Amazon Echo Spot (2024) review: more smart alarm than speaker (2024)

TechRadar Verdict

The Echo Spot is back, with a new design that feels much better suited to its smart alarm clock functionality. With improved audio hardware and a more vivid display, but without its predecessor’s slightly invasive in-built camera, the new Echo Spot is in some respects the smart alarm and bedside companion I’ve been looking for. Unfortunately, its display is rather tiny and limited in terms of functionality, and the overall lack of smart-home features makes it more nice-to-have than must-have, especially for its list price.

Pros

  • +

    Nice customization options

  • +

    No more invasive camera

  • +

    Great audio quality for a small speaker

Cons

  • -

    Expensive for what it offers

  • -

    Display is very limited and small

  • -

    More style than substance

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Jump to:

  • Two-minute review
  • Price and release date
  • Specs
  • Features
  • Features
  • Sound quality
  • Should I buy it?
  • Also consider
  • How I test

Amazon Echo Spot (2024): Two-minute review

Seven years on from the release of the original Echo Spot, Amazon has surprised fans of its smart home ecosystem with a revival of its smart alarm product line, announcing the Echo Spot (2024) just a week ahead of Prime Day 2024.

Amazon is known for making some of the best smart speakers, but the original Echo Spot was discontinued just two years after release with little fanfare from Amazon. The new model differs from its predecessor in a few key ways, and elsewhere we’ve compared the original Echo Spot and the Echo Spot 2024 in detail.

For one thing, the original had a camera, video-streaming capabilities, and a 3.5mm audio jack, as well as a quirky round screen that really gave the device personality and played cleverly on its clockface inspiration.

The new model, on the other hand, feels a lot more streamlined, resulting in a lower list price, and offers improved audio quality and some fun customization options for its now-rectangular 2.83-inch display, as well as a more contemporary design and connectivity specs (although annoyingly it doesn’t offer a built-in Eero Wi-Fi extender like other devices in the Echo range).

I really want to love the Echo Spot (2024), and I think I would if its price didn’t feel so inflated for what you’re getting. I’m not upset to see the removal of its built-in camera, which felt out of place in a bedroom-based device, nor am I too bothered by the lack of video-streaming support.

However, its rethought design, while appealing, is missing the fun and character of the original, and the display is far too limited overall. The viewing angles aren’t great, especially from the side, and the fact that the screen doesn’t fill the top half of the ‘clock face’ makes the whole thing feel cheap and unfinished.

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Amazon Echo Spot (2024) review: more smart alarm than speaker (1)

  • List price: $79.99 / £79.99 / AU$149

Launched just ahead of Amazon Prime Day 2024, the newest Echo speaker is priced at $79.99 / £79.99 / AU$149, which makes it considerably cheaper than the original was at launch with its list price of $129.99 / £119.99 / AU$199. It’s available in blue, white and black.

That price drop sounds appealing, given there are plenty of similarities between the 2017 original and the new model; however, that drop does come at the expense of the camera (although that’s arguably a good thing, given it’ll be used mostly in bedrooms), video-streaming capabilities and 3.5mm audio jack, as well as the distinctive and appealing round screen.

Given that Amazon is pitching this more as a smart alarm than a smart speaker, I was unpleasantly surprised by the price of the Echo Spot, much as I was by the price of the Echo Pop when I reviewed it last year. The new Echo Spot is an improvement upon the original in many ways, especially its audio quality and more contemporary design. Still, its features, design and performance really don’t warrant the high list price when there are plenty of small, high-performing speakers available at a lower price point; and especially considering that the powerhouse Apple HomePod mini is just $20 / £20 more expensive, and the same price in Australia.

With its release coinciding with Amazon Prime Day we’re seeing immediate discounts on the Echo Spot – it’s available for $44.99 / £49.99 in the US and UK in an introductory deal, which feels like a more reasonable price. Still, it’s frustrating to see the continued trend of Amazon’s devices being overpriced outside of its own major sales.

