Echo vs. Echo Dot: Which Alexa device should you buy during Amazon’s Big Spring Sale?

Desk of Contents

Smart speakers like Amazon’s Echo household of merchandise are an excellent place to begin when you’re trying to get a smarter home. They’re reasonably priced and straightforward to make use of, and past simply enjoying music, they will help you discover your subsequent binge-watch, learn the information, and modify room settings. 

Since debuting a decade ago, Amazon’s Echo gadgets have multiplied rapidly. There are practically a dozen iterations of the sensible house gadgets, however let’s not overcomplicate it. The Echo (Fourth Generation) and Echo Dot (Fifth Generation) fall in the course of the Echo lineup. Whereas they appear to be just about the identical system, the Dot presents the perks of an Echo in a smaller package deal.

So what’s one to do? That will help you out, we in contrast these sensible audio system facet by facet. Right here’s all the pieces it’s essential know when you’re deciding between the Echo and the Echo Dot.

When is the most effective time to purchase an Echo or Echo Dot?

Earlier than we even get into all of the logistics of each gadgets, try to be ready for when to buy. Sure, they begin at reasonably priced costs — the Echo begins at $99.99 and the Dot at $49.99. Nevertheless, you need not (and should not) purchase them at full value. The perfect time to purchase is throughout buying holidays like Black Friday, while you’ll discover Echos at their lowest costs ever. We have seen the Echo Dot go as little as $22.99.

Whereas we’re nonetheless a number of months away from the large buying occasions, seasonal occasions like Amazon’s Big Spring Sale current financial savings alternatives, particularly on Amazon gadgets. When the occasion runs from March 25 by the 31, we’re searching for offers on Echo devices.

Privateness considerations on Echo gadgets

One other factor to say earlier than we get into the Echo vs. Echo Dot debate is one thing that impacts all Echo customers, irrespective of the particular system. Rightfully so, there are privateness considerations round Echos as they have been identified to record entire conversations, listening in while you’re speaking about probably delicate data.

To restrict a few of this danger, within the Alexa app, you’ll be able to assessment your day by day voice historical past and delete something you do not vibe with, handle the entry to knowledge sure expertise have, and extra. On the outside of each the 4th Gen Echo and fifth Gen Echo Dot, you can even discover a mic-off button that can forestall any audio enter from reaching Alexa.

Nevertheless, in 2025, Amazon is making even larger adjustments that would have an effect on person privateness. Beforehand, customers may select “Do Not Ship Voice Recordings” in settings, which meant that every one requests you made had been processed domestically slightly than getting despatched off to Amazon’s servers. As of March 28, 2025, Amazon is taking away this setting, which means all requests will likely be despatched by Amazon servers.

Whereas Amazon guarantees that every one data requests are encrypted and safe, it nonetheless implies that the retailer has entry to all person knowledge now. You probably have considerations, there are different sensible house choices to discover with better privacy.

Distinction between Echo and Echo Dot

Amazon Echo sensible speaker assessment (4th Gen)

The Echo weighs 34.2 ounces and its dimensions are 5.7 x 5.7 x 5.2 inches. On its spherical exterior, you will discover an motion button, quantity buttons, a mic-off button, a light-up ring, an influence port, and a 3.5-millimeter audio output. With three distinct shade choices at the moment accessible at Amazon, this under-$100 system is certain to suit your house decor seamlessly.

Establishing the Echo can be seamless and you should utilize it inside minutes. Certainly, the one issues contained in the package deal are the system itself, an influence adapter, and two guides. The setup information is extremely visible, which is all the time a perk. To start, it’s a must to obtain the Alexa app and sign up. No, you need not have a Prime account to make use of an Amazon sensible system (although its vary of prospects absolutely will increase for these of us who’re Prime members). Plug within the included energy adapter into the Echo after which plug the Echo right into a wall outlet. The sunshine ring on the Echo will flip blue when it’s on after which orange when Alexa greets you. Subsequent, join the Echo to your house WiFi community. The Alexa app will then stroll you thru the remainder of the setup course of, together with customizing your “wake phrase,” mastering the pronunciation of your title, permitting entry to cellphone contacts, and extra.

