Kids+-enabled devices, none of that matters if it isn’t safe for them to use. That is where the parental controls come in.

There are other great ways for your child to enjoy all the content that comes with Amazon Kids+ aside from using their Echo Dot Kids. Like with one of the excellent Amazon Fire Kids tablets that are getting great deals too. But if you are in the market for a low-cost way to get your child a fun, smart speaker that will also be safe for them to use — the Echo Dot Kids is the way to go.

Get the last-gen Echo Dot for a truly fantastic price

namerah.saud-fatmi@futurenet.com (Namerah Saud Fatmi) — Mon, 11 Jul 2022 20:31:52 +0000

Prime Day 2022 hasn't even kicked off yet and we're already seeing some amazing price drops from Amazon. Take this last-gen Alexa speaker for instance. You can get your hands on the Echo Dot (3rd Gen) for 55% off right now, bringing down the cost price to a mere $17.99.

Amazon's splendid little Alexa-enabled speaker fits well into any home. It's affordable enough already, and features a minimalist design. 2018's Echo Dot (3rd Gen) can be placed anywhere, be it a flat surface or mounted on a wall. The last part is something you can't do with the Echo Dot (4th Gen) even, since its rotund form factor isn't wall-mountable. Thanks to its tiny footprint, the older Echo Dot is less noticeable and fits in any cramped space. You can hook it up to other smart devices in your house and enjoy hands-free control over them.

Why consider the 3rd Gen Echo Dot over the 4th Gen option? It's smaller, for one, and cheaper too. If you want a compact Alexa speaker that can be mounted on a wall, the newer Echo Dot won't do. Plus, Amazon has promised to keep the Echo Dot (3rd Gen) alive with regular updates, including smart home security features like Guard Plus, the Sidewalk Bridge program, and all the latest skills that Alexa picks up.

Alexa, show me the best Echo Dot deal of the day

If you're excited by price cuts in Amazon devices, your next move after copping the discounted Echo Dot (3rd Gen) should be one of the best Kindle deals or Fire tablet deals this Prime Day. You can enjoy streaming audio from your Fire tablet to your Echo Dot speaker, or kick back and relax while you listen to an audiobook from your Kindle e-reader via the Alexa-enabled smart speaker.

Putting together your shopping list for Prime Day? Take a look at our guides to the best Prime Day phone deals and best Prime Day smartwatch deals so you're totally prepped when the big day arrives.

Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) vs. Echo Dot with Clock (4th Gen): Which Dot is mightier?

jeramy.johnson@futurenet.com (Jeramy Johnson) — Mon, 11 Jul 2022 15:26:28 +0000

Amazon Echo Dot with Clock (4th Gen)

Right on time

The fourth-generation Echo Dot with Clock is the best version of Amazon's top-selling Alexa speaker to date. It has an improved front-firing speaker, an all-new rounded design, and a functional LED that can show your time, timers, and temperature. Don't worry about distractions, as an ambient light sensor keeps it from blinding you in dark spaces.

Pros

New rounded design and colors
Improved front-facing speaker
Climate Pledge certified
LED shows you time and more

Cons

More expensive than standard Echo Dot
Only available in two colors instead of three
LED functionality unchanged from previous version
New position of the light ring may be less functional

Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen)

Awesome orb

Just because the other Dot has a clock built-in doesn't mean that you should write off this little smart speaker. It has the same speaker, design, and functionality as its sibling, plus it also comes in a cool Charcoal color. If you don't care about or don't need an ever-present display, save a Hamilton and get one of these.

Pros

New rounded design and colors
Improved front-facing speaker
Climate Pledge certified
Slightly more affordable

Cons

No display
Larger than previous Echo Dots
New position of the light ring may be less functional

If you're trying to decide the merits of getting an Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) vs. an Echo Dot with Clock (4th Gen), you might be having a difficult time coming up with a point of distinction beyond the LED clock on the latter. And you know what? That is basically the only substantive difference between the two devices.

So, why should we go on discussing the matter any further? Well, there are some other subtle differences that may matter to you when making your purchase decision. Let's dive into them to get a better understanding of the matter.

Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) vs. Echo Dot with Clock (4th Gen): Specs comparison

(Image credit: Jeramy Johnson / Android Central)

It's true, the Echo Dot (4th Gen) and Echo Dot with Clock (4th Gen) have a ton in common. Don't believe me? Take a look at the spec sheet below.

	Echo Dot with Clock (4th Gen)	Echo Dot (4th Gen)
Size	3.9 x 3.9 x 3.5 inches	3.9 x 3.9 x 3.5 inches
Weight	12.3 ounces	12 ounces
Processor	AZ1 Neural Edge	AZ1 Neural Edge
Speaker	1.6-inch speaker	1.6-inch speaker
3.5mm port	Yes	Yes
Bluetooth	Yes	Yes
Wi-Fi	802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz / 5GHz)	802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz / 5GHz)
Buttons	Volume up and down, Mic off, Action button	Volume up and down, Mic off, Action button
Pair for stereo sound	Yes	Yes
Light ring	Runs along base of speaker	Runs along base of speaker
LED clock	Yes	No
Colors	Glacier White, Twilight Blue	Glacier White, Twilight Blue, Charcoal
Retail cost	$60	$50

Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) vs. Echo Dot with Clock (4th Gen): Similarities

(Image credit: Jeramy Johnson / Android Central)

Comparing these two Echo Dots is extremely easy and extremely difficult precisely because they have so much in common. If you look at them side-by-side (especially if they're unplugged), you absolutely can't tell them apart. They both sport the new, rounded sphere aesthetic that Amazon introduced in late 2020 with the new Echo (4th Gen), and the placement of buttons, ports, and the iconic Echo light ring is the same on each.

Speaking of their shared new design, the top buttons blend into the fabric covering nicely, but they have a raised texture that makes it fairly easy to feel and distinguish from the other buttons. Because of the new shape, Amazon moved the light ring to the bottom of the device, which looks cool but could make it harder to see, depending on where you place your Echo Dot on display.

Comparing these two Echo Dots is extremely easy and extremely difficult, precisely because they have so much in common.

Both Echo Dots are certified as part of Amazon's ambitious Climate Pledge. Both feature sustainably recycled materials like 50% post-consumer recycled plastics, fabric covers made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastics, and 100% recycled die-cast aluminum. Both are optimized to draw less power than ever before, and users will be able to monitor and manage power consumption through a new energy dashboard in the Alexa app.

Finally, we get to what most people care about when they consider a new speaker — sound. Both Echo Dots have the same 1.6-inch driver, but it sounds better than ever thanks to the devices' design. The speaker is now front-firing, and the spherical shape of the device helps the acoustics.

Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) vs. Echo Dot with Clock (4th Gen): Differences

(Image credit: Jeramy Johnson / Android Central)

We've already highlighted the biggest difference between these two devices — the clock — so I won't dwell on that too much longer. The LED on the Echo Dot with Clock (4th Gen) is a really nice-to-have feature, and in my opinion, it's worth the extra $10 over the "regular" Echo Dot (4th Gen).

That minor price difference is the second point of differentiation between these devices, and if it's enough to dissuade you from buying the Echo Dot with Clock (4th Gen), I respect that. Even if the price difference isn't a big deal for you, you may not find it necessary to have a clock on your speaker, or you may not like the aesthetics of it. I get that too.

The LED on the Echo Dot with Clock (4th Gen) is a really nice-to-have feature, giving it a leg up.

In fact, my biggest complaint about the Echo Dot with Clock (4th Gen) is that the "with Clock" part didn't see an upgrade from the previous generation. It still has the same size and style, and it still only shows you the time, temperature, and timers and alarms. It would have been nice to see an expanded feature set of some kind (larger font, notifications, color, etc.). Still, with the devices having undergone such a dramatic makeover, I can forgive Amazon for this omission.

The last significant difference here is in the color options. Both Alex-enabled speakers are available in Glacier White and Twilight Blue, but only the regular Dot comes in the Death Star-esque Charcoal hue. When you ask Alexa a question in a darkened room, and she responds with the light ring, it looks like Alderaan is about to be obliterated again.

Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) vs. Echo Dot with Clock (4th Gen): Which should you buy?

(Image credit: Jeramy Johnson / Android Central)

I honestly think you'd be making a great choice with whichever fourth-generation Echo Dot you pick, but I'm putting my foot down pretty hard here that the Echo Dot with Clock (4th Gen) is the Dot to get this year. That LED may be basic, but it provides some important extra functionality for only $10 over its sibling's price. And this year, you don't just get a white color variant, but the gorgeous Twilight Blue option as well. Win-win in my book.

Amazon Echo Dot with Clock (4th Gen)

See what we mean

The latest Echo Dot sports a new design, better sound, and an always-on LED that can show you the time, temperature, alarms, and timers. A lot of added functionality for a marginal increase in price over the regular Dot.

Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen)

Super sphere

If you want to save a few bucks over the LED version, the regular Dot has everything else you need, plus it's available in the dramatic Charcoal black color.

Who needs Prime Day? This Echo Dot has just dropped to a record low price

patrick.farmer@futurenet.com (Patrick Farmer) — Thu, 07 Jul 2022 19:14:40 +0000

Prime Day 2022 is just around the corner, and we expect the sale to launch with tons of record low prices and tech deals that we've never seen before. What we didn't expect was a number of amazing deals to drop ahead of the big day itself, deals that could potentially put Prime Day's official offerings to shame. I'm talking about the 4th-gen Echo Dot, a sleek little smart speaker that's currently selling for just $19.99, a 60% drop from its usual retail price of $49.99.

That's far and away the cheapest this Echo Dot has ever been. I'm not sure why Amazon felt the need to share such a significant price cut when Prime Day is only a few days away, but it's not our job to ask questions. All we can say is that it's pretty unlikely that the price will drop any lower once Prime Day comes alive on July 12th. To put it simply, if you're in the market for a new smart speaker and you have 20 bucks to spend, this deal is going to be tough to beat.

The 4th-gen Echo Dot may not be the best smart speaker that money can buy, but it's hard to imagine finding anything better for the price. The Dot comes complete with an illuminated light ring, Alexa-compatibility, and a stylish spherical design that will blend in seamlessly with your existing decor. It's also constructed from 50% post-consumer plastics and 100% recycled fabric and aluminum, making it one of the most environmentally-friendly smart speakers around. Scroll down for a link to the offer, and be sure to check out our guide to the best early Prime Day deals while you're in the neighborhood.

Early Prime day deal of the day

Echo Dot (4th Gen): ~~$49.99~~ $19.99 at Amazon

For the first time ever, the price of the 4th-gen Echo Dot smart speaker has dropped to just $19.99. That's a 60% discount from its regular retail price, plus some pretty incredible bang for the buck when you consider everything that this device can do.

This deal is already making history by offering a record low price, so don't expect it to drop much lower when Prime Day hits. Also keep in mind that the deal is only available to Prime members, so now might be a good time to check out the service's 30-day free trial if you haven't already. View Deal

Until July 12th rolls around, you can consider us your one-stop shop for all things Prime Day. Check out one of our many deal hubs, such as best Prime Day phone deals and best Prime Day Chromebook deals, so you know where to look when the massive sale goes live.

Amazon Echo Show 5 Kids vs. Echo Dot (2022) Kids: Show or tell for your kids?

christinep2424@gmail.com (Christine Persaud) — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 20:18:03 +0000

Amazon Echo Dot Kids (2022)

As a kid-friendly alternative to a Bluetooth speaker, kids have the advantage of not just playing music but also conversing with Alexa to set alarms, get help with homework, and even hear bedtime stories. It's a great companion for little ones and the designs might even appeal to some grown-ups, too.

Pros

Fun Owl and Dragon designs
Better sound quality than previous models
Built-in temperature sensor for smart home routines
Can expand your Wi-Fi coverage up to 1000sqft
Amazon Kids+ brings fantastic parental controls and kid-appropriate content

Cons

The "Hey, Disney" feature still isn't ready
Missing character-specific responses at launch
Some Amazon Kids+ experiences are underwhelming without a display

Amazon Echo Show 5 Kids

The Amazon Echo Show 5 Kids is a great option for older kids or those who prefer a visual, tactile experience in addition to Alexa voice control. You get a 5.5-inch screen, making it perfect as an alarm clock replacement or desk companion, and its funky design will appeal to all ages.

Pros

Affordable
Bright, cool color option
Comes with Amazon Kids+ subscription
Stand and light bundle options

Cons

Only 2MP camera
Not very big screen for displaying photos
More expensive
No 3.5mm port

Amazon has two fairly new smart speakers designed for kids. The Amazon Echo Show 5 Kids is the latest, and it features a smart display that adds a 5.5-inch screen to the audio equation. Introduced in late 2020, the Amazon Echo Dot Kids (2022) offers a better processor and response times than its predecessor, not to mention new super-cute, animal-themed designs.

The Echo Dot (4th Gen) is the best Alexa device that money can buy, catering to all your smart speaker needs. Meanwhile, Amazon has outdone itself with the Echo Show line of super affordable yet incredibly capable smart displays. But when it comes to the Amazon Echo Show 5 Kids vs. Echo Dot Kids (2022), which of these two newest-generation smart devices should you choose for a child?

Amazon Echo Show 5 Kids vs. Amazon Echo Dot Kids (2022): What's different?

(Image credit: Amazon)

The biggest difference between these two smart devices for kids is pretty obvious: The Echo Show 5 Kids has a screen, whereas the Echo Dot Kids (2022) does not. But that's not the only thing that differentiates them. Your choice might depend solely on budget and whether you think your child wants, needs, or would use the screen.

	Amazon Echo Show 5 Kids	Amazon Echo Dot Kids (2022)
Screen Size	5.5 inches	No Screen
Connectivity	Dual-Band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth A2DP	Dual-Band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth A2DP
Speaker	Full-Range 1.65-Inch	1.73-inch Front-Firing Speaker
Colors	Chameleon Green Fabric	Dragon, Owl
Comes With	Power Adapter, 4-Foot Cable, Welcome Worksheet for Kids	Power Adapter, Quick Start Guide, Alexa Guide for Kids
Privacy	Mic On/Off Button, Built-in Camera Shutter	Mic On/Off Button
Processor	MediaTek MT 8163	AZ2 Neural Edge
Access to Amazon Kids	Yes	Yes
Access to Amazon Kids+	Included	Included
Dimensions	5.8 x 3.4 x 2.9 inches (148 x 86 x 73mm)	3.9 x 3.9 x 3.5 inches (100 x 100 x 89mm)
Weight	14.5 oz. (410 g)	10.7 oz. (304 g)
Compatible with eero routers	No	Yes
Temperature sensor	No	Yes

As noted, the biggest difference between these two units is the absence of a screen on the Amazon Echo Dot Kids (2022). Because of this, they also look markedly different from one another. The Echo Show 5 Kids has a rectangular-shaped screen that slants upward on a triangular-shaped base for easy viewing and manipulation. It's finished in a fabric wrap, and one design option, Chameleon green, will appeal to kids, both old and young.

