$10 from every purchase of this product will support (RED)’s efforts to fight AIDS through the Global Fund.
Echo connects to Alexa to play music, read the news, set alarms and timers, answer questions, control compatible smart home devices, and more.
Just ask for a song, artist, or genre from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, SiriusXM, and more. With multi-room music, you can play music on compatible Echo devices in different rooms. Echo can also play Audible audiobooks, radio stations, news briefs, and more.
Powerful speakers with Dolby technology play 360° audio with clear vocals and dynamic bass response. You can also use your voice to adjust equalizer settings or pair with another Echo (2nd Gen) for stereo sound.
Call and message almost anyone hands-free. Instantly drop in on other rooms in your home or make an announcement to every room with a compatible Echo device.
With seven microphones, beamforming technology, and noise cancellation, Echo hears you from any direction—even while music is playing.
Use your voice to turn on lights, adjust thermostats, lock doors, find TV shows, and do more with compatible connected devices.
Alexa is always getting smarter and adding new skills like tracking fitness, playing games, and more.
Want to play music on an Echo in another room? Now with multi-room music, you can tell Alexa to play across your compatible Echo devices. Tell Alexa to play jazz in the kitchen, top pop in the family room, or play the same song throughout your whole home. Learn more
Make your Echo, Echo Dot, or Echo Plus just for kids at no extra charge by enabling Amazon FreeTime in the Alexa app. Automatically filter explicit songs, add approved contacts, set time limits, or review activity with easy-to-use parental controls in the Amazon Parent Dashboard.
With an Amazon FreeTime Unlimited subscription (starting at $2.99 per month), your kids can access over 1,000 Audible books, premium kids skills from brands like Disney and Nickelodeon, ad-free radio stations and playlists, and more.
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Customers like the sound quality, performance, color, ease of use, and music of the digital device. For example, they mention that it works well, looks great, and is easy to set up. Customers are also happy with the voice.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
260 customers mention228 positive32 negative
Customers like the sound quality of the digital device. They say the sound is magnificent, can fill a whole room, and is shocked at how loud they are. Customers also mention that the Echo is rather fun when working correctly.
"...It tends to get tinny at high volumes. It gets pretty loud and it can be used as a Bluetooth speaker and if you have a higher quality sound system..." Read more
"...When I finally got around to connecting them, I was shocked at how loud they are, particularly in the area of bass...." Read more
"...Audio is significantly improved from the previous Echo and the form factor is just exquisite. The aesthetics please me to a certain extent, however...." Read more
"...It works much better than the first gen. The sound quality is superior and it responds more quickly...." Read more
139 customers mention115 positive24 negative
Customers like the performance of the digital device. They say it works well, is impressed with its performance overall, and works well across their group. They also mention that it works good with smart cameras and video doorbells. Overall, customers find the product useful and helpful.
"...The Amazon Echo Show works good with smart cameras and video doorbells.5. Conclusion..." Read more
"...It truly possesses improvements, but not enough. However, the two biggest improvements that truly matter and truly deliver are 1) price and 2) audio...." Read more
"...I did an amazon trade in of the old one to get this. It works much better than the first gen...." Read more
"...doesn't match a proper good speaker setup, it is pretty decent for a stand alone device and matches what I've heard for most bluetooth speakers...." Read more
120 customers mention117 positive3 negative
Customers like the color of the digital device. They say the bright red is a beautiful color that stands out in the room. The choices of colored covers is great to match your home, and it looks great sitting on top of the dresser. The design is more compact and eye pleasing, and the product comes in all sorts of neat colors. Overall, customers are satisfied with the color and design of the product.
"...The fabric shells are interchangeable so you can buy multiple shells. The holiday edition shells are nice to have during the Christmas season...." Read more
"...Oh, and the red is just wonderful, love it!" Read more
"...is significantly improved from the previous Echo and the form factor is just exquisite. The aesthetics please me to a certain extent, however...." Read more
"...Really neat. Best money ive spent in years." Read more
91 customers mention77 positive14 negative
Customers find the digital device easy to use. They mention it's convenient, easy to connect to the radio feed, and makes controlling their house easier.
"...It is a helpful, convenient and even amusing little device. Oh, and the red is just wonderful, love it!" Read more
"...It's been relatively easy to set up and connect to my Google Calendar, but its reminder functionality and ability to schedule a task..." Read more
"...little frivolous but I am shocked at how much I utilize it and how convenient it is having it around...." Read more
"...I thought it was one or the other so it makes controlling my house easier. I love the order notifications. I have my routines set up. “..." Read more
72 customers mention65 positive7 negative
Customers like the music Alexa plays. They say it means a lot to them, and they appreciate the variety of music. They also mention that the product is great for listening to music, and has an amazing speaker and subwoofer.
