Are you considering buying an Alexa smart speaker and don’t know which Amazon Echo to buy or which are the best Echos? “Which Alexa to buy” and “how much does Alexa cost” are some of the questions we receive most frequently, given the wide variety.
In this Amazon Echo buying guide, you will find the information you need to choose the best model for your needs. Don’t you know anything about it? Here you will find an in-depth explanation of what Alexa is, how it works and what it is for.
How much does Alexa cost?
Alexa has a price that can vary from €29.99 to €249.99, depending on the model chosen and, therefore, the technical specifications. At the moment, the cheapest device in this Amazon line is the Echo Flex. The most expensive, however the Echo Show 10 3rd generation, and the Echo Show 15. In reality, Amazon’s assistant can also be integrated into other third-party devices (see the Lavazza Voicy coffee maker with Alexa, Sonos One, Base Home Speaker, Huawei AI Cube, or the Homix thermostat). Obviously, even in this case, the price of Alexa varies depending on the product: some are, for example, powerful Bluetooth speakers, others are routers/speakers, etc.
Which Alexa to buy (Amazon Echo)?
Before understanding what differentiates one model from another, we must make an important premise. All devices in the Echo line integrate the virtual assistant Alexa and therefore have almost identical features (voice control of the smart home, music, real-time updates, timers and reminders, calendars, shopping lists, etc.). ).
The range offers different solutions for various needs. Therefore, to understand which Echo/Alexa to choose, you need to ask yourself what you need.
For example, some devices will have better sound, and others will have a screen and therefore may offer additional features. Others will include a Zigbee hub and will therefore be able to control multiple home automation products, etc.
Amazon Echo Dot 5: the best low-cost solution
Amazon Echo Dot (5th generation) is the ideal solution for those who are approaching the world of Alexa and smart speakers. It is, in fact, a low-cost option, although quite complete, that lends itself to being used alone or as an extension of other Echo devices (for more rooms, for example).
The new generation (fifth) offers improved audio and new sensors: 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 it is possible to stop/resume music and snooze the alarm.
Given its small size, its audio can be greatly improved (especially the bass), but it is excellent for listening to music daily (with a 44mm speaker ). It is ideal for podcasts, radio, and similar content thanks to the good definition of voices and mid frequencies. In addition, the version with a clock is available, at a slightly higher price, suitable for those who like to set timers or want to use it as an alarm, but not only. Echo Dot with Clock features an LED panel that constantly displays the time , starts a countdown if a timer is activated, and displays other information such as song titles or artist names, calculations, etc.
For more information, here is the Echo Dot review (5).
Amazon Echo Pop: the compact speaker to put Alexa in every room
The Amazon Echo Pop is a speaker with compact dimensions launched in May 2023. With a hemispherical and colorful design (for this model, more “friendly” colors such as lavender and teal are available, and it is possible to buy covers in other colors), it is designed to fit any corner of the house and put Alexa in every room (just like the Dot). It actually looks like an Echo Dot cut in half.
Despite its small size, it provides good quality sound, thanks to the 1.95-inch (49.5 mm) front speaker.
The Echo Pop offers all the functions of Alexa and supports the Matter standard, and thanks to the AZ2 Neural Edge processor, it guarantees fast responses to commands.
However, it can’t fully compete with the Echo Dot in terms of bass depth and lacks some features like temperature sensor and accelerometer. Its price is slightly lower than the Echo Dot, making it a convenient option for those looking for a small, affordable, smart device.
Amazon Echo 4 generation: the best quality-price
Amazon Echo (4th generation) can be defined as the standard version of the line. It is a complete and versatile solution, with an excellent quality-price ratio, especially with the new design.
With the fourth generation, the aesthetics are more elegant (also in spherical shape) and the audio equipment is more powerful: another tweeter of the same size has been added to the 76.2 mm woofer and the 20 mm tweeter, with Dolby support. Audio. The sound quality is incredible, with deep bass, especially considering the price and size.
