Amazon has cornered the market on cheap and easy-to-use good dwelling gadgets with its Echo lineup. Two of its tiniest (but nonetheless feature-packed) choices are the Echo Dot, now on its fifth technology, and the Echo Pop, which debuted in 2023. Each Alexa good audio system value underneath $50 and frequently go on sale throughout Prime Day occasions. Talking of which, Amazon Prime Day 2025 is subsequent up, and we predict to see each gadgets obtain worthwhile reductions when the occasion takes place from July 8 by way of 11.
Whereas the 2 good audio system are remarkably related, there are some key variations you need to know earlier than you choose one. Right here’s how the Echo Dot (fifth gen) and the Echo Pop examine, primarily based on my first-hand insights utilizing them each.
Your Amazon Echo will begin reporting to Amazon on March 28
Echo Dot vs. Echo Pop: Specs
Credit score: Chart: SaVanna Shoemaker / Mashable
Design: We like colour choices
The Echo Dot and the Echo Pop are practically the identical dimension, however whereas the Echo Dot is spherical, the Echo Pop has a flat face. It principally appears to be like like a cross-section of the Dot.
The Echo Dot (left) and Echo Pop (proper) — as you’ll be able to see, the Dot has been graced by toddler spaghetti fingers.
Credit score: SaVanna Shoemaker / Mashable
The Echo Dot additionally is available in three pretty muted colours (grey, white, and blue), however the Echo Pop is obtainable in some, nicely, poppier colours (lavender and teal along with grey and white).
Total, I like the looks of the Echo Pop a bit higher. The brighter colours add a cute splash of colour to a nook shelf. The Pop can function a extra discreet Alexa assistant than the Echo Dot (which is pretty universally acknowledged as a sensible dwelling gadget).
Each have a contemporary, smooth look that may simply complement or mix into your property decor.
Winner: Echo Pop
Setup and ease of use
Amazon has made organising these gadgets extraordinarily straightforward. You’ll want the Alexa app in your telephone, and it walks you thru setup step-by-step. The app can be the place you’ll join different apps like Spotify or Audible to stream them in your Echo gadgets utilizing Alexa voice instructions.
Echo vs. Echo Dot: Which Amazon system do you have to purchase?
The gadgets themselves are additionally very simple. The bodily buttons on them permit you to mute and unmute the microphone and regulate the amount. Every part else is finished by way of voice instructions or by way of the Alexa app. I had no issues organising both system and each had been extremely conscious of my “Hey, Alexa’s.”
Winner: Tie
Sound high quality is sort of an identical
Amazon describes the Echo Pop’s sound as a “full sound” that’s match for bedrooms and small areas and the Echo Dot’s sound as a “greater vibrant sound” for any room.
In my side-by-side comparisons of the Echo Dot and the Echo Pop, I couldn’t detect a distinction in sound high quality between the 2 gadgets. Each gadgets had been glorious for enjoying background music in my workplace or listening to podcasts whereas doing house responsibilities, offering fuller, clearer sound and elevated quantity in comparison with my smartphone.
The Echo Pop does have an ever-so-slightly bigger speaker. Nonetheless, the Dot’s spherical form will help it to fill an area with sound irrespective of the place it’s positioned.
Winner: Echo Dot
Alexa integration and good dwelling connectivity
Each the Echo Dot and the Echo Pop combine with Alexa by way of the Amazon Alexa app. You should utilize Alexa to ask questions, test the climate, set timers and alarms, and open linked apps (like music or streaming apps together with Spotify, Pandora, Audible, and Amazon Music).
Personally, I’ve at all times discovered Alexa gadgets most useful within the workplace and within the kitchen. They supply a hands-free, screen-free solution to set timers (for productiveness or pizza) or to stream audio. A centrally-located Echo system can be a good way to release house in your mind. I’ve used Alexa to remind me to water my vegetation, put birthday playing cards within the mail, and test the water stage within the pool at common intervals when filling it up for the season.
Nonetheless, the Echo Dot edges out the Echo Pop right here in two key methods: temperature sensing and movement detection. So your Echo Dot can execute Alexa Routines that contain temperature or movement, whereas the Echo Pop can’t. Some examples:
Winner: Echo Dot
Contemplating further options
The Echo Dot and the Echo Pop can each function WiFi extenders when you’ve got an current Amazon Eero community, including as much as 1,000 sq. ft of further WiFi protection.
Nonetheless, as soon as once more the Echo Dot edges out the Echo Pop when it comes to further options. As talked about above, the Dot comes outfitted with movement and temperature detection capabilities.
Winner: Echo Dot
Our winner: Echo Dot vs. Echo Pop
The Echo Dot and the Echo Pop are extra related than they’re completely different. The Echo Pop is about $10 inexpensive and a bit bit cuter (and out there in additional enjoyable colours). Nonetheless, it lacks the movement detection and temperature sensing that will permit it to execute a number of the most useful and sensible Alexa instructions and routines.
In the event you’re simply on the lookout for an easy-to-use speaker to play music or set alarms in your house, the Echo Pop is a superb alternative. For a extra useful good dwelling assistant, pay the additional $10 and buy the Echo Dot.
