When it comes to smart speakers, the Amazon Echo Dot has been a household name for years, offering a compact, budget-friendly option for anyone looking to integrate Alexa into their home. With the release of the 5th Gen Echo Dot, Amazon promises a few upgrades and improvements, but how does it compare to previous versions, and is it really worth the upgrade?
In this Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen Review, we’ll dive into the features and performance of this device. And if it truly lives up to its hype.
Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen Review
Let’s dive into the features, performance, and whether this new model truly lives up to its hype.
Design and Build: Familiar but Polished
At first glance, the Echo Dot 5th Gen doesn’t stray far from the design of its predecessor, the 4th Gen model. It retains the spherical shape introduced in the previous generation, which many users find sleek and modern compared to the puck-shaped versions of the past.
Available in three color options (Charcoal, Glacier White, and Deep Sea Blue), it seamlessly blends into most home décor. The build feels solid, with a premium touch to the fabric covering that houses the speaker. It still has the familiar light ring at the base, which illuminates during interactions with Alexa, giving that subtle visual feedback we’ve come to expect.
While the design remains relatively unchanged, the 5th Gen Echo Dot does feel a bit more refined in its finish, though it might not be enough to warrant an upgrade based on aesthetics alone.
Sound Quality: Noticeable Improvements
One of the most significant upgrades in the 5th Gen Echo Dot is the improved sound quality. Amazon claims that this model offers deeper bass and clearer mids compared to its predecessor, and after testing, it’s clear they’ve delivered on this promise.
For a device this small, the sound is impressively rich. The bass is more pronounced, making music playback far more enjoyable than it was on the 4th Gen. You can feel the difference, especially if you’re streaming bass-heavy genres like hip-hop or electronic music.
Vocals also come through clearly, making it suitable for podcasts and audiobooks. That said, if you’re expecting room-filling sound from the Amazon Echo Dot, you might still be left wanting.
While it’s excellent for smaller spaces like bedrooms, kitchens, or offices, it’s not going to replace a full-size speaker if you’re looking for an immersive audio experience. For most people, however, the enhanced audio in this small package is more than adequate for daily use.
Alexa’s New Features: Smarter and Faster
The 5th Gen Echo Dot comes equipped with Amazon’s latest generation of Alexa, making the voice assistant smarter and faster. Commands feel snappier, and Alexa continues to expand in its abilities. Whether you’re asking for the weather, controlling smart home devices, or playing music, the response times are noticeably quicker.
One of the standout new features is the built-in Eero functionality. This turns your Echo Dot into a mesh Wi-Fi extender if you have an Eero Wi-Fi system in your home, which is a fantastic bonus for anyone struggling with weak Wi-Fi signals.
It’s a clever integration that makes the Echo Dot more than just a smart speaker—it’s also a part of your home’s network infrastructure. Additionally, the Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen includes temperature sensors, allowing you to create more advanced smart home automation.
For example, you can ask Alexa to automatically turn on the fan when the room gets too warm, adding an extra layer of convenience to your daily routines.
Smart Home Integration: Seamless and Expanded
The Echo Dot 5th Gen continues to shine as a central hub for smart home control. With Alexa built-in, you can effortlessly control a wide range of smart home devices, from lights to thermostats to security cameras, all with simple voice commands.
The expanded capabilities of Alexa, paired with the new Eero integration and temperature sensors, make this model even more versatile for smart home enthusiasts. If you’re already invested in the Alexa ecosystem, the 5th Gen Echo Dot offers a smooth, intuitive experience for controlling your devices.
For those new to smart homes, this model remains one of the easiest and most affordable entry points into voice-controlled automation.
What’s Missing?
Despite the improvements, there are still a few areas where the Echo Dot 5th Gen falls short. First, it doesn’t include the 3.5mm audio jack that earlier models had. This means you can’t easily connect it to external speakers or audio systems, which could be a dealbreaker for some users.
Another feature absent from the 5th Gen model is Zigbee integration, which is available on some of Amazon’s higher-end devices like the Echo (4th Gen) and Echo Studio. Zigbee allows for direct communication with certain smart home devices without the need for separate hubs, so if you’re heavily invested in Zigbee-compatible products, you might find this lacking.
Lastly, while the sound quality has improved, it still isn’t on par with larger smart speakers like the Echo or Echo Studio. So, if audio performance is your primary concern, the Echo Dot might not fully satisfy your needs.
Is It Worth the Upgrade?
So, is the Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen worth the upgrade? If you’re coming from an older generation (3rd Gen or earlier), the improvements in sound quality, smart home integration, and Alexa’s performance make it a no-brainer.
The added features, such as the temperature sensor and Eero integration, provide a level of functionality that makes the 5th Gen model a versatile tool for smart home enthusiasts. However, if you already own the 4th Gen Echo Dot, the upgrade might not be as compelling.
The sound improvements are noticeable, but not necessarily game-changing, and if you don’t need the new smart home features or Wi-Fi extender capabilities, the differences may not justify purchasing a new device.
Conclusion
The Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen continues the tradition of delivering a compact, affordable smart speaker with impressive capabilities. With enhanced sound quality, new smart home features, and faster Alexa responses, it’s a great addition to any home.
However, for current 4th Gen owners, the improvements might not be enough to warrant an immediate upgrade. For those looking to step into the Alexa ecosystem or add more smart speakers to their home, the Echo Dot 5th Gen is a strong contender.