As soon as all that’s prepared, you are good to go. Give your latest sensible house companion a heat welcome: In spite of everything, it is going to be your go-to any more for blasting music, waking you up within the morning, offering information and climate stories, calling family members, and a lot extra.

Amazon Echo Dot sensible speaker assessment (fifth Gen)

The Echo Dot takes sensible dwelling to a brand new stage. Although this system is 2 years newer than the aforementioned Echo (4th Gen), it is truly $50 cheaper.

The Echo Dot weighs 10.7 ounces, a 3rd of the scale of the Echo, and its dimensions are 3.9 x 3.9 x 3.5 inches. This child can simply match on counter tops, cabinets, or nightstands. Much like the Echo, it boasts an motion button, a microphone-off button, quantity controls, a lightweight ring, and an influence port. It just about comes with the identical shade choices as the larger Echo, aside from its deep sea blue shade being barely darker than the Echo’s twilight blue shade. Potayto, potahto.

Setup can be a breeze with the Echo Dot. First, plug it right into a wall outlet and open the Alexa app to start out setup. (You’ll must obtain the Alexa app in your smartphone beforehand.) When you open the app, choose “gadgets” after which choose the “+” icon. Observe the on-screen directions from that time on and personalize the system to your liking.

What you get while you order an Amazon Echo Dot.
Credit score: Stacia Datskovska / Mashable

Smarter, simpler dwelling options

Echo

The Amazon Echo capabilities as your private butler and greatest good friend. Since it is a sensible speaker that connects to the Alexa Voice Service, you utilize it to do all the pieces from enjoying the newest hits to buying some kitchen staples to killing your boredom with a spherical of Jeopardy! Superior sound expertise helps the Echo instantly reply to you and acknowledge your voice. The truth is, in the course of the setup course of on the Alexa app, Echo learns your voice’s cadences and pitch by making you repeat some pattern prompts. Spectacular.

You’ll be able to inform Alexa precisely what to place in your grocery listing and handle the objects in your Alexa app.
Credit score: Screenshot: Amazon

Immediate response: Beamforming expertise, noise-cancellation, and 7 microphones will allow the Echo to listen to you out of your close by location. Simply communicate the wake phrase and say instructions like “Alexa, discover an Amazon Music playlist,” or “Alexa, name Dad” for quick help. One thing to notice: Your speaker doesn’t by any means must be known as Alexa. Different enjoyable choices embrace Echo, Ziggy, or Santa. Referring to your system as that final possibility unlocks an entire new Ho-Ho-Ho character for it. One other factor to notice: Amazon is getting higher about accessibility, within the type of Adaptive Listening. This function, when enabled, primarily provides you extra time to complete talking — Alexa’s manner of accommodating speech patterns like stuttering.

Beats grasp: In fact the Echo can play music, however it’s greater than a fundamental speaker. It comes with Dolby premium sound that fills an entire room — with deep bass and clear excessive notes alike. You probably have two Echo gadgets in a single room, you’ll be able to truly inform one in every of them to “play music in every single place,” which is able to amplify sound to even greater ranges and make for an precise at-home clubbing expertise. Phrase of warning, nevertheless — Alexa did not cooperate with me, surprisingly, once I tried to check out this function. For these of us who’re extremely choosy about music streaming companies, Amazon helps you to set default choices which you’ll be able to change at any time. Would you like Alexa to select music from Apple Music however podcasts from Spotify? No downside, there’s an possibility for that.

