The Echo Show, for example, has a bezel-less design that makes it look more like a phone than a speaker. The Echo Dot is also sleek and modern, with a metal shell and an all-metal finish. The Echo is still the best speaker on the market, but it’s not as good as the Home or Mini.

The Echo Dot third generation has a cloth-covered finish that makes it look more like a living room accessory than a hockey puck. ..

The third-generation Dot is a new device that was released in late 2017. It is smaller and has a redesigned design, which means that many of the third-party skins, cases, and accessories designed for the second-generation Dot are no longer compatible.

Features

The Echo Dot has a 3.5mm audio output and Bluetooth connectivity, which means that it can only output sound through a connected or wireless connection. However, the Echo Dot has all of the features of the second-generation Echo Dot, including Alexa voice control and all of the other features that are compatible with the second-generation Echo Dot.

Alexa can still answer questions, play music, read the news, check the weather, set alarms, and operate compatible smart home devices. Voice calls are a recent addition.

The Echo Dot is a terrible speaker. It has a terrible 0.6in tweeter inside that’s only good for voice, and a reedy output that was barely adequate for audiobooks and podcasts. That was great because it was intended to be connected to other speakers through Bluetooth or audio wire.

The Echo Dot is a great little speaker that doesn’t have the best sound quality, but it’s still a good option for those who want a small speaker that can play music.

The 2018 Echo Dot’s sound output was poor, and it was not worth prioritising its link with another system over its sound quality.

The Dot’s sound is clear and on-brand with the usual £30 – £40 Bluetooth speaker. It’s more than enough for a small space where you only want Alexa to be available without spending a fortune.

The Echo Dot is a great device, but it doesn’t have an audio out connection. So you’re left with the built-in speaker, which isn’t a patch on the Echo (3rd gen).

Final Words

The Echo Dot is a great addition to your home. It looks better, sounds better, hears you just as well, and has a 3.5mm plug as well as Bluetooth audio in and out. It’s no match for the larger Echo speakers, which cost nearly twice as much, but it narrowly outperforms its closest competitor, the Google Home Mini, in terms of sound and connectivity.

The Echo Dot is a great smart speaker for the price, but if you want to get either of the two main voice assistants, it’s a more difficult decision. If you want Alexa, you’ll have to pay more money, and if you want Google Assistant, you’ll have to pay less.