It's hard to believe that it's been just over three years since the third-generation Echo Dot overtook the second generation. The last upgrade brought improved sound and a softer, more refined feel. Most of all, the addition of fabric mesh made the Dot look a little less like a hockey puck.
Now Amazon has upgraded the Echo Dot once again. This time, however, the tiny, ubiquitous assistant sports a complete redesign.
For the new version, Amazon improved the Echo Dot's sound, added a kid's edition, and moved the LED light from the top of the unit to the base. The aesthetic elements certainly look great, but many wonder if this new generation of Echo Dot is worth the upgrade.
A Whole New Design for the Echo Dot
The first thing you'll notice when examining the new fourth-generation Echo Dot is its shape. It's spherical. While the new Dot's footprint is the same as the previous version, Amazon has sent the hockey puck styling to the penalty box. The new Dot is now about softball size—a design cue that many will recognize as similar to the Apple HomePod mini.
By redesigning the Echo Dot's shape, Amazon has subtly implied that this unit should be displayed rather than hidden away. The previous versions were less showy and could easily fade into the background until needed. Not this one. The new Echo Dot almost begs to be seen.
While you can still purchase hangers to tuck Echo Dot away against a wall, with a unit this snazzy, why would you want to?
Like the previous model, Amazon has also included a Dot that features an on-board LED clock and a tap-to-snooze feature for those looking to use the device as a bedside alarm.
In addition to the new shape, Amazon has also created two kid-friendly versions of the Echo Dot. Parents can now choose between a tiger or a panda design to fit different decor types. These designs will no-doubt pair well with Amazon Kids+ , the subscription service that allows children to access books, games, and educational skills.
These devices are certainly cute. But understandably they might not be the best choice for parents trying to get their children to unplug. And they are probably not for parents who are worried about any privacy implications of having a smart speaker in their child's room.
For the adults, the new dot comes in three standard colors: twilight blue, charcoal, and glacier white.
Let There Be Light
Another significant change from the third generation to the fourth generation of the Dot is the LED light ring's movement from the top of the unit to the base. This move gives the device a floating-spacecraft feel when summoning Alexa. The design change is nice and might be a notable upgrade to some.
Unfortunately, this change makes the lights a bit harder to see, but this is more of a feature than a bug. Where the previous versions of the Echo Dot were flashing beacons of light, the new Dot feels classy and more subdued.
A Sound Improvement for the Fourth-Generation Echo Dot
Another upgrade for the newest Echo Dot is its sound. While the speaker driver in the fourth generation is the same 1.6-inch model as the third generation, the upgraded unit changes the speaker's orientation. This change offers a bit clearer audio overall, but the Dot still has obvious limitations.
The speaker change also removes some of the muddiness that plagued the previous iterations of the Dot. However, it's not enough of an improvement to justify upgrading if you already have a third-generation model.
The fourth-generation Echo Dot will never be a high-quality speaker, and that's perfectly okay. It's a fantastic speaker for doing regular activities that don't require audiophile-level sound.
You can also pair two Dots for stereo sound like other generations. But if you're going to plunk down the cash for two units, then you’d be better off going with the new full-sized Echo. It sounds much better, and it's the same price as two Dots.
Like previous iterations, the new Echo Dot includes a 3.5mm output jack for those who'd prefer to play audio through beefier speakers.
All Buttoned-Up
Amazon also moved the interface controls for the all-new Dot to the smart speaker's top rear. With their new raised surface, these control buttons are still unobtrusive and might even be better.
For the previous Echo Dot, it was difficult to distinguish individual buttons if you were trying to navigate the device in the dark. The similarity of each button was to blame for this confusion.
The raised buttons on the new generation provide an easy-to-feel interface that doesn't rely on remembering positions. These new buttons are a nice feature, though entirely unnecessary for those who operate the Dot primarily with their voice.
The Fourth-Generation Echo Dot: Eco-Friendliness and Sustainability
One of the key features that sets the newest generation Echo Dot apart from its predecessor is the amount of attention Amazon paid to the device's sustainability aspects. The fourth-generation Echo Dot is now manufactured from 50% post-consumer recycled plastics and 100% post-consumer recycled fabric. The device also includes 100% recyclable die-cast aluminum.
In addition to these feel-good factors, 98% of the Echo Dot's packaging is made of wood-fiber-based materials from responsibly managed sources.
Also included in the fourth-generation upgrade is a new low-power mode. Low-Power mode reduces Dot's power consumption when the device has been idle for a while.
These changes are subtle, but when you consider the scale at which the Echo Dot device sells, having an eco-friendly option in the smart home assistant category is a welcome addition.
Is the Fourth-Generation Echo Dot Worth the Upgrade?
The fourth-generation Echo Dot does offer some significant improvements over the past versions. But if you are currently own one or more of the older devices, save your money—these new features aren't enough to offset the cost.
Keep in mind, though, that the Echo Dot price often fluctuates, and sometimes the latest models can be found for a significant discount off the retail price. If you really like the new Dot features, and you can find a discount, then go ahead and upgrade.
If you're someone who hasn’t owned any of Amazon Echo products, but you're looking to get started in the smart home world, the new Dot is a perfect entry point.
You might still want to wait for a sale, but if you're impatient, then buy the newest version at full price. For homes without other Amazon Alexa-enabled devices, the cost is well worth it.
And one of the first things you should do when using the new Echo Dot is explore the huge world of available skills.
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