Amazon Echo vs Amazon Dot 2018

If you are looking at the Amazon Echo products, you may find yourself confused about the difference between the Amazon Echo versus the Amazon Echo Dot. The only apparent differences are that the Echo Dot stands smaller and is quite a bit cheaper.

Both the Echo and the Echo dot are hands-free, and voice controlled. They both have a speaker system that is built in and that connects to the Alexa Service and allows you to make phone calls, play music, send or receive text messages, provide news and weather, update you on sports scores, and plenty more. The Echo and the Echo Dot are able to hear a voice from across a room, and wake up if you say “Alexa.”

Which Should You Buy?

With all of the features that make them similar, you may be torn between devices, and that’s where this review comes in. You will learn the ins and outs of both devices, as well as the winning choice.

Why Should You buy an Amazon Echo?

Amazon created a great product when it made the Amazon Echo. It has been a well-loved and high-quality product since it was released.

The Amazon Echo has Dolby processing which fills the room with 360-degree omnidirectional sound. Even more impressive, the speakers provide crisp vocals and dynamic bass sounds.

It is available in six different styles including:

• Charcoal fabric
• Heather gray fabric
• Oak finish
• Sandstone fabric
• Silver finish; and,
• Walnut finish

Each of the various styles are neutral and can comfortably fit into the design of the room they are in, without standing out.

If you have multiple Echo devices, you can listen to the same music, audiobooks, radio stations, news briefs, and more through the devices in each room, giving you an even more prominent sound.

The Amazon Echo can hear you from any direction, even while music is playing because it has seven microphones with beamforming technology and noise cancellation. Whether you are asking a simple question or wanting to have a voice or text conversations, Alexa’s ability to hear you is impressive.

Not only can the Amazon Echo check your calendar, weather, and traffic conditions, it can also complete shopping lists, control smart lights and thermostats, open and close garage doors, turn sprinklers on and off, and more. Recently, Alexa technology has expanded even further, and now you are able to control your tv, request an Uber driver, and order a pizza, among other things.

Why Should You Buy an Amazon Echo Dot?

The Amazon Echo Dot can be compared to the Amazon Echo because it also powers through Alexa and has the same capabilities.

People who purchase the Echo Dot are instantly able to play music, control smart home devices, make and receive calls, exchange text messages, get information about the weather and news, read audiobooks from Audible, and connect to the many different apps that all Echo devices can connect to, like Amazon Music, Spotify, Pandora, and iHeartRadio.

Compatible televisions for the Echo Dot include WeMo, Philips Hue, Sony, Samsung, SmartThings, Nest, and many others. Like the Amazon Echo, the Echo Dot has speakers built in to work as its own smart alarm clock in your bedroom, your assistant in the kitchen, or anywhere else you want to have a voice-controlled computer.

The Amazon Echo Dot’s size is significantly smaller than the Amazon Echo because it doesn’t have the iconic speaker that makes up the Amazon Echo.  Actually, it is similar in size and design style to the top of the Amazon Echo.

The Echo Dot does have a speaker in it that is comparable to the speaker sound quality in most laptops; however, it can connect to speakers and headphones through Bluetooth or a 3.5 mm stereo cable to give you a great sound.

What Are They Not So Good At?

While there are many great features of both the Amazon Echo and the Amazon Echo Dot, which make them well-loved products, each of them has differences that set them apart.

Amazon Echo

The Amazon Echo gets a lot of great reviews, but for people who already have a good speaker system, the Amazon Echo is a pricier way to get the same features in the Amazon Dot. The cost has been a detriment to some.

One of the most significant features that distinguishes Alexa powered products over its competitors, like Siri, is that it is capable of more functions, and it can also be used without a smartphone. The flip side to that is that Amazon designed the Echo to be functional without a smartphone, yet people are unable to set the Amazon Echo up, manage settings, or turn on additional skills (services) without a smartphone.

For people who want Alexa for home use and don’t care for smartphones, the Amazon Echo has made it virtually impossible.

Amazon Echo Dot

The Amazon Echo Dot’s biggest setback, when compared to the Amazon Echo, is that it has to be connected to an external speaker for a good quality sound. For people who want to listen to music, news, podcasts, audible books, or any other sound-requiring app, the Amazon Echo Dot’s are not all inclusive like the Amazon Echo. Instead, people have to carry headphones or a speaker to get a good sound.

Some people are okay with the tinny sound because the Dot speaker is much more affordable; however, for someone who doesn’t have good Bluetooth headphones or a good speaker, they may end up paying what they would for the Amazon Echo to have the same effect.

Brand Recap

There is no shortage of positive reviews for both the Amazon Echo and the Amazon Echo Dot. The quality of these Amazon products, mixed with the significant functionality of Alexa make this an excellent product for many people. Alexa has been listed as a favorite home assistant by many people. While there are several different Echo products, the two most popular ones have been the Echo and the Echo Dot. While we have already discussed some of the leading features, and setbacks for both, this is a breakdown of the highlights of the Echo and the Echo Dot to help you make the best decision.

Features of the Amazon Echo

• It has a 2.5-inch woofer and 0.6-inch tweeter.
• It can stream Wi-fi music from all major apps.
• The Echo has dual-band Wi-Fi that supports 2.4 and 5 GHz networks.
• It has a line-out with 3.5 mm cable or Bluetooth.
• You can make free audio calls anywhere in the US, to Mexico, and also to Canada.
• It is 5.9 inches tall by 3.5 wide and weighs 29 ounces.
• It comes with a 1-year limited warranty and service.
• There are optional 1, 2, and 3-year extended warranties that can be purchased as well.
• There is no built-in battery, but you can purchase a wireless battery base from Amazon.
• It requires Wi-Fi and an Internet connection to function. Bluetooth is only available for secondary music outputs.

Features of the Amazon Echo Dot

• It has a 0.6-inch speaker.
• It can stream Wi-Fi music from all major apps.
• It has a line-out with 3.5 mm cable or Bluetooth.
• It is 1.3 inches tall by 3.3 inches wide and weighs 5.7 ounces.
• It has dual-band Wi-Fi that supports 2.4 and 5 GHz networks.
• The Echo Dot has a built-in speaker for voice feedback when not connected to external speakers.
• It has a 3.5 mm stereo audio output. The audio cable is not included.
• The Dot comes with a 90-day limited warranty and service included. There are optional 1, 2, and 3-year extended warranties available for purchase.
• Can connect with other Echo products.

What is the Final Verdict?

The features and offerings of the Amazon Echo and the Amazon Echo Dot are so similar that it makes it difficult to pick a favorite. For most people, the best Echo product is going to be determined by each person. If you need an all-inclusive speaker and Alexa device, the Amazon Echo is excellent. If you want a smaller, more portable Alexa device to connect to a speaker you already have, the Dot is a wise choice.

While both products are similar and have a lot to offer. My pick for the best product is the Amazon Echo. First, many people found the Echo Dot more appealing because there was a significant price difference when the Amazon Echo was 179 dollars, instead of 99 dollars. Now that it is more affordable, I feel like the fact that it offers all of the same features as the Amazon Echo Dot but also has an outstanding speaker on it makes it the better option.

The Amazon Echo is all-in-one, for a minimal price increase, which makes it more portable, and easier to use