Amazon has cornered the market on cheap and easy-to-use sensible residence 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 sensible audio system value underneath $50 and often go on sale throughout Prime Day occasions. Talking of which, the Amazon Large Spring Sale is subsequent up, and we hope to see each gadgets obtain worthwhile reductions when the occasion takes place from March 25 by means of 31. Whereas the Large Spring Sale is often particular to spring necessities and outside gadgets, first-party Amazon gadgets nearly at all times see a good worth lower.
Whereas the 2 sensible 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, based mostly on my first-hand insights utilizing them each.
Echo Dot vs. Echo Pop: Specs
Credit score: Chart: SaVanna Shoemaker / Mashable
Design: We like coloration 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 mainly appears to be like like a cross-section of the Dot.
The Echo Dot (left) and Echo Pop (proper) — as you possibly can 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 out there in some, effectively, poppier colours (lavender and teal along with grey and white).
General, I like the looks of the Echo Pop a bit of higher. The brighter colours add a cute splash of coloration 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 residence 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 establishing 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 also be the place you’ll join different apps like Spotify or Audible to stream them in your Echo gadgets utilizing Alexa voice instructions.
The gadgets themselves are additionally very easy. The bodily buttons on them permit you to mute and unmute the microphone and modify the amount. Every part else is completed by means of voice instructions or by means of the Alexa app. I had no issues establishing both gadget and each have been extremely attentive to 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 a great 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 have been wonderful for enjoying background music in my workplace or listening to podcasts whereas doing home tasks, 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 may help it to fill an area with sound regardless of the place it’s positioned.
Winner: Echo Dot
Alexa integration and sensible residence connectivity
Each the Echo Dot and the Echo Pop combine with Alexa by means of the Amazon Alexa app. You should utilize Alexa to ask questions, examine 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 strategy to set timers (for productiveness or pizza) or to stream audio. A centrally-located Echo gadget can also be an effective way to release area in your mind. I’ve used Alexa to remind me to water my vegetation, put birthday playing cards within the mail, and examine 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 extra options
The Echo Dot and the Echo Pop can each function WiFi extenders when you have an current Amazon Eero community, including as much as 1,000 sq. toes of extra 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 geared up 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 cheaper and a bit of bit cuter (and accessible in additional enjoyable colours). Nonetheless, it lacks the movement detection and temperature sensing that might permit it to execute among the most useful and sensible Alexa instructions and routines.
For those who’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 wonderful alternative. For a extra practical sensible residence assistant, pay the additional $10 and buy the Echo Dot.