The biggest novelty of the 2020 edition refers to the presence of the Zigbee home automation hub, which allows you to directly control devices with the same connectivity (plugs, lights, or others) without having to use a bridge. Therefore, this is a device designed for true smart home lovers.
The most striking example is the classic Philips Hue, which, since they do not have Bluetooth or WiFi connectivity, normally requires the Hue bridge (purchased separately) to work. In this case, if you have this Echo, you will not have to buy the Hue bridge and you will be able to manage the lights, as well as all other Zigbee devices (also from other brands), without having to purchase the bridge.
This model also integrates a temperature sensor, useful if you want to connect it, for example, to a thermostat through routines (you can decide to turn it on or off if the temperature reaches a certain value, etc.).
Thanks to the Zigbee hub and new improvements, Echo 4 permanently replaces the old Echo Plus.
Like the rest of the line, it can be connected to other speakers, but it can also be paired in stereo mode with another 4th generation Echo and with Echo Sub, for a 2.1 system
Echo Studio: best for music (smart home too)
Echo Studio is one of the new devices in the line and is dedicated to music lovers, as the design itself suggests (it features, for example, a special button to optimize bass). While, in most smart speakers, music is primarily a secondary feature, Studio was created to give above-average sound quality.
Its 3 51mm mid-range speakers, 25mm tweeter and 133mm woofer, together with the design, offer quality audio, although perhaps not at the levels of more specialized brands in the industry (see Sonos One).
The device supports 3D audio and Dolby Atmos and can be used with a Home Cinema when paired with the Fire TV Stick. Like the Echo 4, it has a Zigbee hub, making it one of the most complete Alexa smart speakers in history.
Amazon Echo Show 10: the most complete smart screen
Speaking of complete smart speakers, we cannot forget the Echo Show 10. This device, in its 3rd generation (2021), has a totally different design from other smart speakers (also different from its brothers in the Show line). In fact, it is the result of the fusion between a cylindrical-shaped speaker with a tablet/digital frame. It is a 10.1″ touch screen (1280×800 pixels). That’s why we call it a smart display.
Thanks to the presence of the screen, you can access additional Alexa functions and skills such as: the ability to make video calls between multiple Echos or via Skype (it has a 13 MP camera with a privacy cover); watch videos, movies, television series (Netflix, Prime Video, etc.) and video recipes (step by step with Directo al Paladar); and view real-time images from compatible video intercoms and video cameras, as well as those from the device itself (the Echo Show 10 thus becomes a security camera and a baby monitor).
Great news also concerns the automatic screen rotation. Thanks to the silent brushless motor integrated into the base, the device can automatically move following the user, a very useful feature while you are cooking or busy with housework or during video calls (during which the camera can also automatically zoom to the person speaking).
Like the Echo 4 and Studio, the Echo Show also integrates a Zigbee hub, which allows you to control Zigbee devices as well as WiFi devices (like the other models).
Regarding audio performance, it integrates a 2.1 system that consists of a 2″ woofer and two 1″ tweeters. Navigation is also good, thanks to a touch keyboard, through the Silk browser (although we should not confuse it with a tablet, since you cannot download apps, for example). Too bad about the lack of native YouTube integration (it can only be used from browsers) and other services like Google Photos.
Amazon Echo Show 5: the cheapest smart display
If the description of the Echo Show 10 has convinced you but the price exceeds your budget, the ideal product for you is definitely the Echo Show 5. This is the mini (and basic) version of the Show 10, with a 5.5″ screen (940x480px, 140mm) and, of course, without integrating a Zigbee hub and without improved audio.
Like the Show 10, the Echo Show 5 also features a video camera (of course, lower resolution: 2MP vs 13MP) and therefore allows you to make video calls, in addition to calls with Alexa without video.
The features and skills are the same (except the Zigbee hub and automatic screen rotation), although playing video content on such a small screen is not as comfortable as on the Show 10. It is more intended for short videos. duration (like the smartphone).
