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I've had the original Echo (which I will refer to as the Echo) for a year and a half and have loved it, but the new Echo Dot (which I will refer to as the Dot) makes it so much more practical to have more than one to cover the whole home, which was the thing I was lacking most before. For $50, the Dot is an incredible device, and the price point makes it pretty painless to pick up a few of them or give them as gifts. I got the six pack for the promotion and put one in every room of my apartment, besides the office where I keep the Echo now.
I'm not going to focus too much on the specific features of Alexa (the voice assistant that drives the Echo devices) because it's pretty easy to look them up if you aren't familiar. Instead I'll touch on a few points that I think are most worth mentioning and compare the Dot to the Echo.
The Dot works very much like the Echo. I can't speak to the first generation Dot because I never had one, but the three devices are essentially the same except for the speaker and the Bluetooth functionality.
The Echo has a terrific speaker, but no aux port or way to connect any external Bluetooth speaker. The Dot does both. I prefer to use the aux output instead of connecting a speaker via Bluetooth because then I can still connect my phone to the Dot and use the whole setup as a Bluetooth speaker for my phone. If the Dot is connected to a speaker with Bluetooth, you cannot connect your phone via Bluetooth at the same time.
The Dot's internal speaker is actually just fine for most things. It's plenty loud and not tinny or distorted, but it does lack bass. If you're going to use it for music a lot, you'll be much happier with an external speaker for a fuller sound.
The Dots play nicely together if you have more than one, and the Echo received an update so that it does as well. If multiple devices hear you give the wake command, they somehow work together to decide which is closest, and only that one responds. I've found that this works pretty well, but not perfectly. Sometimes I'm standing next to one Dot, but the Dot in the other room responds to me instead. It's aggravating when it happens, but once you learn to speak a little more softly and project your voice in the right direction when you're near multiple Dots, it's not much of an issue. It's of course also beneficial to space out the Dots in your home so that you are never right by more than one, if possible.
The Dot also seems to struggle with hearing you when it's playing music or especially when it's sounding an alarm, whereas the Echo never really has an issue. The Echo can be playing loudly and I can say the wake command normally from across the room and it'll still hear me most of the time. The Dot has a harder time, and that's probably the most annoying issue I've had with it. I find myself shouting at it multiple times to get the alarm to shut off in the morning. Again, there is a bit of a trick to it that helps, which is to enunciate the wake command carefully and time your voice with the quieter parts of the alarm or music, but it still needs a little work.
Although the Echo devices work together to ensure only one responds at a time, unfortunately what you can't do yet is any sort of synchronized action between them, or control one from another. It would be super nice if you could tell one of them to play music on all devices in the house, or if you could tell one to set a timer in another room because you're putting laundry in and want to have a reminder when you're back in the living room or something like that. You can't do anything like that for now. Whatever command you give applies only to the device that responds to you.
I am very excited about the possibility of controlling lights, thermostats, etc. with Alexa, but the cost is still to much for me to invest in any of that stuff, especially while I live in an apartment and can't install my own smart light switches or anything. I can imagine the Echo devices do a pretty good job with the home automation things, but I can't speak personally on it.
Some people have mentioned issues with the Dot losing connectivity on WiFi. I have also experienced this, although it hasn't been much much of a problem for me. For the most part they just work, but here and there I try to give one of them a command and it sort of hangs and then says it lost the connection. I imagine this will be fixed in a software update soon.
I love the Echo still, but I can't see spending the money for to buy any more of them when the Dot is only $50 and works almost exactly the same. The speaker is really the only difference, and Bluetooth speakers are cheap enough to give the Dot better sound quality. I hope they work out the few bugs that I and other people seem to be having, but even so, these are such fantastic devices, and I am extremely pleased with what I can do with them.
A couple side notes:
1) At some point they added another wake word, "Echo". I find it much better than "Alexa" or "Amazon" because it saves a syllable and is much easier to start a sentence with. I've found that it works best to enunciate the two syllables separately, though: "Eh-ko" (instead of slurring it together quickly). Otherwise the Dot doesn't respond quite as reliably as I'd like. That may have more to do with the issues I mentioned than the keyword, though.
