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Amazon's Echo Lineup: What's the Difference?

Amazon has once again expanded its Echo lineup, but if you're not sure which one is best for you, here’s a rundown of what each Echo device offers.

Chloe Albanesius
 & Chloe Albanesius Executive Editor, News

Our team tests, rates, and reviews more than 1,500 products each year to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.

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  • Amazon Echo Studio
    Best for Sound Quality for the Price

    Amazon Echo Studio

    4.5 Outstanding

    Pros & Cons

      • Excellent value for the size and power
      • Loud, clear sound
      • Compelling directional audio
      • Requires Amazon Music HD to listen to fully 3D Ultra HD music

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    With surprisingly robust Dolby Atmos-compatible directional audio, Amazon's Echo Studio delivers just as much power as smart speakers that cost twice as much.

    Specs & Configurations

    Bluetooth
    Built-In Voice Assistant Amazon Alexa
    Channels 5.1
    Multi-Room
    Physical Connections 3.5mm
    Physical Connections Optical
    Wi-Fi
    Get It Now
    Learn More Amazon Echo Studio Review
  • Echo Show 5 (1st Gen, 2019 release)
    Best for Nightstands

    Echo Show 5 (1st Gen, 2019 release)

    4.0 Excellent

    Pros & Cons

      • Affordable
      • Powerful voice assistant features
      • Useful touch-screen controls with web browser
      • Mediocre sound quality
      • Music streamed over Bluetooth is filled with artifacts

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    The Amazon Echo Show 5 is an affordable little smart display that brings Alexa voice commands to your desk, shelf, or nightstand.

    Specs & Configurations

    Bluetooth
    Physical Connections 3.5mm
    Screen Resolution 960 by 480 pixels
    Screen Size 5.5
    Voice Control Amazon Alexa
    Get It Now
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  • Amazon Echo Dot 4th Gen (2020)
    Best for Voice-enabling your rooms

    Amazon Echo Dot 4th Gen (2020)

    4.0 Excellent

    Pros & Cons

      • Affordable
      • Attractive design
      • 3.5mm output
      • Only a cosmetic change from previous model
      • Weak bass

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    The fourth-generation Echo Dot speaker doesn't offer particularly impressive sound quality, but for $50, it's still the best basic gateway to Amazon's Alexa voice assistant.

    Specs & Configurations

    Bluetooth
    Built-In Voice Assistant Amazon Alexa
    Channels Mono
    Multi-Room
    Physical Connections 3.5mm
    Portable
    Speakerphone
    Water-Resistant
    Wi-Fi
    Get It Now
    Learn More Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) Review
  • Amazon Echo Dot with Clock 4th Gen (2020)
    Best for Nightstands and Desks

    Amazon Echo Dot with Clock 4th Gen (2020)

    4.0 Excellent

    Pros & Cons

      • Affordable
      • Simple to use
      • Shows time, alarms, and temperature
      • Only a cosmetic change from previous model
      • Weak bass

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    The fourth-generation Amazon Echo Dot With Clock is an ideal smart speaker for your desk or nightstand, with a small LED display that makes a big difference in usability.

    Specs & Configurations

    Bluetooth
    Built-In Voice Assistant Amazon Alexa
    Channels Mono
    Multi-Room
    Physical Connections 3.5mm
    Speakerphone
    Wi-Fi
    Get It Now
    Learn More Amazon Echo Dot With Clock (4th Gen) Review
  • Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition 4th Gen (2020)

    Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition 4th Gen (2020)

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    Get It Now
    Learn More Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition 4th Gen (2020) Review
  • Amazon Echo Flex
    Best for Alexa in Every Room

    Amazon Echo Flex

    4.0 Excellent

    Pros & Cons

      • Inexpensive
      • Easy to set up and use
      • Fully functional Alexa voice capabilities
      • Weak audio
      • Works best with a high, unobscured wall outlet

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    The Amazon Echo Flex is a tiny plug-in speaker that lets you add Alexa voice assistant features to any room of the house.

