AMAZON Echo smart speakers dominate the smart home market, but finding the ideal device for your needs is essential.
I’ve tested and compared the Echo Dot against the Echo Pop, addressing key points such as price, design, and features to help you choose the best fit for you.
Amazon Echo speakers
Amazon first launched the Echo speaker in 2014, and from its initial release, the Echo proved a massive hit with everyday users.
The smart speakers offer intuitive means to control devices, enjoy music, and access a library of information through voice command.
The Alexa-enabled device has undergone multiple generations, solidifying its status as the most sought-after smart home gadget, and the Echo Pop is the most recent addition to the lineup.
Both Amazon speakers are among the most affordable smart home devices on the market.
But the question is, which is the best for you?
Amazon Echo Dot, £54.99
Pros:
- Great sound quality, offering clear, powerful audio
- Easy to use for all ages and tech levels
- Sturdy design
- Integrates with other smart home devices
Cons:
- It can be frustrating to use without a music subscription
Rating: 9/10
Amazon Echo Pop, £44.99 from Argos
Pros:
- Compact design that fits anywhere
- Integrates with other Alexa devices
Cons:
- Sound isn’t as powerful as larger Echo models
Rating: 7/10
What is the difference between Echo Dot and Echo Pop?
While both are budget-friendly, the Echo Pop comes at a lower price point.
The Echo Dot’s spherical shape provides spatial audio, in contrast to the front-facing speaker of the Echo Pop.
Motion detection is a unique feature of the Echo Dot, allowing it to activate lights or perform routines upon entering a room.
Unlike the Echo Dot, the Pop lacks a temperature sensor.
But the devices also share several similarities, offering voice command functionality through Alexa.
Both can set timers, check the weather, read the news, answer questions and sync with compatible smart home devices such as plugs or lights.
In case of inconsistent connectivity, they can also function as Wi-Fi extenders with built-in eero support.
Which Echo speaker has the best sound quality?
Given that these are smart speakers, the most important feature to consider is the sound quality.
But the reality is that both are budget players in this field.
Despite this, the Echo Dot and Pop deliver clear, crisp sound that does the job if you want to play some background music.
My Echo Dot sits in the living room, where the sound quality is noticeably more powerful and clearer compared to the smaller speakers I own.
Of the two devices at hand, the Dot is superior thanks to its spatial audio.
However, it’s become a bit more frustrating to use without a music subscription, as Alexa regularly prompts you to sign up.
The good news is that syncing it up to any paid music service you already have solves that problem.
The audiophiles amongst you will appreciate the Dot, which provides more warmth and bass when at full blast.
The Echo Pop, however, has been accused of muddying tracks.
The sound quality is typical for a smaller, entry-level speaker; it’s not going to blow you away.
If you prioritise enhanced audio performance, the Echo Dot is the device to focus on.
Amazon Echo Dot vs Echo Pop: Key features
Amazon Echo speakers
Design
Design plays a significant role when it comes to smart tech, especially when these devices become part of your home decor.
Both devices feature a fabric-covered design. However, the Echo Dot 5 boasts the popular orb design first seen in the 4th generation.
The all-new Echo Pop harks back to the compact and minimalist design of previous Alexa devices, with a flat fabric face, making it easy to blend into any room.
Both devices sport controls at the head to mute and control volume, but the iconic full-ring Alexa status light located at the base of the Echo Dot is noticeably cut down on the Pop.
The Pop does add a little flair when it comes to colour options, with Lavender Bloom and Midnight Teal added alongside the classic Charcoal and Glacier White.
Functionality
The Echo Dot is by far the most popular Alexa device in my home and has been a key part of our daily routine for a few years now.
It’s used by everyone, from my not-so-tech-savvy relatives to my surprisingly tech-astute nieces and nephews.
It’s also incredibly sturdy, so if you’ve got a large family with toddlers and unruly little ones running around like me, this device can take a beating.
My family’s Echo Dot has been drawn on, spilt on, and even carried off by toddlers, and with a quick clean, it still performs as well as it did on day one.
The Echo Pop tackles all the usual smart speaker tasks, such as setting timers, converting measurements, and playing music while I cook, making it a reliable kitchen companion.
It’s compact enough to perch on top of my microwave, saving valuable counter space, which is a win in my kitchen.
Technical capabilities
Front and centre on both Echo devices is the Alexa voice assistant, the brain behind the Echo Dot and Pop.
Both devices can serve as surround sound systems and Wi-Fi boosters, with Amazon’s very own Wi-Fi system, eero.
Another perk of both Echo devices is how well they integrate with other smart home devices.
I’ve got my lights and robot vacuum synced up to my Echo Dot, which has really helped modernise my 70s-built bungalow in Essex and make it feel a lot more 21st century.
The Echo Pop pairs easily with other Echo devices. Mine is usually synced up with my Echo Dot for stereo sound, which comes in handy when family barbecues roll around in the summer.
You can also make announcements and have two-way conversations between Echo devices, but I haven’t found a real need for that, although it’s a nice option to have.
The Echo Dot adds features such as motion detection and temperature sensors, distinguishing it from the Echo Pop, which prioritises a smaller footprint at the expense of these capabilities.
Which Echo is better value for money?
Naturally, price is often an important factor in the decision-making process when purchasing any gadget.
The Echo Pop is a more budget-friendly option, priced at just £44.99, while the Echo Dot 5th generation is slightly more expensive at £54.99.
Although the £10 price difference is relatively small, the more affordable option boasts a smaller footprint, while its larger sibling offers spatial audio.
During Amazon Prime Day events in July and October, and other sales events throughout the year, is when you’ll see the best savings on the Echo device range.
Amazon Echo Dot vs Echo Pop: My verdict
I still catch myself calling other smart devices Alexa out of habit, which says everything about how popular Amazon’s Echo lineup is.
But ultimately, it’s the Echo Dot that takes the crown, with better sound, more smart home capabilities, and the one most people know and love.
The Amazon Echo Pop is still decent and has its place, but it’s essentially a basic, stripped-back option.
And crucially, for such a small price gap, the Dot is usually the smarter buy.
Choose Echo Dot if:
- You want better sound and bass
- You’ll use smart home features
- You want the main, do-it-all speaker
Choose Echo Pop if:
- You need something small and cheap
- You only need basic Alexa use
- It’s for a bedroom or kitchen