2) Amazon also just unveiled their new Amazon Music Unlimited plan ($7.99/month for Prime members) which works very much like Spotify or Google Music. You can stream any song you want without commercials, and chances are the song you want to listen to is in the library. Since the Echo products don't support Google Music sadly (and probably never will), I opted to subscribe to the Music Unlimited plan so that I can listen to any song I want with my Echo devices just like I can when I'm at my computer. I have only found a couple things so far that aren't available for some reason, such as Taylor Swift's 1989 and Left and Leaving by The Weakerthans. However I own both of those CDs, so I uploaded the MP3s to my Prime music library, and now I can listen to them with the Echo devices. If you have Amazon Prime, you get the Prime Music streaming service for free, and it works with the Echo devices, but the song selection is much smaller. There's also Spotify, but I couldn't really justify another $10/month when I already have Google Music. I still wish Google Music was supported, but Amazon Music Unlimited a pretty good compromise for $8 a month (with Prime). Not a huge drop from $10/month, but it's worth it to me especially now that I have an Echo device in every room.
Technical Details
Echo Dot
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Size |
1.3” x 3.3” x 3.3” (32 mm x 84 mm x 84 mm) |
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Weight |
5.7 oz. (163 grams) Actual size and weight may vary by manufacturing process |
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Wi-Fi connectivity |
Dual-band Wi-Fi supports 802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4 and 5 GHz) networks. Does not support connecting to ad-hoc (or peer-to-peer) Wi-Fi networks. |
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Bluetooth connectivity |
Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) support for audio streaming from your mobile device to Echo Dot or from Echo Dot to your Bluetooth speaker. Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP) for voice control of connected mobile devices. Hands-free voice control is not supported for Mac OS X devices. Bluetooth speakers requiring PIN codes are not supported. |
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Audio |
Built-in speaker for voice feedback when not connected to external speakers. 3.5 mm stereo audio output for use with external speakers (audio cable not included). |
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System Requirements |
Echo Dot comes ready to connect to your Wi-Fi. The Alexa App is compatible with Fire OS, Android, and iOS devices and also accessible via your web browser. A list of supported operating systems can be found here. Certain skills and services may require subscription or other fees. |
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Warranty and Service |
90-day limited warranty and service. Optional 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year extended warranty available for U.S. customers sold separately. Use of Echo is subject to the terms found here. |
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Accessibility Features |
The Alexa app and Alexa-enabled products include several features for customers with accessibility needs related to vision, hearing, mobility, and speech. Learn more about Alexa accessibility. |
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Included in the Box |
Echo Dot, power adapter (9W), Micro-USB cable, and Quick Start Guide. |
Customers say
Customers find the Echo Dot to be a fantastic device that works just like the original and is easy to set up. They love its appearance, describing it as cute and neat, and consider it well worth the price. The sound quality and connectivity receive mixed feedback - while some find the sound very clear, others report poor sound, and while some say it connects easily, others mention it disconnects from WiFi. Customers enjoy interacting with Alexa and find it fun to use.
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19939 customers mention quality, 18881 positive, 1058 negative
This is a great product, but you have to have the uses for it. My grandson wanted it, but he only uses it like an alarm and to listen to some music....Read more
This is a great device, I used it to wake me up in the morning as well as traffic, news and weather events. It is a great gadget to have in the house.Read more
Overall, it's a good product. I was expecting it to be a bit louder. Very hard to hear with anything else going on in the room or surrounding rooms.Read more
This is one of the most awesome products available on the market. Great and helpful and entertaining and all at a price that doesn't break the bank....Read more
17081 customers mention functionality, 14930 positive, 2151 negative
I bought it for my daughters room. Works great. I can set up reminders for her from the app on my phone. So far i love all of the alexa devices i haveRead more
Purchased to place in the kids bedroom for sleep time music. Works well except voice recognition doesn't always work and have to repeat several times.Read more
...it programmed to turn on two smart lamps in my living room and it works great. It's also fun to "talk" to Alexa, play Jeopardy and ask her questions....Read more
Works as expected, still finding out new things it can do. I can review my to do list when I start my day. Just connected to audible great so farRead more
9451 customers mention fun, 9415 positive, 36 negative
She's great unobtrusive and fun. I still have a learning curve because she doesn't always understand what I am asking so I need how to rephrase my askRead more