Palms-free communication: If it’s essential message or name family members, the Echo has your again. You should use Alexa to speak with individuals through cellphone or textual content on the Echo, with out grabbing your smartphone. Plus, Alexa may make family bulletins throughout Amazon Echo gadgets at house, so your loved ones is aware of if dinner is prepared or company are arriving. Use the Drop-In function to connect with different Amazon Echo gadgets or the Announcement function to report cute messages in your personal voice (accompanied by a spread of sound impact choices, together with dinner bell, kiss, trumpet, in addition to, a bit alarmingly, rest room flush and fart).

Management sensible gadgets: You probably have different sensible gadgets that work with Alexa, you’ll be able to simply management them with Echo’s Zigbee sensible house hub. Simply ask Alexa to dim the lights, modify the room temperature, or activate a suitable smart-plug-connected equipment. The perfect factor about this? You don’t must press any buttons, and you’ll even engineer routines for your self forward of time to set these processes in movement at a sure time in your house.

The Echo can double as an evening mild
Credit score: Stacia Datskovska / Mashable

Echo Dot

Making the sensible dwelling change isn’t all the time budget-friendly, however the Echo Dot is reasonably priced and offers nice voice management options. These options aren’t all that completely different from what you get with the Echo. The one true upgrades are new movement sensors that allow you to touch-control the system, the 1.73-inch front-firing speaker (versus a woofer and tweeters), and “Eero mesh community assist so the Echo Dot can function a node to your Eero community when you use one,” according to our sister site, PCMag. Use the Dot to obtain reminders, save cookie recipes to your app for future reference, bask your room in an evening mild glow, talk with family and friends, soothe your self with some white noise, and past.

Listening companion: We’ve all tried the standard speaker setup, which usually entails too many retailers and wires. Echo Dot presents the alternative expertise for all of your listening wants. You should use your voice to play music by streaming companies, together with Amazon Music, Apple Music, and Spotify. Plus, Audible and different media kinds can be found on the Echo Dot. Ask Alexa to search out the right playlist or podcast, and also you’ll have one thing to hearken to while you prepare dinner within the kitchen, lounge on the sofa, or work out in your front room. One other extra-cool function? The Dot will begin enjoying deep sleep music when it detects sounds of loud night breathing — when you allow it to take action.

Activity assist: There are occasions we want that we had a private assistant for little issues, together with making lists and scheduling calendars. The Echo Dot helps make your on a regular basis routine (and leisure) extra seamless with voice management. Strive saying: “Alexa, set a timer for 5 minutes,” “Alexa, play the Reuters information briefing,” “Alexa, open my day by day horoscope,” or “Alexa, discover my cellphone.” The probabilities are limitless. You’ll want to reference the “extra” tab on the Alexa app to flick through the entire Echo Dot’s choices.

Use the Dot to ship messages to houseguests, remind you of duties, and extra!
Credit score: Screenshot: Amazon

Converse with and examine in on family members: Just like the Echo, the Echo Dot lets you ship messages, make cellphone calls, and use different Echo gadgets as intercoms. Get pleasure from hands-free communication with family members and make bulletins through Drop-In to maintain everybody in contact at house. You probably have aged dad and mom at house, you can even reap the benefits of Alexa Together — Amazon’s distant caregiving providing that does value additional however lets you join suitable fall detection gadgets to the Echo Dot, see snapshots of your family members’ day by day interactions with Alexa, get 24/7 entry to educated brokers who can name 911 in case of an emergency, create mild reminders reminiscent of “take your drugs,” and extra.

Monitor your sensible house surroundings: The Echo Dot additionally presents the choice to watch sensible gadgets at house. You probably have mild bulbs, thermostats, or streaming media gamers which might be suitable with Alexa, you’ll be able to management their exercise with the Echo Dot. Simply communicate to Alexa in your room of selection, and you’ll simply monitor lighting, temperature, and extra with verbal instructions. Additionally, when you allow sound detection routines, you’ll be able to program a selected sound (canine barking, oven dinging, door opening) to set off a sure Alexa Routine. This function has an accessibility bonus since it may be used as a manner to supply visible cues to these with listening to challenges. As an illustration, “if Alexa detects working water for a time period… she will be able to set off the lounge sensible lights to flash on and off, serving as a visible reminder to close off the tap,” as reported in USA Today.