Given its small size and its design, it lends itself very well as an alarm clock: in fact, it has several alarm functions. For the same reason (for more privacy-sensitive users), it has a cover that allows you to cover the camera physically.
Sufficient audio (1.65″ full-range) for basic demands. It also has a 3.5mm output. The integrated processor is MediaTek MT 8163.
Amazon Echo Show 8: the perfect compromise for those who want a screen
Echo Show 8 is an intermediate solution between Echo Show 10 and Echo Show 5. The perfect compromise when it comes to screen size, performance, features, and price.
With an 8″ touch screen, it offers the same resolution as the Echo Show 10 (1280×800 pixels), with an even more detailed image (thanks to a slightly smaller screen).
With the second generation, the camera equipment is improved: we now find a 13 MP camera capable of zooming and automatic framing of the subject during video calls (just like Echo Show 10). The sound system also takes a big leap forward compared to the Show 5, incorporating two 52mm speakers with passive radiators.
In terms of features (and limitations), these remain the same as other Alexa smart displays. Like the Echo Show 5, it does not have a Zigbee hub and presents, in addition to the privacy button, also a physical cover for the camera for greater user peace of mind.
The processor is a little more powerful than that of its younger brother (MediaTek MT 8183) and this device also allows you to browse the web through a browser (this also allows partial use of YouTube).
Amazon Echo Show 15: the largest smart display with widgets
In the Echo Show line, there is also the innovative Echo Show 15, with the latest generation AZ2 processor and more fluid navigation. It is the largest smart display at the moment, with a 15.6″ Full-HD display (1920 x 1080px). Precisely for this reason it is a different device from the ones we have just seen, designed for a slightly different use.
It looks similar to a small TV, with a fairly large white frame that makes it ideal as a digital frame (like the Samsung The Frame TV, for example).
It can be fixed on the wall (kit in the packaging), otherwise, it can be used with a tilting bracket (to be purchased separately) and can have a horizontal and vertical orientation.
Compared to the Echo Show 8 and Show 5, this device does not integrate an optimized camera: it only has a 5MP camera, without auto-framing or zoom, and a camera cover. It is not intended as a communication device, but rather as one for entertaining and organizing all family members.
The large and bright Full HD screen makes it ideal as a television for the kitchen and allows you to enjoy different multimedia content (video recipes, news, videos, etc.), as well as viewing images from cameras and smart video doorbells/doorbells, even while you are watching other content (picture in picture).
Echo Show 15 is also characterized by the possibility of customizing the home screen with a series of widgets, a feature that allows you to consult all the necessary information at a glance (shopping lists, calendars, reminders, notes, etc. ). These widgets are supposed to increase over time and will also be made by third parties.
Another key feature is the possibility of using, in addition to the voice profile, also Visual IDs (facial recognition) to guarantee a completely personalized experience for each member of the family (Alexa responses, calendar, notes, etc.). A function that you can deactivate and that will also soon arrive on the Echo Show 8 and 10.
Echo Flex: the smallest (and cheapest) speaker
Echo Flex is the smallest Alexa speaker ever and, as a result, also the cheapest. In the form of a plug, it is inserted directly into the wall, without the need for cables, hence the name “Flex”, given its flexibility of use and positioning.
Although it is capable, like the others, of playing music and radio, it is not suitable for this use. Given its small size, the audio is low-level (like that of an old smartphone) and the speaker is purely functional (for Alexa voice responses). Enough, however, for very casual listening, for example, in the bathroom.
The peculiarity of Flex lies in the possibility of integrating, through a USB port (with which a smartphone can also be charged) with other accessories. At the moment, only a night light and a motion sensor are available (very useful for routines), although the number of accessories should increase.
A good alternative for the less experienced (although less complete than Dot in terms of audio), perfect as an Echo extension in other rooms, for the bathroom, or in the hallway. If you want to learn more about this product, read our Echo Flex review.