Both come with a two-year worry-free guarantee so that should it break by accident, you can return the Echo to Amazon and it'll replace it for free.

The Echo Dot Kids (2022) is much smaller and shaped like a sphere with a flat base. The cover design is made to resemble one of two adorable designs: a dragon or an owl. The base here has a familiar blue LED light ring around the bottom that illuminates when the child asks Alexa a question or gives her a command. There's no illuminating ring on the Echo Show 5 Kids.

Both come with a two-year, worry-free guarantee so that should it break by accident, you can return the Echo to Amazon, and it'll replace it for free. Since both devices are designed to stay in one spot, that might not be a big deal, but any parent knows kids always find a way to knock something over or accidentally spill water on expensive tech gear. This offers nice peace of mind for parents.

(Image credit: Chris Wedel/Android Central)

The screen and the advantages it affords is the biggest differentiator. The entire face of the Echo Show 5 Kids is occupied by a 5.5-inch screen that shows visible results, can display photos, and more, which the Echo Dot Kids (2022) can't do.

However, the Dot Kids (2022) brings a few things the Echo Show 5 Kids can't. It is compatible with eero routers to expand your Wi-Fi up to 1000sqft. The spherical speaker also packs a temperature sensor that can tell you the temperature in the room it's in. But it can also be used as a trigger for smart home routines. Such as turning on a fan if the room reaches a specific temperature. While these may not be reasons to choose the Echo Dot Kids (2022), they might be.

Amazon Echo Show 5 Kids vs. Amazon Echo Dot Kids (2022): What you can do with both

(Image credit: Chris Wedel/Android Central)

Both smart devices work alongside the Alexa voice assistant. Kids can ask questions, like for help with homework (how do you spell Tyrannosaurus anyway?), listen to bedtime stories, play music, get weather reports, set a timer or alarm, call approved contacts, and even control compatible smart home devices with voice commands. But with the Echo Show 5 Kids, the addition of a screen means they can also see relevant visual results, like the weather report or security camera footage of who's at the front door (with a compatible smart home camera).

Kids can also watch videos on Echo Show 5 Kids from compatible streaming services, like Amazon Prime Video, look at YouTube Videos, and even display a slideshow of images. Depending on the music source, they might also be able to see album titles or at least song name and artist while music is playing. Video calls are also an option, so they can call grandma and grandpa to show them their drawing.

Both Echo devices work well alongside Alexa, but the Echo Show 5 Kids has a screen so children can also see relevant visual results.

Both work with a variety of parental controls. Parents and caregivers can set daily time limits for time spent on the device, filter explicit songs from streaming services, and review their child's activity in the Parent Dashboard. They can also view, hear, and delete voice recordings.

For privacy, both devices have a button for turning the mic off when you don't want it listening for the wake word. Because it has a screen, the Echo Show 5 Kids also has a built-in camera shutter to block the camera when desired.

Both connect via dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and have similar built-in speakers for favorable audio. Unfortunately, with the latest model of the Echo Dot Kids, you can no longer connect external speakers to the 3.5mm line out as it has been removed. Now these, two smart speakers are on the same page with this particular feature.

Amazon Echo Show 5 Kids vs. Amazon Echo Dot Kids (2022): Amazon Kids

(Image credit: Amazon)

Amazon Kids, available on both devices (and most Amazon smart speakers, tablets, and other similar mobile devices), includes the aforementioned parental controls that help parents monitor their child's usage. The app also ensures they aren't accessing inappropriate content or ordering items by accident (or on purpose) from your Amazon account, which will put a serious dent in your credit card.

Both devices also include a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, which unlocks tons of curated content for kids. There might be a bit more value with the Echo Show 5 Kids since it includes videos, games, and educational materials that leverage the screen as well as audio. Amazon Kids+ still has value with the Echo Dot Kids (2022), however, since it also includes access to thousands of audiobooks, kid-friendly music stations, and Audible books.

With both, because you have to sign on to cash in the free year to Amazon Kids+, you will be automatically charged each month thereafter unless you cancel. But canceling is simple and can be done by contacting the Amazon customer service team or even just using the Amazon Parent Dashboard.

Amazon Echo Show 5 Kids vs. Amazon Echo Dot Kids (2022): Which do you choose?

(Image credit: Chris Wedel/Android Central)

It really does come down to two main questions when trying to decide between the Amazon Echo Show 5 Kids vs. Echo Dot Kids (2022): Do you need a screen? And which design do you like better? The adorable cute animal styles for the Echo Dot Kids (2022) make it ideal for younger kids, but a teen or tween might be just as excited to get a new dragon or owl friend as a grade-one child would. Similarly, the Chameleon fabric of the Echo Show 5 Kids screams "child," but older kids might be just as into it.

The Echo Show 5 Kids' screen has its advantages for kids in that they can use it to play games, watch videos, and see visuals, including when making calls. You'll also get more out of the free Amazon Kids+ subscription with access to those curated videos, games, and more. If you want it for the bedside table so your child can be woken up for school and see the time, the Echo Show 5 Kids is the better option.

But if the idea is to use the speaker as a desktop device for playing music, helping with simple homework questions, telling the odd joke, controlling the lights in the room, or even communicating with other Echo devices in the home, the Echo Dot Kids (2022) will do just fine. At almost half the price of the Echo Show 5 Kids, you can't go wrong.

Amazon Echo Dot Kids (2022)

Your kid's smart companion

Harness the power of Alexa voice control with the Amazon Echo Dot Kids (2022), which can do everything any other Echo Dot and Alexa-enabled smart speaker can do, plus it comes with a year of Amazon Kids+ and irresistibly cute designs at an affordable price.

Amazon Echo Show 5 Kids

The benefit of a screen

If your child will make use of the screen for visual results, videos, video calls, gaming, and more, it's worth investing in the Echo Show 5 Kids. Otherwise, it might end up being a more expensive alarm clock, music player, and Alexa device than you actually need.

How to change the time format on an Echo Dot with Clock

chris.wedel@futurenet.com (Chris Wedel) — Thu, 10 Mar 2022 12:00:14 +0000

Smart speakers are some of the most common IoT smart devices that people have in their homes, and why not? They can be helpful and entertaining while staying mostly out of the way. However, sometimes you want the ability to glance over at your speaker to get basic information quickly — like the time. The Echo Dot with Clock has a handy LED clock display for just that reason. It can even show both 12-hour and 24-hour time formats, but only one at a time. Here’s how to change the time format on an Amazon Echo Dot with Clock.

How to set the time format on your Echo Dot with Clock

The Amazon Echo Dot with Clock is one of the best Alexa speakers available due to the reasonable price, excellent sound quality for its size, and, of course, the LED clock on its front. Whether you prefer a 12-hour clock or a 24-hour option, this smart speaker can do either. Here’s how to set it up.

Open the Alexa app on your phone.
Tap on Devices at the bottom of the screen.
Choose Echo & Alexa towards the top of the screen.

(Image credit: Chris Wedel/Android Central)

4. Select your Echo Dot with Clock from your device list.
5. Tap on the ⚙️ in the upper right corner.

(Image credit: Chris Wedel/Android Central)

6. Select LED Display.
7. Tap on the toggle beside 24-Hour Clock to change the time format on your Echo Dot with Clock

(Image credit: Chris Wedel/Android Central)

Once you have toggled the time format in the Alexa app, your Echo Dot with Clock will change the LED display to whichever style you prefer. While the display isn’t as impressive as something like the Echo Show 15 or even the Echo Show 5, having the option to quickly see the time instead of asking for it is nice. In the end, it’s really the little things that can mean the most — even with smart speakers.

How to keep Alexa from ruining your Christmas surprises

Christine Persaud — Wed, 08 Dec 2021 20:00:02 +0000

Ordering from Amazon using one of the best Alexa speakers is a great way to knock plenty of items off your holiday to-do list. Alexa is a great tool to lean on, making it easy to share shopping lists with friends and family and even check on the status of an order, all by voice. But the high-tech nature of Alexa can also be a bit problematic during the holiday season, particularly when it comes to delivery notifications. For example, when Alexa announces a package was delivered, it can quickly turn a surprise gift into a ruined moment. Thankfully, it's super easy to avoid any mishaps with a few easy steps. Here's what you need to know.

How do Alexa package delivery notifications work?

Alexa package delivery notifications are super helpful because you can have Alexa update your current order's status and find out what was delivered and when. This is great if you're away from home but waiting for a secret package, or if you're working in the basement and want to know if there's a package at the door to grab.

But during Christmas, all of this information can be heard by the wrong ears. Most kids these days know how to use Alexa. They don't need to secretly shake gifts or peak into the corners of wrapping paper to guess what's inside as they did decades ago. Sneaky kids can ask Alexa to update them on package arrivals and orders to find out what they are getting this year. Some kids might not do this on purpose, but if a child, or even a spouse or roommate, checks in legitimately because they're waiting on a package, too, it can result in an unfortunate reveal.

Thankfully, you can turn notifications off, even if just during the holiday season, to prevent this from happening.

How to turn off Alexa delivery notifications

Open the Alexa app on your mobile device.
Select More (the three lines at the bottom, right of the screen).
Select Settings.

Source: Christine Persaud / Android Central (Image credit: Source: Christine Persaud / Android Central)

Select Notifications.
Select Amazon Shopping.
Toggle "Let Alexa say or show titles for items you've ordered" to the Off position for "items in delivery updates" and/or "including items in your shopping cart marked as gifts, or those that might be gifts during major holidays."

Source: Christine Persaud / Android Central (Image credit: Source: Christine Persaud / Android Central)

Check other options to Toggle off if desired, including notifications when an item is "out for delivery," has been "delivered," "order updates," and even personalized "recommendations & deals" based on past purchases.

Alexa notifications can help

Alexa notifications are useful throughout the year and especially during the holiday season, as long as you warn family members ahead of time not to use the service, so they don't ruin any surprises. You can ask Alexa to update you on the status of your orders and shipments, which is quite handy if you're looking for a package's exact delivery time so you can plan accordingly.

You can leave titles on for items in delivery updates but simply turn it off for items you have marked as "gifts," so only those stay secret. However, this means you must remember to mark an item as a gift each time. It might be easier just to leave all notifications off until you ring in the New Year.

Remember that it might be worthwhile to turn off recommendations and deals during the holiday season. If Amazon recommends a gift related to another one you have ordered, it could give something away. For instance, let's say you ordered a "big sister" outfit for a pregnancy reveal but you haven't yet told your kids. If Amazon recommends other baby products, it may result in puzzled looks.

So if you want to keep gifts secret throughout the year for other occasions, such as birthdays, it's best to make it a habit to tag anything you buy for someone else as a gift to ensure you maintain that wonderful element of surprise every time.

Alexa at your fingertips

Amazon Echo Dot (4th-Gen)

Keep on top of orders
Leverage Alexa voice control to keep track of your packages, including when they ship and when they arrive at your doorstep. Be sure to use the handy Alexa app to ensure you receive quick updates about all the special deliveries you have planned.

You get to vote on Amazon's wild and modern new Echo Dot designs

Jeramy Johnson — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 13:00:02 +0000

What you need to know

Amazon is adding limited-edition Echo Dots to its innovative Build It program.
The Echo Dots will feature custom styles by fashion designer and philanthropist Diane von Furstenberg.
The designer Dots are available now for $60, but customers must place their orders by August 13th, 2021.

Today Amazon announced the newest additions to its Build It concepts line in the form of one its most iconic devices, the Echo Dot. The company is partnering with noted fashion designer and philanthropist Diane von Furstenberg to offer three new looks for its popular smart speaker. The new Echo Dot x designs include Midnight Kiss, Ikat, and Twigs, and customers can preorder them starting today. As part of this offering, Amazon is also donating towards Vital Voices, a non-profit chosen by von Furstenberg that invests in women leaders who are working to solve the world's biggest challenges.

Amazon's Build It initiative stems from the company's Day 1 Editions program and can be thought of as its version of a crowdfunding experience. The way it works is that customers choose which products get made by placing orders for their favorite versions. If the product reaches its pre-order goal within 30 days, Amazon will begin building and shipping it. Customers are not charged unless and until a product meets its funding goal. Amazon says it conceived the Build It program as a way to give its customers more of a voice on what products and devices it makes.

Source: Amazon (Image credit: Source: Amazon)

The initial batch of Build It concepts included a Smart Sticky Note Printer, a Smart Nutrition Scale, and a Smart Cuckoo Clock. All three products generated a fair amount of interest; however, only the Smart Sticky Note Printer reached its 30-day goal. Amazon has begun production of the devices and plans to ship them to customers in the coming months. While the first Build It products were new concepts, this latest venture marks the first time Amazon has added custom versions of an existing and established product to the program.

Source: Amazon (Image credit: Source: Amazon)

Amazon's Day 1 Editions program was established a few years back to give customers an opportunity to experience experimental products and devices ahead of their general release and provide feedback for future iterations of those products. The most recognized and successful example of a Day 1 Edition product graduating into a widely-available consumer product is the Echo Frames, which are smart glasses with Alexa built-in.

Customers may pre-order any of the Echo Dot x Diane von Furstenberg designs starting today through August 13, 2021.

Midnight Kiss

Echo Dot x Diane von Furstenberg

Pucker up
You're sure to love this version of the Echo Dot (4th Gen). Just remember, Alexa won't kiss you back.

Ikat

Echo Dot x Diane von Furstenberg

Jungle boogie
The Ikat design evokes wild animal prints and is sure to add a little adventure to your listening experience.

Twigs

Echo Dot x Diane von Furstenberg

Branch out
The scattered lines remind us of looking up at a forest, and the bright orange and pink colors mimic a beautiful sunset.

This new Alexa feature reads to your kid when you're just too busy

Derrek Lee — Tue, 29 Jun 2021 20:54:32 +0000

What you need to know

Amazon introduces Reading Sidekick for Alexa-enabled Echo speakers.
Reading Sidekick will take turns reading books with your children to help them improve their reading skills.
Children ages six to nine will be able to choose from hundreds of books available through Amazon Kids+.
Reading Sidekick is available now, and kids can access the feature by saying, "Alexa, let's read."

Amazon is introducing a new Alexa skill called Reading Sidekick that aims to help children improve their reading by taking turns reading books.

With Reading Sidekick, Alexa will listen to your child as they read and offer words of encouragement as they complete sentences, paragraphs, or pages. Alexa will also help your kid if they get stuck on a word, either by moving onto the next word or having the kid repeat the word after Alexa says it first.

Kids can choose from hundreds of available books in the Amazon Kids+ subscription. It can be a digital book or physical; your kid just has to say "Alexa, let's read" or "Alexa, open Reading Sidekick" and tell Alexa the name of the book they want to read.