  • Value: 3/5

Amazon Echo Spot (2024) review: Specs

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Dimensions113 x 103 x 111mm
Weight405g
Display2.83-inch, 320 x 240 resolution
ConnectivityDual-band Wifi, Bluetooth, Matter, Alexa
Driver1.73-inch forward-firing mono driver

Amazon Echo Spot (2024) review: Design

Amazon Echo Spot (2024) review: more smart alarm than speaker (2)

  • Three control buttons for volume and microphone control
  • Stylish semispherical design with bright and vivid 2.83-inch screen
  • No 3.5mm port, no camera

Amazon has hearkened back to the original in the Echo Spot (2024)’s angled, semi-spherical design, but with a few modernizations that result in a chic and clean look that’s a lot more contemporary than the quirky original.

The new Spot measures 113 x 103 x 111mm, making it a little larger than the original (104 x 97 x 91mm). Where the original featured a round 2.5-inch display on the device’s clock face with a 480 x 480 resolution and a thick bezel, the 2024 model has a rectangular 2.83-inch 320 x 240 resolution display that occupies most of the top half of the face, while the bottom section’s speaker grille is home to the 1.73-inch forward-facing driver, and is encircled by the thin bezel of the device’s plastic casing. There’s a motion sensor at the very top of the face.

Broadly speaking, the glossy top half and display make for a classy and attractive clock face, but it’s disappointing that the display doesn’t occupy more of the top half – especially given that you’ll often catch a glimpse of its rectangular edges.

Amazon Echo Spot (2024) review: more smart alarm than speaker (3)

On top of the device are three buttons for controlling the volume and toggling the microphone on and off, as is standard on most Echo speakers, as well as a pair of microphones. As a daily snooze-smacker I was initially disappointed that there was no snooze button, but – to my delight– you simply need to tap anywhere on the top of the Echo Spot (2024) to temporarily silence the alarm. At the rear is the power port, and the flat base is steadied by a rubber foot to stop it from slipping no matter how hard you hit ‘snooze’.

Overall, I think the redesign is largely effective. It takes the Spot from being a quirky product with a neat gimmick to something that feels a little more sophisticated and at home in non-techy households – but in doing so, the Spot loses much of the original’s charm. Still, it’s a more mature look and feel that befits its larger size and more slick display, and it looks wonderful in the white colorway I received for testing.

  • Design: 4.5/5

Amazon Echo Spot (2024) review: Display and features

  • Fun and vibrant customizable clock face
  • …but the viewing angles aren’t the best
  • Lacks features and functions from the wider Echo line and original Spot

As with all devices in Amazon’s Echo lineup, the Echo Spot (2024) houses the brand’s voice assistant, Alexa, and as such is designed to be mostly used hands-free. Under the hood is the same MT8519 processor as in the Echo Dot 5th Gen and Echo Pop, meaning Alexa’s responses are fairly zippy but still a little slower than on the standard Echo. The Echo Spot (2024) is also Matter-compatible but unfortunately doesn’t work as an Eero Wi-Fi as other Echo devices can.

There’s also no temperature sensor as on some other Echo devices to help create temperature-based automations, but a motion sensor on the clock face will allow for motion-based automation mapping, such as turning on your smart lights when you enter a room and turning them off when no motion has been detected for a given amount of time. Unlike on the original Echo Spo, there’s no camera in the newer model; however, the idea of having an inbuilt camera in a smart device designed for use in bedrooms never quite sat comfortably with me.

Broadly speaking, the screen is discreet in its semicircular housing, blending fairly seamlessly with the black glossy surface surrounding it; however at certain brightnesses and angles its rectangular borders become very clear, spoiling the effect somewhat. At the time of writing, there are no ads on the Echo Spot, but as with any service-based product you have to keep in mind the possibility that the service provider might at any point change the rules of engagement, whether that’s by gutting software or removing key perks unless you pay for a subscription.

Amazon Echo Spot (2024) review: more smart alarm than speaker (4)

The real standout is the Spot’s 2.83-inch touch display, which primarily services as a clockface. It’s sharp and smooth, even at its size and middling 320 x 240 resolution. There are six customizable animated clock faces in six different color themes available in the Alexa app, along with four new alarm sounds, giving you some freedom to express yourself with the Echo Spot.

