Amazon’s Echo line of smart speakers is arguably the best of the competition right now, and the range of sizes and prices means there’s something for every budget too. New Echo devices usually bring incremental changes across multiple generations, as is the case with the Echo smart speaker I’m reviewing here. The Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) is the latest iteration of the company’s compact and affordable smart speaker, intended for personal use on the desk or by the bed.
price at Rs.5,499 In India, the Amazon Echo Dot (5th gen) looks the same as the 4th gen device, but has some useful additions under the hood that should improve its utility and capabilities. Of course, it’s also powered by Alexa, Amazon’s reliable and feature-rich intelligent voice assistant, and can be easily integrated into your existing smart home setup. Is this the best affordable smart speaker you can buy right now? Find out in this review.
The Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) looks and feels much the same as its predecessor, but now comes in a blue color option
Amazon Echo Dot (5th Generation) design and specifications.
Although the Echo Dot line has evolved and changed a lot over the generations, the aesthetic and visual differences between the Echo Dot (5th Echo Dot (4th Generation) are barely perceptible. The newer smart speaker is the same size and dimensions, sticking with the rather neat-looking spherical shape of its predecessor. The 5th Gen speaker does weigh a bit more, but that doesn’t matter as it’s not meant to be portable.
The Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) comes in three colors – white and black as before – and a new blue color option, which I think looks the best. The sales package includes a 15W power adapter with a fixed cable to power the smart speaker. In contrast to the Echo input portablethe Echo Dot has no battery and must always be plugged in to function.
The top of the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) has four physical buttons – two for adjusting the volume, an action button for various functions, and a microphone mute button. Interestingly, there’s also an in-device accelerometer that allows for detection of top-side taps; This can be used to snooze alarms, stop timers, and even play or pause music. That said, it usually took a fairly firm smack on the top of the speaker for this to work, and sometimes it didn’t even respond immediately, so you’re better off using voice control instead.
At the bottom of the speaker is the signature Echo light ring, which lights up in different colors when the speaker is waiting for commands, muted, or disconnected from the internet. The bottom has a grippy rubber texture to keep the Echo Dot stable when placed on most surfaces. The back has the socket for electricity; Notably, the 3.5mm audio-out jack (which was present on the previous-gen Echo Dot) isn’t present on the 5th-gen device.
The Echo Dot (5th Gen) omits the 3.5mm audio-out jack
For connectivity, the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) works with both 2.4GHz and 5GHz WiFi connections. Connectivity was stable and reliable, even when the speaker was placed far from my router and connected to a relatively slow 2.4GHz connection. The Echo Dot works with the Alexa app (iOS and Android) for setup, customization, and other features. Once set up, however, you may not need the app too often as most of the features work on their own on the smart speaker.
Amazon Echo Dot (5th Generation) features and performance.
Amazon’s Echo Dot range was all about getting the basics right and offering the full Alexa experience, including calling, personalized responses and IoT capabilities, along with acceptable sound quality at a practical size and price point . The 5th Gen Echo Dot steps things up a bit by adding motion detection and temperature sensors that can be used with Alexa Routines for better IoT skills.
Of particular note is the temperature sensor – a fairly useful addition to an otherwise basic smart speaker – giving it vastly more advanced smart home capabilities. You can view the room’s internal temperature in the Alexa app or specifically ask for it via a voice command, but the real use of this comes into play with Alexa Routines. For example, you can set up a smart fan or air conditioner that turns on when the temperature exceeds a certain threshold if you have compatible devices that work with Alexa.
Another useful addition is motion detection, which can be used in a similar way with Alexa Routines to activate smart home devices like light bulbs or fans when in the room the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) is in. located, motion is detected. All of this makes the new Echo Dot a far more useful smart home controller than the previous device.
With the Alexa app for iOS and Android you can control and configure certain functions of the Amazon Echo Dot (5th generation).
Alexa on the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) is as good as ever, and the mic on the speaker is good enough to reliably pick up the wake word and voice commands in a small or medium-sized room. However, performance in this regard is best when you are within a meter or a meter away.
The device has a slightly larger 1.73-inch speaker driver despite being the same size as its predecessor. While it can get pretty loud for a speaker of its size, the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) is best used as a desktop or bedside speaker. I found keeping the volume down while about two feet away was the ideal way to use the device.
If you’re listening to Avicii’s I Could Be The One at work, the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) is discreet and simple in its looks, but very powerful in the way it sounds. The unit was well tuned to music of all genres and sounded good across the frequency range, but definitely favored the bass a bit. The speaker’s shape and size make it ideal for personal listening, but it’s loud enough to be heard in different rooms, even at around 50 percent volume.
I wouldn’t use the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) as my primary home speaker as it just doesn’t sound that great, but is impressive as a secondary desktop or bedside audio device, especially if you’re already used to Alexa and its voice assistant features . Alexa also supports numerous music streaming services, as well as support and understanding of complex instructions that ensure it works well with just about any service.
Verdict
The Amazon Echo Dot has typically been an entry-level smart speaker for small spaces and personal listening, and the 5th Gen device is no different in that regard. Where there are improvements is in the hardware and the addition of a few sensors that increase its usefulness as a smart home controller. However, any upgrade is worth it as long as it doesn’t drive up the price too much.
At Rs. 5,499, the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) is a worthwhile purchase if you intend to use the new improvements in a smart home environment. Alexa itself just keeps getting better, so the Echo Dot (5th Gen) just keeps getting better over time. If you don’t like the IoT functions too much, you might find it makes more sense to use the Echo Dot (4th Gen) instead; It’s a fair bit cheaper and almost identical when it comes to the core specs and features.