The new feature is available on the Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition (4th Gen) and some of the best Alexa speakers with the Amazon Kids+ subscription; you will have to enable Amazon Kids on your Echo Dot speaker.

While many parents are still working from home, they might not be able to give their full attention to their kids. Reading Sidekick is designed to help fill that void while giving kids ages six to nine more confidence with reading.

Dr. Michelle Martin, a Children and Youth Services Professor at the University of Washington and member of the Amazon Kids and Family Advisory Council, says that Reading Sidekick results from thorough research from Amazon.

The Amazon educational team has done due diligence to glean best practices from teachers, reading specialists, and children's literature scholars to ensure Reading Sidekick is not only engaging but backed by decades of research on literacy development.

When Reading Sidekick is enabled, children can decide how much they want to read, whether it be a little, a lot, or by taking turns reading passages. Reading "a little" gives Alexa the bulk of the reading while leaving shorter passages for the child. Alexa will take a backseat if the child decides they want to read "a lot," letting them complete multiple paragraphs or pages before Alexa steps in for a passage.

In March, Google launched a similar feature for Play Books which lets kids read along to select books, featuring tap-to-read and a visual dictionary.

Amazon is also launching new Alexa Voice Profiles for Kids to make it easier for children to access Echo speakers throughout the house. Parents will also be able to track their kids' reading progress with the Alexa app and set daily education goals.

Alexa Reading Sidekick is available now, and parents can sign up for an Amazon Kids+ subscription over at Amazon's website.

For the kids

Echo Dot Kids Edition (4th Gen)

Keep the kids entertained
The Echo Dot Kids Edition (4th Gen) is a fun speaker designed to help kids learn and grow. And thanks to Amazon's parental controls, you'll be able to easily check-in and see how your kids are doing.

Amazon Echo Dot vs. Echo Dot Kids Edition: Which should you buy?

Andrew Myrick — Thu, 24 Jun 2021 19:00:00 +0000

Amazon Echo Dot (4th gen)

The new Amazon Echo Dot (4th gen) brings a new form factor to the Echo Dot lineup with improved sound quality. However, this is not an ideal solution for potentially messy kids, the warranty is nowhere near as good, and you have to pay extra to access the expanded parental controls.

Amazon Echo Dot (4th gen)

Well-rounded

All-new design

Improved sound

New color options

$10 cheaper

Not ideal for kids

Lack of extended warranty

Have to pay extra for Amazon Kids+

Amazon Echo Dot Kids (4th gen)

This is the obvious choice if you want to put Alexa in your child's playroom or bedroom. The included warranty and Amazon Kids+ are almost worth the price of admission. However, if that is worth the extra cost to you will depend on your family.

Amazon Echo Dot Kids (4th gen)

Kid-centric

Alexa Blueprint helps kids create Skills

2-year worry-free guarantee warranty

1-year Amazon Kids+ included

Fun design choices

$10 more expensive than Echo Dot

Kids+ only supports four music services

Amazon Echo Dot vs. Echo Dot Kids: How do they stack up?

At first glance, deciding between the Echo Dot (4th Gen) vs Echo Dot Kids should be pretty simple and straightforward. If you want an Echo Dot for anywhere in the house, then get that one; however, if you want one for your kids or like the fun animal prints, then the Echo Dot Kids is the better pick. Let's look at the specs.

	Echo Dot (4th gen)	Echo Dot Kids (4th gen)
Connectivity	Dual-Band Wi-Fi Bluetooth A2DP	Dual-Band Wi-Fi Bluetooth A2DP
Speaker	1.6-inch Front-Firing Speaker	1.6-inch Front-Firing Speaker
Colors	Charcoal Glacier White Twilight Blue	Tiger Panda
Comes With	Power Adapter	Power Adapter Alexa Guide for Kids
Privacy	Mic On/Off Button	Mic On/Off Button
Access to Amazon Kids and Kids+	Yes	Yes
Access to Amazon Kids+	Yes, 1 Month Free	Included, 1 Year Free
Dimensions	3.9 x 3.9 x 3.5 inches (100 x 100 x 89mm)	3.9 x 3.9 x 3.5 inches (100 x 100 x 89mm)
Weight	12 oz. (341.3 g)	12 oz. (341.3 g)

As for the Echo Dot Kids(https://www.androidcentral.com/amazon-echo-dot-kids-edition-4th-gen-review), this is essentially the same as the standard Echo Dot with a couple of new paint schemes. The real value comes in the "extras" that are available with the Echo Dot Kids. If parental controls and family-friendly content are vital to your plans, then you'll enjoy one year of Amazon Kids+ and a 2-year warranty. This warranty provides a full product replacement, regardless of what happens to the Echo Dot.

This is extremely tempting if you are clumsy or children are running around the house. Unfortunately, the Echo Dot (4th Gen) only has a 90-day warranty, meaning you could end up shelling out another $50 if something goes awry. Other differences come in the speaker and microphone departments. These are speakers, after all, so these are important.

The Echo Dot Kids is essentially the same as the Echo Dot 4th-generation with some new color choices.

The Echo Dot (4th Gen) comes equipped with a much more powerful 1.6-inch speaker, combined with four total microphones. However, a new product means improvements to these various hardware inclusions. The Echo Dot Kids includes the same 1.6-inch speaker, so your kids will enjoy their music much better than before. Plus, they will be able to hear Alexa's responses easier.

Chances are if you care about the sound that much, you'll end up having picked up an external speaker that is compatible with either Echo Dot. So, you don't have to worry too much, but the included 3.5mm headphone jack on these devices is really convenient.

Amazon Echo Dot vs. Echo Dot Kids: Is Amazon Kids+ worth it?

Source: Ara Wagoner / Android Central (Image credit: Source: Ara Wagoner / Android Central)

Speaking of Amazon Kids+, there are a few things to take note of. The included subscription with the Kids provides a plethora of parental controls and a multi-platform subscription, which offers music, audiobooks, TV shows, movies, games, and much more for your kids. You can stream music from Radio Disney or access the Parent Dashboard, which provides Parental Control features.

Additionally, if you end up deciding on the standard Echo Dot (4th Gen), then you can add Amazon Kids+. This will cost you an extra $2.99 per month, after your first month free, and will still give you the same access as if you purchased the Echo Dot Kids. Amazon also offers a yearly subscription at $69 for Prime members or $99 if you aren't a Prime subscriber.

Opting for Amazon Kids+ means that you'll have kid-friendly content accessible across an array of devices. These products include the Echo family and Fire tablets, Kindle tablets, iOS, and Android. So this is the perfect way to keep your children occupied and looking at the "right" content, regardless of the platform.

Amazon Echo Dot vs. Echo Dot Kids: Which way should you go?

Source: Jeramy Johnson / Android Central (Image credit: Source: Jeramy Johnson / Android Central)

On the one hand, you have a basic, no-nonsense speaker that's a little bit less expensive and blends in pretty well with the rest of your home. But, on the other hand, the Echo Dot Kids features either an adorable tiger or panda print, which you won't be able to grab and put on your bland Echo Dot.

The biggest difference comes down to whether you plan on paying for an Amazon Kids+ subscription. It's included with the Echo Dot Kids, but you'll have to shell out an extra $3 per month or $69 a year (for Prime subscribers), to get access to all parental control features and kid-friendly content.

So which is the better Alexa speaker to get? The final decision should be simple. If you have kids and want all that Amazon Kids+ offers, you should go for the Kids. On the other hand, unless you're a clumsy adult or want that awesome Rainbow scheme, you should get the Echo Dot.

For everyone

All-new Echo Dot (4th Gen, 2020 release)

Perfect for just about anyone
If you are looking for a speaker featuring a great design, improved speakers and microphones, and a cheaper price tag, then you'll want the standard Echo Dot.

For kids

Echo Dot (4th Gen) Kids

Perfect for those seeking parental controls
The Echo Dot Kids is the obvious choice for those who want to put Alexa in a child's playroom or want the great warranty included and don't care about the price.

This $1 Echo Dot and Amazon Music Unlimited deal is almost too good to be true

Alex Smith — Tue, 18 May 2021 20:29:09 +0000

After the recent announcement of Spatial Audio and Lossless quality coming to Apple Music next month at no additional charge to subscribers, Amazon quickly revealed that its own HD music streaming service Amazon Music HD will be dropping its price to just $9.99 per month to match Apple Music's monthly cost for individual memberships. Better yet, those who are already Amazon Music Unlimited subscribers can now upgrade to Amazon Music HD for free.

If you have yet to try out Amazon's music streaming service, now's the perfect time to do so. Amazon has a deal that scores you an Echo Dot smart speaker for just $1 alongside your first month of Amazon Music Unlimited at its regular price of $9.99 per month, or $7.99 if you're a Prime member. This offer is only available to those who have never owned an Echo device before, and you can't be a current subscriber of Amazon Music Unlimited if you want to redeem this offer either.

Amazon Music Unlimited lets you stream your favorite music anywhere you go whenever you want. Start your first month today and you can snag an Echo Dot smart speaker along with it for only $1 more.View Deal

With today's deal, you'll be scoring your first month of Amazon Music Unlimited and the Echo Dot Smart Speaker for just $11, or even as low as $9 if you're a Prime member. After you've joined, you can switch to Amazon Music HD for free in your Amazon Music settings by clicking the banner that reads "Upgrade Now".

If you don't own an Echo device already, this is really one of the best deals you'll ever see to pick one up. With Prime Day coming next month, it's important to have some sort of Alexa-enabled device as there are usually a few exclusive deals you can only buy by having Alexa shop for you. The Echo Dot also lets you stream music from Amazon Music Unlimited, control compatible smart home devices, and more.

If you're not a Prime member already, be sure to start a free 30-day trial to score free two-day shipping, as well as access to the rest of Prime's perks like the Prime Video streaming service and all the exclusive members-only discounts we'll be seeing next month during Amazon's big shopping holiday.

Have you listened to this week's Android Central Podcast?

Every week, the Android Central Podcast brings you the latest tech news, analysis and hot takes, with familiar co-hosts and special guests.

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Echo deals from just $20 let you add Alexa to even more rooms in your home

Adam Oram — Mon, 10 May 2021 12:46:07 +0000

No matter how many Alexa speakers you've placed around your home, there's always space for another one (or two). If you want to add Echo speakers to more spaces, Woot is giving you the perfect opportunity to do just that with some of its best Amazon Echo deals returning for a limited time.

Prices start at just $20 in the sale, though the deals expire tonight or when sold out. Most of the devices aren't offered new so will have some cosmetic imperfections, but each has been tested to ensure it works like new and will come backed with a 90-day warranty. A couple of devices are listed as brand new, in which case you'll get a full Amazon warranty.

Featuring the 3rd-gen Echo Dot, original Amazon Echo, Echo Spot, and more, this sale lets you dip your toe into the smart home waters without breaking the bank. Be sure to pay attention to the condition so you know exactly what you're getting.View Deal

The deal given is no longer valid and we do not have a better one. However, we have found some similar deals

Ring Video Doorbell Wired with Echo Show 5

$64.99 $139.98 Save $75 1624266233

The Ring Video Doorbell is bundled with Amazon's Echo Show 5 at over 50% off exclusively for Prime Day. You'll be able to see who's at your door using the Ring app on a myriad of devices, including the Echo Show 5.

Fire TV Stick 4K with 'The Disney Bundle'

Limited Time Only 1624261022

Exclusively during Prime Day, Amazon is offering Prime members three free months of 'The Disney Bundle' with the purchase of a new Fire TV Stick or Fire Tablet. The Disney Bundle gives subscribers access to Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+.

Amazon Prime Video Channels

Limited Time Only 1624126477

Amazon Prime Video lets you add other streaming services as 'channels' to your Prime subscription, and right now select options are down to just $1 per month ahead of Prime Day!

Amazon Echo Devices

Prices Vary 1623665369

Featuring the Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Show 5, Echo Auto, Echo Frames, and more, this sale lets you snap up some Amazon hardware without breaking the bank. These are some of the best prices ever, tough they are just for Prime members.

Amazon Kids+ Family Plan

$0.99 $29.99 Save $29 1622747114

One of the best deals to come to Amazon Kids+ is now available exclusively for Prime members! Your family can score three months of access for only $1 by signing up before Prime Day begins on June 21.

The most affordable Echo device in the sale is there 3rd-gen Echo Dot which is available for just $20 while supplies last. Just $5 more gets you the original Amazon Echo which, despite being over six years old, is still a great smart speaker.

If you want something newer, the 2nd-gen Echo is only $40 in the sale and is offered brand new with a 1-year Amazon warranty. It's the international version but functionally will work exactly the same.

With Alexa, you can control your smart home gear, as well as have measurements converted, find out the local weather, set timers, stream music, and more. If you're completely new to Echo hardware, it's totally worth snapping up one of these deals for a low-risk entry point to smart home stuff.

A couple of devices have already gone out of stock, so be sure to check out the whole sale and grab a bargain while you still can.

Woot normally charges $6 per order for shipping, though you can have your order shipped for free there by signing in with an Amazon Prime membership before checking out. If you've never been a Prime member before, you can start a free 30-day trial to score free shipping at Woot and Amazon, along with access to all of Prime's perks like the Prime Video streaming service, exclusive members-only discounts, and more.

Amazon's latest crop of Echo deals take as much as 50% off

Adam Oram — Tue, 04 May 2021 13:46:15 +0000

Whether you're all-in on Alexa devices or just getting started with your first smart speaker, it's always worth checking out Amazon's latest Echo deals to see if you can make a saving.

Right now, Amazon is offering some stellar discounts across a range of its first-party hardware including devices like the latest Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Show, and more. Prices have been slashed by as much as 50% there, though the deals won't last for long.

Smart speaker options on sale include both the 3rd Gen Echo Dot and 4th Gen Echo Dot which start as low as $25. These speakers may be diminutive but still pack a punch when it comes to volume and smart capabilities, and their minute form factors make them ideal for, erm, dotting around your home.

Another notable price drop in this sale is on the 4th Gen Amazon Echo. The latest full-size Echo has only been available since the fall but you can get one at a 30% discount right now. At $69.99, this is a match for its holiday 2020 pricing and probably the best we'll see ahead of Prime Day.

If you want a smart speaker with a screen, Amazon's Echo Show lineup is for you. Smart displays like these make a ton of sense where you might want some glanceable information along with your hands-free voice assistant, say while following a recipe, checking the weather forecast, or keeping tabs on multiple timers. They also enable new use cases like video calling, smart home camera monitoring, streaming video, and operating as a digital photo frame.

All three sizes of Echo Show are discounted with the latest Echo Show 10 seeing a huge $50. That's a match for the lowest it has gone since its release.

The sale even features some of Amazon's more experimental and niche products like the Echo Auto and all-new Echo Frames. The Auto brings Alexa along for the ride in your car at just $24.99 (a 50% saving) and the Frames give you hands-free access to Alexa wherever you go.

