Echo Dot 5: review of the cheap and functional Alexa smart speaker

In this analysis we deal with the new Amazon Echo Dot (5th generation), providing a complete guide on the features, price, pros and cons of this Alexa smart speaker, as well as a comparison with the Nest Mini.

The new edition of the best-selling smart speaker of the moment offers improved audio and the addition of some functions such as the temperature sensor and the accelerometer (one touch is enough to stop the music or snooze the alarm). Additionally, the clocked version now also displays other information on its larger, brighter LED screen.

An excellent investment for those who want to take their first steps in home automation and the world of voice assistance and who do not need superior audio quality , or who simply want to have Alexa present in several rooms. Above all, the version with a clock lends itself as a perfect device for the bedroom.

Amazon Echo Dot 5 analysis: opinions and rating

Features Echo Dot Amazon 5 gen

• Dimensions: : 100 x 100 x 89 mm
• Weight: 349 grams
• WiFi connectivity: the device connects to the network using the WiFi standard 802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4. and 5GHz)
• Bluetooth Connectivity: Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) to stream audio from smartphone or tablet to the Dot or from the Dot to a Bluetooth speaker. Audio/Video Remote Control (AVRCP) for voice control of connected mobile devices. Voice control is not supported on Mac OS X devices. Bluetooth speakers that require PIN for access are not supported.

• Audio equipment: 44 mm (1.73″) driver

Alexa Echo Dot 5th generation: packaging

In the package we find:

• 1 Amazon Echo Dot 5th generation
• 15W power cord
• Fast guide

What is Echo Dot (5th generation) and what it can do: overview

Echo Dot is a small, feature-rich, voice-controllable smart speaker, which integrates with the cloud-based Alexa voice assistant. This is the mini and low-cost version of Amazon Echo 4.

In terms of design and aesthetics, Echo Dot 5 is practically identical to the previous model, except for the choice to eliminate the 3.5 mm jack output in this new version. In addition, the fifth generation is slightly heavier due to the integrated technology and the presence of a larger 44 mm driver (versus the 41 mm of the Echo Dot 4), capable of offering better sound.

Echo Dot integrates an accelerometer that allows you, with a single touch on the top, to pause the music you are listening to (or resume it), snooze the alarm or end a call.

A great novelty is the integration of a temperature sensor. Thanks to this, it is possible to incorporate the Dot into Alexa routines to control other smart devices such as the air conditioning, fan, etc. For example, it can be set so that the air conditioning automatically turns on when the temperature rises above a certain threshold.

Additionally, with an over-the-air upgrade, this model will be able to function as a satellite/repeater for the Eero mesh system and therefore improve network coverage in the room where it is located.

However, once again missing is the Zigbee home automation hub, built into the standard 4th generation Echo (which costs €49.99 more but offers superior audio)

Echo Dot with clock

Starting from the premise that one of the things we most frequently ask of a voice assistant is the time, the development team, some time ago, added to the line a Dot equipped with an LED screen (located behind the fabric ) that shows the time continuously, to make everything more immediate. The functions, apart from the LED screen, are identical to the model without a clock (which costs €10 less).

In this new model, the rectangular screen is slightly larger and brighter and capable of displaying more information: in addition to the temperature or the countdown of a timer, with an alphanumeric and symbol combination, for example, it is possible to display the title of the song and the name of the artist being played, the weather information (sun, etc.) or the calculations made by the assistant.

New Echo Dot Amazon: design

Like the previous generation, the Echo Dot 2022 is also a fairly compact spherical-shaped device and resembles a small crystal ball . With an elegant and futuristic aesthetic, especially in its clock version, it is definitely an interesting decorative element, as well as a useful device.

As for colors, the Echo Dot with clock is available only in ice white and soft blue colors (the version we have used). The model without LED, on the other hand, can be purchased in the colors ice white, night blue and anthracite.

As is traditional, build quality is a strong point. The Echo Dot 5 is covered mostly in fabric, with a back made of durable plastic and the base made of rubber to avoid damaging furniture and surfaces it rests on.

Again, recycled materials are used (99% fabric, 99% packaging, 55% plastic), an initiative that is part of the company’s larger project, Climate Pledge Friendly, which helps promote ecological products.

