Updated 10/17/18: GearBrain did an extensive review of Amazon Echo (1st Gen), what we believe is the best digital assistant for today's smart home. As voice becomes a key driver for consumers who are building a smart home, digital assistants are growing more popular with consumers, especially those with artificial intelligence (AI). We endorse Amazon Echo as a good first connected device. But not everyone can or want to pay $180 for the Amazon Echo. That's why we believe you should seriously consider Amazon Echo's little brother, Echo Dot. It's a digital assistant with far field voice control and AI at less than a third of the cost. (You can check out our latest review of Echo Dot 2nd Gen - 2018 by visiting Amazon Echo Dot (2018) review: New look, new sound - still just $50)

Setup

The setup for Amazon Echo Dot is the same as the Amazon Echo—easy and straightforward. You just need a smartphone with Bluetooth connection as well as Wi-Fi. The Amazon Echo Dot comes with Dot (2^nd generation), a power adapter (9W) and a USB charging cable. You just plug in the Echo Dot, download the Amazon Alexa app and you are ready to go. The Echo Dot is compatible with Fire OS, iOS, Android and desktop browsers. Just follow the instructions on the app to set your Echo Dot up with your Wi-Fi and any other devices or services.

Amazon Echo and Echo DotGearBrain

Echo vs Echo Dot

There is not much difference between Amazon Echo and Echo Dot. Both are hands-free digital assistants with far field voice control and AI. They both play music, control smart home devices, provide information, read the news, set alarms and more. Both have 7 far-filed microphones that work in noisy environments or while music is playing. Where they differ is the Amazon Echo Dot doesn't come with a big speaker like the Echo. For some consumers, this is a plus. It's also one of the reasons why Echo Dot is only $49.99 and the Echo is $179.99.

Amazon Echo Dot's speaker is small (3.5 mm stereo audio output) and doesn't have nearly the sound quality you find with Echo's built-in speaker. You can use the Echo Dot's speakers to listen to music but we would recommend pairing the Echo Dot to a Bluetooth speaker. Music will sound so much better. Also, good Bluetooth Speakers cost between $60 and $100. Your total investment in Echo Dot and Bluetooth speaker will still be considerably less than buying an Echo.

use alexa app to connect your echo speakersGearBrain

Music Control

Amazon Echo Dot is powered by Alexa Voice Service, a cloud-based service that powers Alexa-enabled products. Alexa is the brain for Echo Dot and is always getting smarter. Using AI and new features being added each day, Alexa adapts to your speech patterns, vocabulary and personal preferences. For instance, over time Alexa learns what type of music you like to listen to through its system.

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Amazon Echo Dot connects to most popular online music sites: music, Pandora, tunein, iHeartRadio or Spotify. You can search for music by lyrics, artist, song, or or album or let Alexa pick one. However, you need to know that to connect with many of these online music services through Echo Dot or Echo, you might be required to subscribe to their premium services. Amazon offers you a couple of music plans through their Amazon Music Unlimited service but there is a fee. If you are an Amazon Prime member, no worries. You will get free access to Amazon's Prime Music by purchasing an Echo or Echo Dot. This service offers you access to over two million songs on an ad-free, on-demand basis. If you want more music, you can upgrade to the Amazon Music Unlimited Echo Plan, which will give you access to tens of millions of songs for only $3.99 per month. This plan is also only for one Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, or Tap.

To play your music on your Bluetooth speaker, pair the device with the Dot using Amazon Alexa's app. Just go to Settings and select Bluetooth. You will see a button to pair your speakers. It takes only seconds, and once you are paired, Alexa will send your music through the speaker. You can stream Amazon Music on up to six different devices or speakers.

use Alexa app to setup your echo dotGearBrain

Besides music, Echo Dot can be used as a smart alarm clock, a digital assistant in the kitchen, and a voice-controlled computer in your home or office.

The Amazon Echo Dot is available in black or white only on Amazon's website. However, you can customize your Echo Dot with a special case. Amazon offers a variety of leather or fabric cases in multiple colors. Click here to learn more about customized Echo Dot cases.

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Echo Dot Controls Smart Home

Like Amazon Echo, Echo Dot lets you control your smart home devices with your voice. Depending on what devices, like your lights, switches, locks, thermostats, or hubs you have in your smart home, Echo Dot can work with all compatible devices. You need to use the Alexa app to enable the skill or connect to your smart home devices. We liked that the Echo and Echo Dot were compatible with WeMo, Samsung SmartThings, Philips Hue, Insteon, Nest, Tp-Link, and ecobee. We expect more devices to become Alexa-enabled this year. Click here for a list of smart home devices compatible today with Amazon Echo Dot.

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Summary

GearBrain is a big fan of voice-enabled digital assistants with AI. These devices drive smart home adoption for consumers and helping millions simplify the changeover to a new, connected life. Amazon Echo Dot is an affordable AI digital assistant offering a low-cost barrier to entry into the smart home market. We highly recommend Echo Dot and suggest you purchase a Bluetooth speaker (if you don't already own one) to learn how to create your personalized connected life.

In addition, if you already own an Amazon Echo and want Alexa always within listening distance, you should consider Echo Dot. It could be used as a Wi-Fi extender but for voice. Amazon offers special deals on Echo Dot's multiple-packs.

GearBrain predicts smart homes of the future will have their own operating systems that are voice-controlled. If you have seen the movie Iron Man, Tony Starck's house had its own OS, controlled by Jarvis. Amazon is helping us move in this direction with Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, and Alexa. But we think the next step will be having a voice that you can personalize to control your smart home.

Pros: price, easy setup, skills, AI, Alexa Voice Services, long list of compatible smart home products/systems

Cons: only voice activation, always listening, limited voice coverage

To learn more about the new Amazon Echo products, visit GearBrain's Amazon unveils a new $99 Echo plus other Alexa goodies at a surprise event. You can also check out The GearBrain, our smart home compatibility checker, to see the other compatible products that work with Amazon Alexa

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