Amazon Echo Dot (3rd gen) Bundle Review
The Amazon Echo Dot is more than a speaker. It is the cheapest smart speaker for your smart home. It is, by far, the most affordable way to introduce Alexa to your household. With the Amazon Echo Dot (3rd gen), amazon beats its competitors. It easily beats all other budget smart speakers in the market right now.
Like the other smart speaker, this cheaper version surprisingly covers all the bases of a smart speaker. It has Alexa, and you can control any compatible smart device with your voice using this. Just place it in any room and ask for the news, sports score, live updates, or any information. Alexa can also be used to make any calls in the United States, Mexico, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Take a look at the features and build of the Amazon Echo Dot.
Echo Dot (3rd Gen) bundle with Amazon Smart Plug – Charcoal
Check latest Price on AmazonA significant upgrade of this Echo Dot is its user-friendliness. It is very easy to set up the new Alexa App and quickly connect to all compatible devices.
Setting up the new Echo Dot (3rd Gen) is easier than ever. Especially if you already have other Alexa devices set up in your home. If you do, then go to the Amazon Alexa App and tap on the plus icon in the Devices tab. After you do, your phone will quickly scan for any nearby devices. It will automatically pair with your Echo Dot, and you can start using it.
If you do not already have other Alexa devices in your home, you need to download the Alexa app first. After the download, go into the app and log onto your Amazon account. The newly updated version of Alexa makes it super easy to add new devices. Simply click add device, and you will be up and running. The latest version also makes adding devices to the group much more straightforward.
If you want to use services other than Amazon Music to play tracks, you need to set it as your preferred music service in the Alexa app.
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The slick design
The 3rd Generation Echo Dot does not have plastic exteriors like its predecessors. Instead, it is wrapped in a classy fabric that makes it much more stylish. With its more rounded edges, it seems more modern and looks more aesthetic.
Retaining the Echo’s signature design, the top has a ringed LED light that shines lue when Alexa is active. The top also has four buttons; two volume buttons, a button to turn Alexa on or off, and the last button to turn the Echo on or off.
The 3rd generation Echo Dot uses a 3.5mm auxiliary jack, or Bluetooth if available, to connect to other speakers. Unfortunately, an auxiliary jack is not provided with the bundle, and you have to buy separately. However, the bundle contains an Amazon Smart Plug that can be used to charge the device.
Aside from the fact that no auxiliary jack is included in the bundle, this is the best Echo Dot and the best smart speaker for that matter at the price it sells. There is no doubt this is the best-looking Echo Dot, that is for sure.
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The new and improved audio
The audio of the 3rd gen Echo Dot is much better than the previous Echo Dots. Even when compared with other budget smart speakers, like the Google Home Mini, the Echo comes up on top.
The Echo Dot has a smoother treble and can avoid distortions even that full volume. The vocals are much clearer than the previous versions. Considering the size of the speaker, the sound quality it provides, even in full volume, is really impressive.
However, when judging its sound quality. We have to keep in mind that it is a mini speaker. The Echo Dot was never about the audio. It is meant to deliver cheaper access to Alexa. Considering this fact, the audio quality it provides is a blessing.
Another significant upgrade is that this Echo Dot can record commands even when the music is turned up to full volume. Some users had faced this problem of not being able to command the Echos when music was playing in the previous versions. So, there is a reason to get this Echo Dot even if you already own a previous version.
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More outstanding features
The previous version did not have 360 degrees speakers. They had multiple ports to let the sound out in every direction to make the user feel that they had 360-degree speakers. This version has a single 1.6-inch speaker that fires sound at 360 degrees, so the sound is better than ever.
Other than this, the 3rd generation Dot does everything the previous was famous for doing. The speaker is the house for Alexa, who answers questions, sets alarms, makes phone calls, provides sports updates, and much more.
It is the ability to control other smart devices as well. For example, while in bed, you suddenly remember you left the bathroom lights on. Simply say, “Alexa, turn off the bathroom lights.” And just like that, you will find that the bathroom lights are off the next morning, after a sound sleep. There are thousands of smart home devices like this in Amazon, and Alexa can control them all.
Pros
- Easy to set up and get running.
- New and improved the Alexa app.
- New and improved audio system.
- Extremely cheap.
Cons
- Auxiliary Cable is not included.
- The LED light does not change color.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Question: Does the Echo Dot require the original Echo to work?
Answer: No, the Echo Dot is a stand-alone device and does not require another Echo or a computer to work.
Question: Can I have multiple Echo devices in my home?
Answer: You can have an Echo device in every room of the house. You can even have two Echo devices in one room, but there is no reason to do so.
Question: Can I add the Echo Dot to a group with other Echo speakers for multi-room music?
Answer: Yes, you can add the Echo Dot with other Echo smart speakers for multi-room music.
Verdict
Overall, this is the best smart speaker in the cheap wireless smart speaker section at the moment. Even if an auxiliary cord is not included, the Echo can still connect using Bluetooth. It is better than the current Google Home Mini is every way possible.
The device is very durable and will last a long time unless you mistake it for a hockey puck. With this smart speaker dominating the scene, Amazon and Alexa are not going anywhere anytime soon. So, get yourself one right now.