At the top, we find the already iconic 4 physical buttons, slightly raised: two for the volume, one for deactivating the microphone and one for manual activation of Alexa (without the activation word).

The Echo Dot 5 also features the LED ring at the bottom, illuminating the surface on which it rests and creating a quite pleasant effect.

If you have never used an Alexa speaker, you should know that the light is blue when Alexa is listening and blue alternating with light blue when it is responding to our command. Red when the microphone is disabled and therefore Alexa is in silent mode. Yellow when there are pending notifications or messages. Green is for missed or incoming calls.

At the bottom back, we find the power port. Here, compared to the previous generation, the AUX port disappears. Of course, we remember that Echo Dot has Bluetooth connectivity.

How it works and what it is used for Echo Dot

Why buy an Echo Dot/Alexa? Voice commands and their features are many and constantly growing. Considering Alexa’s open ecosystem, the continuous work of developers, and the endless collaborations with third parties, the potential of this software is truly endless.

Obviously, in this edition the features remain the same, since these depend on Alexa. As we have said, the new processor should guarantee an even smoother and more pleasant user experience.

But how does Echo Dot work?

The Echo Dot, like the other smart speakers in this line, works in synergy with the Alexa app (available on iOS and Android and also accessible from desktop browsers).

Some features are native, just ask the speaker and it will respond immediately (music, web searches, shopping list, etc.)Other features, mostly those related to third-party devices and brands (news, recipes, smart home, etc.), require the activation, in the app, of the so-called Alexa abilities/skills.

What is Echo Dot/Alexa used for?

• Check the weather, appointments, reminders and alarm clock. Shopping list, to-do list, etc.
• News, curiosities and news , from the weather to traffic, from breaking news to sports results.
• Playing music, radio and news.
• Home automation: voice control of Alexa-compatible lights and bulbs , WiFi thermostats , smart plugs, appliances such as washing machines , dishwashers , ovens and microwaves , washer-dryers , smart locks and much more.
• Call with Alexa (between Echo devices or via Skype), plus drop-in functionality in case you have multiple devices in different rooms.

For a complete list, read this guide to Alexa voice commands .

The mini speaker is compatible not only with native Amazon services and products ( Amazon Music or Amazon Smart plug, for example) or included within the Prime subscription, but also with many third-party products and services.

Vevo, Spotify, Apple Music, TuneIn, Philips Hue, Netatmo, Tado, Xiaomi, D-Link, TP-Link and much more.

Compatibility and the number of associations allowed is definitely a strong point of Alexa.To find out which accessories and devices to pair your Echo Dot with, take a look at this most complete and up-to-date list of devices compatible with Amazon Alexa.

Echo Dot 5: audio quality

And we come to the sound quality. In this model, the 44mm front speaker allows the speaker to take a leap in quality, generally offering a richer, more balanced sound and good spatiality . With bass twice as deep as the Echo Dot 4 and lower distortion, we can say that it is a speaker that “sounds good” considering its compact size.

There is adequate definition of the frequencies and, above all, a real boost in the bass. There is a noticeable preference for highs and voices, which makes the device suitable for listening to news, podcasts, radio and similar content. At very high volumes, distortion and loss of detail become inevitable.

In summary, with due considerations (type of product and dimensions), we can say that the sound quality is very satisfactory. The peculiarity of these products lies in their intelligence, they have never been presented as high-level speakers (except in some cases, such as the Echo Studio ). Finally, we remember that it is always possible to create a stereo configuration with two 5th generation Dots.

The changes are the same as what we just saw on the Dot: a new design, a new processor and slightly better sound output. Again, perhaps we expected a few more new features, including new features related to the display/clock and new colors.

Amazon Echo Dot 5th generation: price

The quality-price ratio of Amazon Echo Dot 5 gen is undoubtedly the most attractive aspect: it remains at €59.99, a list price similar to that of Google Nest Mini, its direct competitor. The version analyzed in this review (the one with a clock) costs €69.99.

Echo Dot vs Echo 5th generation

One of the first questions that arise spontaneously is: what is the difference between Echo (4th generation) and its younger brother Echo Dot 5?

The differences between the two refer to aesthetics, size, technical and audio equipment and,     consequently , the price.