"...2. FeaturesAlexa is a fantastic assistant. It can play music (from Amazon Music, Spotify, Pandora, or Apple Music) answer basic questions,..." Read more
"...give me the morning news and weather, control smart plugs and bulbs, play music and answer my 6-year-old son's many scientific questions!..." Read more
"...I love all of the things I can do hands free: news flashes, various radio stations, pandora, miscellaneous pieces of information, weather...." Read more
"...The multi-room music is fantastic, and works well across ypour group, except for one glaring omission...." Read more
58 customers mention51 positive7 negative
Customers like the voice recognition of the digital device. They mention that it's easy to set up and use, and Alexa responds to their natural voice. They also appreciate that the microphones are surprisingly good at hearing commands correctly, even from across the room and with a quiet voice.
"...It gets pretty loud and it can be used as a Bluetooth speaker and if you have a higher quality sound system it can connect to them via a 3.5 mm..." Read more
"...The microphones are surprisingly good at hearing commands correctly, even from across the room and with a quiet voice...." Read more
"...I'm glad I didn't let that stop me. The echo has been a great addition...." Read more
"...They all are very responsive to voice, almost to responsive. OMG don’t say Alexa anywhere Within throwing distance or she will hound you incessantly...." Read more
55 customers mention55 positive0 negative
Customers find the digital device very fun, amusing, and convenient. They say it has great entertainment value as a novelty, and is good family entertainment. Customers also like the jokes and games, and mention that it's easy to set up.
"...It is a helpful, convenient and even amusing little device. Oh, and the red is just wonderful, love it!" Read more
"New Echo is pretty much like the old echo. It is fun and interesting...." Read more
"...more on how to utilize all that she can do, but still learning and it is fun. Thank you again one of the best purchases I have made." Read more
"...I really do enjoy it you really can come up with some fun things. The only thing I have noticed after owning it for a few months...." Read more
46 customers mention29 positive17 negative
Customers are mixed about the value of the digital device. Some mention it's worth the money, while others say it'll be a big waste of money.
"...Obviously this require additional cost for the bulbs but it is really worth it...." Read more
"...one in garage and one in the house and the garage one (the red) is persnickety...." Read more
"...linking several echo devices throughout your home, creates a very affordable option for house-wide audio...." Read more
"...Overall great smart speaker for the price" Read more
It was in the summer of 2016 when Alexa entered my home. It quickly became a household landmark and a rather nifty virtual assistant. Over a year ago, the Echo’s price was perhaps the only detriment to such an innovative concept. While AI assistantship is far from being fluid and humane, the Echo and Alexa are certainly the foundations for a future where humans and AIs interact organically.Nonetheless, as much as I loved my first generation Echo, I felt an upgrade was due. I was hesitant at first to upgrade to the 2nd generation Echo mainly because of the slew of negative reviews it received at launch. One of the main selling points for the 2nd generation Echo was undoubtedly the improved audio experience. I was surprised in two instances: 1) early adopters claimed that audio was subpar and 2) Amazon quickly fixed the issue in ways I never thought possible, hence my self-denomination as amateur techie.So, after having my new Echo after almost a week I can say I have experienced, perhaps, the best version of this particularly product. Audio is significantly improved from the previous Echo and the form factor is just exquisite. The aesthetics please me to a certain extent, however. I truly do miss the butter-smooth volume ring from the previous Echo. The buttons seem a little rough upon clicking them and from time to time the Echo will make a harsh clicking noise after requesting a command and while talking back to me. This is particularly annoying at higher volumes and before playing any music. Furthermore, tracks don’t properly start from the beginning, instead they’ll skip 1-3 seconds in to the song. It doesn’t happen all the time, but it happens more than enough times to merit a certain discomfort. I expect these annoyances will be fixed in the coming software updates.Subsequently, the 2nd Generation Echo had the intent to bring us a nice update by simply upgrading the Echo Dot and making it a direct competitor to the Google Home’s concept of form factor and interchangeable hardware functionality. In paper it sounds like a great update, but in practicality the 2nd Gen Echo simply falls short — it simply couldn’t live up to its own legacy. I didn’t buy the Echo Plus simply because of its form factor, although it is significantly better than the previous Echo. I have just been infatuated with the idea of this 2nd Gen Echo. It truly possesses improvements, but not enough. However, the two biggest improvements that truly matter and truly deliver are 1) price and 2) audio. Let these two factors guide your decision when adopting Alexa, especially if you’re new to the concept of home automation and virtual assistantship.For those seeking to adopt such lifestyle, this product is the best option by far. Try to obtain one during this holiday season with the substantial price cut. Furthermore, try to get this device in (RED) — it simply is stunning!
