If you’re looking for an affordable smart speaker that ties your smart home together, Amazon’s new Echo Dot (5th Gen) is an easy pick. It keeps the familiar spherical design and costs around $50, but adds some thoughtful upgrades.
What’s New
– Improved audio: Amazon has tuned the small speaker to produce better bass and a fuller sound compared to the 4th Gen model. It’s not hi-fi, but for its size the performance is impressive.
– Tap controls: The top now acts as a control surface; tapping can pause music, end calls or snooze an alarm. It’s a welcome convenience if you’re not near your phone.
– Temperature sensor: Built-in sensors let Alexa trigger routines when the room gets too warm or cold. For example, you could automatically turn on a fan when the room reaches 75°F.
– Smarter home integration: With improved Wi-Fi and thousands of Alexa skills, the Dot can control lights, thermostats and more.
Downsides
There’s no longer a 3.5 mm audio jack, so you can’t plug the Dot into bigger speakers. It also has to be plugged into the wall, meaning it isn’t portable, and audiophiles will still find its sound lacking.
Should You Buy It?
If you’re new to smart speakers or want to sprinkle affordable smart home helpers around your house, the Echo Dot is a great choice. It’s simple to set up, voice recognition is accurate, Check the current price on Amazon