Secure a new Echo Dot, Fire TV Stick 4K, and more for $109 total before Baby Yoda eats it

John Levite — Tue, 04 May 2021 12:58:46 +0000

Time to celebrate Star Wars Day with a great bundle from Amazon. This is being featured as a deal of the day, which means the price will bounce back up tomorrow. The bundle might not even be available tomorrow at all because this is a pre-order deal that includes an item not even released yet. Grab the bundle featuring the 4th-generation Echo Dot and a Fire TV Stick 4K on sale for $108.99 at Amazon. You'll also get a 2nd-generation Voice Remote that lets you talk to Alexa and a stand for the Echo Dot. The Echo Dot has a Grogu case over it so it looks like Baby Yoda's head, and the voice remote features a The Mandalorian case to really bring the Star Wars connection home.

Individually, the Echo Dot, Fire TV Stick 4K, and Voice Remote would go for about $130 when bought at their street prices. The stand, however, is a new product that won't be released for another month. That along with the custom Star Wars cases adds some unique value to this bundle.

The Star Wars theme includes a Grogu case for the 4th-gen Echo Dot and a The Mandalorian remote cover. The bundle includes the Echo Dot, the Fire TV Stick 4K, a 2nd-gen Alexa Voice Remote, and a unique stand that's not even released yet.View Deal

Even if you're not a Star Wars fan, the Echo Dot is worth a look. This is Amazon's most advanced tech yet and it features powerful speakers that can play music with high-quality sound. They have a volume that can fill a room. Plus, with Amazon Alexa built right in you have a huge source of information at your beck and call. Just ask her to give you the news or the weather, control your smart home, or stream from your favorite music platform. This is a normal Echo Dot with a Grogu case over it, so it still has all the same privacy controls and other functions you'd expect.

The Fire TV Stick 4K is a great way to access all your favorite non-music media (although it can access those, too). Gain access to more than 500,000 movies and TV shows using Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, HBO Max, and more. It's pretty easy to use. Just plug it into an HDMI port on your TV and connect it to your Wi-Fi to start streaming. Use the voice remote that comes with this bundle to not only control what's on the screen but search for your favorite content with your voice.

This is a unique deal that's not going to last. Grab it while you can.

You can now turn your Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) into a Baby Yoda with OtterBox's new stand

Babu Mohan — Tue, 04 May 2021 07:20:00 +0000

What you need to know

OtterBox has launched a new Star Wars Den Series stand for the Echo Dot (4th Gen).
The stand is inspired by "Baby Yoda" from The Mandalorian.
It will be available to purchase in the U.S. from June 10 for $25.

OtterBox has unveiled a new Star Wars Den Series stand for the Echo Dot (4th Gen), one of Amazon's best smart speakers. As you can see in the image above, the new stand is inspired by Grogu, a fan-favorite character from the hugely popular Disney+ show The Mandalorian.

The stand has been "designed for easy interaction with the Echo Dot (4th Gen)" and is quite easy to install. It has a non-slip base to keep your Echo Dot secure and "withstand high-use for everyday enjoyment."

The Baby Yoda-inspired Star Wars Den Series stand is now available to pre-order on Amazon for $25. However, the stand won't begin shipping in the U.S. until June 10. Aside from the latest Echo Dot (4th Gen), a similar stand is available for the Echo Dot (3rd Gen) as well. Amazon also offers Grogu and The Mandalorian themed covers for the Alexa Voice Remote.

Star Wars Den Series stand for Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen)

OtterBox's latest Den Series stand is inspired by the cutest bounty in the galaxy. Thanks to a non-slip base and precision-fit, the stand can hold your Echo Dot (4th Gen) securely and help it deliver optimal audio output.

$25 at Amazon

Outfit your home with a brand new Amazon Echo Dot smart device for as little as $25

John Levite — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 12:30:54 +0000

We're always on top of the best Amazon Echo deals, and today Amazon is having a huge sale on multiple generations of the Echo Dot. If you've never bought an Echo Dot before, this sale is the perfect time to get one because the prices have never been lower. If you're already a part of the Amazon ecosystem, make sure every room has one with this sale. You can get the 3rd-gen Echo Dot for as little as $24.99. That's $5 better than last month's sale and within a few bucks of its best price ever.

If you want one of Amazon's newest devices, the 4th-gen Echo Dot is just $5 more at $29.99, which is $20 off its regular price. The kids' version of the Echo Dot is on sale as well, going for $39.99 instead of $60. You can get that deal with either the Panda or Tiger print. Or go for the regular version with an LED clock built in, which has also dropped to $39.99 from $60 and comes in both Glacier White and Twilight Blue.

The 3rd-gen Echo Dot is down to $25. You can also get the new 4th-gen Echo Dot for $30, the version with an LED clock for just $10 more, or even the kids edition on sale for $40. Some of these deals are even better than a sale Amazon had in March.View Deal

The Echo Dot is a great piece of smart tech. Both the 3rd and 4th generations have a design that's meant to fit just about anywhere. Even with the 4th-gen's new ball-like form factor, it has a flat bottom that lets it sit easily whereever you choose to put it. Both versions give you powerful speakers that can play music and provide rich, high-quality sound that cna fill a room. Read more about Amazon's newest Echo Dot speakers.

Plus they're both ready with Amazon Alexa built right in. You can ask her to stream music from your favorite platforms. She can also tell you the news or the weather or make fart noises for you if you ask the right question (as my son has recently discovered). You can even customize what Alexa can or cannot do with skills that you add on your own. Some of these will be necessary if you have other smart devices from other brands but most are optional, fun things you can add.

Of course Alexa is the main selling point of the Echo Dot because she adds a whole lot of control to your smart home, but she doesn't have to be on all the time. There are a ton of privacy controls you can set up if you desire, and there's even an easy to hit mic off button that will ensure Alexa is no longer listening if you don't want her to.

The version designed for kids adds a year of Amazon Kids+ with access to Audible books, games, and more. It also has great parental controls so you can determine the content your kids are accessing.

Add an Echo Dot to your home for just $5 when you buy a month of Amazon Music Unlimited

Adam Oram — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 12:44:50 +0000

If you're yet to add any Alexa devices to your home, Amazon is giving you the perfect opportunity with one of the very best Amazon Echo deals returning for a limited time.

Right now, you can snag a 3rd gen Echo Dot for just $4.99 when you buy a month of Amazon Music Unlimited. That means for a total cost of $12.98 for Prime members, or $14.98 without Prime, you'll get the smart speaker worth $40 and a month of tunes to stream.

The Echo Dot smart speaker is just $4.99 with 1 month of Amazon Music Unlimited today! That's a total of $12.98 for Prime members or $14.98 without Prime. You'll be able to stream music from the service in seconds just by asking Alexa.View Deal

The Echo Dot and Amazon Music Unlimited service are the perfect pairing. The voice-activated smart speaker allows you to simply ask Alexa to play the music you want to hear and it will be playing within seconds. There are no ads on the music service and there are over 70 million songs that you can play on-demand.

If you like the service, you can keep paying for it at $7.99 per month for Prime members (or $9.99 without Prime), or cancel it towards the end of the month to avoid being charged. Since Amazon Music Unlimited works great on your Alexa speakers as well as iOS and Android phones, tablets, web browsers, and Fire TV devices, you may well decide to keep it and use it as your primary music streaming service.

Even though it has since been surpassed by the 4th gen Echo Dot, the 3rd-gen Echo Dot is still a great buy. It has a lower-profile, hockey puck-style design which some people still prefer and the older style still has the LED ring at the top where it is more visible when you make an inquiry or issue a command.

It's worth noting that the Echo Dot and Amazon Music Unlimited combo deal is only available to new Echo device customers meaning you can't use this deal to add yet more Alexa speakers to your home.

Woot's latest Echo deals offer Dot Kids Edition and Glow lamps from just $17

Adam Oram — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 11:50:54 +0000

Children ask some interesting questions and, honestly, you might not always know the answers. Thankfully, the Amazon Echo Dot Kids Editon is here to save the day, allowing Alexa to tackle those tough questions for you while always providing 100% kid-friendly answers.

Today only, Woot is offering the 3rd-gen Echo Dot Kids Edition for just $24.99, a discount of over 60% compared to its price brand new. You can also pick up an Echo Glow smart lamp for just $16.99 there while supplies last. An entire year of FreeTime Unlimited is also included with your purchase, which gives your child access to age-appropriate books, music, games, cartoons, audiobooks, and more — some of which can be accessed using the Echo Dot.

Treat your kids to some smart devices at up to 64% off their usual prices. The sale includes the Echo Dot Kids Edition smart speaker and the Echo Glow multi-color smart lamp. You'll score a year of FreeTime Unlimited with your purchase as well.View Deal

The deal given is no longer valid and we do not have a better one. However, we have found some similar deals

Ring Video Doorbell Wired with Echo Show 5

$64.99 $139.98 Save $75 1624266233

Fire TV Stick 4K with 'The Disney Bundle'

Limited Time Only 1624261022

Amazon Prime Video Channels

Limited Time Only 1624126477

Amazon Prime Video lets you add other streaming services as 'channels' to your Prime subscription, and right now select options are down to just $1 per month ahead of Prime Day!

Amazon Echo Devices

Prices Vary 1623665369

Amazon Kids+ Family Plan

$0.99 $29.99 Save $29 1622747114

This smart speaker is pretty similar to the regular 3rd-gen Amazon Echo Dot, with the main differences being its paint job and parental controls. However, the Kids Edition even comes with a two-year worry-free warranty which states that Amazon will replace the speaker within that time frame if it's damaged, no matter what happens to it. That's a pretty handy guarantee when it comes to something you'll be handing over to tiny troublemakers.

Kids will love the Echo Dot, and they'll likely take to it quicker than most adults too. With a few words, they can have Alexa playing their favorite songs, telling them stories, calling approved family members or friends, and more. With built-in parental controls, you can set daily time limits and review your child's activity, and there's also a Microphone Off button to mute the microphone if that's something you're concerned about.

Meanwhile, the Echo Glow is a multi-color smart lamp for kids. It requires a compatible Alexa device to work, such as the Echo Dot Kids Edition. This lamp allows kids to control its color and brightness using their voice. You can also create lighting cues that will help your child count down to dinner time or other daily events.

These Ring Video Doorbell bundle deals get you the new Echo Dot for just $10

Adam Oram — Thu, 17 Dec 2020 16:58:01 +0000

Ring's video doorbells let you add convenience and security to your front door and, thanks to this limited-time sale at Amazon, you can save when you bundle one of Ring's newest models with an Amazon Echo Dot. The sale features a few different Ring doorbell models all paired with Amazon's newest 4th-gen Echo Dot for just $10 extra. Considering the smart speaker was only recently released and has a $50 retail price, it's a solid saving.

Equip your front door with one of Ring's latest Video Doorbell models and you'll score a 2020 Echo Dot for not much more. That will enable two-way talk for convenient in-home monitoring and you'll get announcements when someone's at the door.View Deal

The 2020 Ring Video Doorbell featured in the sale is the second iteration of the product, stealing lots of features from the Ring Video Doorbell 3. That includes 1080p video for crispy viewing of whoever happens to be at your front door, improved audio quality, better motion detection, improved privacy, and new security features.

Now with the Ring Video Doorbell, you can use Privacy Zones to block out bits of the video you don't want to be recorded. It also has Near Zones to stop false notifications from things like traffic driving past your house or an insect on the camera lens.

Ring's Peephole Cam, also on offer, is the perfect Ring device for those who can't install a traditional doorbell but still want all the functionality that comes with having a Ring Video Doorbell at home. This device upgrades your door's current peephole with a 1080p HD doorbell that lets you see, hear, and speak to visitors.

You can set it up to send you alerts when someone knocks on the door, presses the doorbell button, or sets off the integrated motion sensors. Best of all, it's easy to install and comes with all the tools you need to get the job done in less than five minutes. No drilling or wiring is required. Since the Peephole Cam is already discounted, you're saving $30 on the video doorbell itself as well as $40 on the included Echo Dot.

The Echo Dot bundled in is Amazon's 4th-gen model which features some solid upgrades over its predecessor. Alexa commands are twice as fast thanks to an improved chip, the speaker is now front-facing for directed sound, and the speaker design is both more stylish and more energy-efficient. You can use it to get announcements when someone is at the door and for two-way talk with visitors, plus all of the usual Alexa smarts.

Amazon's best smart speakers are up to $100 off when you buy two right now

Alex Smith — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 21:41:06 +0000

Most of Amazon's devices are on sale for the holidays, but some of the best picks of the bunch can be scored at an even bigger discount right now. Amazon is offering up to $100 off select Echo devices when you add two to your cart and use the appropriate promo code during checkout. You can save extra on models like the all-new Echo Dot smart speaker, the regular-sized Echo, or the Echo Show 5 smart display for a limited time.

Select Amazon devices are now on sale and you can save up to $100 extra when you buy two and use the appropriate promo code at checkout. This sale includes speakers like the All-new Echo and Echo Dot, the Echo Show 5, and the Echo Auto.View Deal

The Echo Show 5 quickly became one of our favorite Amazon devices. It pairs the Echo smart speaker with a touchscreen that lets you manage compatible smart home devices, watch YouTube videos or movies on Prime Video, listen to music, check the weather, and more. While it normally sells for $89.99, Amazon's sale drops its price by 50% to just $44.99. However, when you buy two and use promo code SHOW52PK during checkout, you'll snag both for only $79.98 — less than the regular price of one. That's like paying only $40 apiece.

The all-new Echo Dot is eligible for this offer as well, though you'll need to use promo code DOT2PACK during checkout instead. That lets you grab two for only $49.98, or $25 each. That matches the speaker's regular price. These speakers let you talk with the Amazon Alexa virtual assistant to control compatible smart home devices, get news or sports updates, listen to music from various streaming services, and more.

Then again, the all-new Echo is also on sale and really enhances the sound of whatever you play compared to the Echo Dot. It's currently $69.99 saving you $30 off its regular price, though you can score two for only $124.98 instead when you use promo code ECHO2PACK at checkout.

You can find a similar deal on the Echo Auto as well. Make sure to place your order soon as these items are being further back-ordered daily and likely won't arrive before Christmas.

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Prime members can snag an Echo Dot for only $15 while supplies last

Adam Oram — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 10:48:25 +0000

If you don't have an Echo device in every room of your home after Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Woot is giving you one more chance to correct that. For a limited time, you can pick up a 3rd-gen Echo Dot for just $14.99 there, making this one of the most affordable ways to add some more smart speakers to your setup.

Woot has the 3rd-gen Echo Dot down to $20 with a further $5 off at checkout when you log in with an Amazon Prime account. That will also get your free shipping. Though these units aren't new, they have been tested to verify they work properly.View Deal

You'll see the Echo Dot listed for $19.99 at Woot though you can save a further $5 at checkout just by logging in with your Amazon Prime account. That will also score you free shipping. Though these Echo Dots are not brand new, they have been inspected and tested to ensure they work like new and they come with a 90-day warranty. Right now you can choose between charcoal, heather gray, and sandstone color options but individual colorways may sell out sooner than others.