1. Design The Amazon Echo looks great. Its rival (Google Home) looks like an air freshener in comparison. The fabric shells are interchangeable so you can buy multiple shells. The holiday edition shells are nice to have during the Christmas season. My favorite by far has been the Product Red Echo shell. The Red looks fantastic and is only available for a limited time. At the time of writing it has been discontinued.
2. Features Alexa is a fantastic assistant. It can play music (from Amazon Music, Spotify, Pandora, or Apple Music) answer basic questions, make phone calls, read your emails, check your calendar, set timers and alarms, give you the weather, tell a bad joke, give you news and stock updates, lets you check in with your favorite sports teams, can play Jeoparady with you, can make your own questions and answers and games with it, create your own custom routines, and much much more.
3. Sound Quality Overall, the Echo sounds great. There's enough bass and can fill a room with music. It's not perfect, but great for casual listening. It tends to get tinny at high volumes. It gets pretty loud and it can be used as a Bluetooth speaker and if you have a higher quality sound system it can connect to them via a 3.5 mm audio jack.
4. Smart Home Amazon Alexa currently has many more services that work with it compared to Google Home. It works with Philips Hue, TP-Link, and SmartThings to name a few. The Wemo smart plug is the best in my experience. Always pay a little more for more reputable brands. Bought a $13 Gosund plug and it was awful. Although I've never tried the Amazon Smart Plug, I think it would be great. Amazon Echo Plus has a built in smart home hub that is beneficial. The Amazon Echo Show works good with smart cameras and video doorbells.
5. Conclusion Amazon Echo and Alexa re-defined what a digital assistant could be. The next iteration of a game changing product does not disappoint.
I've had Echo Dots for about a year now, and have enjoyed them. I bought two of this new model when they were on sale 2 for $120, and I happened to have a $20 coupon, so I got two for $100 sometime in December. When I finally got around to connecting them, I was shocked at how loud they are, particularly in the area of bass. I do think they're a little TOO bass-y, but I'll sort out how to adjust that as soon as possible. That said, while using the rain sounds feature at bedtime, I have to say that the thunder sounds are really impressive and full!
The microphones are surprisingly good at hearing commands correctly, even from across the room and with a quiet voice. Much better than the Echo Dot second generation I already own.
The real value of Alexa, though, is in the thousands of skills you can add to her via the smartphone app. I do wish they'd extend that capability to their remarkably lackluster Windows app, but I guess Jeff Bezos has some hate for Microsoft, so probably not likely to happen, even though the vast majority of Amazon customers use Windows PC's.
Familiarize yourself with the app and learn to use skills. You'll be surprised at how much she can really do!
This is my second Echo. I have one of the first original Echos and love it. Now that Amazon supports multi-room music I decided to get this one. I am so glad I did. The sound quality is great and it sounds so good having them playing throughout the house. Red is my favorite color and I see it's no longer available so I am really glad I didn't wait any longer to buy this!
Additional Info: Prior to buying this I had some questions I couldn't find answers for in the forum or when calling Amazon Customer Service. I wanted to know if the Dot would support multi-room music if connected by audio cable to my Bose Wave III. I finally decided to buy a Dot locally and try it. It does work but connecting using the audio cable does not produce good quality sound. The audio only came out one side of the Bose. I read a couple of other reviews stating similarly that when Dot is connected by audio cable to a stereo system, the sound only came out of the left speaker. In order to use it for multi-room music it cannot be connected using blue-tooth, therefore, I returned the Dot and ordered the Echo. Best decision! Hopefully this info will help someone else who might be pondering this.
I received my Red Echo as the gift I didn't know I wanted and I am just delighted with it! I have a couple of smart plugs paired with it (more to come) and love being able to just ask Alexa to turn on/off lights. I regularly check the weather for the day and the week, have music streamed for me, get the occasional joke and have even very conveniently placed amazon orders for a few products I regularly use. It is a helpful, convenient and even amusing little device. Oh, and the red is just wonderful, love it!