Verdict
A smashing twist with a modest cover , the Amazon Echo Spot ( 2024 ) is a nice alarm clock with Alexa built - in . The screen can do some clever things , such as showing the coming weather prognosis , but miss the full capableness of an Echo Show , such as evidence live provender from a video bell . If you specifically desire a wise clock , this is adept , but the regular Echo Dot is cheaper and the more in advance Echo Show 5 is only a little more expensive .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
Remember the originalEcho Spotwith its foul rotund screen door , which was released way back in 2017 ? Well , the Amazon Echo Spot ( 2024 ) is here with the same name and similar design , only it ’s not really a direct permutation for the old smart display .
While the new and old Spots share some of the same innovation deoxyribonucleic acid , the old version was functionally an Echo Show overbold showing , while the new version share more with the discontinuedEcho Dot with Clock ( 5thGeneration ) . If you want a mere , smart alarm , it ’s a good choice , but pass more on the Echo Show 5 , and you ’ll get more characteristic .
Design
For the new Echo Spot , Amazon has used a design similar to that of theEcho Pop : a sphere with the front cut off to leave a savorless open . Amazon has integrated both a speaker system and a screen into this flat face .
While the original Echo Spot had a round covert that took up most of the front , the 2024 version has a small 2.83 - inch orthogonal screen that sits in the middle of the top one-half of the front . The reason for the smaller screen is that the new Spot is design as a clock first , and so many features that the Echo Show models have are missing ( more of that later ) .
As far as looks go , the Echo Spot ( 2024 ) is an attractive impudent speaker . It ’s chunky enough that it stand out in the right elbow room , but small enough to easily fit on a bedside table .
There ’s a choice of three colours , include the lovely Ocean Blue that I have on review , and then the standard Black and white-hot options .
At the top of the speaker are volume controls and a mike mute release . There ’s no release to activate Alexa , as per late Echo gimmick , and there ’s no tv camera shutter as there ’s no camera on this speaker .
Features and Display
As the Echo Spot ( 2024 ) has a projection screen , you may be expecting an experience similar to that of anEcho Show 5 ( 3rd Generation ) , but that ’s not what this product is about . So , rather than getting a large screen with enough resolution for video , there ’s a 2.83 - inch display with a resolving power of 320 x 240 , which is quite shiny , so it can be hard to see clearly if it picks up reflexion . I found in my place that the reflection from the windowpane and blinds made the Spot ’s screen harder to see , where as the Echo Show 5 dealt better with the same situation .
As it ’s such a small projection screen , there ’s no room on the display for the stock Echo Show interface , and video is n’t supported , not even from a Ring Doorbell .
I asked Alexa to show me the provender from myRing Battery Video Doorbell Pro , but the reception was , “ Sorry , cameras do n’t work on on this gimmick . ” Alexa suggested that I practice a Fire television receiver twist instead .
This restriction is a disgrace for those with a video doorbell . I liked being able to respond my Ring buzzer from my Echo Show 5 in the chamber , but with the Echo Spot , I get the hearable announcement but need to get my headphone out to blab to caller .
likewise , there ’s no telecasting vocation ( or webcam ) on the Spot , nor can it play telecasting from any informant . These restrictions alone may mean that this is n’t the impertinent display you ’re look for .
If you do n’t care about video , then the screen door ’s really quite skillful . Rather than being multi - role , the Echo Spot has been designed as a chic clock from the ground up . When it power up , rather than the distract array of recipe idea and offend news , the Spot simply shows a clock with a choice of themes that range from an analogue replica to the introductory digital clock with the current weather forecast above .
In this regard , the Echo Spot is far close to the Echo Dot with Clock than a regular Echo Show . While the Echo Dot with Clock ’s presentation was basic and showed data only , the Echo Spot has a full - colour exhibit with skin senses , so it can do more .
postulate Alexa about the current weather , and in addition to responding , an aliveness showing the mindset look on the screen . I could swipe between two information screens : one testify the current temperature and another showing the minimum and maximum temperature .
