Amazon Echo (shortened to Echo) is Amazon’s product line of smart speakers. Echo devices connect to the voice-controlled intelligent personal assistant service Alexa, which will respond when you say the name “Alexa”. Users may change this wake word to “Amazon”, “Echo” or “Computer”. Everyone wants to know that what types of Amazon Echo are there? What are the differences? Here you will find all answers.
Amazon Echo models
Amazon Echo is the collective name for Amazon’s smart speakers. All smart speakers from the American company are released under the name Echo.
Several types of smart speakers are available within the Echo product line. The cheapest is the Echo Dot, followed by the regular Amazon Echo. You have the most expensive and highest sound quality with Echo Studio.
Several generations of Amazon Echo
The Amazon company has marketed by far the most smart speakers. In our opinion, the naming of the large number of models is somewhat confusing.
- Oldest generation: 1st generation
- Current latest generation: 4rd generation
Amazon has released several generations of models. The 1st generation is the oldest, followed by the 2nd and 3rd generation, and so on. Not every generation has every model.
Older Echo models
Older models have become cheaper, but may also be less good. Just like with smartphones, you run the risk that older models will not be supported for so long. For example, you will no longer receive updates.
3rd generation smart speakers from Amazon
Amazon regularly releases new smart speakers. Here you will find the latest product line, from cheap to more expensive.
| Echo Dot
3rd generation |
Amazon Echo3rd generation |
Echo Studio |
Echo Show 5 |
Echo Show 8 |
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Echo Dot
This is the Echo Dot. The small smart speaker from Amazon. The device has acceptable sound quality for small spaces. The Echo Dot has the same features as the more expensive models. The advantage is that it is smaller. The disadvantage is the lower sound quality. Read our deatil review about Amazon Echo dot (3rd gen) here.
Amazon Echo
The Echo is Amazon’s standard size smart speaker. The product has excellent sound quality of an average bedroom or living room. But don’t expect sound quality that will allow you to throw a party.
Amazon Echo Studio
The more expensive smart speaker from Amazon with the very best sound quality. The Echo Studio will not disappoint, even in a large living room. The sound quality is also very good for a party.
Echo Show 5
A smart speaker with screen, which is also called a smart display or smart hub. The Echo Show 5 is a smart display from Amazon. With this product you can easily control all your other smart devices in the house. Sound quality is reasonable for an average living room. Read more detail about Echo Show 5 here in Amazon Echo Show 8 review.
Echo Show 8
The Echo Show 8 is a larger smart hub (a smart speaker with screen). The touchscreen is therefore a bit bigger and the sound is a bit better. Perfect for any living room. Read more detail about Echo Show 8 here in Amazon Echo Show 8 review.
Amazon Echo 2nd generation models
Amazon Echo Dot 2nd generation
The Echo Dot is Amazon’s smallest smart speaker. This smart speaker is also the cheapest model from Amazon Echo.
Because this device is so small, it also contains the smallest speaker. That also means: the least sound quality. Where the more expensive models all have room-filling sound, the Echo Dot does not. The speakers are not powerful enough for that.
The big advantage of the Echo Dot is that it is relatively cheap. The cheap Echo Dot is therefore an interesting entry-level model. The capabilities of the device are the same as the normal Echo and the Echo Plus. Only difference is that the Echo Plus has a built-in ‘hub’ for easy installation for smart home devices.
However, this doesn’t mean you can’t use smart home devices with the Echo Dot. However, the installation is a bit more complicated. Smart home devices are smart devices in the house, for example smart lamps that you can turn on by talking to the Amazon Echo Dot.
Benefits:
- Cheap
- Small format
- Good entry-level model
- Same usages as Echo and Echo Plus models
Cons:
- Small speaker (no Dolby Dual Speaker)
- No room filling sound
- Low sound quality
Amazon Echo 2nd generation
The Amazon Echo is the standard model of the Amazon. Also called the middle model. The quality of the Echo is better than the Echo Dot.
The speakers are of a much higher quality. This smart speaker contains Dual-Speaker from Dolby. These speakers are powerful enough to provide your living room with good sound quality.
The possibilities of the Echo are the same as the Echo Plus. There is only one difference. Installing smart home devices is easier with the Echo Plus. This is due to the special module built into the Echo Plus for this purpose. With the Echo, installation is a bit more complicated. In addition, the sound quality of the Echo Plus is also slightly better than the Echo. However, this difference is not great.
Benefits
- Good standard model
- Many possibilities
- Good sound quality
Cons
- Sound quality slightly less than the Echo Plus
- Simple installation module for smart home devices is missing
Amazon Echo Plus (2nd gen)
The best smart speaker without screen from Amazon. The Echo Spot and Echo Show are even more expensive and possibly better, but they include a built-in screen. The Echo Plus has the best speaker of all models. Even better than the more expensive Echo Spot and Echo Show. The loudspeaker has high-quality, room-filling sound.
In addition, the Echo Plus contains a module with which other smart devices can easily be connected. This makes the installation of other smart devices a piece of cake.
Like all other Echo models, the Echo Plus uses the Alexa assistant. This is Amazon’s general assistant. Do you want the speaker to play music from Coldplay? Then you say out loud: ‘Alexa, play music from Coldplay’. Then Alexa will start the music. Do you want to buy an Echo Plus? View the pros and cons of the Echo Plus below.
Benefits
- Best sound quality
- Easy installation module for other smart devices
- Room-filling sound
Cons
- Price is higher than other models without screen
- No screen
Amazon Echo Spot (2nd gen)
Unlike all previous models, the Echo Spot contains a screen. A screen on your smart speaker makes everything very clear.
The Echo Spot has a less good speaker than the Echo and the Echo Plus.
Benefits:
- Device has a screen
- Compact model
Cons:
- Lower sound quality than Echo and Echo Plus model
Amazon Echo Show (2nd gen)
The Echo Show is the flagship of Amazon’s smart speakers. This device contains a screen, the largest screen that is. The screen is 7 inches in size (17.7 centimeters).
This device provides optimal image and the best room-filling sound of all Amazon smart speakers. There are two high-quality speakers in the Echo Plus. The screen can also be used to watch videos from online video platforms.
The highest quality speakers and the large screen therefore lead to the most expensive model. If you want to buy the Echo Show, you will have to pay the highest price. But then you have something.
Benefits
- Large 17.7 centimeter screen
- Two high quality speakers
- Room-filling sound
- Ability to play videos
Cons
- Highest price
Amazon Echo 1st generation models
Amazon Echo
In March 2016, Amazon unveiled the original Echo Dot, which is a hockey puck-sized version of the Echo designed to be connected to external speakers due to the smaller size of the onboard speakers, or to be used in rooms such as the bedroom as an alternative to the full-sized Echo. Beyond these distinctions, the Amazon Echo Dot possesses the same functions as the original Echo.
Amazon Echo 4th generation models
In September 2020, the fourth generation Echo Dot was revealed. Read our detailed review about Amazon Echo (4th Generation) here. Also we have do comparison between Amazon Echo VS Echo Dot (4th Gen) here.
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