    Specs & Configurations

    Bluetooth
    Built-In Voice Assistant Amazon Alexa
    Channels Mono
    Multi-Room
    Physical Connections None
    Portable
    Speakerphone
    Water-Resistant
    Wi-Fi
    Get It Now
    Learn More Amazon Echo Flex Review
  • Amazon Echo Buds
    Best for Alexa Users

    Amazon Echo Buds

    4.0 Excellent

    Pros & Cons

      • Hands-free Alexa voice control
      • Good active noise reduction
      • Clear, balanced sound
      • Comfortable fit
      • Somewhat weak lows and highs
      • Limited controls
      • Not waterproof

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    Amazon's Echo Buds are wire-free earphones with a lot of functionality for $130, including hands-free Alexa voice control and Bose-tuned active noise reduction.

    Specs & Configurations

    Active Noise Cancellation
    Connection Type Bluetooth
    True Wireless
    Type In-Canal
    Water/Sweat-Resistant
    Wireless
    Get It Now
    Learn More Amazon Echo Buds (1st Gen) Review
  • Amazon Echo Wall Clock

    Amazon Echo Wall Clock

    4.0 Excellent

    Pros & Cons

      • Inexpensive
      • Attractive design
      • Visually shows Alexa timers
      • Flimsy build
      • Doesn't work with Echos in multi-room groups

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    If you use Alexa timers often, Amazon's Echo Wall Clock is an easy way to see when they're about to expire.

    Specs & Configurations

    Product Category Smart Home
    Get It Now
    Learn More Amazon Echo Wall Clock Review
  • Amazon Smart Plug
    Best for Alexa Users

    Amazon Smart Plug

    3.5 Good

    Pros & Cons

      • Affordable
      • Easy to install
      • Works with Alexa voice commands and Alexa-enabled devices
      • Doesn't work with Apple HomeKit or Google Assistant
      • No IFTTT support
      • Lacks energy reporting

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    The Amazon Smart Plug lets you control whatever is plugged into it using Alexa voice commands, and it integrates with other Alexa-enabled devices, but it doesn't work with other home automation platforms and lacks energy usage reporting.

    Specs & Configurations

    Amazon Alexa
    Size 1.5 by 3.2 by 2.2 inches
    Get It Now
    Learn More Amazon Smart Plug Review
  • Amazon Echo Sub
    Best for Bass-loving Amazon fans

    Amazon Echo Sub

    3.0 Average

    Pros & Cons

      • Small and inexpensive
      • Successfully rounds out low frequency response when used with an Echo or Echo Plus
      • Not particularly powerful or booming
      • Only works with Echo speakers
      • Doesn't work with Bluetooth connections to Echo speakers

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    The Amazon Echo Sub provides much-needed sub-bass to your Echo smart speaker as long as you're willing to overlook some frustrating limitations.

    Specs & Configurations

    Channels Mono
    Physical Connections None
    Wi-Fi
    Get It Now
    Learn More Amazon Echo Sub Review
  • Amazon Smart Oven

    Amazon Smart Oven

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    Get It Now
    Learn More Amazon Smart Oven Review
  • Amazon Fire HD 10 (2019)
    Best for Big Screen Streaming at a Low Price

    Amazon Fire HD 10 (2019)

    4.0 Excellent

    Pros & Cons

      • Solid performance for the price
      • Good battery life
      • USB-C
      • Fire OS 7 brings many improvements
      • Limited app selection
      • Mediocre speaker quality and cameras

    Bottom Line:

    Bottom Line:

    Amazon's Fire HD 10 remains the most reliable 10-inch tablet you can buy for $150, with solid performance, good battery life, and a sharp display.

    Specs & Configurations

    Battery Life 8 hours, 12 minutes
    CPU MediaTek MT8183
    Dimensions 10.3 by 6.3 by 0.4 inches
    Operating System Amazon Fire OS
    Screen Resolution 1,920 by 1,200 pixels
    Screen Size 10.1
    Storage Capacity 32
    Weight 17.8
    Get It Now
    Learn More Amazon Fire HD 10 (2019) Review
Amazon's Echo Lineup: What's the Difference?

