Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) Review: Still the Best $49 Smart Speaker
The smallest Echo finally sounds like a real speaker, and Alexa is still the most capable voice assistant for controlling a home. At $49 it is the easiest smart home decision there is.
The default answer for a first smart speaker: room-filling sound, the most capable assistant, and an unbeatable $49 price.
What we like
- Clear, fuller sound than any previous Dot - genuinely usable for background music
- Alexa is still the most reliable assistant for device control and timers
- Built-in temperature sensor and eero extender features add real value
- Tap-top volume controls are easier than voice when music is playing
What we don't
- No Zigbee hub, so Bluetooth and Wi-Fi devices only
- No audio line-out for hooking up better speakers
- Privacy-conscious buyers should review Alexa settings, not skip them
The review
The Echo Dot has always been a great way to put a voice assistant in a room. The fifth generation is the first one that is also a decent speaker. After several months in a kitchen and a bedroom, the 2022 Dot is still the smart speaker we hand to anyone starting out, and it remains the cheapest on-ramp to a voice-controlled home.
The sound upgrade is the story
Every Echo Dot before this one sounded like a phone speaker with ambitions. The fifth generation has a larger front-firing driver and real bass response for its size. In a kitchen it fills the room comfortably; in a bedroom it is more speaker than most people need. It still cannot compete with a real hi-fi setup, but for podcasts, radio, and background playlists, it is no longer a compromise you notice every day.
Alexa is still the strongest reason to buy
The speaker is the hardware; the assistant is the product. Alexa handles multi-step routines, timers, and device control more reliably than any rival at this price. 'Alexa, dim the living room to 40% and set a 25-minute pasta timer' works every single time, which is more than can be said for the alternatives.
The fifth-gen Dot also gained a temperature sensor that makes genuinely useful automations possible - for example, a fan that switches on when the bedroom passes a threshold - and eero Built-in, which lets the Dot act as a Wi-Fi extender if you have eero mesh hardware.
What it does not do
There is no Zigbee radio, so it cannot talk directly to sensors and locks that need a hub. Everything works over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, which covers most cheap devices but matters if you are planning a bigger ecosystem. There is also no line-out, so if you want to feed a better speaker, step up to the full-size Echo.
The usual privacy caveat applies. Alexa voice recordings are stored and reviewed by default in some configurations; the settings screens for deleting recordings are easy to find and worth five minutes of your time.
Should you buy it
Yes, unless you have a specific reason not to. It is the cheapest genuinely good smart speaker, the ecosystem is enormous, and it holds its value through constant sales. Read our comparison with the Nest Mini if you are weighing the two, but for most homes the Dot is the pick.
Specifications
| Speaker | 1.73 in (44 mm) front-firing driver |
|---|---|
| Processor | Amazon AZ2 neural edge processor |
| Size | 3.9 x 3.9 x 3.5 in |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi dual-band, Bluetooth LE |
| Extras | Temperature sensor, tap controls, eero Built-in extender |
| Colors | Charcoal, Glacier, Deep Sea, Cloud Blue |
| Release year | 2022 |
Buy it if
First-time smart home buyers, kitchens, bedrooms, and anyone who wants timers, music, and device control for under $50.
Skip it if
Audiophiles, or households already committed to the Google ecosystem with multiple Nest devices.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a subscription to use it?
No. Music services have their own subscriptions, but Alexa, timers, smart home control, and radio are all free.
Can it control devices from other brands?
Yes. Alexa supports thousands of devices from TP-Link Kasa, Philips Hue, Wyze, Aqara, and more, all controlled by voice without extra hubs in most cases.
Is the Echo Dot good for music?
For background and casual listening, yes - it is the first Dot where the answer is genuinely yes. For critical listening, add a proper speaker.