Obviously, Echo 4th generation has a larger size, better sound, and a higher price. But that’s not all: the new version also integrates a Zigbee home automation hub, which allows you to control devices with Zigbee connectivity without the need for an external bridge/hub. A striking example, for example, concerns the classic Philips Hue bulbs (without Bluetooth) that need the Hue Bridge to work. Echo 4, on the other hand, will be able to communicate directly with them without the need for a bridge.

The rest of the features of the Echo and Dot, on the other hand, are identical. Everything you can do with Alexa, you can do with both devices (except Zigbee control, as we said).

Let’s not forget that these gadgets are smart thanks to Alexa. It is the mind of these speakers, a software that, based on the cloud and constantly updated, is present in the entire Amazon Echo line.

Echo Dot 4 vs the rest of the line

The family has other speakers for different needs, such as Echo Show 10 (2021) , Echo Show 15 (2022), Echo Show 5 and Echo Show 8 (smart screen), Echo Studio (designed for the most audiophiles), Echo Pop ( an ultra-compact speaker), Echo Flex (a kind of WiFi socket) and Echo Auto (to connect to the car audio system), very similar to Echo Input, now out of production. There is no shortage of specific accessories such as the Echo Wall Clock or wearables such as the Echo Buds headphones (they could arrive in Spain at the end of the year)

Echo Dot (5th gen.) vs Nest mini

If you are wondering what the differences are between Echo Dot 4 gen. and Nest Mini, you should know that both are low-end devices, designed for those who are beginners with voice assistants, or as extensions of the other models in the range (for other rooms, for example), or simply for those who They are not looking for excellent audio quality.

The big difference, as always, lies in the voice assistant they integrate: on the one hand, Google Assistant, smarter in some aspects, better and more efficient in responses (if it involves web searches); On the other hand, Alexa, very versatile and with a constantly growing ecosystem. We talk about it in our Alexa vs Google Home comparison .

In terms of design, the Nest mini is more compact than the Echo Dot (98 x 42 mm vs 100 x 89 mm). The Google speaker is easier to locate thanks to the hole for wall mounting.

The Nest Mini features the iconic 4 L lights on top, under the fabric, which probably offer more immediate feedback than the LED ring placed on the base of the Dot (but that’s also a matter of taste).

While the Dot has 4 physical keys, the Nest Mini has a more minimalist look: there is only one switch, hidden on the back, to mute the microphone. The Google speaker integrates a proximity sensor that makes the volume touch keys light up when you get close to the speaker (for immediate identification).

In terms of audio quality, the size of the drivers and the size of both devices are almost identical (Echo 44mm, Nest Mini 40mm). The Echo Dot manages to deliver a fuller sound and slightly more powerful bass, even if the Nest Mini offers better mid-frequency performance (ideal for acoustic or classical music).

Echo Dot Alexa instructions: how to set it up

The device configuration is very intuitive. Check out our guide on how to set up Alexa step by step. In summary, these are the steps:

1. Download the Alexa app, available on Android , iOS or Fire iOS.
2. Sign in with your Amazon account.
3. Start your Amazon Echo Dot by connecting it to power. The circular LED light at the top will glow blue and, after a few seconds, orange.
4. Alexa will welcome you and simply follow the instructions in the application to connect your Amazon Echo to your home WiFi. If setup doesn’t happen automatically, simply click settings > set up a new device.

What to do if Echo Dot won’t connect?

In case of failure while connecting the device to the WiFi network, follow our recommendations on how to solve the problem if Amazon Echo does not connect. If the problem persists, reset to factory settings.

Review Echo Dot Amazon (5th gen.): verdict

Echo Dot 5 is confirmed as the best option for those who want to enter the world of Alexa for the first time (or simply have it in every room). With an elegant design, especially in its clocked version, it now offers a new 44mm front driver capable of providing more powerful bass and rich and balanced audio performance, considering the small size of the speaker. The new sensors make it even more useful than its predecessor. The integrated temperature sensor allows you to take advantage of Alexa routines, while the accelerometer allows more immediate use of the device: with a single touch you can stop/resume the music and snooze the alarm. The Echo Dot with clock now has a brighter and larger LED display that allows you to view more information.

With an excellent quality-price ratio, full of features and constantly evolving, Echo Dot 5 manages to compete very well with the Nest Mini.