Do not let the Dot’s dimension idiot you — it is mighty sensible.
Credit score: Stacia Datskovska / Mashable

Worth and competitors

Echo

At $99.99, the Echo is reasonably priced, however it comes with advantages that transcend different sensible audio system. With its high-tech sound options, together with Dolby audio, you’ll be capable of take pleasure in your favourite beats on the proper quantity. Whenever you’re entertaining company, you’ll be able to interact the multi-room music function to show your pad right into a dance ground (adjusting bass settings accordingly). Along with enjoying music, the Echo lets you management sensible gadgets and talk with family members through voice management. It additionally comes with a expertise vary so in depth that it’d take you months to strive all of them out.

The Echo comes with a one-year restricted guarantee that covers defects in supplies and workmanship. If you want extra safety, you should buy an prolonged guarantee individually at Amazon.

By way of competitors, the $99.99 Apple HomePod mini might be thought of a fairly shut match (at the least price-wise). It is teeny in comparison with the Echo, although, and a bigger/extra superior Apple sensible speaker — the HomePod — will value you $299 (see our full review of the Apple Homepod). Whereas this competitor is perhaps a more sensible choice for Apple followers, resulting from its simple iOS compatibility, Siri is not as sensible or loyal of an assistant as Alexa in our opinion.

Echo Dot

For these on a expertise funds, the fifth Gen Echo Dot delivers all of the sensible speaker advantages at a fraction of the value. At $49.99, it’s extra reasonably priced than different Amazon Echo gadgets (regardless of being the latest Dot) and nonetheless has fascinating options like superior voice recognition, sensible system management, and help with small duties through Alexa.

In contrast to the Echo, the Echo Dot solely comes with a 90-day restricted guarantee. It’s relevant to defects in supplies and workmanship and you’ll contact Amazon’s Buyer Service for help. This guarantee, too, might be prolonged to a one-year, two-year, and even three-year plan for an extra charge.

If we’re speaking about what’s accessible on the sensible speaker market that may examine to the Dot, the Google-Assistant-powered Nest Mini (2nd Generation) instantly involves thoughts, because it additionally prices $49.99. The Nest Mini is cute as a button (and weighs virtually as a lot). It is suitable with streaming companies like Spotify, Pandora, and iHeart Radio, in addition to Youtube, has sensible house pairing with Arlo, Nest, Ring, and different home equipment, and it lets you voice-purchase necessities from storefronts that are not restricted to Amazon. Nonetheless, with the Dot’s new-and-improved front-firing speaker, there isn’t any query that it wins the competition on the subject of high quality audio. Additionally, with its upgraded temperature and motion sensors, the Dot appears to be main the sensible house sport. I imply, what different speaker will pay attention for the sound of damaged glass and instantly warn you to a possible theft taking place while you’re MIA?

Clearly, the Echo is manner larger than the Echo Dot (mirrored of their value distinction).
Credit score: Stacia Datskovska / Mashable

So, to Echo or to Echo Dot?

If you need a big sensible speaker that delivers high-quality sound, lets you interact in hands-free management, and use your voice to speak with family members, the $99.99 4th Gen Echo is an efficient name. One other perk of this system is that it’s customizable: You’ll be able to select an ornamental shell to go with your house decor vibe. Plus, it really works with different Amazon Echo gadgets for the last word sound setup everytime you want it.

In case you don’t need to fork over quite a lot of money for a sensible speaker, the Echo Dot is a good choose — particularly contemplating it is newer than the 4th Gen Echo. At solely $49.99, it’s a steal in comparison with different Amazon-connected gadgets and presents the identical sensible speaker advantages… after which some.