Echo Dot is one of Amazon's best overall smart speaker option and one of the easiest ways to start up a smart home. You can use one to listen to music from several different streaming services, control compatible smart home devices like Philips Hue bulbs or Nest Thermostats, and so much more. Check the weather just by asking. Hear a cringeworthy knock-knock joke or fun fact. Set timers so you won't burn dinner. There are tons of features that make these speakers worth having around, and if you know someone that isn't exactly tech-savvy, an Echo Dot also makes a great gift that'll help them dip their toes in the water.

While an updated version of this speaker recently came out, the deverences between the Echo Dot 3rd-gen and 4th-gen aren't stupendous and that model is twice the price of today's Woot deal even when you factor in Amazon's current sale on it. You can use your extra savings toward some neat Echo Dot accessories too.

Shipping at Woot generally costs $6 per order, though you can score free shipping by logging in with an Amazon Prime membership before checking out. If you've never been a Prime member before, you can start a free 30-day trial to score free shipping at Woot and Amazon, along with access to the Prime Video streaming service, exclusive members-only discounts, and more.

Here's why the best Cyber Monday deals for kids feature the Amazon Echo Dot

Alex Smith — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 01:24:33 +0000

It's no secret that Amazon offers some of the best Cyber Monday deals every year, but its latest sale on the Echo Dot Kids Edition smart speakers is truly one of the greatest offers you'll find anywhere right now.

Just keeping kids entertained can be a full-time job in itself, which is why Amazon's Kids Edition devices are so handy. The Echo Dot Kids Edition is there for your kid to ask every question they can think up and play any song they want, while ensuring they won't hear anything inappropriate. However, the real bonus is that every Kids Edition device comes with an entire year of Amazon Kids+ streaming service for free. The service normally costs $69 annually and gives your child access to kid-friendly shows and movies, educational games, music, apps, and even eBooks, and it's easily worth the regular monthly cost starting at $2.99.

Thanks to Cyber Monday, right now you can pick up the Echo Dot Kids Edition on sale for $38.99 with a year of Kids+ included for free. That's a savings of $90 off what they would cost separately when not discounted, and it's even more valuable when you consider how busy it will keep your child. More Kids Edition deals are available now as well.

The all-new Echo Dot (4th Generation) is available in two fun designs with exceptional parental controls, though the real bonus here is the inclusion of Amazon Kids+. You'll score an entire year of the streaming service for free with the purchase.View Deal

For only $10 more, you could bundle the Echo Dot Kids Edition with the Echo Glow Smart Lamp. For $14 more, you can pair the Echo Dot Kids Edition with Fuzzible Friends, a plush light-up toy that's compatible with Amazon Echo devices like the Echo Dot.

The Amazon Fire Kids Edition Tablets also come with a year of Amazon Kids+ and are currently on sale for Cyber Monday as well with prices starting at $59.99. These tablets come housed in a kid-proof case and include a two-year replacement guarantee with no questions asked if it ends up broken somehow.

Make sure to shop soon as these prices may disappear as soon as Cyber Monday ends later tonight.

Black Friday brings the popular Echo Dot back down to its lowest price

jeramy.johnson@futurenet.com (Jeramy Johnson) — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 21:41:10 +0000

Beyond the big-ticket items that you may be shopping for this holiday season, you might also want to look for smaller, more affordable gifts or stocking stuffers. One great gift that fits the bill here is Amazon's popular Echo Dot (3rd Gen) Alexa-enabled smart speaker. This little marvel can do everything the larger Echo speakers can, but it takes up much less space, is arguably more attractive, and costs much, much less. This Black Friday deal has the Echo Dot (3rd Gen) down to an all-time low price of just $19!

Put Alexa in every room

Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen) | Up to $21 off at various retailers

The popular Echo Dot (3rd Gen) is back down to its lowest price ever. Use Alexa to control your smart home, set alarms and reminders, or play music. Four fun colors are available, including Charcoal, Heather Gray, Sandstone, and Plum.

Even though we adore the fourth generation Echo Dots, the third-generation Dot is still a great buy, and it still holds a special place in our hearts and on our bedside tables. It's smaller and thus may not get quite as loud as the newer model, but some people prefer the lower-profile, hockey puck style compared to the newer spherical shape. Weighing in at less than 11oz, you can easily mount it on the wall, under a cabinet, or above an outlet. And the older style still has the LED ring at the top, where it is more visible when you make an inquiry or issue a command.

At this Black Friday price, you can pick up several pucks as gifts for friends and family or deck out the Alexa-less rooms in your home for less. My personal favorite color in this version is the Heather Gray option, though I also am partial to the Charcoal. If you prefer a simpler look, the Sandstone is understated, or if you like a bold pop of color, the Plum speaker is for you. Actually, just get them all — that would still be cheaper than one of the larger smart speakers currently available!

This insane Echo Dot Black Friday deal is a must-have for your smart home

joe.maring@mobilenations.com (Joe Maring) — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 17:09:35 +0000

Whether you're upgrading or just starting your smart home, the Echo Dot is a fantastic gadget to have — and the new 4th gen model is the best version of the Dot we've ever seen. It's compact, sounds good, and offers endless features thanks to Alexa.

Black Friday has given us ample deals/discounts on Echo hardware, and this is easily one of the best we've seen yet.

Right now, you can buy the Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) and an Amazon Smart Plug for just $34. You get both devices for that price, with this bundle normally costing $75.

Unbeatable bundle

Echo Dot (4th Gen) + Amazon Smart Plug | 55% off

When we think of killer Black Friday deals, this is what we love to see. Amazon is offering a massive discount on one of its Echo bundles, with this one giving you an Echo Dot (4th Gen) and Amazon Smart Plug for one low price of just $34. That's 55% off the normal retail price, so you're getting serious savings.

Starting first with the Echo Dot, this is a key component for any smart home. It can easily fit in any room, the spherical design is a nice upgrade compared to older models, and the speaker quality is much better than you'd expect given the Dot's small price and size. As far as cheap smart speakers go, this is one of the better-sounding ones you can get.

Alexa is what powers the Echo Dot, and as we've said many times before, the possibilities with Alexa are virtually endless. You can use the virtual assistant to control other smart home devices, ask about the weather, and even use features like Alexa Guard that allow the Echo Dot to listen for suspicious sounds in your home while you're gone.

Speaking of smart home devices, the Amazon Smart Plug that's included in this bundle is one of the best of its kind. Set up is extremely easy, you control it with a simple "Alexa" voice command, and you have an option to create schedules to have the plug automatically turn on/off at a set time. And, thanks to the space-saving design, you can have two Smart Plugs on top of each other in a single duplex outlet.

This bundle of the Echo Dot (4th Gen) and Amazon Smart Plug costs $75 during any other time of year, so being able to pick up both of them for a mere $34 is kind of mind-blowing. In other words, we highly recommend snatching this one up.

Amazon Echo vs. Echo Dot: Which should you buy?

Joe Maring — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 14:00:00 +0000

Amazon Echo (4th Gen)

The (4th Gen) Echo is one of the most impressive smart speakers Amazon has released in years — and for a couple of key reasons. This Echo abandons the tall cylindrical shape of past Echos in favor of a shorter circle body. Available in three colors, it looks outstanding. Even more noteworthy is the Echo's new speakers, which are the best we've heard to-date. Audio is loud, packs a big bass punch, and automatically adapts based on the room you're in. Add all that together with the Echo acting as a Zigbee smart hub, and you have one killer package.

Amazon Echo (4th Gen)

Premium sound

Incredible audio quality

Circle design is gorgeous

Zigbee smart home hub

3.5mm audio jack

Good price

LED light can be hard to see

Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen)

It's tradition that the Echo Dot is the cheaper version of the baseline Echo, and that's no different from these fourth-generation speakers. The Echo Dot (4th Gen) has the same design as the regular Echo, but it has a much smaller footprint and ditches some of its higher-end features. There's no Zigbee support and the audio quality isn't as amazing, but the experience you get is still excellent. The Dot's speakers sound very good given the small size, all of the same Alexa features are here, and it can be yours at a much lower price.

Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen)

More affordable

Same circular design

Impressive sound for the size

Fully-featured Alexa

Has a 3.5mm jack

Unbeatable price

Larger than past Echo Dots

Amazon offers an abundance of Alexa-enabled speakers, and right now, the Echo (4th Gen) and Echo Dot (4th Gen) are two of the best ones you can get. If you can afford its $100 asking price, the regular Echo is the way to go. It has a sleek new design, excellent sound quality, and acts as a Zigbee smart hub to help simplify your smart home. For shoppers that want a top-notch Alexa gadget without spending as much cash, the Echo Dot manages to deliver a very similar experience while keeping more money in your wallet.

Amazon Echo vs. Echo Dot Price and availability

The Amazon Echo and Echo Dot are both available for purchase right now, with the regular Echo costing $100 while the Echo Dot will set you back $50. You can buy the speakers on their own, or take advantage of bundles to save some cash.

If you plan on buying two Echos or two Echo Dots together, you can save up to $30 at checkout by using the promo code ECHO2PK. Both also come with an option to get Amazon Music Unlimited free for six months. You can also get an Echo Dot and Echo Auto bundle for $70, saving you a total of $30.

Amazon Echo vs. Echo Dot A tale of two very similar speakers

Source: Jeramy Johnson / Android Central (Image credit: Source: Jeramy Johnson / Android Central)

Despite there being a $50 price difference between the Echo and Echo Dot, these two smart speakers have a lot in common. First and foremost, this is seen with the design.

While the regular Echo is larger than the Echo Dot, the overall look and feel are identical between each one. Both have the same circular shape with a plastic base, fabric covering, and physical buttons on the top. The iconic LED light has been moved to the bottom of each speaker compared to its top placement on previous generations, which can make it a bit more difficult to see at times. Overall, though, this is a very welcome aesthetics upgrade for both models.

We're also happy to see that the Echo and Echo Dot share the same 3.5mm headphone jack, though it's limited to line out on the Dot while the Echo supports line in and out. This means that both versions can be plugged into other speakers to transform them into Alexa-powered ones, but only the $100 Echo allows you to plug in another device and play audio from it (such as connecting the Echo to a TV, tape recorder, etc.).

As for the Alexa experience, it's the same no matter which Echo you buy. You can use Alexa to ask about the weather, control smart home devices, call loved ones, monitor your home for suspicious sounds, and countless other things. You don't have to pay more to access the full Alexa offering, and that's always great to see.

Amazon Echo vs. Echo Dot Where the Echo comes out ahead

Source: Joe Maring / Android Central (Image credit: Source: Joe Maring / Android Central)

That said, there are some key hardware differences between the two Echos that you'll want to take into consideration before making your purchase — the most important being sound quality.

Thanks to its larger size, the Echo can churn out much better audio than the Echo Dot. Between a 3" woofer and two front-firing 0.8" tweeters, everything on the Echo sounds incredibly good. I've listened to a variety of music on the Echo, and time and time again, I come away very impressed. Per my review of the speaker:

The Echo kicks out a ton of bass, but it never gets to the point where it sounds too muddy. You get a nice thump on the low end, but the mid and high end still sounds good to my ears. If the out-of-the-box listening experience is too bass-heavy for your liking, you can always open the Alexa app and change EQ settings for bass, midrange, and treble.

As far as $100 speakers go, the Amazon Echo (4th Gen) is one of the most impressive I've ever heard. You can spend more money on something like a Sonos One or Echo Studio and get even better sound, but when looking at this $100 price bracket, the Echo (4th Gen) is unmatched.

Source: Joe Maring / Android Central (Image credit: Source: Joe Maring / Android Central)

The Echo Dot (4th Gen) has a lot less to work with thanks to its single 1.6" speaker, and naturally, that means it doesn't sound nearly as impressive as the regular Echo. However, given the Echo Dot's small size and price, it's a lot better than you might expect. It's perfectly enjoyable if you're casually listening to music or podcasts, and if you want to pick up two Dots, you can pair them together for stereo audio for the same price as one Echo.

Another advantage of the more expensive Echo is that it doubles as a Zigbee smart hub. If you have Zigbee smart devices in your home (such as Philips Hue bulbs), you can replace their proprietary hub with the Echo.

Finally, the Echo has a couple of smaller changes that — while not as important — are worth keeping in mind. Along with the difference between the 3.5mm jack mentioned above, only the Echo has a 1/4" thread mount on the bottom for easily placing it on a speaker stand.

Amazon Echo vs. Echo Dot Can't go wrong either way

Source: Joe Maring / Android Central (Image credit: Source: Joe Maring / Android Central)

At the end of the day, both the Echo and Echo Dot stand out as two top-notch smart speakers that we're more than happy to recommend. Call it a cop-out if you want, but there's no loser in this comparison.

If you're after a premium Alexa experience but don't want to go overboard with your spending, the Echo (4th Gen) is basically perfect. It sounds excellent, the inclusion of a Zigbee hub is great, and smaller tweaks like the line in/out jack and mounting option help give it a nice functional edge for people that care about those things.

For folks that don't care too much about speaker quality and just want a cheap and easy way to get Alexa in their home, the Echo Dot (4th Gen) has everything you could ask for. It's compact, has every Alexa feature, and even sounds pretty darn good given the small size.

No matter which one you choose, you end up with one of the best Alexa speakers you can buy right now.

Premium sound

Amazon Echo (4th Gen)

The best Alexa experience you can get
Amazon really knocked it out of the park with the Echo (4th Gen). It's not the highest-end Echo you can buy, but it strikes an excellent balance of offering premium features at a competitive price. This Echo looks stunning, sounds way better than it should, and the Zigbee smart home functionality is a great touch.

More affordable

Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen)

Similar speaker for less money
Not ready to spend $100 on the Echo? No problem. The Echo Dot (4th Gen) provides a very similar experience for half the price, making it an unbeatable value pick. It's smaller than the regular Echo, sounds really good given its small size, and has all of the same Alexa features you know and love.

Should you upgrade to the Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition (4th Gen) from the Echo Dot Kids Edition (3rd Gen)?

Chris Wedel — Sat, 07 Nov 2020 16:00:02 +0000

Best answer: Yes, if your child is an active user of the smart speaker, the new Echo Dot Kids has a much-improved processor for better response times. The new design of the speaker also means that it sounds better than previous versions. If you are looking for a new Echo Dot Kids Edition speaker, this also is your only option as the previous generation is no longer being sold.

Roaring to the top: Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition (4th Gen) ($60 at Amazon)

Should you upgrade to the new Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition?

When Amazon announced all of its new products for 2020, the idea of upgrading our existing devices comes up, and if you're a parent, it may mean an upgrade to the new Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition. Typically when Amazon updates a product the previous version will no longer be sold. So, if you don't already have an Echo Dot Kids Edition you'll only be able to purchase the newest version unless you pick up an older option secondhand.

