Amazon Echo (3rd Gen) Review

Our Verdict

The Amazon Echo ($99) is reminiscent of the Echo Plus, simply the lower cost and excellent sound quality arrive the best smart speaker available.

For

• Affordable toll
• Terrific sound quality
• Seamless Alexa integration

Tom's Guide Verdict

The Amazon Echo ($99) is reminiscent of the Echo Plus, but the lower price and first-class sound quality make it the best smart speaker available.

Pros

• +

  Affordable cost

• +

  Terrific audio quality

• +

  Seamless Alexa integration

Amazon'south "all-new" Echo isn't really so new. It'due south a replica of the Echo Plus. But with both the Echo Plus and Echo due for a third-generation rollout, Amazon opted to merge its midrange speaker under the latter'south name and price.

The third-generation Amazon Echo ($99) feels similar an upgrade from its predecessor. Its audio hardware matches that of the excellent Echo Plus, and information technology withal maximizes Alexa's smart assistant powers. Positioned between the $50 Repeat Dot and $199 Echo Studio, the well-rounded Echo is 1 of best smart speakers, best Bluetooth speaker options and one of the best Alexa compatible devices.

Although, this is well-nigh to change. The redesigned 4th-generation Amazon Echo is coming before long with an actually all-new look.

Echo design: Repeat Plus in mind

The sophisticated look of this redesigned Repeat looks nothing similar its predecessors. At four.eight inches tall and 3.9 inches in bore, it's the same summit as the 2nd-generation Repeat but thicker. The added bulk lends authorisation, suggesting the outside conceals greater hardware within.

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

The fabric-swathed sandstone model I reviewed looks peachy among white and grey decor and matches the new Repeat Dot with Clock impeccably. The traditional Charcoal and Heather Grayness options are sharp, also. Amazon also introduced a charming Twilight Blueish variant exclusive to the new Echo, which I imagine would fit a embankment habitation nicely.

More: Echo Dot (3rd gen) review

A condom base keeps the Repeat in identify, while the top features a microphone array, LED condition band and four familiar control buttons. Two change volume, while one wakes Alexa and another turns the microphone on or off.

Echo sound: Astounding for the price

Like the Echo Plus, the Echo packs a 3-inch woofer, 0.8-inch tweeter and Dolby Audio. According to Amazon, deep levels and 360-degree sound make this the best-sounding Repeat yet.

(Image credit: Tom'south Guide)

And for the most part, it delivers. The bass isn't as booming as some other speakers I've reviewed, like the Sonos Motility, but it's fantastic for the price. Equally the Echo played "Can't Hold Us" by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, its vibrations amped me up while I prepared to hit the gym.

When communicating with Alexa, listening to podcasts or setting background music, the Repeat is best set up at a medium to depression volume. But for jamming out, it'due south exciting to prove off how loud this speaker gets.

At the Echo'due south maximum volume, I threw a private Elton John concert in my living room. "Tiny Dancer" sounded lively and well-baked. I could even make out the violins below John's crooning. Simply his piano playing lost out, so I unimaginatively switched to Baton Joel's "Pianoforte Human being" to see if information technology was a blanketing issue.

MORE: Best Smart Speakers - Wi-Fi Speakers With Virtual Assistants

Information technology's not – Joel'southward keys expertise and iconic harmonica diddy soared out of the Repeat and through my entire apartment without sacrificing balance at its loudest level. I'k tempted to say you could skip Billy Joel's Madison Square Garden residency if you have the Echo, but that would betray my Long Isle heritage.

Though this kind of praise is reserved for expensive, high-stop speakers from Sonos, Bose and Sony, information technology'southward remarkable how Amazon makes an affordable speaker sound then great.

Echo smart features: All of Alexa

Every bit an Amazon-brand speaker, the Repeat benefits from all the best Alexa skills. You can ask the smart assistant to play music, make phone calls, answer common queries and more. It's also able to carry out commands for controlling a number of the best smart habitation devices, but there's a catch.

Amazon Echo (left) and Echo Dot with Clock (right) (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

What differentiates the Echo from the Echo Plus is its lack of a congenital-in ZigBee hub. If the Echo is one of your showtime smart devices, this is not an issue. All the same, if you have a big ecosystem of smart lights, smart locks and smart plugs, you might want to consider the $50 premium for the 2nd-generation Echo Plus.

But the Echo has congenital-in Bluetooth setup compatibility with some brands like Philips Hue lights. So if yous're looking for a smart dwelling house entry signal with a more than fulfilling sound than the Echo Dot or Google Nest Mini, the Echo is a great pick.

The Echo besides pairs with other Alexa speakers, allowing you to create a stereo arrangement of smart speakers. This is first-class for enabling Amazon's two-way intercom feature, Drop In.

Echo privacy: Complete microphone control

When it comes to a tool like Drop In, it's of import to know when someone may be listening. The Repeat's LED status ring glows greenish to indicate an entity other than Alexa is eavesdropping, while information technology shines blue when Alexa is awaiting a command. And, if you'd adopt the microphone to remain off and just utilize the Echo as an average Bluetooth speaker, you tin can hit the control push on top at any time.

Simply you lot'll get the nigh out of your smart speaker if you get out the microphones on. That manner Alexa can field queries and learn how to better as a virtual assistant based on your feedback. You tin can also review or delete your Alexa history and recordings inside the Alexa app for greater command over your privacy.

Bottom line

The all-new, third-generation Amazon Echo is basically the Repeat Plus without a ZigBee hub. It maintains solid sound, however lowers the price.

This is the smart speaker I would recommend to nearly people I know. The Sonos One is however the selection for audiophiles, merely for $100 the Echo is the all-time you tin get.

Kate Kozuch is a senior writer at Tom'southward Guide covering wearables, TVs and everything smart-domicile related. When she's not in cyborg fashion, you tin find her on an exercise wheel or channeling her inner celebrity chef. She and her robot army volition rule the world i solar day, but until and then, reach her at kate.kozuch@futurenet.com.

Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/amazon-echo-3rd-gen

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