Is the Echo Spot a better buy than the Echo? Here’s how they compare
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Amazon has a range of Echo speakers within its portfolio, some with screens and some without. You might have found yourself a little stuck as to which is the right Echo device for you and we wouldn’t blame you. We’ve compared the Echo Dot and the Echo Spot elsewhere, and we also have several features comparing the various Echo Show features with an Echo Show 5 vs Echo Show 8 and the Echo Show 8 against the Echo Hub.
Here though, we are focusing on how the Echo Spot – the second generation of which was announced earlier in 2024 – compares to the 4th generation of the traditional Echo speaker. We don’t hear as much about the Echo now as the Echo Dot is cheaper and very capable, while if you want sound quality, the Echo Studio is the model most will choose. Still, the Echo is still available so if it’s one of the models you’re considering, here is how it compares to the Echo Spot.
Read more comparisons: Amazon Echo Spot vs Echo Show 5: What’s the difference?
Echo Spot (2nd gen) vs Echo (4th gen): Price
The Amazon Echo Spot launched in July, 2024 and it is the second generation of the device. It comes in three colour options of Black, White and Ocean Blue and it costs £79.99 / $79.99.
The Echo is in its 4th generation, which was announced in 2020 so it hasn’t been updated for quite some time now, with the other Echo models seeing more love. It costs £109.99 / $99.99 and it comes in Charcoal, Glacier White and Twilight Blue.
It’s worth noting that both the Echo (4th generation) and the Echo Spot typically get discounted during shopping periods, like Amazon’s Prime Day deals and Black Friday so if you can hold out to one of those, we suggest you do as there is usually up to 50% off. At the time of writing, the Echo Spot was $44.99 in the US and the Echo (4th gen) was $54.99 ahead of October Prime Day.
Echo Spot (2nd gen) vs Echo (4th gen): Design
The Echo (4th gen) is a spherical shape – basically a ball with an LED light ring at the bottom and volume controls at the top, along with a microphone mute button and an action button. There’s a 3.5mm audio line in/out port on the rear, as well as the power port, and the back has a plastic shell, while the front and top have a fabric covered design.
The Echo Spot meanwhile, looks very similar to the Echo Pop but it adds a screen on the front. It has a rounded back and a flat front, with the screen taking up just over half of the front. The back is plastic like the Echo, while the front has a material-covered speaker. On the top of the Echo Spot are volume up and down buttons, as well as a microphone mute button. The back has a power port in the middle at the bottom, and there is no line-in here.
The Echo is larger and designed for bigger rooms, like a kitchen or living room, while the Echo Spot is really designed as a bedside table device, or one you might out on your desk in your office. For reference, the Echo (4th generation) measures 144 x 144 x 133 mm and weighs 970g. The Echo Spot measures 113 x 103 x 111 mm and weighs 405g.
Echo Spot (2nd gen) vs Echo (4th gen): Features
Many of the core features are the same across the Amazon Echo (4th generation) and the Echo Spot (2nd generation), though the Echo Spot of course has that display so there are a couple of extra functions that come with that.
Both offer Alexa built in, as you would expect, and with that, comes the ability to call other Echo devices, ask various questions, find out the weather, add to your shopping list, order something from Amazon – you know, all the usuals. And if you don’t know, then read our how to use Alexa feature that goes into more detail.
Neither have a camera so neither offer video calling or drop in. Both can stream music from various music streaming services, but you will see what is playing on the Echo Spot, and you can also see who is calling when you get an incoming call too. The Echo Spot will also show the weather forecast in a more visual format to the Echo, and you can control your smart home devices on the 2.83-inch display too, rather than just relying on your voice.
The Echo (4th generation) has some of its own tricks up its sleeve though, including acting as a Zigbee, Matter devices and Thread border router. It also has Eero built-in, which means it can extend your mesh Wi-Fi network if you have opted for the Eero system. The Echo Spot supports Matter but it doesn’t offer a built-in Thread router.
Echo Spot (2nd gen) vs Echo (4th gen): Performance
When it comes to performance, both the Echo (4th generation) and the Echo Spot deliver great access to Alexa and its features. They are both solid smart home controllers, and they are both easy to use and easy to set up.
The Echo has the upper hand when it comes to audio performance, with a 3-inch neodymium woofer and two 0.8-inch (20 mm) tweeters. The Echo Spot, meanwhile, has a full range 1.73-inch built-in speaker, though if you just want a device for alarms, streaming the odd tune as you wake up and making the odd call, it is more than adequate.
As well as the built-in Zigbee smart home hub we mentioned for the Echo (4th generation), this device also has a temperature sensor built in, like the Apple HomePod mini. The Echo Spot doesn’t offer this feature.
Echo Spot (2nd gen) vs Echo (4th gen): Which one is right for you?
The Amazon Echo Spot is the cheaper of the two devices being compared here by quite a margin. They both offer similar functionality and features too, with both supporting Alexa and everything Alexa can do, including making calls, alarms and timers, weather updates and streaming music or podcasts.
The Echo (4th generation) offers better sound performance and it is a larger device overall, suited towards larger rooms like a living room or a kitchen. It is also an Eero Wi-Fi extender and can act as a Thread border router. The Echo Spot meanwhile, has the small display on the front that gives a more visual element to tasks and features but it is better for an office desk or bedside table, acting as a smart alarm clock with some extra functionality, rather than the prime choice as a speaker.
FAQs
No, the Echo Spot that was released in 2024 doesn’t have a camera.
No, the Echo Spot does not have a built-in Zigbee smart home hub. The Echo (4th generation) does however, removing the need for separate smart home bridges.
