Echo Dot (5th Gen, 2022 release) | Smart speaker with Alexa
Amazon
Overview
Meet the most popular smart speaker, now with improved sound and new features. The Amazon Echo Dot 5th Generation delivers fuller, richer audio with a 1.73-inch front-firing speaker that produces room-filling sound with improved bass response—50% more bass than the previous generation. Tap the top of the speaker to pause music, dismiss timers, or end calls with new motion sensing technology, while the built-in temperature sensor can trigger automations based on your room's climate. Ask Alexa to play music from Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music, and more, or tune into podcasts, audiobooks, and radio stations with simple voice commands. Control compatible smart home devices hands-free—turn on lights, adjust thermostats, and lock doors just by asking. The Echo Dot can also extend your Eero mesh WiFi network, adding up to 1,000 square feet of coverage to eliminate dead spots. Make voice calls to other Echo devices, send announcements throughout your home, and drop in on rooms to check on family members. Set reminders, timers, and alarms, check the weather and news, get answers to questions, and access thousands of Alexa skills for entertainment, productivity, and more.
Key Features
Voice control with Alexa
Smart home hub built-in
Improved audio quality
Compact design fits anywhere
Best For
This product is highly recommended for:
- Smart home beginners starting their voice assistant journey
- Budget shoppers wanting affordable whole-home audio
- Kids needing bedroom speakers for music and homework help
- Renters seeking plug-and-play smart home solutions
- Alexa enthusiasts expanding to every room
Pros
- Larger 1.73-inch speaker driver with improved bass
- Convenient tap gestures for play/pause and snooze
- Built-in Eero mesh network extends Wi-Fi up to 1,000 sq ft
- Temperature sensor for smart home automations
- Affordable entry point to Alexa smart home ecosystem
- Compact spherical design fits any space
Cons
- No 3.5mm audio jack for external speakers
- Sound distorts at higher volumes
- Minor upgrade from 4th Gen for existing owners
- Limited bass response for music listening
Frequently Asked Questions
What can the Echo Dot 5th Gen do that the 4th Gen can't?
The Echo Dot 5th Gen adds a built-in temperature sensor for smart home automation (trigger fans/heaters based on room temp), improved bass performance with a larger speaker driver, doubled tap gesture support for controlling music, and Eero WiFi extender capability. The audio quality improvement is the most noticeable upgrade for daily use.
Can Echo Dot work as a Bluetooth speaker without WiFi?
Yes, you can pair Echo Dot with your phone via Bluetooth and use it as a regular Bluetooth speaker without WiFi. However, Alexa features, voice commands, and smart home control require an internet connection. In Bluetooth mode, it functions as a quality compact speaker with decent sound.
How do I set up multiple Echo Dots in my home?
Using the Alexa app, you can create "Multi-Room Music" groups to play synchronized audio across multiple Echo devices. You can also set up "Announcement" features to broadcast messages to all devices, create stereo pairs with two Echo Dots, and use different wake words on each device to prevent confusion.
Is Echo Dot always listening to my conversations?
Echo Dot only sends audio to Amazon's servers after hearing the wake word ("Alexa"). A physical mute button disables microphones entirely with a visual indicator. You can review and delete voice recordings in the Alexa app, enable auto-deletion of recordings, and opt out of human review of voice data in privacy settings.
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