Amazon’s Echo and Alexa devices have been at the center of the smart home revolution for nearly a decade. From the original Echo smart speaker to the latest Echo Show 21, these devices have changed how people interact with their homes, music, and connected devices. But not every Echo device is created equal — and not every model is still supported today. Some are discontinued, others are excluded from Amazon’s latest Alexa+ AI upgrade, and a select group is considered “future-proof” with support for Matter, Thread, and next-gen Alexa features. This guide will walk you through the current Echo landscape in 2025, so you can make an informed decision if you’re buying new hardware or wondering whether your old Echo is reaching its end of life.
The Echo Plus is the perfect assistant for any mom — Alexa always does what she's toldGearBrainSeveral Echo devices have officially been discontinued by Amazon, meaning they are no longer sold new and will not receive major hardware updates:
Key Insight: While discontinued devices may still function for voice commands, music streaming, and smart home control, their longevity is limited. They won’t benefit from new Alexa AI features and may eventually stop receiving software security updates.
All-new Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen, 2023 release)AmazonAmazon continues to offer a wide range of Echo speakers and smart displays, many of which now support Matter and Thread protocols for smart home compatibility. These include:
Unique Features Compared to Competitors:
Transform Your Kitchen with Alexa-Compatible Smart Devices like Echo Show 10AmazonAmazon Echo devices integrate with the major smart home ecosystems, but support varies by model:
Wireless Compatibility: Most current Echo devices support dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz / 5GHz), and Amazon is expected to include Wi-Fi 6/6E in upcoming refreshes for improved speed and range.
Key Trend: Amazon appears to be shifting focus from Zigbee toward Matter and Thread as the industry-wide smart home standards of the future. Still, for those with existing Zigbee ecosystems (like Philips Hue), the flagship Echo, Echo Show 8 (2023), and Echo Show 10 remain essential picks.
Echo devices remain widely available through Amazon.com, big-box retailers like Best Buy, Home Depot, and Target, and wholesale clubs like BJ’s. Prices start as low as $39.99 for the Echo Pop and scale up to $399.99 for the Echo Show 21.
Is the price competitive?
Yes. Amazon aggressively prices Echo devices to undercut competitors like Google Nest Hub and Apple HomePod. While Apple emphasizes premium sound and privacy, and Google focuses on Assistant’s AI, Amazon dominates in affordability, device variety, and ecosystem reach.
Amazon announced Alexa+Alexa+, an AI-powered upgrade that introduces contextual conversations, natural language understanding, and generative AI features. However, not all devices are eligible.
Why it matters: If you own one of the excluded devices, you’ll still get standard Alexa features, but not the advanced AI functionality. For future-proofing, consider upgrading to Echo models released in the last three years.
If you’re buying into Amazon’s ecosystem today, the safest bet is to choose a newer Echo model (Echo, Echo Show 8, Echo Show 10, Echo Show 15, or Echo Show 21). These devices are Alexa+ ready, support Matter and Thread, and in some cases include a built-in Zigbee hub for compatibility with older devices.
If you own an Echo Plus, Echo 1st/2nd gen, or Echo Spot, expect them to work for now, but plan for a replacement if you want access to the next generation of Alexa features.
Amazon’s strategy is clear: phase out older hardware, fold premium features into mainstream Echo devices, and push Alexa into a more AI-driven, Matter-ready future.
Check out The GearBrain, our smart home compatibility find engine. It can help you find, buy, and connect any smart device. It can even help you find other smart devices or systems that are compatible with your existing smart devices, such as Amazon Alexa-enabled devices.
Amazon Echo Pop (newest model), Our smallest Alexa speaker, Fits in any room, Glacier White
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