Although, how could you not want the new one, especially with how cute it is? However, a smart speaker is about more than just how it looks, especially when talking about one for a child.

This year Amazon made some big changes to its Echo line-up of speakers, not just the Kids Edition. While at the core, there are a lot of similarities between the previous generation speaker and the new one, there are really two big differences to look at — the shape and the processor.

	Echo Dot (4th Gen)	Echo Dot Kids Edition (3rd Gen)
Size	3.9" x 3.9" x 3.5"	3.9" x 3.9" x 1.7"
Weight	12 oz	10.6 oz
Processor	AZ1 Neural Edge	MediaTek MT516
Speaker	1.6" speaker	1.6" speaker
3.5mm port	Yes	Yes
Bluetooth	Yes	Yes
Wi-Fi	802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz / 5GHz)	802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz / 5GHz)
Buttons	Volume up and down, Mic off, Action button	Volume up and down, Mic off, Action button
Pair for stereo sound	Yes	Yes
Light ring	Runs along base of speaker	Runs along top of speaker
Colors	Tiger Panda	Kids Rainbow Kids Blue
Retail cost	$60	NA

Source: Ara Wagoner / Android Central (Image credit: Source: Ara Wagoner / Android Central)

Starting with the shape, it's a complete overhaul from the traditional look. Changing to a spherical shape does more than just give the new Echo Dot Kids Edition more area to put a cute design on the fabric. It also creates a better acoustic chamber for sound. With this change, as well as focusing the speaker forward, the new version has significantly better sound.

The other major change to the new version is the new custom processor — AZ1 Neural Edge. This change brings a lot of speed as well as intelligence to this generation of Echo speakers. By building in machine learning and on-device processing for common requests, you can expect much faster responses from Alexa.

A faster, smarter custom processor means that impatient children and adults alike will have less waiting around for Alexa to respond.

Of course, a feature that kids and parents love about the Echo Dot Kids Edition speakers is the fun and safe services that come with Amazon Kids+. Formerly known as FreeTime Unlimited, Amazon changed the name but kept the parents' safety controls on top of the kid-focused audiobooks, music, and character alarms.

There's not a major gain in the change to the new version, but there are some tangible benefits to the improved sound and better response processing. Also, since the new Echo Dot Kids Edition is part of the Climate Pledge, you know that the cute Panda or Tiger speaker you are purchasing was produced responsibly.

Roaring to the top

Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition (4th Gen)

Alexa is on a roll
Yes, the new Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition speakers are significantly more adorable than the previous versions. However, below the surface, there's improved sound quality, and with the new processors, it is way faster too.

Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition (4th Gen) review: Like taking candy from Google Assistant

Ara Wagoner — Wed, 04 Nov 2020 11:00:03 +0000

Smart speakers are wonderful tools in the home to help improve your life and reduce your screen time, but in a household with kids, having access to everything Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa can dish up is a bit terrifying. After all, Google will tell you the mating rituals of thousands of different animal species in sometimes brutal detail through Google Search's Knowledge Panel, and if you child asks Alexa for an album the wrong way, they could end up listening to music that they won't be mentally ready for about another decade.

Parental controls on smart speakers are, thankfully, much more present now than they were a few years ago, but Amazon still delivers the most robust and the most user-friendly experience — for both the parent and the kid — with the Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition. We're now on the 4th Gen Echo Dot, and while the Kids Edition didn't even get the 3rd Gen Echo Dot until last fall, it's upgrade time again as we get a new Kids Edition alongside the new Echo Dot and Echo Dot with Clock.

Cuter and cuddlier than ever, the latest Echo Dot Kids Edition packs a rebranded version of Amazon's in-depth parental controls — now called Amazon Kids instead of FreeTime Unlimited — alongside the already stellar warranty and abundance of kids content that the Kids Edition has always come with. If you're wanting a smart speaker for your kid to use — either to get them used to Alexa or just so they stop messing up your music recommendations by playing Frozen 2 eight times a day — the new Kids Edition on the block is the only one you need consider.

Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition (4th Gen) Price and availability

Source: Ara Wagoner / Android Central (Image credit: Source: Ara Wagoner / Android Central)

The Echo Dot Kids Edition (4th Gen) technically went on sale on October 22, but only the Tiger design, which is now back-ordered to Thanksgiving. The alternate design, the serene and monotone Panda, is still in pre-order ahead of a December 9 release. Both designs are the same price of $59.99, $10 more than the standard Echo Dot (4th Gen).

There aren't as many deals to be found on the Kids Edition the way we're seeing "Buy 2 and Save" deals on the regular Echo Dot (4th Gen), but there is a bundle to add in the Amazon Echo Glow for $10. This saves you $20 off the Echo Glow's normal $30 price and gives you an Alexa-controlled color-changing lamp for your kid's nightstand or desk. It's more useful — and fun — than it sounds, but we'll get back to that in a moment.

Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition (4th Gen) What excites my inner child

Source: Ara Wagoner / Android Central (Image credit: Source: Ara Wagoner / Android Central)

Let's start with the most obvious: this is the cutest smart speaker ever!! The Echo Dot 2nd Gen was just a regular black Echo Dot in a colorful rubberized shell, the 3rd Gen was only available in blue or a love-it-or-hate-it rainbow, but the 4th Gen went and overloaded on cuteness. Taking advantage of the new spherical shape and larger canvas — well, acoustically transparent fabric — Amazon has turned the new Echo Dot Kids Edition into friendly animals that kids can talk to Alexa through. I'm reviewing the adorably fierce Tiger, but there's also a Panda pattern if your kid is more of a bear fan than a cat fan.

Whichever pattern you get, you get the same new front-facing arrangement of the speaker inside the Echo Dot, which leads to a slightly louder and slightly clearer sound than the Echo Dot 3rd Gen despite both generations having a 1.6-inch speaker inside their fabric enclosures. The fabric covering the entire top and sides of the speaker also means that the light ring has been shoved to the bottom of the device, reliant on reflecting off whatever tabletop you've set it on to be really visible.

Source: Ara Wagoner / Android Central

The buttons are still up top, and they're closer together than previous generations. We still only have four buttons — a manual Alexa trigger, volume down, volume up, and mute — and the mute button still has a red LED under it that will signal that mute is on in addition to the bottom light ring turning red. I do wish they'd added a blue LED to the Alexa button that would similarly light up when you press it to trigger Alexa — if you're standing up and looking down at the Alexa in a brightly lit room, the light ring can be hidden by the new globular shape. Nonetheless, the buttons are here and easy enough to find on touch alone, should you need to quickly turn down the volume on a character alarm or someone using the Intercom feature to tell everyone to get up for breakfast.

Alexa easily picks up commands over showers and songs, and is tolerant of misspoken phrases.

Alexa has understood me well on the Kids Edition from across the room, and it accurately recognized commands over the noise of a shower when I plugged it in on my bathroom vanity for a shower show-tunes sing-along. Smart home control isn't quite as seamless as with Google Assistant, but it's worlds better than it was just a few years ago, and it's still a single toggle to turn on smart home control for your kid in the Amazon Parents Dashboard. I wish there were more granular controls here — allowing the kid to turn on lights in just their room rather than control lights and temperature for the whole house, for example — but at least it's easy to make sure it's turned on.

Alexa also has a wider array of peripheral smart devices to integrate with it, from board games and toys to whimsical Mickey Mouse wall clock and the earlier-mentioned Echo Glow, which you can bundle with the Kids Edition for $10. I have honestly loved using the Echo Glow as a periodic reminder of daily tasks by setting Alexa Routines of varying colors.

Source: Ara Wagoner / Android Central (Image credit: Source: Ara Wagoner / Android Central)

You can also set the Echo Glow to over a dozen solid colors as well as a handful of color-changing profiles that can fit in with some make-believe playtime, storytime, or various holiday celebrations. The Echo Glow will also cycle through colors with music at times, but it's not consistent. What is consistent (and consistently fun) are the Rainbow Timers you can set on it for any timer two minutes or longer. It's a small feature, but one I wish Google would steal immediately.

Setup of the Echo Dot Kids Edition is just as simple as it is on the regular Echo Dot — it shouldn't take you more than 10 minutes even if you're having to set up multiple kids' profiles — and once you set up the speaker, your kids can have access to hundreds of skills, playlists, radio stations, and audiobooks through Alexa and Amazon Kids+.

Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition (4th Gen) Amazon Kids+

Source: Ara Wagoner / Android Central (Image credit: Source: Ara Wagoner / Android Central)

The new Echo Dot Kids Edition comes with a year of "Amazon Kids+", which is actually just a rebranding of FreeTime Unlimited, the premium service that Kids Edition Amazon products came with before. While Kids+ comes with a few upgrades for tablets — a new home screen theme for older kids, and some more additions to the video library — the service is totally unchanged from FreeTime Unlimited. It's just a new name that's easier to spell and remember.

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Source: Android Central)

You can use Amazon Kids for managing the parental controls on any Alexa smart speaker/display — as well as using it to create a kid-friendly sandbox for your kid to use on your phone or tablet. The Kids+ subscription upgrade adds more enhanced controls for parents, as well as a ton of Skills, music, podcasts, and audiobooks for your kid. You even get licensed character alarms so your kid can be woken up by Baymax, Olaf, or other characters rather than a grating alarm tone.

If you're willing to dig into everything your child does on the Echo Dot Kids Edition, Amazon Kids+ and the Amazon Parents Dashboard will let you monitor their interests and what educational subjects they've been engaging with in Alexa skill games and apps. If you don't want to micromanage, it's easy to skim the usage graph and ensure that your kid isn't over-using their new smart speaker — and if they are, you can set daily time limits as well as quiet times when Alexa is paused, such as overnight when your kid is supposed to be asleep. You can also pause Alexa for misbehaving kids, if someone needs technology time-out.

Source: Android Central

While Amazon Kids+ works with three of the most popular music services — Spotify, Apple Music, and Pandora — as well as with all levels of Amazon Music, it means that your kids will be able to use only a fraction of the music services that Alexa is compatible with, should they want music beyond the included playlists and radio stations. If you have a family subscription to another music service like Tidal or Deezer, the only way your child can access them on the Kids Edition is by completely disabling the Explicit Filter, which has to be done in the Device settings rather than in the regular Music settings in the Amazon Parents Dashboard.

As a YouTube Music user, I was stuck with the included music from Amazon Kids+ as well as Prime Music, but let's be real, if you're into Alexa enough to buy a smart speaker specifically for your kids, chances are you aren't a YouTube Music subscriber. As a Disney nerd, I still had plenty to listen to between soundtracks and the Disney-made playlists.

Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition (4th Gen) What makes me want to tantrum

Source: Ara Wagoner / Android Central (Image credit: Source: Ara Wagoner / Android Central)

While the sound quality is slightly improved in this new generation of Echo Dot, it's an iterative update: rather than the speaker being omnidirectional like the 3rd Gen, the speaker is front-facing. This means that you get a better sound while you're directly in front of the speaker, but if you put the speaker in the middle of a playroom or living room, one side of the room is going to sound worse than the other. Granted, it's not going to be terrible, but it's just enough of a difference to be noticeable.

As most people place smart speakers in a corner or against a wall rather than in the middle of a room, this shouldn't be an issue for most, but it's worth noting if you intend to put it smack dab in the middle of a playroom. Another drawback of this directionality is that while the Echo Dot Kids Edition had no trouble picking up my commands while the tiger face was pointed at me — even over the noise of a shower — if I had the Echo Dot pointed at the couch but was to the right of the speaker in the kitchen area, I had to shout to be heard though I was only 10-12 feet away.

Source: Ara Wagoner / Android Central (Image credit: Source: Ara Wagoner / Android Central)

Like the 3rd Gen, the Echo Dot Kids Edition (4th Gen) uses a barrel plug AC adapter. While this makes sense in that it means that there's no concern over not getting enough power — as the micro-USB-powered Echo Dot 2nd Gen had at times — it also means that if your kid breaks the cable, you'll have to shell out for a specifically-made replacement wall adapter. USB-C power delivery would've provided users with better access to replacement chargers, as well as the ability to use longer or shorter cables.

As a longtime Google Assistant user, I do have one small knock for the Kids Edition and all Echo speakers: how, how do you not have the option for the Alexa button to function as a play/pause button when listening to music? It's infuriating that you have to give an oral command to even momentarily pause music on your Echo Dot while answering who's at the door or answering a phone call from my mother.

Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition (4th Gen) Competition

Source: Jeramy Johnson / Android Central (Image credit: Source: Jeramy Johnson / Android Central)

When it comes to relatively compact smart speakers, there's a huge amount of competition even from Amazon itself: the 3rd Gen Echo Dot is down to $20 and offers the same volume and features as the 4th Gen, just without the cuddly face, a free year of Amazon Kids+, or the two-year worry-free warranty. There's even an argument to be made that the 3rd Gen is the better buy if you're planning to mount the Echo Dot somewhere up and out of the way where the kids can call out to it but can't do anything crazy to it.

That said, a full year of Amazon Kids+ for a family — if you have more than one kid's profile — is $70 with Amazon Prime and $100 without Prime, so going with the 3rd Gen means you're shelling out $90 instead of $60. This means unless you already have an existing Amazon FreeTime Unlimited / Amazon Kids subscription, buying the old model will actually cost you more money. Should you have FreeTime Unlimited already and your child thinks the Tiger/Panda designs are "for babies", another option you might want to opt for is the Amazon Echo Dot with Clock (4th Gen), which is the same $60 price tag as the Kids Edition but has the "Buy 2, save $20 with DOT2PACK" promotion. The Clock can also be helpful in keeping kids on-time for chores, homework, and bedtime.

If your household is already using Google Assistant, the Nest Mini is a perfectly good small speaker that's perfect for bedrooms and bathrooms and basically any room of the house you and your kids use. The problem is that Google Assistant's child-allowed activities are ridiculously limited — kids can't even play YouTube Kids videos or kids music through YouTube Music. This means you're likely either not going to use a kids' profile and just let the kid use Google Assistant normally through your account or you're going to link your child's full-fledged Google account if your child is old enough to have one.

Yeeeeesh, Google really needs to get it together when it comes to family and kids' experiences.

Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition (4th Gen) Should you buy it?

Source: Ara Wagoner / Android Central (Image credit: Source: Ara Wagoner / Android Central)

You should buy this if ...

You already have Alexa in your home

If you already have a full-size Echo in the living room or maybe some Echo Show smart displays in the kitchen and the office, adding a Kids Edition for younger family members is the next logical step. It safely lets your kids use Alexa for things like listening to music, playing games, or calling Grandpa on his Echo Show without letting them run amok buying things via voice or stumbling on inappropriate content while looking up animal factoids.

