Amazon Echo Dot (4th Generation) review

The Amazon Echo Dot spherical design is lopped off at the bottom to provide a base, and it’s here you’ll find the Amazon Echo range’s trademark blue ring of light. Alexa’s pulsating presence is slightly subtler than it was on the top edge of the previous Dot, and it now reflects pleasingly on kitchen counters.

The Echo Dot is around the same size as the Apple HomePod Mini, and the power cord is hung at the same angle — albeit the Dot’s cable is detachable rather than permanent, and flanked by a 3.5mm audio line out for wired listening.

Amazon Echo Dot: Price

The most recent version of the Echo Dot speaker is the fourth-generation Echo Dot and you can check current price here.

Amazon Echo Dot: Design

The Echo Dot is a cute little ball that doesn’t look like a speaker, with a fabric top and front, hard plastic sides and back, and Amazon’s traditional four-button array for turning the volume up and down, muting the microphones, and an action button. The power cable plugs in the back next to a 3.5mm analogue audio socket for connecting external speakers, but the Echo Dot also has Bluetooth.

While Alexa is active, or to show notifications, or when adjusting the volume, the light ring at the bottom illuminates, giving the impression that the speaker is glowing.

Features and performance

The new design has an elliptical band of plastic that rises to its highest point around the power port at the back of the unit, meaning you shouldn’t expect the same omnidirectional sound presentation as the previous iteration.

Specification

Measurements: 100 x 100 x 89 mm
338g in weight
Wireless 5 (ac) and 3.5mm analogue audio
Voice, top-mounted volume, action, and mic mute controls
Speakers: 1.6in single speaker
Finishes twice
Bluetooth 5.02 version
1.5 m power cord
Built-in Google Chromecast
Included Google Assistant

Sustainability

The speaker is generally repairable, with 100% post-consumer recycled fabric, 100% recycled die-cast aluminum, and 50% post-consumer recycled plastic. Amazon has also pledged to offset the electricity used by Echo devices with renewable energy, as well as trade-in and recycling schemes.

Should you buy the Amazon Echo Dot?

If you already own a third-generation Echo Dot, there’s little reason to upgrade; it’s essentially the same speaker with a different design. However, if you’re just looking for a smart speaker and want something with a little more power than the Echo Flex, the fourth-generation Echo Dot is a fine choice that costs half as much as the full-size Echo. You should consider spending the extra $10 on the Echo Dot with Clock—that helpful display really makes it stand out.

If you’re happy with these features, go ahead and buy it: