It may not seem like much, but I found it to be surprisingly useful. There are four slightly raised controls on the top for volume, mute and action - all of which can be used to trigger Alexa - and it comes in muted Charcoal and Glacier White colors.īut look closely and you’ll notice that the LED display on the front now has a brighter, scrolling display so it can show things like the time, the weather, the music you’re listening to and all kinds of helpful information. Can’t decide? Here’s what you need to know about the latest Echo Dot with Clock.Īt first glance, the Echo Dot with Clock looks a lot like the fourth-gen model, with fabric covering the top half of the sphere-shaped device, while the bottom is wrapped in matte plastic. If you’re a current fourth-gen Echo Dot owner, you may not need the upgrade, though the new info on the LED screen is indeed a handy feature.

Though I already had an Echo Spot and an Echo Show in my house and integrated into my smart home functionality, I didn’t think I needed a Dot with Clock - but it’s proven to be a welcome and useful addition. I’ve been using the Echo Dot with Clock for two weeks, listening to podcasts and music, snoozing the alarm and glancing at the small LED display for the weather and song titles. Plus, it can now double as an Eero mesh Wi-Fi extender for speedier home Internet.

Now in its fifth generation, the newest Echo Dot with Clock is still compelling and affordable but comes upgraded with features like better audio quality, temperature sensors and faster Alexa responses. And it doesn’t hurt that Amazon was the first out of the gate with Alexa’s virtual assistant technology back in 2014. Compact and easy on the eyes, these smart speakers are conducive to any room in the house and offer an affordable way to add smart home functionality for just $50 to $60. There’s a reason Amazon’s Echo Dot speakers are so popular. Your CNN account Log in to your CNN account

Echo dot 5th generation