You need a child-proof speaker

Kids break things, so having a smart speaker with a two-year no-questions-asked warranty means that when they "feed the lion" a juice box or throw it when they're paused, you can get it replaced, no sweat. Heck, adults who are accident-prone (like me) might want to spend the extra $10 for the Kids Edition for the warranty alone.

You want a wider array of peripherals

While most third-party smart home accessories work with both Assistant and Alexa, Amazon Echo devices definitely have the edge when it comes to accessories and accompanying devices, like the Echo Glow smart light and the Echo Wall Clock Mickey Mouse Edition.

You should not buy this if ...

You don't use Alexa

It should go without saying, but as someone living in a Google Assistant house, the Kids Edition felt mighty lonely since all my services and skills are set up on Assistant, not Alexa. Just because the Echo Dot Kids Edition is a better value and better suited for younger users doesn't mean you should buy it for your kids if you already have multiple Google Assistant speakers/displays in your home.

You use an unsupported music service

While Amazon Kids+ comes with a variety of Amazon Music playlists and radio stations (which are powered by dozens of channels), if your family is already on a music plan that isn't Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music or Amazon Music, your kid won't be able to use it on the Echo Dot Kids Edition. Alexa can interact with about a dozen music providers for regular users, but the extra parental control integration is only available through those four services.

You hate cuteness and joy

Just look at the cute face on this speaker! Even if it didn't come with Amazon Kids+ this would still be the Echo Dot to buy because you get a much, much better warranty and adorable style. Boring black and white smart speakers are so 2016, it's time for something better! Cuddlier! 🐯Rawr!🐯

4.5 out of 5

In a world where our kids are surrounded by technology, the Echo Dot Kids Edition (4th Gen) is one of the best ways to ease a child into the wonderful — and often intimidating or overwhelming — world of digital assistants and curated children's content. Amazon Kids+ gives you total control over your child's Alexa experience while also giving your kid access to tons of fun and educational skills, games, audiobooks, and family-friendly music.

A year of Amazon Kids+ is worth $70 and the Echo Dot Kids Edition is $60, making this bundle an excellent value, and the ability to add in a fun little RGB lamp like the Echo Glow for $10 more makes it even more fun — and functional, with the ability to set color routines and Rainbow timers. Add in improved sound and even cuter designs than the 3rd Gen's rainbow swirl, and the Echo Dot Kids Edition (4th Gen) is the best family-focused smart speaker yet.

Best for the family

Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition (4th Gen)

Cuddlier shape and crisper sound
The Echo Dot (4th Gen) may not be a revolutionary update, but between the cute new designs, boosted sound profile, and the best warranty in smart home tech, the latest Kids Edition is still a winner.

Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen) Review: Bigger, better, and much louder

Russell Holly — Wed, 28 Oct 2020 09:00:00 +0000

When people say they have an Amazon Echo, they almost always mean they have an Echo Dot. The cheapest of the Echo family regularly drops into stocking-stuffer price points, which allowed for these speakers to quickly rise in popularity over the last two years. But popularity doesn't necessarily mean quality, and the competition quickly moved to make mini speakers with better speakers and a more visually pleasing design.

Amazon, now on the third generation of its Echo product line, has responded with a new Dot. And at first glance, it looks an awful lot like Amazon is reacting to the competition. After a few days of using it, and seeing how much better this new speaker is over its predecessor, I think the only company Amazon is competing with is itself.

The Good

MUCH louder
Nice tactile buttons
Improved design
Easy set up

The Bad

No more USB port
Audio gets muddy at top volumes
Light animations aren't as smooth

Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen) Price and release date

Source: Amazon (Image credit: Source: Amazon)

The Echo Dot (3rd Gen) made its debut in October 2017, and set the tone for how Amazon Echo speakers would look for the next several years, at least until the fourth-generation Echo Dots were released in late 2020.

Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen) What I like

I thought I knew exactly what I was getting myself into as I opened the box to the new Echo Dot. It's an Echo, after all. Alexa is a ubiquitous platform, and the Echo Dot is supposed to be the low end of what this experience offers. I wasn't expecting a lot of surprises here, as I already have multiple 2nd Gen Echo Dots in the house.

Wow, was I wrong.

Every part of this experience exceeded my expectations, starting with the initial set up. On multiple occasions, I have had to go in through the Alexa app and manually pair to an Echo product because the auto detection had failed. This time it immediately connected and, because my Wi-Fi network was stored in my Amazon account, was available on my network almost instantly.

This new Echo Dot is loud, especially when compared to its predecessor. Sitting the two side by side, a 2nd Gen Echo Dot at max volume is right around as loud as a 3rd Gen Echo Dot is at 30%.

It's not just louder, too; there's a lot more character to the audio. You get some bass with your little speaker, which absolutely could not be said of the last Echo Dot. If you were planning on listening to music with the last Echo Dot, you really needed to connect a speaker to the 3.5mm jack at the back. With this new Echo Dot you can certainly do the same, but in smaller rooms, you probably won't need to. In fact, there's a reasonable argument to be made for having two of these Echo Dots paired and playing audio together from different sides of the room instead.

This increase in volume meant a change in how the microphones on the Echo Dot are set up. The previous generation could barely handle picking up the Alexa passphrase when playing music at a reasonable volume, and the little animation for where the microphone thought the request was coming from is frequently wrong. This new Echo Dot has multiple microphones and does a noticeably better job picking up your voice even when the volume is up high. You can see the four microphone holes on the top of the speaker clearly, and the results are obvious from the moment you set it up.

This thing sounds better than its size suggests. A lot better.

Finally, I realize this is a small thing most people won't notice, but the buttons on the top of the Echo Dot feel really nice. This speaker has the same four buttons its predecessor has, but they all have a more tactile and satisfying click when you press down on them. No more spongey buttons is a great thing, even if these buttons don't get a lot of use.

Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen) What I don't like

Amazon gets lots of credit for making the speakers on the Echo Dot louder and adding some character to the sound these speakers produce, but louder does not mean better. At higher volumes, the audio quality on this speaker suffers. Everything becomes a little muddy at the 70% mark, and gets noticeably worse as it gets louder. At 100%, none of the songs I played on it were things I wanted to listen to. It's cool to be able to say this speaker is louder and noticeably better than the one in the Google Home Mini, but kind of hard to see how it matters much if you don't ever want to use it at those louder volumes.

This new Echo Dot is an improvement in nearly every way.

This new, louder speaker requires more power to drive it, which makes sense. The small 9W power adapter included in the previous Echo Dot has been replaced with a larger 15W power adapter, and at the other end the miniUSB has been replaces with a barrel connector. This isn't a big deal to many, but I really liked being able to grab a random cable and use it to power an Echo Dot. I liked being able to connect to things that weren't a standard wall outlet, but those features are gone now. And, honestly, I doubt many others will notice.

Amazon's new design makes the light ring around the outside of the Echo Dot more visible from more angles, which is fantastic. Lots of people rely on this light animation to confirm Alexa is listening before giving a command. This new design doesn't contain an LED array that is quite as densely packed as some other Echo products, though, so the animations look a little segmented at times and not quite as smooth as I've come to expect from this line of products. Also not a huge deal, just worth noting if you're already a fan of these speakers.

Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen) Should you buy it?

Amazon didn't make a speaker to compete with Google or Apple. It made a speaker for people who want to try Alexa for the first time, or who already own an Echo Dot. This speaker isn't going to convince anyone to switch platforms, and until we get to the holidays and Amazon drops it down to those crazy $30 prices there won't be a mad rush to buy these from people who don't already own them.

But if you own an Echo Dot right now and aren't totally thrilled with it, this new upgrade is an improvement in nearly every way. If you are already a fan of the Alexa ecosystem, you're going to love this speaker. In fact, if you're looking for a first smart speaker, we think this is the one you should buy.

4.5 out of 5

Personally, I'm excited to see which company makes a big battery enclosure for this so it can be portable. That worked really well for the last generation.

Should you buy an Amazon Echo Dot on Prime Day?

Jared DiPane — Tue, 13 Oct 2020 08:00:03 +0000

Yes! Amazon Prime Day always brings the best pricing of the year to Amazon's own hardware, including its most affordable smart speaker. Normally, the Echo Dot sells for closer to $50, so at this price, it's an absolute no-brainer purchase, even if you already own multiple Dots.

These tend to sell very well, and certain colors are likely to sell out during Prime Day. If you are interested in securing one for yourself, be sure to get your order in now!

From $18.99 at Amazon

It's finally here! After a few delays, the Prime Day deals are finally flowing, and you may be considering a few purchases. One of the most popular items to be purchased on Prime Day year after year is the Echo Dot, and you may be considering buying one for yourself this year. Whether you already have one or two or are finally looking to get your first, a question in your head may be whether Prime Day is a good time to buy an Echo Dot or not.

Echo Dots have become the default smart speaker in many homes worldwide. They're affordable, attractive devices that give you control over your smart home and your music through Amazon's Alexa voice assistant.

The third-generation Echo Dot ushered in a softer, more inviting style than its hockey puck predecessors, and that style lasted for just over two years. In its fourth-generation, the Echo Dot family closely resembles the larger Echo with a spherical shape and matching color palette.

The Echo Dot (3rd Gen) family of devices is still available (with the exception of the original Echo Dot with Clock), and they are heavily discounted through Prime Day. With the Echo Dot (4th Gen) family still only available for pre-order, it's unlikely to be discounted much, if at all, for Prime Day.

Source: Amazon (Image credit: Source: Amazon)

With Black Friday right around the corner, we understand the hesitation, but we fully recommend buying an Echo Dot on Prime Day for a few reasons.

Prime Day is the best time to buy any Amazon device

Historically, Amazon has always put its own devices front and center of all discounts. It's usually the best time of the year to pick up any of its hardware, including Echo smart speakers, Echo Show devices, Fire tablets, Fire TV devices, and Kindles. Usually, Amazon drops the price to the lowest its been for the year during Prime Day, which means that it's a great time to buy one. Prime Day 2020 is no different.

Look for Echo Dot bundles to save more

Though you can score the Echo Dot (3rd Gen) speaker for just $19, you can still bundle it with a smart bulb or smart plug for some extra savings.

Similarly, the newer 4th-gen Echo Dot offers some savings when bundled with a smart plug, as does the Echo Dot with Clock (4th Gen).

The new Echo Dot Kids Edition (4th Gen) is super-cute, and it's made all the better when paired with the Echo Glow smart light for just $10 more.

Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen)

Right now, you can save big on the Echo Dot (3rd Gen), so you may want to pick up a few of them before the discounts run out!

Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition (3rd Gen)

While these may not be as cute as the new Panda and Tiger Echo Dot Kids Editions, these turquoise and rainbow-colored pucks are still super cute and super useful.

Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen)

The fourth-generation Echo Dot now comes in a spherical shape and is available in Charcoal, Glacier White, and Twilight Blue.

Amazon Echo Dot with Clock (4th Gen)

The second version of the Echo Dot with Clock also comes in a spherical shape and is now available in two classy colors.

Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition (4th Gen)

Your little ones are going to love interacting with age-appropriate music and games through these fun tiger and panda-themed Echo Dots.

Black Friday pricing isn't likely to be lower than this

With Black Friday just a few short weeks away, it's unlikely that Amazon will beat this pricing during the holiday shopping season. Historically, Amazon has matched the pricing during Black Friday, but if product availability is as light on Black Friday as it has been for the rest of this year, it's unlikely we see Amazon attempt to beat the price if they even match it then.

Overall, we think that the time to buy an Echo Dot is right now. Be sure to check out the rest of the deals now to see what else is worth buying on Prime Day 2020!

Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) vs. Nest Mini: Which should you buy?

Jeramy Johnson — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 04:02:52 +0000

Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen)

The 4th-generation Echo Dot looks better than ever, with a new rounded design and additional color options. It is also more environmentally friendly and more kid-friendly than ever before.

Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen)

Round sound

New spherical design

Available in Twilight Blue color variant

Alexa for kids mode

Light ring conveys different types of alerts

50% post-consumer recycled plastics

Climate Pledge Friendly certified

Doesn't work with Google Assistant

No built-in smart hub

Nest Mini (2nd Gen)

The 2nd-generation Nest Mini came out in late 2019 and continues to impress to this day. It was the first of these smart speaker to feature recycled materials in its construction, and it has gained a few features since we last compared it against the Echo Dot.

Nest Mini (2nd Gen)

Google Home Gateway

Better processor and improved machine learning over first-generation

Improved sound over first-generation Mini

Can be wall-mounted or sit flat on a table or shelf

Fabric covering made from recycled materials

Doesn't work with Amazon Alexa

Touch UI is confusing

After the Nest Mini (2nd Gen) was announced in late 2019, we were quick to sing its praises and name it as our top small smart speaker, but now that there is a new device from Amazon we must reevaluate and compare the Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) vs. the Nest Mini. Which svelte speaker is going to take the crown in this showdown? Let's find out!

Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) vs. Nest Mini: Spec showdown

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Source: Android Central)

It's a given that the Echo Dot will work better with Amazon's smart home products such as Ring, Blink, and Eero, and the Nest Mini will work better with products in the Nest ecosystem and that each only works with those company's respective voice assistants, so we'll gloss over that for now. Instead, let's examine how the actual devices compare, spec for spec, and feature for feature.

	Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen)	Nest Mini
Weight	12 oz	6.1 oz
Size	3.9" x 3.9" x 3.5"	3.9" x 3.9" x 1.7"
Microphones	Yes	Yes
Mute button	Yes	Yes
Speakers	1 x 1.6"	1 x 1.58"
Streaming	Bluetooth 3.5mm audio jack	Bluetooth Chromecast
Smart home controls	Yes	Yes
Virtual asssistant	Alexa	Google Assistant
Pair multiple for stereo sound	Yes	Yes
Audio calls	Yes	Yes
Other versions	Yes Echo Dot with Clock Echo Dot Kids Edition	No
Home security features	Yes Alexa Guard/Guard+ integration	Yes Nest Aware integration
Finishes	Fabric - 3 colors Charcoal Glacier White Twilight Blue	Fabric — 4 colors Coral Sky Charcoal Chalk

Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) vs. Nest Mini (2nd Gen): Alexa comes 'round

Source: Amazon (Image credit: Source: Amazon)

The Echo Dot has long been the most popular Amazon smart speaker, if not the default smart speaker in most homes across the U.S. and worldwide. It has always been small enough to be unobtrusive while still providing passable audio and easy, hands-free controls for your smart home through Alexa. While the third-generation got a softer look and some interesting color variations (hello Plum), the Dot retained the familiar hockey puck form factor since its introduction way back in 2016.

In 2020, Amazon revamped and revitalized the look and feel of the entire Echo speaker lineup, from the "regular" Echo (4th Gen) and the Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) all the way down to the Echo Dot lineup. Except for the screened Show devices, the Echo speakers all sport a fun new spherical design, while maintaining the physical buttons and iconic light ring that users have come to know and love. The Echo Dot is available in Charcoal, Glacier White, and Twilight Blue (my favorite). Amazon also announced updates to the Echo series's other variants, the Echo Dot with Clock and Echo Dot Kids Edition.