The screen will also display different visuals depending on your queries; I particularly enjoy the music visualizer and weather animations, which feel a lot more understated and finessed than Amazon’s usual cluttered screens (I’m looking at you, Echo Show 5). There are also a handful of widgets for other functions like smart home control, including a brightness slider for smart lights.

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The screen is fairly bright, at least when viewed straight-on, but it’s a little hard to read if you’re at an angle to it, which will likely frustrate in larger rooms; mine lives in the corner of my bedroom, and I have a pretty good view of the screen at all times. With night mode activated (either manually or by setting a schedule), the display switches to a dark mode and the colors are muted, and you can also toggle settings like Do Not Disturb from within the Alexa app.

For me, it’s no great issue that the Echo Spot (2024) doesn’t offer video streaming or video calls, but I am disappointed that it doesn’t show video feeds from the best video doorbells. I appreciate that the Echo Spot isn’t intended to be one of the best smart displays, but there are some very simple and useful features, like recipes and location information, that l’d like to see added in the future – and I for one would like to know if whoever’s knocking at my door is worth getting out of bed for. The Echo Spot does, however, support voice calling.

  • Display and features score: 3.5/5

Amazon Echo Spot (2024) review: Sound quality

Amazon Echo Spot (2024) review: more smart alarm than speaker (8)

  • Decent audio for its size
  • Struggles with complex textures and mids
  • Great for spoken-word

While Amazon is branding the Echo Spot as more of a smart alarm than a smart speaker, that’s not to say you can’t reap the benefits of its 1.73-inch speaker and listen to some of the best podcasts, best music streaming services, or other audio broadcasts using the best Alexa Skills and commands.

As long as you’re in front of the Echo Spot (2024), as its speaker is front-facing, you can enjoy the improved audio quality compared to the original Echo Spot. This is definitely not a party speaker, and nor is it for audiophiles, but that’s generally to be expected from smaller speakers. You can expect a decent audio performance overall, though; Alexa’s voice cuts through crisply and cleanly, and in general spoken-word audio sounds very pleasant, which is good news if you’re a podcast-lover.

Amazon Echo Spot (2024) review: more smart alarm than speaker (9)

For music, the Echo Spot offers an energetic sound that’s impressive for its size, but not without fault. Without tweaking its equalizer settings in the Alexa app, the bass is fairly dominant, but lacks depth; Fleetwood Mac’s The Chain sounded hollow without its thumping rage and resonance, and the opening bass line of Led Zeppelin’s Dazed and Confused lacked its evocative trudging, bluesy depth.

The mid-range often becomes muddied, with pieces like Hans Zimmer’s Time from Inception sounding uncharacteristically unbalanced, while tracks like Radiohead’s 15 Step feel fuzzy and sluggish, with the Echo Spot (2024) unable to reproduce the track’s crisp and rich textures.

As highlighted above, none of this is really a surprise given this speaker’s size, but it’s worth noting if you’re passionate about hi-fi. Much like many of Amazon’s smart speakers, the Echo Spot is best enjoyed at low-to-mid volume, as from 70-80% volume and above it begins to distort.

  • Sound quality: 3.5/5

Should I buy the Amazon Echo Spot (2024)?

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Amazon Echo Spot (2024) score card
AttributesNotesRating
Display and featuresThe display is bright and vivid - so long as you mostly need to see it striaght-on. The lack of certain smart home features makes for an underwhelming result at this price.3.5/5
DesignAesthetically pleasing and compact, the Echo Spot lacks only in character.4.5/5
Sound qualityFor its size, the Alexa Echo Spot is certainly impressively capable, but it's definitely better for spoken word rather than music3.5/5
ValueWhile some of its features and specs are impressive for its size, overall there just is not a value proposition for the new Spot to be priced as high as it is3/5

Buy it if…

You specifically want a smart alarm clock

With its simple screen and focus on alarm-clock functionality, there aren’t really many smart alarm clocks out there like the Echo Spot, and certainly not many devices that are as accomplished.

You like listening to podcasts and other spoken-word media

The Echo Spot (2024) excels at playing spoken-word audio, which makes sense given that it’s mostly a vessel for Alexa. If you enjoy podcasts, you’re in for a treat.

