Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) Overview
The fifth-generation Echo Dot builds upon its predecessors, offering subtle improvements that enhance the user experience. Here’s what you need to know:
Design and Build
- The Echo Dot (5th Gen) maintains the familiar spherical design, measuring 3.9 inches in diameter. It’s available in light blue or white.
- The top half features a grille fabric, while the bottom half is covered in matte plastic.
- Four rubber buttons (action, mic mute, and volume controls) protrude from the fabric on the top.
- A light ring at the base indicates Alexa interactions and voice commands.
Sound Quality
- The Echo Dot (5th Gen) surprises with its well-balanced sound. Despite its small size, it delivers impressive audio.
- Whether you’re streaming music, listening to podcasts, or asking for weather updates, the speaker performs admirably.
- Keep in mind that this is a compact device, so don’t expect booming bass or room-filling sound. However, for its size, it’s quite remarkable.
Tap Gestures
- One of the notable additions to this generation is tap gestures. You can now interact with the speaker by tapping it.
- For instance, you can pause music or snooze alarms without using your voice. It’s a practical feature, especially when you’re not quite ready to speak in the morning.
Room Temperature Sensor
- The Echo Dot (5th Gen) includes a room temperature sensor. While this might seem like a minor addition, it proves beneficial for certain Alexa skills.
- You can use it to trigger routines based on temperature changes. For example, adjust your smart thermostat when the room gets too warm or cold.
Eero Mesh Networking
- In the US, the Echo Dot (5th Gen) comes with built-in Eero mesh networking. This extends your Wi-Fi coverage, ensuring a stronger signal throughout your home.
- Unfortunately, this feature is not yet available in other countries.
Comparison with Echo Dot With Clock
- The Echo Dot With Clock (5th Gen) costs just $10 more than the standard Echo Dot. It features an LED display that shows useful information, such as time, alarms, and timers.
- If you’re willing to spend a little extra, the Echo Dot With Clock might be a better choice, especially if you appreciate visual feedback.
Final Thoughts
The Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) is a capable smart speaker that balances sound quality, convenience, and affordability. While it doesn’t revolutionize the Echo Dot lineup, its incremental upgrades make it a solid choice for anyone seeking an affordable smart home companion. If you’re upgrading from an older generation, consider whether the additional features justify the switch.
Remember, the Echo Dot (5th Gen) is part of Amazon’s ecosystem, so it seamlessly integrates with other Alexa-enabled devices. Whether you’re setting up routines, controlling smart lights, or asking for jokes, this little sphere has you covered!