In addition to a promised improvement in sound quality, the new Echos also come with some exciting features and capabilities, including Alexa voice profiles for kids mode that can recognize younger voice and tailor appropriate content and responses for them, and new Alexa Guard and Gaurd+ abilities. The Echo Dots can also work with Amazon's Care Hub initiative that promises to provide independence for elders and peace of mind to their caregivers and loved ones.

With the new Echo lineup, Amazon has followed Google's sustainability efforts when introducing the Nest Mini last year. 50% of the Echo Dot is made from post-consumer recycled plastics, and the new devices are also certified Climate Pledge Friendly.

Amazon often discounts the Echo Dot speakers more than any of its other Alexa devices, and it frequently bundles them with other smart home appliances like smartplugs.

The biggest downside to the Echo Dot (4th Gen) — aside from it not working with the Google Assistant — is that it doesn't have a built-in Zigbee hub like its larger siblings, the Echo (4th Gen), Echo Studio, Echo Plus, and Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen).

Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) vs. Nest Mini (2nd Gen): Google/Nest starter kit

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Source: Android Central)

As beloved a form factor as the soft and colorful Nest Mini is, you could almost argue that it more closely resembles a dot shape than any of Amazon's Echo speakers do.

As we gushed in our review of the Nest Mini last fall, this device is the go-anywhere, place-anywhere smart speaker of the year (though Amazon's Echo Flex may have something to say about that). This little speaker is small enough that it won't take up much counter space, but it also comes with mounting holes and screws so you can hang it up on the wall if that better suits your needs or preferences.

Google was one of the first smart speaker manufacturers to introduce sustainable, recycled materials to its manufacturing process, and the Nest Mini (2nd Gen) was the device that brought this process to the world's attention. Along with a more environmentally-friendly construction, Google made the processor and speaker more powerful, so not only was it a better speaker than the previous generation, but it was also a smarter speaker.

We briefly mentioned above how the Echo Dot (4th Gen) can be used as a sort of security device with Alexa Guard, and over the past year, Google has added similar functionality to its Nest smart speakers. Nest Mini owners who also have a Nest Aware subscription will be able to set their devices to detect sounds like fire alarms and breaking glass, much like the Amazon Echos can.

Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) vs. Nest Mini (2nd Gen): Which should you buy?

Last year the newer Nest Mini was our pick in this matchup, but this year the clear winner is the Echo Dot (4th Gen). Its new design and colors provide more of a statement piece to your personal space. Its more extensive smart home integrations and advanced Alexa modes also trump any comparable measures by Google/Nest. Plus, Amazon Echos can still plug into more streaming services than Nest can, which is particularly helpful if you're an Apple Music subscriber.

That being said, if you are heavily invested in the Nest ecosystem and prefer interacting with the Google Assistant, the Nest Mini is still a great choice, as are its complementary devices such as the Nest Hub Max and the new Nest Audio speaker.

Whichever mini smart speaker you go with, you're getting a lot of smarts for a small expense.

Round Sound

Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen)

Spectacular sphere
Amazon's new Echo Dot is round, has a larger, more powerful speaker than the previous generation, and looks great.

Google Home Gateway

Google Nest Mini (2nd Gen)

A nice little Nest
There isn't much room in such a small device for large improvements, but somehow Nest pulled it off. 2 X better bass and more on-device smarts over the previous version make this a smart buy.

Amazon Echo Dot with Clock review: An essential tool for any Alexa home

Jeramy Johnson — Wed, 07 Oct 2020 17:00:00 +0000

The Echo Dot with Clock has been one of the most favorably-received products to come from Amazon in 2019 and for good reason. It is a product update that could just as easily be described as the Echo Dot (3rd Gen) "Plus" if you will, because it doesn't look that different than the 3rd Gen, especially when it's not plugged in. The size, form factor, speaker, microphones, and sound quality are all the same as that device, which impressed us last year when it was released. So what's different you ask? Well, it's all right there in the name — that clock!

I've been a fan of the Echo since its debut in late 2014, and I still have several assorted sizes and colors of the various tubes, pucks, and screens spread out around my house (heck, I even have an Alexa device in my shower!), so I'm no stranger to what the Echo Dot is or what Alexa can do through it. It's been a while since I've had an LED alarm clock in my bedroom, though, so I was eager to try out this device to see how I liked it.

The Echo Dot with Clock is a seemingly minor update to a popular existing product line, but it has the potential to really enhance the overall usefulness of the product. Can it deliver on that promise? That's what I set to find out.

Amazon Echo Dot with Clock Price and release date

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Source: Android Central)

The Echo Dot with Clock (3rd Gen) was announced in the fall of 2019 and retailed for $60 at launch, and this little Alexa device has frequently gone on sale at Amazon and other retailers many times over the past year.

With the impending arrival of the newer Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen), the 3rd-generation Echo Dot with Clock has had limited availablity on Amazon's website. However, I wouldn't be surprised to see it come back on sale during Amazon Prime Day 2020 on October 13-14, particularly as part of a smart home bundle. Regardless, I think it's a safe bet that the 4th-generation device will see a price discount during Black Friday 2020 as well.

Amazon Echo Dot with Clock What I like

Source: Jeramy Johnson / Android Central (Image credit: Source: Jeramy Johnson / Android Central)

Coming from the first and second-generation Echo Dots, I was really impressed with how much better the Echo Dot with Clock (and by extension, the third-generation Echo Dot) looked, felt, and sounded, I know I'm a bit late to the party, but my previous Dots are still going strong, so I didn't see the need to upgrade just yet. I do now.

I didn't see the need to upgrade before. I do now.

The improvements to the speaker from Gen 2 to Gen 3 are night and day, and I think this little Dot can go toe-to-toe with my bigger Echoes (1st and 2nd Gen and Echo Show 5) in terms of sheer volume and gravitas. When testing it in my office, I actually think the Echo Dot with Clock sounded better at medium and high volumes than my Echo Show 5. Perhaps this is because the Show 5 has rear-firing speakers and so the sound wasn't coming directly at me, but color me impressed.

I still really like that Amazon has stuck with the physical buttons on the top of the Echo speakers. I personally find this way more intuitive and easier to use than the capacitive touch controls on something like a Nest Mini. I also love the iconic blue LED light ring that Amazon uses to indicate different kinds of alerts, updates, and statuses (though I do wish they'd make it a little easier to know what each ring color means... like maybe by putting it on the instructions in the box, or including more detail about it on the product page).

I also like that Amazon continues to ship these Echo devices with a 3.5mm audio jack, so that you can plug in headphones (yes, I still have some) or connect the Echo to a larger, better legacy speaker if you so choose. Why other smart speaker manufacturers like Google/Nest don't do this baffles me.

Amazon is really trying to hammer home its concern for user privacy, and it prominently features callouts to this on the product web page and in the directions included in the box. As with other Echo devices, the Echo Dot with Clock has a physical mute button on the top of the device that, when pressed, activates a red LED light ring to give you a visual confirmation that the device isn't listening to you. You can also ask Alexa to "delete what I just said" or "delete my recordings for the last month" at any time, or manage your voice recordings and personal data in the Amazon Privacy Hub.

Source: Jeramy Johnson / Android Central (Image credit: Source: Jeramy Johnson / Android Central)

Now to address the hot new feature — that LED clock and display. It seems like such an obvious feature that it's a wonder it took Amazon this long to add it. The Echo Dot makes a perfect bedside or desktop companion, as these are places where it is beneficial to have a clock or timer and not much else to distract you from sleeping, working, or whatever you may be doing. And for only $10 more than the regular Echo Dot (3rd Gen), I think the LEDs are truly a killer feature of the Echo Dot with Clock.

As you can see from the photos above, the Echo Dot with Clock will keep a constant display of the time, which thankfully sets automatically when you connect it to your Wi-Fi (I hate manually setting clocks). You can also ask Alexa what the temperature is outside and that will appear on the LED display. Additionally, if you ask Alexa to set a timer, the live countdown will appear. As far as I could tell, the LED display doesn't appear to be dynamic, as in it doesn't get brighter in the light or darker in the shadows; rather, it stays at a slightly dim, yet still visible, level of brightness.*

Update - 11/21/19, it was pointed out to me that the Echo Dot with Clock DOES in fact have adaptive brightness, which you can toggle on/off or adjust in the Display settings for the device in the Alexa app. It is set on by default, which is why I didn't notice it... it's just that good!

Any requests I made of Alexa regarding time or timers, or even the weather, were met with an immediate verbal response from the speaker and an immediate visual response on the LED display, and it was impressive to see the answers to those questions put on display so quickly.

Source: Jeramy Johnson / Android Central

Another fun feature of the Echo Dot with Clock is its tap to snooze setting. When an alarm that you set goes off, you can shush it by tapping on the top of the Dot (like you would a traditional alarm clock), and the alarm will be silenced. This feature can be controlled in the Alexa app settings per the images below. A nice nostalgic touch to a modern alarm clock!

Amazon Echo Dot with Clock What don't I like

Source: Jeramy Johnson / Android Central (Image credit: Source: Jeramy Johnson / Android Central)

Honestly, I don't have many complaints about this little device. I think the price is fair, especially when you compare it against the Echo Dot (3rd Gen) or Nest Mini which are only $10 less but have less overall utility. I also think it looks good and sounds pretty great too. But if I were to pull on a few threads that were bothering me ever so slightly, it would be the following...

I think the Sandstone (white) color looks nice and complements the white LED lights well, but I feel it would be even better if Amazon would give us a few more color options (at least a Charcoal version too?). There are now four color variations of the 3rd Gen Echo Dot (Sandstone, Charcoal, Heather Gray, and Plum) and the same amount for the Nest Mini (Chalk, Charcoal, Coral, and Sky), so not adding at least one more color to the Echo Dot with Clock line seems like a missed opportunity. Perhaps we'll see another color roll out in the near future, or at the very least when the product is next updated. It's possible Amazon didn't think the white LEDs would look good behind a darker fabric, or that they just wanted to test the waters to see what the reception to this device would be. Not sure.

It's possible Amazon didn't think the white LEDs would look good behind a darker fabric.

Another minor annoyance is that this generation of Dot (and other recent Echoes) have forgone a USB charging port for a more traditional power port. It was nice to be able to get a longer (or shorter) USB cord when I needed it, or to power it off of another device. Minor quibble, but worth noting.

And finally, as much as I liked the sound and as improved as it is over older Dots, it's still not top-notch. I felt like the louder I cranked it, the more the highs got a little distorted, particularly when playing music with a heavy beat like rap or rock. Vocals and acoustic music sounded really great, though.

Amazon Echo Dot with Clock Should you buy it?

Source: Jeramy Johnson / Android Central (Image credit: Source: Jeramy Johnson / Android Central)

In case you couldn't tell, I think the Echo Dot with Clock is a great little smart speaker — and could be considered one of the best Alexa speakers available. It has a handy always-on display that can show you the time, the weather, or a countdown timer, and it sounds better than any Dot before it. It is priced competitively with similar devices, and should be on sale quite a bit in the coming months.

4.5 out of 5

If you are in the market for your first smart speaker, or if you just want to add another one (or more) around your home, I fully recommend that you pick this up over the regular Echo Dot (3rd Gen), unless you REALLY care about the lack of color options. Even still, I think the added utility of the LED display outweighs the color considerations.

Make a dash to get this Dot

Echo Dot with Clock

Time to upgrade your Dot
The smallest Echo speaker now comes with an LED clock, and when an alarm comes up, you can tap the top to snooze it.

How to pair two Amazon Echo speakers to make a stereo pair

marc@mobilenations.com (Marc Lagace) — Mon, 05 Oct 2020 18:00:00 +0000

One of the perks of owning multiple smart speakers in your home is the ability to link them all together, and we're going to show you how you can stereo pair two of your Amazon Echo speakers. The Alexa app makes it easy to cast the same music across multiple rooms in your home, but did you know that you can also pair and group multiple Echos? Read on to learn how!

What you need to know about Amazon Echo

Stereo pairing is available for the 2nd generation Echo, the 3rd generation Echo, the 3rd generation Echo Dot, the Echo Studio, and both the first gen and 2nd gen Echo Plus. Pairing and grouping will also be avalable for the newly announced 4th generation Echo and Echo Dots.

However, note that you can only pair two of the same speakers together. That means your available configurations are two standard Echo speakers, two Echo Dots, etc. Note that both speakers need to be in the same room and within a meter or so of each other for setup and pairing. If you already own a compatible speaker, you just need to buy a second one to complete the pair.

Stereo pairing follows the same setup steps as the Amazon Echo Sub, which needs to be paired with one or more standard Echo speakers and can be included in a stereo pairing for enhanced bass.

How to set up a stereo pair of two Amazon Echo speakers

You'll need to have all your Echo speakers plugged in and set up on the same Amazon account before you go about pairing them. We'll show you how the process for pairing two like speakers together works. Luckily, it's as easy as adding a new Echo product to your network.

Tap the Devices tab in the Alexa app.
Tap the Add (+) icon in the top corner.
Tap Set Up Audio System.Source: Android Central

Tap Stereo Pair.
You'll see your list of available Echo speakers. Pick two of the same type of speaker that you want to stereo pair together.Source: Android Central

You'll be asked to set a channel for each speaker. This will depend on each speaker's placement in your room.

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Source: Android Central)

Once you've gone through this process, your new stereo pairing will appear as a speaker group in the Alexa app. Amazon Echo stereo pairing only officially supports music streaming through the app, and Amazon does not recommend using an AUX-in connection for a stereo pair.

Not seeing one of your speakers show up in your list of available devices? You're only able to pair together speakers that are not already paired with another group, so you'll need to make sure to unpair any speakers before you go about adding the stereo pair. Also, if you find yourself unpairing a group of speakers that includes an Echo Sub, the Echo Sub will need to be reactivated by grouping it with another Echo speaker before you can use it again.

Our top equipment picks

If you're looking to buy one of the best Alexa speakers, the Echo Studio offers the best sound quality at a higher price, but the Echo Sub bundle that comes with two third-generation Echo speakers is the best value.

Best value

Amazon Echo Dot (3rd gen)

An affordable way to add stereo paired smart speakers
Amazon's redesigned Dot speakers offer slightly better audio quality than previous editions while still maintaining a great entry-level price. You can buy two for under the price of one Echo (3rd Gen).

Note: Amazon recently introduced the Echo Dot (4th Gen), which is now available for pre-order. We will update this list when we get our hands on the new speaker.

Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen)

Amazon's new Echo Dot is round, has a larger, more powerful speaker than the previous generation, and looks great.

The best sound in a single Echo

Amazon Echo Studio

Great alone or with friends
The Echo Studio is about providing the best sound possible. It can do so on its own — or you can pair it with another Echo Studio, Echo Sub, and/or with your Fire TV for a surround-sound experience.

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