You want a simple, clean smart device

With no ads, a pared-back display and simple but chic design, the Echo Spot (2024) is great if you want an unobtrusive smart speaker in your living space.

Don’t buy them if…

Value for money is a priority

Unfortunately, Amazon seems to be continuing its trend of pricing some devices way higher than their worth, and then slashing those prices during seasonal sales. In reality, the Echo Spot’s sale price reflects its true value, but that also means it’s not really possible to get it at a bargain price.

You’re an audiophile

The audio quality is, without a doubt, great for a device of this size – but it’s still a small speaker, and faces small-speaker problems. If you’re really into your audio you’ll likely struggle to enjoy your tunes through the Echo Spot (2024).

You want a true smart home controller

While the Echo Spot (2024) does offer plenty of smart-home features and support, including Matter compatibility, it’s fundamentally less smart-home device, more voice-assistant-clock in its current form.

Amazon Echo Spot (2024) review: Also consider

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Row 0 - Cell 0 Amazon Echo Spot (2024)Echo (4th generation)Nest Mini (2nd generation)
Price $79.99 / £79.99 / AU$149$99.99 / £89.99 / AU$149$49.99 / £49 / AU$79
Size113 x 103 x 111mm144 x 144 x 133mm98 x 44mm (d x d)
Weight405970g183g
Audio1.73-inch forward-firing mono driver76.2 m) neodymium woofer and 2 x 20mm tweeters and Dolby audio360-degree sound with 40mm driver
Microphones273
Connectivity2.4 and 5GHz2.4 and 5GHz2.4 and 5GHz
Smart home protocolsBluetooth Low Energy Mesh and Matter controller.Bluetooth Low Energy Mesh, Zigbee, Matter devices, Thread border routerBluetooth 5.0, Thread, Matter
Additional features:In-built Alexa, motion sensorIn-built Alexa, tap controls, temperature and motion detection, automatic acoustic tuning, audio input jackIn-built Google Assistant

Echo (4th generation)

It’s twice the price, but twice as nice – the full-bodied Amazon Echo balances value with design and performance wonderfully.

Read our full Amazon Echo (4th gen) review for more information.

Google Nest Mini (2nd generation)

For another basic alternative, try the Google Nest Mini. Google is still lagging a little behind Alexa as a smart home assistant, but it’s getting better all the time.

Read our full Google Nest Mini review for more information.

How I tested the Amazon Echo Spot (2024)

Amazon Echo Spot (2024) review: more smart alarm than speaker (12)

  • I tested the Echo Spot for a week
  • I used it as part of my Alexa-based smart home set-up, testing all of its features, functionalities and companion software.
  • I used it to play music, set alarms, control my smart home, and as a main voice assistant

To put the Amazon Echo Spot (2024) through its paces I used it as my main smart home speaker for a week; and given that I’m both constantly using smart home devices for work and chronically lazy enough to lean on voice control, that means a lot of testing.

I used all of its key features to test how well the device measured up against its marketing, ensuring that the audio, speed, voice controls and display all performed as expected. I compared it to the Amazon Echo Pop and Echo Show 5, as well as the Apple HomePod mini, to see how well it stacked up against the competition, as well as referencing it against TechRadar’s coverage of some of the best smart home devices.

I’ve been testing smart home devices for two years, but I’ve been an enthusiast for far longer. When testing tech, I try to consider not just the specs, but the lived experience I have with different devices, using this and my market knowledge, as well as a keen sense of value for money, to inform my opinions.

  • First reviewed in July 2024
  • Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee
Amazon Echo Spot (2024) review: more smart alarm than speaker (13)

Josephine Watson

Managing Editor, Lifestyle

Josephine Watson (@JosieWatson) is TechRadar's Managing Editor - Lifestyle. Josephine has previously written on a variety of topics, from pop culture to gaming and even the energy industry, joining TechRadar to support general site management. She is a smart home nerd, as well as an advocate for internet safety and education, and has also made a point of using her position to fight for progression in the treatment of diversity and inclusion, mental health, and neurodiversity in corporate settings. Generally, you'll find her watching Disney movies, playing on her Switch, or showing people pictures of her cats, Mr. Smith and Heady.

