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Add to SafariWhen comparing Amazon Echo vs Amazon Echo Dot, the Slant community recommends Amazon Echo for most people. In the question“What are the best smart speakers?” Amazon Echo is ranked 3rd while Amazon Echo Dot is ranked 6th. The most important reason people chose Amazon Echo is:
The Amazon Echo has an extensive library of 'skills', simple commands that you can use to control all sorts of different apps. Ordering a pizza from Domino's or requesting an Uber ride is just a couple of words away. Amazon constantly updates Alexa's skills and developers can easily integrate them into their apps.
Specs
Question Ranking
Pros
Pro Supports over 900 skills which integrate with apps
The Amazon Echo has an extensive library of 'skills', simple commands that you can use to control all sorts of different apps. Ordering a pizza from Domino's or requesting an Uber ride is just a couple of words away. Amazon constantly updates Alexa's skills and developers can easily integrate them into their apps.
Pro Uses extensive Alexa ecosystem
The Alexa Voice Service found on the Amazon Echo is also used on the Fire TV set-top-box from Amazon, and in other products such as the portable Echo Tap and smaller Echo Dot as well. The Alexa integration in different products allows for a greater ecosystem with shared features and skills. The Alexa Remote extends to this ecosystem as well.
Pro Alexa constantly learns and improves
Alexa will work a lot better after a couple of weeks of use, because the assistant adapts to your speech patterns and personal preferences. Commands are also stored in the Cloud and are analysed by Amazon. That means Alexa - the voice-assistant service and ecosystem of Echo - essentially constantly gets smarter.
Pro Good quality omnidirectional speaker
The Amazon Echo features a 360* omnidirectional speaker. Users have reported great sound quality and speaker sounds, which make the Echo a perfect fit as a music player.
Pro Far-field voice recognition works well even in longer distances
Amazon Echo has seven microphones built-in to listen to your voice in any direction. The microphones work great and perform perfectly even with longer distances. It also works while playing music.
Pro Offers extensive support for other smart home devices
Amazon Echo works well with other smart home devices and Internet of Things products, such as Nest, Ecobee, SmartThings, Wink, Insteon, Belking WeMo, Philips Hue, Lifx, Big Ass Fans and even IFTTT. In short, Echo is very open to use for third party devices.
Pro Also streams music from Amazon Prime
Echo is an Amazon product and offers great integration with the rest of Amazon's services, especially Amazon Prime. The Echo family is currently the only virtual assistant that is compatible with Amazon Prime Music. You can also stream music via Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio and TuneIn. The ecosystem is fairly open, as developers can easily integrate Alexa's voice commands into their apps.
Pro Always listens to your voice
The Amazon Echo personal assistant will always listen to your voice and will be activated whenever you say the words "Alexa", "Echo" or "Amazon" for immediate and hands-free control.
Pro Great option for people who want to try out smart speakers
The Echo Dot is a great option if you're still unsure if you'll have any use for a smart speaker. It has a lot of the same functions as other Amazon smart speakers but it comes at a fraction of the price.
Pro It doesn't take up much space
The Dot is smaller than the average smart speaker, and there shouldn't be any problem with finding a place for it.
Pro You can connect it to another speaker
You can upgrade the sound by connecting an external speaker (or headphones) via the 3.5 mm jack.
Cons
Con Voice assistant isn't seamless and thorough
The conversations you can have with Echo aren't seamless, and most conversational voice commands (such as follow-ups to a previous question) won't work well with Alexa. The voice assistant will also answer simple answers and requests, such as facts. Sometimes, Alexa has troubles differentiating words which results in a clumsy answer.
Con Not compatible with Google Play Music or Apple Music
Amazon Echo does not provide support for two of the most popular online streaming music services: Google Play Music and Apple Music. However, they could be added in the future and you can also use Bluetooth to pair a device that does support Play Music or Apple Music.
Con It has a hard time picking up commands from a distance
If the distance between you and the speaker is more than 20 feet, you should speak louder to make sure that Alexa understands you correctly.
Con You can't switch between the external speaker and the Echo Dot
If you plug in an external speaker, it will be used by default, with no possibility to switch between the two.
Con The sound output is underwhelming in a large room
The Dot is a comparatively small device, it doesn't have as much power as bigger speakers. It can handle playing some background music in a quiet setting, but it's not the best choice for a party.
Con It relies on a power outlet
The Echo Dot has to be plugged into a power outlet to work.
