Amazon’s three new Echo devices reviewed

Amazon has recently introduced three new products in its Echo product range the Echo Dot, Echo Flex, and the third generation Echo. Setting up each Echo device is easy, and is done via the Amazon Alexa app available on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. Once you have installed the Amazon Alexa App on your smartphone, you just follow the instructions on the app and you are good to go.

As standard all three devices have the following:

• Built-in Alexa which helps you to manage your day, get instant information and check the weather and traffic.
• With Voice control you can manage any smart devices that you may have. Turning on lights, adjusting thermostats, locking doors and more, is a doddle with compatible connected devices.
• The ability to keep your family in sync by using your Alexa devices like an intercom allowing you to talk to any room in your house with Drop In and Announcements.
• Built-in privacy is something we all expect these days, and all Echo devices come with multiple layers of privacy protection and control, including a Microphone Off button that electronically disconnects the microphones.

So, what makes each Echo device different?

The Echo Flex

The Echo Flex is a plug-in Echo device that allows you to have Alexa in more places in your home, and because, of its small size it can easily blend in the background. Having a built-in USB port, allows you to charge your phone or even add a third party accessory such as a nightlight or motion sensor. The Echo Flex has a built-in mini speaker to hear Alexa and connecting to external speakers via 3.5mm aux or Bluetooth allows music to be streamed and played.

The Echo Dot

The Echo Dot is Amazons most popular smart speaker and as most smart speakers are used to stream music, you can do this via voice control. This allows streaming music from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Deezer, Spotify, TuneIn and others. Having a built-in LED clock display and the ability to set an alarm clock allows the Echo Dot to become the modern alarm clock radio.

The Echo third generation

The Echo is now in its third reincarnation and the third generation has improved speakers. The new premium speakers are powered by Dolby allowing 360°  audio, and pairing with a second Echo third generation or an Echo Plus second generation gives great stereo sound. The Echo third generation also has the same music voice controls as the Echo Dot and the better speaker gives a great listening experience.

Using all these Echo devices was fun and I wondered if they could easily be used in multiple locations. I took the Echo Flex to my parent’s house and by using the Amazon Alexa app on my phone I only had to change the Wi-Fi settings for the Echo Flex. I also set up the Amazon Echo from scratch in my parent’s house just to see how easy it is to setup Echo devices with different Wi-Fi connections and I had no issues doing this.

After using all three Echo devices, which one is my favourite? To me, there was only one clear winner and that was the Echo Dot. Having a 320 watt Bluetooth soundbar means the Echo is of no use to me. I liked the Echo Flex a lot and using it as an intercom linked with other Echo Flex’s makes sense, but as I live in an apartment, this is not an option. The Echo Dot seamlessly fitted into my bedroom and became my new modern alarm clock and as my Soundbar is in another room it easily streamed music, podcasts and radio shows. All three echo devices can be bought from the Amazon website.

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