Comparing Echo and Echo Dot: Which Alexa device is right for you during Amazon’s Big Spring Sale?

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Smart speakers like Amazon’s Echo family of products are a great starting point if you’re looking to get a smarter home. They’re affordable and easy to use, and beyond just playing music, they can help you find your next binge-watch, read the news, and adjust room settings.

Since debuting a decade ago, Amazon’s Echo devices have multiplied quickly. There are nearly a dozen iterations of the smart home devices, but let’s not overcomplicate it. The Echo (Fourth Generation) and Echo Dot (Fifth Generation) fall in the middle of the Echo lineup. While they look like virtually the same device, the Dot offers the perks of an Echo in a smaller package.

So what’s one to do? To help you out, we compared these smart speakers side by side. Here’s everything you need to know if you’re deciding between the Echo and the Echo Dot.

When is the best time to buy an Echo or Echo Dot?

Before we even get into all the logistics of both devices, you should be prepared for when to shop. Yes, they start at affordable prices — the Echo starts at $99.99 and the Dot at $49.99. However, you don’t need to (and shouldn’t) buy them at full price. The best time to buy is during shopping holidays like Black Friday, when you’ll find Echos at their lowest prices ever. We’ve seen the Echo Dot go as low as $22.99.

While we’re still several months away from the big shopping events, seasonal events like Amazon’s Big Spring Sale present savings opportunities, especially on Amazon devices. When the event runs from March 25 through the 31, we’re looking out for deals on Echo devices.

Privacy concerns on Echo devices

Another thing to mention before we get into the Echo vs. Echo Dot debate is something that affects all Echo users, no matter the specific device. Rightfully so, there are privacy concerns around Echos as they’ve been known to record entire conversations, listening in when you’re talking about potentially sensitive information.

To limit some of this risk, in the Alexa app, you can review your daily voice history and delete anything you don’t vibe with, manage the access to data certain skills have, and more. On the exterior of both the 4th Gen Echo and 5th Gen Echo Dot, you can also find a mic-off button that will prevent any audio input from reaching Alexa.

However, in 2025, Amazon is making even bigger changes that could affect user privacy. Previously, users could choose “Do Not Send Voice Recordings” in settings, which meant that all requests you made were processed locally rather than getting sent off to Amazon’s servers. As of March 28, 2025, Amazon is taking away this setting, meaning all requests will be sent through Amazon servers.

While Amazon promises that all information requests are encrypted and secure, it still means that the retailer has access to all user data now. If you have concerns, there are other smart home options to explore with better privacy.

Difference between Echo and Echo Dot

Amazon Echo smart speaker review (4th Gen)

The Echo weighs 34.2 ounces and its dimensions are 5.7 x 5.7 x 5.2 inches. On its round exterior, you’ll find an action button, volume buttons, a mic-off button, a light-up ring, a power port, and a 3.5-millimeter audio output. With three distinct color options currently available at Amazon, this under-$100 device is sure to fit your home decor seamlessly.

Setting up the Echo is also seamless and you can use it within minutes. Indeed, the only things inside the package are the device itself, a power adapter, and two guides. The setup guide is highly visual, which is always a perk. To begin, you have to download the Alexa app and sign in. No, you don’t need to have a Prime account to use an Amazon smart device (though its range of possibilities surely increases for those of us who are Prime members). Plug in the included power adapter into the Echo and then plug the Echo into a wall outlet. The light ring on the Echo will turn blue when it’s on and then orange when Alexa greets you. Next, connect the Echo to your home WiFi network. The Alexa app will then walk you through the rest of the setup process, including customizing your “wake word,” mastering the pronunciation of your name, allowing access to phone contacts, and more.

Once all that is ready, you’re good to go. Give your newest smart home companion a warm welcome: After all, it will be your go-to from now on for blasting music, waking you up in the morning, providing news and weather reports, calling loved ones, and so much more.

Amazon Echo Dot smart speaker review (5th Gen)

The Echo Dot takes smart living to a new level. Though this device is two years newer than the aforementioned Echo (4th Gen), it’s actually $50 cheaper.

The Echo Dot weighs 10.7 ounces, a third of the size of the Echo, and its dimensions are 3.9 x 3.9 x 3.5 inches. This baby can easily fit on countertops, shelves, or nightstands. Similar to the Echo, it boasts an action button, a microphone-off button, volume controls, a light ring, and a power port. It pretty much comes with the same color options as the bigger Echo, except for its deep sea blue shade being slightly darker than the Echo’s twilight blue shade. Potayto, potahto.

Setup is also a breeze with the Echo Dot. First, plug it into a wall outlet and open the Alexa app to start setup. (You’ll need to download the Alexa app on your smartphone beforehand.) Once you open the app, select “devices” and then select the “+” icon. Follow the on-screen instructions from that point on and personalize the device to your liking.

What you get when you order an Amazon Echo Dot.
Credit: Stacia Datskovska / Mashable

Smarter, easier living features

Echo

The Amazon Echo functions as your personal butler and best friend. Since it’s a smart speaker that connects to the Alexa Voice Service, you use it to do everything from playing the latest hits to purchasing some kitchen staples to killing your boredom with a round of Jeopardy! Advanced sound technology helps the Echo immediately respond to you and recognize your voice. In fact, during the setup process on the Alexa app, Echo learns your voice’s cadences and pitch by making you repeat some sample prompts. Impressive.

You can tell Alexa exactly what to put on your grocery list and manage the items on your Alexa app.
Credit: Screenshot: Amazon

Prompt response: Beamforming technology, noise-cancellation, and seven microphones will enable the Echo to hear you from your nearby location. Just speak the wake word and say commands like “Alexa, find an Amazon Music playlist,” or “Alexa, call Dad” for immediate assistance. Something to note: Your speaker does not by any means have to be called Alexa. Other fun options include Echo, Ziggy, or Santa. Referring to your device as that last option unlocks a whole new Ho-Ho-Ho personality for it. Another thing to note: Amazon is getting better about accessibility, in the form of Adaptive Listening. This feature, when enabled, essentially gives you more time to finish speaking — Alexa’s way of accommodating speech patterns like stuttering.

Beats master: Of course the Echo can play music, but it’s more than a basic speaker. It comes with Dolby premium sound that fills a whole room — with deep bass and clear high notes alike. If you have two Echo devices in one room, you can actually tell one of them to “play music everywhere,” which will amplify sound to even higher levels and make for an actual at-home clubbing experience. Word of caution, however — Alexa didn’t cooperate with me, strangely, when I tried to test out this feature. For those of us who are highly picky about music streaming services, Amazon lets you set default options which you can change at any time. Do you want Alexa to pick music from Apple Music but podcasts from Spotify? No problem, there’s an option for that.

Hands-free communication: If you need to message or call loved ones, the Echo has your back. You can use Alexa to communicate with people via phone or text on the Echo, without grabbing your smartphone. Plus, Alexa can also make household announcements across Amazon Echo devices at home, so your family knows if dinner is ready or guests are arriving. Use the Drop-In feature to connect to other Amazon Echo devices or the Announcement feature to record cute messages in your own voice (accom