The Newest Amazon Echo Dot Is Now on Sale at Its Lowest Price Ever
The Amazon Echo Dot (5th generation) is now $22.99, down from $49.99, its lowest price ever, according to trackers like Keepa. While it may look almost identical to the previous generation Echo Dot, with its squat 3.9-inch spherical shape and fabric front panel, it comes with some upgrades that make it more comfortable than ever.
The most noticeable changes are the addition of motion sensors, which allow you to press the top of the device to control music, snooze alarms, and end calls. It’s a small but handy feature, especially if you’re looking for a way to interact without barking commands or using physical buttons. The internal speaker has also been slightly upgraded to be larger, now measuring 1.73 inches versus 1.6 inches in the previous model, but don’t expect revolutionary audio improvements. According to reviews, the sound is decent, but still limited. It’s enough to fill a small room, but if you want amazing bass or loud sound, you’ll be better off looking at larger models like the Amazon Echo Studio ($199.99).
In terms of connectivity, the Echo Dot now supports Eero mesh network integration, allowing it to act as a hub for your Eero Wi-Fi system, providing coverage of up to 1,000 square feet. This is a nice bonus if you’re already using Eero, but it might not be a game changer for everyone. It also supports Bluetooth and dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi, which is great for streaming music or podcasts from services like Spotify, Apple Music, or iHeartRadio. One downside, however, is the removal of the 3.5mm jack from previous models, so you can no longer connect it to larger speakers for more powerful sound.
Of course, the Echo Dot runs on the Alexa platform, which remains one of the most widely supported voice assistants. It can handle everything from setting alarms and controlling smart home devices to playing music and making calls. If you’re already invested in the Amazon ecosystem, the Echo Dot would be a good addition, especially with its ability to control your smart home devices through routines or even “hunches” from Alexa, which proactively suggests actions based on your habits, according to this PCMag. review .