...It's just so convenient and fun to use. Would definitely recommend you get one if you're on the fence! You won't regret it, especially for the price!Read more
...We talk everyday. I get updates with new things too. So much fun, daily affirmations, weather, music, meditation and when I wake up in the middle of...Read more
Crazy smart! I Love it. Great for everything. Lots of fun. I bought another one for my MIL who is a music teacher and has a studio. We both LOVE it....Read more
8606 customers mention value for money, 7395 positive, 1211 negative
Love it! And was a great price. This is my second Echo Dot and i def don’t regret getting them. The only negative is it has to be plugged in to work....Read more
I love this device. It is certainly worth the money. Got it for myself as a birthday present. Will be ordering another one for a Christmas Present !!Read more
...Considering everything, for $49 bucks this is a great value and easy way to get yourself introduced to building your smart home, home automation and...Read more
This is a great little echo that a good price, that is perfect to put in a second or third room or a basement and connect to a stereo to control the...Read more
7157 customers mention easy to set up, 5993 positive, 1164 negative
Easy to set up and fun to have in the House. With almost endless skills and the ability to control smart devices you can’t go wrong with the Dot.Read more
Easy set up, sound was great, crisp, clear, Using product was easy. Alexia is great and easy to use knowledge at your finger tips, more than you know.Read more
I like it bc it works. Easy setup. And connects to all kinds of other tech. But it doesn’t really tell you what it can do. Or the commands to use....Read more
This is our first Echo Dot and it's been very easy to set up. We've already added two other devices to our home and all are functioning as expected.Read more
6417 customers mention appearance, 6271 positive, 146 negative
Love the Echo Dot! I’ve read speakers are not great and it’s true. At best used to play with Alexa but if listening to music, use Bluetooth speaker.Read more
Love my Echo Dot. I actually have purchased 2 of them, one for my daughter also. I wish I could talk to anyone not just fellow Echo Dot people on it.Read more
I do love the dot...but when I play my music library of sounds I saved...the dot sounds kinda tin sounding compared to the larger echo...but I still...Read more
The product is nice and discreet only thing I would recommend is better base of the speakers but the voice recognition and commands are pretty good...Read more
10411 customers mention sound quality, 5718 positive, 4693 negative
...It has great sound when our radios don't. Sometimes Alexa has trouble finding just the radio station we want and we have to tell her several times.Read more
...I own one of each and the only difference I have found is the sound quality. I think the poorer quality is due to the size of the Dot versus the Echo.Read more
If you’re looking for good sound, spring for the Echo instead. The sound quality on the Dot isn’t very good. It works, it’s just not great for music....Read more
...Its biggest failing is in its poor sound quality. If I had to do it over I would have purchased an Echo with a higher quality speaker attached....Read more
7604 customers mention connectivity, 3543 positive, 4061 negative
...The one and only draw-back is that it's not wireless. The device has to remain plugged in to be able to use it. (only reason I didn't choose 5 stars)Read more
...One for my shop and one for my wife. Easy to hook up and it sounds GREAT. I haven't used all the aspects of Echo but I will. I play a lot of music....Read more
Stopped working completely. It had been having connectivity issues and disconnecting from the internet, then on Saturday it said it lost connection...Read more
...so they can enjoy it and for the money it's well worth it , it's easy to connect it tells you how to do it just follow the directions you can't go...Read more
Best $50 I ever spent!!!!
So I don't normally write reviews but I just has to this time. Recently, I lost my cat best friend to cancer 2 days after Christmas. It was the worst day of my life. Imagine losing your friend that's been with you through every breakup, every apartment, nearly being homeless and more. When he passed I felt such an emptiness in my home. A few days ago I was searching for something to put my mind at ease and saw the advertisement for the Amazon Echo on the Amazon app. I remember watching a Mr. Robot episode where some FBI agent who suffers from insomnia was using Alexa to keep her entertained. So I started researching YouTube videos and reviews and took a chance and ordered it. It arrived today and the setup was super easy. I immediately started asking it questions and had it play music and play the news. Then I discovered some zen type apps that go with the echo and I completely fell in love with it. It's almost like having a real personal assistant who lifts up your spirits when your down. It suggested new music which I actually liked and the built in speaker isn't bad at all for the price. The Amazon echo did not replace my beautiful cat kouga but it did bring stop the empty feeling around the house for now. I added a picture of my cat instead of the echo since everyone already knows what the echo looks like. I would totally recommend buying this product. I don't see any negatives other than the fact you can't really ask it followup questions like google assistant but I'm sure they'll make it happen. Thanks for letting me rant
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2016Color: BLACKConfiguration: Echo DotVerified Purchase
- Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2016Color: BLACKConfiguration: Echo DotVerified Purchase