When you control a fresh machine , you get touch controls on the covert . For example , with a smart sparkle , I get a slider to control brightness and a button to toggle the light on and off .
Play music , and there are controls to play / pause and skim tracks .
In this way , the Echo Spot replicates some of the features that an Echo Show has , but there are limitation . Ask an Echo Show where the good pizza restaurants are , and you get a list on - screen ; the Echo Spot ca n’t do that . What mastery and entropy the Spot shows , is handy , but the Echo Show range can do a lot more .
An always - on display can be distract , but the Spot has a Night Mode that throw off the screen ’s brightness at night . I found it worked well , and I could happily sleep with the smart speaker turn on while being able to see the time if I woke up in the nighttime .
Of naturally , the Echo Spot is there to be an alarm clock , fix by vocalisation . When an alarm goes off , a tap on the top of the utterer will snooze the alarm , which is handy . I would like to see an improved way of stopping an alarm clock : with this gadget , I have to say “ Alexa , stop ” ; Google smart display heed for just the Holy Scripture “ stop ” .
For the most part , the Echo Spot ( 2024 ) is a voice gadget , similar to the rest of the standard Echo range . Alexa is a mature voice assistant and , for my money , the one that is most probable to understand what you ’re asking . It ’s also the best bright assistant for controlling smart gimmick , eagerly controlling individual devices or intact elbow room . Matter support is usable over Wi - Fi , too , but this impudent speaker does n’t support Thread .
part calls and drop - in are available to other Amazon speakers , but as mentioned there ’s no photographic camera for television call . I understand the decision to not have a tv camera , as people are wary about have photographic camera - enable gimmick in their chamber , even with a privateness slipper .
Sound
There ’s a front - firing 1.73 - inch speaker on this example , the same as in the current Echo Dot speakers . Given the Echo Spot ( 2024 ) ’s size , audio frequency is quite telling . I regain it loud and with an impressive floor of basso .
Playing the Imperial March , the bass delivers the menace to the soundtrack ; it could even handle , to a degree , the freshwater bass - heavy into to OK Go ’s This Too Shall Pass .
The high - end can sound occasionally harsh , and there ’s a deficiency of detail through the midrange , but for occasional music or for waking up to your favourite track or radio post , the Echo Spot ( 2024 ) does a good enough task .
The speaker unit is more than up to the task of render clear speech , whether that ’s a podcast , lecture radio or just Alexa ’s own responses .
Latest deals
Should you buy it?
compendious , well - priced and with a focused , small display , the raw Echo Spot is ready to hand on a bedside table .
If you want good audio or the ability to stream video from cameras , there are other alternative . Ditch the screen , the Echo Dot sounds as in force but is cheaper .
Final Thoughts
The Echo Spot ( 2024 ) is n’t really a smart show , dropping many of the features that the regular Echo Show orbit has .
If you need these , such as for answering your doorbell , then theEcho Show 5costs just a minuscule act more ( although when Amazon does its frequent deals , it ’s often cheaper ) . believe that the Show 5 does more , and does n’t take up much more desk blank , it ’s the one that I ’d buy over the billet every meter . In fact , the Echo Spot would have to be on quite a discount rate and considerably cheaper than the Show 5 before I could commend it .
If you do n’t give care about the cover , theEcho Dotis cheaper , and the full - size Echo is n’t much more expensive , but with much better sound recording .
That leaves the Echo Spot ( 2024 ) in an unpaired situation , but if you want a simple smart clock for your bedside table , it does a good line .
Trusted Score
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Unlike other sites , we try every smart loudspeaker system we review thoroughly over an lengthened catamenia of clip . We employ industry received trial to compare features properly . We ’ll always tell you what we obtain . We never , ever , accept money to critique a product .
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FAQs
No , the screen does not confirm video , whether it ’s an on-line video recording or from a bright bell or camera .