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Amazon Echo Spot (2024) review: more smart alarm than speaker (2024)

FAQs

When was Echo Spot discontinued? ›

Amazon has brought the Echo Spot back from the grave; having launched in 2017, the original Echo Spot was discontinued in 2019. Five years later, out of nowhere, it made a return with several upgrades attached – which we're going to outline here.

Is Echo dot a speaker too? ›

Best Budget Echo

The fifth-generation Echo Dot is a great little speaker. It's got powerful, robust sound for its small size, and works great if you want Alexa handy on a bookshelf or on a small side table.

Can Alexa hear me at all times? ›

Technically, the voice assistant can hear everything you say. But it starts recording your voice and reacting to it only after you say a specific command (“wake”) word, like “Alexa” or “Echo.” In other words, Alexa does listen to you all the time. But it doesn't record all your private conversations.

How do I get more alarm sounds on Echo dot? ›

Need some extra noise to wake up? Upgrade to a Premium Alarm Pack! Each premium alarm pack unlocks 7 alarm patterns/melodies mixed with one of our sleep sounds. To purchase a Premium Alarm Pack, select the "Premium" tab in the "Alarms & Timers" section of the Alexa app when choosing a tone for your alarm.

Why did Echo shut down? ›

In an Instagram AMA, Bosworth said that Echo VR's playerbase, while “loyal as all get out,” had fallen into the “low ten thousands,” as transcribed by UploadVR. “Unfortunately, keeping things alive takes work,” Bosworth said.

Does Echo Spot 2024 have a camera? ›

Most notably, the 2024 Echo Spot doesn't have a camera, so you can't use it for video calling like you can with the old model or any Echo Show device.

How do you know if someone is dropping in on Alexa? ›

Anytime someone tries to drop in on your device, you'll be notified on your smartphone or tablet if you've allowed alerts for Drop-In calls in the Alexa app. Check the Alexa app or the notification area on your device for these alerts. Be aware of your notifications so you can be alerted.

How can you tell if someone is listening on Alexa? ›

You'll always be able to tell when Alexa is listening to your request because a light indicator will appear on your Echo device or an audible tone will sound. Think of the “On the Air” signs that light up in television studios during a broadcast.

Can my neighbor hear me through Alexa? ›

It has two-way communication. Using the drop-in feature is a two-way street. So if you drop in on someone's device, they can hear you–and see you if you have an Echo Show–through your device.

Why is my Alexa alarm so quiet? ›

Open the Alexa app . Open More and select Alarms & Timers. On the Alarms tab, select Settings . Use the volume slider to turn the volume up or down.

Is sleep jar free on Alexa? ›

Alexa's free Sleep Jar skill offers more than a hundred ambient sounds, such as the peaceful patter of rainfall, the hum of cicadas, the soothing sounds of purring cats, and even the meditative thrum of a washing machine. Just say, “Alexa, open Sleep Jar” or "Alexa, ask Sleep Jar to play rain sounds" to get started.

Is the Echo Dot alarm loud? ›

A: It will be at least loud enough if it's anywhere near the bed like a conventional alarm. Helpful?

Is Echo Dot discontinued? ›

Amazon has discontinued its Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) with clock, reports The Verge. The Echo Dot (5th Gen) with clock was launched in 2022. As per the report, Amazon has discontinued the Dot with Clock in favor of Echo Spot. Introduced this year, Amazon Echo Spot replaces the dot-matrix display with a screen.

When did Amazon Echo Spot launch? ›

Listen to This Article. Expanding its Alexa-enabled smart device portfolio, Amazon on July 9 launched the Echo Spot smart alarm clock that doubles up as a wireless speaker. Launched globally, the Amazon Echo Spot will be available in select markets, including the US, starting at Prime Day on July 21.

How do I update my Echo Spot? ›

These steps also work for Echo Spot.
  1. Say, "Go to settings," or swipe down from the top of the screen and select Settings.
  2. Select Device Options.
  3. Select Check for Software Updates to check for and install software updates.

Is Amazon discontinuing the Echo Dot with clock? ›

Amazon is discontinuing the Clock version of the fifth-gen Echo Dot. That could be linked to the launch of the 2024 Echo Spot. Some stock is still available, but won't be replenished when it's gone.

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