It isn’t too surprising: Amazon was the first company to launch a Bluetooth speaker with a built-in digital assistant – Alexa – back in 2016.
Since then, it has expanded the range greatly, with many models to choose between and a choice of a smart speaker (Echo) or a display with speakers (Echo Show).
With so many different devices costing from very little to quite a lot, it can be hard to know which one to buy. If you want audio only, then look at the smart speakers, but go for an Echo Show and you’ll be able to see your photos, play videos from various streaming services (now including Netflix), watch news headlines and get graphical weather forecasts. The display is also great for playing a number of games.
Every one of these devices runs on mains power (they’re not battery powered or portable) and they’re all hands-free. That means they respond when you ask a question, but they all rely on Wi-Fi and an internet connection.
You can do a lot with Alexa. You can ask for specific music and have that music play in sync across all your Echo devices. You can also “drop in” on another Echo in a different room to have a quick conversation with a family member. You can also call friends and relatives with Echos – or the Alexa app – and this can be a video call if you and they have an Echo Show.
Of course, there are more prosaic uses, such as saying “Alexa, what’s the time?” and “Alexa, set a timer for 10 minutes”. But if you have compatible smart lights, or a smart plug, you can also say “Alexa, turn on the lights in the kitchen” or “Alexa, turn off the iron”.
This is the great thing about Echos. You can use them very simply, or really take advantage of the cleverer stuff that Alexa can do.
Alexa is built into devices made by other manufacturers too, such as Sonos. You’ll also find Alexa built into some TVs, sound bars – even dash cams and cars – but we’re focusing on Amazon-made devices here.
Read on to see how they differ, but also check out these great accessories for the various Echo devices including the Wall Clock and Echo Connect. There’s also the Echo Sub which can be paired with one or a pair of Echos to provide better bass (but only when streaming music from the internet).
1. Amazon Echo Studio
- Excellent sound quality
- Supports spatial audio
Cons
- Relatively expensive
This is the Amazon Echo to buy if you care about sound quality. You still need to subscribe to a music streaming service that offers ‘HD’ music and, not coincidentally, Amazon’s own is the current one to go for.
The Studio doesn’t only do hi-res audio: it also supports so-called 3D audio. Currently it can play Dolby Atmos and Sony 360 Reality Audio, which can be both music and video soundtracks.
Best of all, it’s way cheaper than rivals from Apple and Google. It also sounds even better when paired with the Echo Sub, but do be warned that the sub only works with streamed music, not via Bluetooth from your phone.
Read our full Amazon Echo Studio review
2. Amazon Echo (4th-gen)
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- Built-in Zigbee hub
- AZ1 processor
Cons
- Can be hard to see light ring
The Amazon Echo 4 looks completely different to the Echo 3 in terms of design, and its sound quality is also noticeably better, with extra bass.
As you’d expect, it can’t compete with the Echo Studio in that respect but it’s much cheaper. If you’re after an inexpensive Echo with great sound, hunt around for an Echo Input on ebay (Amazon discontinued it) and connect it to a speaker of your choice.
The fourth-gen Echo is one of the best-value smart speakers because it now has the smart hub from the Echo Plus, allowing it to connect to and control Zigbee devices such as Philips Hue lights.
The light ring can be harder to see than previous Echos because it’s right at the base, but it really depends upon where you put it in your room and where you’re sitting or standing.
The Echo Dot 4 also has the newer Amazon AZ1 processor which enables a more natural-sounding Alexa voice as well as the ability to process some commands without needing an internet connection.
3. Amazon Echo Dot (4th-gen)
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- Good value
- Useful clock display
Cons
- Not the best sound
The Echo Dot has always been an affordable way to get Alexa in your home. The latest model has better bass, looks better than the third-gen Dot and, when you factor in the more powerful processor, is great value at this price.
You can even pair two Dots for stereo sound.
We think it’s well worth spending the extra £10/$10 to get the clock version as it’s so convenient to see the time, as well as how long is left on a timer. In fact, we’re not quite sure why Amazon doesn’t offer this on the larger fourth-gen Echo.
The Echo Dot 4 is a great option if you’re about to explore the world of Alexa and want a smart speaker to listen to radio, podcast and music as well as ask queries. You can have one, or put several about the house.
Read our full Amazon Echo Dot (4th-gen) review
4. Amazon Echo Show 10
- Rotating display faces you
- Great sound
- Built-in Zigbee hub
Cons
- Expensive
The Echo Show 10 is Amazon’s flagship smart display, or certainly one of two, as it costs the same as the Echo Show 15 (below). Both are considerably more expensive than the 5- and 8-inch Echo Show smart displays, but the Echo Show 10 largely justifies its cost with a good quality sound and the fact the screen can follow you around the room. (You may disagree that this is a benefit, though.)
It sounds a bit gimmicky, and seems a bit creepy at first, but it is a useful feature on, say, a kitchen island where you’d otherwise have to turn the screen manually to see it as you move around.
You can also use its ability to rotate to keep an eye on your room when you’re away, swiping the screen of your phone to turn the camera remotely and see – and hear – what’s happening.
