Even though there are now a variety of smart speakers that support Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant, surely the finest experience is only with using an Amazon Echo speaker. Alexa’s full packed functionality is reserved for Echo Dot smart speakers, which are available in a variety of shapes and sizes at different prices, ranging from the affordable Echo Dot series to the high-end Echo Link devices.
Amazon has launched a new Echo speaker – the Echo Dot (3rd Generation). This new one is updated versions of previous models, with some added additional features. We will talk about what’s different about this one in our review.
Amazon Echo (3rd Generation) Specifications
Starting with the larger Echo (3rd Generation), things are quite different but very familiar. The latest version is larger than the 2nd Generation Echo, indeed matching the larger Echo Plus (2nd Generation) in size, design, and most specifications. The device accompanies a 3-inch woofer, an 8-inch tweeter, and tuning by Dolby – precisely the same as on the Echo Plus. In actual fact, you’re getting the same audio performance as the Echo Plus.
There is one thing that takes apart the Echo (3rd Generation) and Echo Plus (2nd Generation) – the latter has a built-in Zigbee smart home hub, which accompanies handy features if you aim to use your Echo for home automation. If that isn’t significant to you, the latest Echo will do just fine. Users switching from an older Echo will observe a difference in sound quality.
Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Generation) Design
The classy look of this redesigned Echo looks nothing like its predecessors. 4.8 inches tall and 3.9 inches in diameter, it’s the same height as the second-generation Echo but thicker. The additional bulk provides authority, telling the exterior to hide greater hardware inside.
The fabric-swathed sandstone model appears to be grand among white and grey decor and matches the new Echo Dot with a Clock perfectly. The customary Charcoal and Heather Grey options are even sharp. Amazon even introduced a charming Twilight Blue variation exclusive to the new Echo, which I think would be appropriate for a beach home adequately.
A rubber base maintains the Echo in place, whereas the top features a microphone array, LED status ring and four known control buttons. Two are for changing volume, while one wakes Alexa and another is for turning the microphone on or off.
Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Generation) Performance
When contrasted with the prior generation Echo devices, the Echo (3rd Generation) is a noteworthy step up in terms of audio capabilities. It is larger accompanies a dedicated woofer and tweeter, and is proficient in getting much louder. But, this isn’t a new sound experience by anyway, and we discovered that audio quality was largely on par with what we’ve previously experienced in the Echo Plus (2nd Generation).
The speaker can easily get moderately loud, largely driven by the big woofer, which transforms into a punchy, aggressive sound with strong bass. It’s more than sufficient for even a large room, and the sound quality is good enough for casual listening. You can listen to music via streaming content as well as a Bluetooth-connected smartphone, and the result was a sound quality to be sufficient in both cases.
Online critics say the sound is on par with the Echo Plus and it is Amazon’s considerably classier smart speaker.
Talking about audio, the Echo can also be stereo-paired with a different 3rd-gen Echo or 2nd-gen Echo Plus. And similar to the 2nd gen Echo, there is even an audio-out port on the backside that enables it to get connected with your favourite speakers or home entertainment centre.
This thin, modern cylinder will easily become part of any room’s decor.
For many people, this is going to be the go-to Echo option. It comprises of better speakers as compared to the Echo Dot, but it’s no huger, horrible, or techy looking any longer. The latest Echo can be the center of your smart home with no longer being obtrusive.
Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Generation) Price
It’s wonderful what you can get with just a difference of $50. While we are not extremely overwhelmed by the price of the Echo Plus which is $150, the Echo 3rd generation available for $100 is additionally powerful and pleasing for the price. It’s a brilliant improvement in performance from the previous Echo.
The latest Echo 3rd generation costs less as compared to the original, but it’s just as smart and classy. Even though the third-generation model is a bit larger than the second Echo, that larger size means it is better equipped to deal with high volume.
Amazon Alexa
Just pronounce “Alexa,” (or set one of the three alternate wake words through the Alexa app) and give a command, and the Echo will switch to life with a bright blue light ring and a comforting voice. Alexa can give answers to your questions regarding general information, like the weather, sports scores, unit conversions, and general trivia. Alexa can even set timers and alarms for you and give you reminders of your tasks.
Regarding music, you can ask Alexa to play something from Amazon Music, Apple Music, iHeartRadio, Pandora, SiriusXM, or Spotify, and to read your audiobooks from Audible. If you wish to listen to something that isn’t available on those services (or you don’t use them), you can connect your phone to the Echo via Bluetooth and use it as a typical wireless speaker.
Alex supports many of the smart home devices, including smart lights, smart locks, smart outlets, smart thermostats, and many more, covering almost every one of the main consumer home automation brands. You can program difficult routines to organize multiple devices with a single voice command, for example turning the lights off and locking the smart locks on your doors when you say “Alexa, goodnight.” You can even use Alexa to manage your Fire TV device with voice orders.
Alexa is great, but it isn’t perfect. Its syntax and language requirements feel rigid and seldom weird compared with the much more casual Google Assistant. Alexa is getting better over time, but you still have to be cautious of your wording when you’re asking for a particular information or giving a smart home command. Google Assistant is uncomplicated to talk to, and can better keep track of the subject of a request when you provide multiple commands.
Echo privacy: Complete Microphone Control
When we talk about a tool like Drop-In, it’s vital to be acquainted with when someone may be listening. The Echo’s LED ring turns green to show any other device other than Alexa is connecting, while it shines blue when Alexa is waiting for a command. And, if you would want the microphone to stay off and only use the Echo as a regular Bluetooth speaker, you can press the control button on top at any time.
But you’ll acquire the most out of your smart speaker if you leave the microphones on. That way Alexa can respond to queries and learn how to get better as a virtual assistant depending on your feedback. You can even review or delete your Alexa history and recordings within the Alexa app for better control over your privacy.
It is even worth noting that the Echo can make hands-free phone calls too to almost any number in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom.
Final Verdict
The all-new, third-generation Amazon Echo is mainly the Echo Plus lacking a ZigBee hub. It keeps up rock-hard sound, along with lowering the cost.
This is the smart speaker I will suggest to most people I know and for $100 the Echo is the most excellent you can get.
Technically the Amazon Echo (3rd Generation) is not fundamentally different from what has been available for some time now. This Echo has a similar potential as Echo Plus (without the home automation hub) at a lower price.