Compare Specs

Select Up To 3Select Up To 2
Your Selections
Amazon Echo Studio

Amazon Echo Studio

Echo Show 5 (1st Gen, 2019 release)

Echo Show 5 (1st Gen, 2019 release)

Amazon Echo Dot 4th Gen (2020)

Amazon Echo Dot 4th Gen (2020)

Our Pick
Amazon Echo Studio
Amazon Echo Studio
Echo Show 5 (1st Gen, 2019 release)
Echo Show 5 (1st Gen, 2019 release)
Amazon Echo Dot 4th Gen (2020)
Amazon Echo Dot 4th Gen (2020)
Amazon Echo Dot with Clock 4th Gen (2020)
Amazon Echo Dot with Clock 4th Gen (2020)
Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition 4th Gen (2020)
Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition 4th Gen (2020)
Amazon Echo Flex
Amazon Echo Flex
Amazon Echo Buds
Amazon Echo Buds
Amazon Echo Wall Clock
Amazon Echo Wall Clock
Amazon Smart Plug
Amazon Smart Plug
Amazon Echo Sub
Amazon Echo Sub
Amazon Echo Studio
Amazon Echo Studio
Echo Show 5 (1st Gen, 2019 release)
Echo Show 5 (1st Gen, 2019 release)
Amazon Echo Dot 4th Gen (2020)
Amazon Echo Dot 4th Gen (2020)
Rating
4.5 Outstanding
4.0 Excellent
4.0 Excellent
4.0 Excellent
4.0 Excellent
4.0 Excellent
4.0 Excellent
3.5 Good
3.0 Average
4.5 Outstanding
4.0 Excellent
4.0 Excellent
Best For
Best for Sound Quality for the Price
Best for Nightstands
Best for Voice-enabling your rooms
Best for Nightstands and Desks
Best for Alexa in Every Room
Best for Alexa Users
Best for Alexa Users
Best for Bass-loving Amazon fans
Best for Sound Quality for the Price
Best for Nightstands
Best for Voice-enabling your rooms
Wireless
Wi-Fi
Water/Sweat-Resistant
Water-Resistant
Voice Control
Amazon AlexaAmazon Alexa
Type
In-Canal
True Wireless
Speakerphone
Size
1.5 by 3.2 by 2.2 inches
Screen Size
5.55.5
Screen Resolution
960 by 480 pixels960 by 480 pixels
Product Category
Smart Home
Portable
Physical Connections
3.5mm, Optical3.5mm3.5mm3.5mmNoneNone3.5mm, Optical3.5mm3.5mm
Multi-Room
Connection Type
Bluetooth
Channels
5.1MonoMonoMonoMono5.1Mono
Built-In Voice Assistant
Amazon AlexaAmazon AlexaAmazon AlexaAmazon AlexaAmazon AlexaAmazon Alexa
Bluetooth
Amazon Alexa
Active Noise Cancellation

Buying Guide: Amazon's Echo Lineup: What's the Difference?

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About Our Expert

Chloe Albanesius

Chloe Albanesius

Executive Editor, News

My Experience

I started out covering tech policy in DC for The National Journal, where my beat included state-level tech news and all the congressional hearings and FCC meetings I could handle. I later covered Wall Street trading tech before switching gears to consumer tech. I now lead PCMag's news coverage.

My Areas of Expertise

Getting my start in DC means I still have a soft spot for tech policy; Congressional hearings can sometimes be as entertaining as a Bravo reality show, for better or worse. But PCMag is all about the technology we use every day, as well as keeping an eye out for the trends that will shape the industry in the years ahead (or flop on arrival). I've covered the rise of social media, the iOS vs. Android wars, the cord-cutting revolution that's now left us with hefty streaming bills, and the effort to stuff artificial intelligence into every product you could imagine. This job has taken me to CES in Vegas (one too many times), IFA in Berlin, and MWC in Barcelona. I also drove a Tesla 1,000 miles out west as part of our Best Mobile Networks project. Of late, my focus is on our hard-working team of reporters at PCMag, guiding and editing their robust coverage.

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