Other than that, the overall experience is much like other Echo Shows.
Read our full Amazon Echo Show 10 review
5. Amazon Echo Show 15
- Widgets provide at-a-glance info
- Wall-mountable
Cons
- Interface needs work
- Middling sound quality
The Show 15 has biggest screen on any Echo at 15.6 inches. You can buy an optional desk stand, shown here, but it’s designed to be hung on the wall.
Unlike other Echo Shows, you can pick widgets which display useful information such as your calendar, favourite smart home device controls and a weather forecast. Thanks to ‘Visual ID’ Alexa can recognise who’s in front of the screen and display personalised information in those widgets.
Companies can make their own widgets, and these should make the Show 15 even more useful, but currently there aren’t many to choose between.
It’s great as a digital photo frame, but as with other Echo Shows, images can only be pulled from Amazon Photos or Facebook, which is quite limiting.
And, because of the thin picture-frame design, sound quality isn’t the Echo Show 15’s strong suit: you’ll want to choose the Echo Show 10 if you plan to listen to a lot of music.
You can use the Show 15 for video calls, but it’s a shame that the camera doesn’t keep you in the frame like the Echo Show 8 and 10. Also note that there is no built-in Zigbee hub.
Read our full Amazon Echo Show 15 review
6. Amazon Echo Show 8 (2021)
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- Can operate like a security camera
- Camera keeps you in the frame in video calls
Cons
- No Zigbee hub
It may not have the Zigbee hub that’s included in the more expensive – and larger – Echo Show 10, but this model offers the best compromise of features, screen size and audio quality.
And at this price, those aren’t compromises you’ll ever regret making: Alexa is just as capable here as she is on the Echo Show 10, able to show the video feed from compatible cameras; lyrics for many songs from Amazon Music and much more besides.
Plus, this second-generation model has a 13Mp camera which has plenty of resolution for digital zoom. This is used in video calls to keep you in the middle of the frame even if you move around the room – just like the Facebook Portal and latest iPad Pro’s Centre Stage feature. It’s not as versatile as the 360° Echo Show 10, but it’s a great addition nonetheless.
Thanks to the fact you can watch Netflix on all Echo Show models, they’re a good choice for entertainment. Just note that unlike on Amazon’s Fire TV devices and Google’s own Nest Hub smart displays, YouTube isn’t easily available on any Echo Show.
Read our full Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd gen) review
7. Amazon Echo Dot (3rd-gen)
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- Very affordable
Cons
- No longer offered with clock display
The third-generation Echo Dot is still being sold alongside the 4th-gen model, at a lower price. We’re not really sure why it’s still part of the range, but it sounds pretty good for its size – especially when listening to the radio.
It lacks the newer processor you get in the fourth-generation Dot, and there’s no ‘with clock’ model available any more. Only the non-clock version is sold.
Really, we’ve kept the Echo Dot in here because Amazon regularly offers big discounts Echos and we’ve seen the Dot sell for much less than the usual $39.99 / £34.99 price. If the difference in price between third- and fourth-gen Dots is only a few dollars or pounds when you look, then it’s worth spending the extra on the newer model.
Read our full Amazon Echo Dot (3rd-gen) review
8. Amazon Echo Show 5 (2021)
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- Can be used like a security camera
Cons
- Mediocre sound
The Echo Show 5 costs less than the fourth-gen Echo, yet has a 5.5in screen and camera for video calls. It’s a little small for watching videos from Amazon Prime (or Netflix), but it’s a great size for popping next to your bed.
Sound quality isn’t as good as the Echo 4 or the Echo Show 8, which is the only real drawback. This latest second-gen model has a higher-resolution camera (but not as good as the 8’s) and can also be used a kind of security camera as you can view the camera feed remotely.
Essentially, it’s a good choice if you have a tight budget but want an Echo with a screen and don’t need music to sound amazing.
Read our full Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd gen) review
9. Amazon Echo Flex
- Inexpensive
- Good for garages / large hallways
Cons
- Not suitable for music
The Flex is a different type of smart speaker: it’s a utility device, not one for listening to music or the radio, and is designed to plug directly into a wall socket in your hallway, garage or other area where you just need basic audio.
It’s brilliant for asking Alexa for information, and controlling your lights, switches and plugs. You can plug in a motion sensor (or night light) to make it even more useful.
You can listen to music on it, but it sounds terrible.
Read our full Amazon Echo Flex review
10. Amazon Echo Auto
- Alexa in your car!
- Hard to hide cables
- Needs to be cheaper
The Auto is an unusual Echo because it is the only option – from Amazon’s range – for putting Alexa in your car. This means you can’t really compare it to other Echo models.
There are alternatives if you’re considering a device that adds Alexa to your car such as the Roav Viva (which is now discontinued) or dash cams from Nextbase’s current Series 2 range.
The Echo Auto is the easiest to set up of these options, but the Viva is the more discreet option as it plugs directly into your car’s 12V socket, and you might be able to pick one up from ebay.
Read our full Amazon Echo Auto review
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