Echo Spot vs Echo Dot: Things to Know!
By Naila Syifa
Updated August 2024
Amazon's latest Echo device, the Echo Spot, has been stealing the spotlight from the popular Echo Dot. But the newer doesn't always mean the better! Let's compare the Echo Dot vs Echo Spot and see what unique features each one offers.
Key Takeaways
Echo Dot has a screenless, rounded design while the Echo Spot is semi-circular with a a 2.83-inch display. While both feature motion detection, the Echo Dot also has a built-in temperature sensor that the Echo Spot lacks, allowing for more advanced smart home automation. Echo Dot can also double as an Eero Wi-Fi extender, while the Echo Spot cannot.
Echo Spot
Compact Smart Alarm Clock
✓ 2.83” Display
✓ 1.73” Front-Firing Speaker
✓ Motion Detection
✓ Support Matter
Echo Dot (5th Gen)
Compact Smart Speaker
✓ 1.73" Front-Firing Speaker
✓ Built-in Motion and Temperature Sensors
✓ Support Matter
✓ Eero Built-In
#1 Design
Echo Dot
Echo Dot has a fully rounded design with no screen, whereas the Echo Spot features a semi-circular design with a 2.83-inch display. The display adds more value to the Echo Spot, allowing it to show visual content like time, music titles, and reminders, as well as enabling touchscreen control for managing smart home devices and more.
In contrast, the Echo Dot mainly relies on your voice for commands and control. You are limited to asking Alexa instead of having the option of quickly glancing at the screen for information.
However, the Echo Dot features a light ring on the bottom that the Echo Spot lacks. The light ring serves as a visual cue for Alexa's voice activation and the device's status. For example, a blue light with a cyan spotlight indicates Alexa is listening, a red light means the microphone is muted, and a pulsing green light means an incoming call.
In terms of size, the Echo Dot is slightly smaller, measuring 3.9” x 3.9” x 3.5” compared to the Echo Spot at 4.5" x 4.1" x 4.4". However, both devices are equally great for placement in small spaces like bedrooms, kitchens, or home offices.
#2 Features
Echo Spot
Echo Spot and Echo Dot feature the same 1.73” front-firing speaker, so we can expect a comparable audio quality from both devices. The 360-degree speaker mesh on the Echo Dot may slightly provide better sound distribution compared to the front-facing speaker of the Echo Spot, but for casual listening in small indoor spaces, both devices deliver adequate audio performance.
Just like any other Alexa Echo devices, both the Echo Spot and Dot offer the same Alexa voice assistant capabilities, allowing you to play music, set timers, get news and weather updates, control smart home devices, and more with just your voice.
Alexa routines can be set up based on specific events or schedules on both the Echo Spot and Echo Dot. For example, you can create a routine where Alexa turns on the lights, plays your morning playlist, and gives you a weather report when you say "Alexa, good morning."
Both the Echo Dot and Echo Spot come with built-in motion detection, so routines can also be set up to trigger based on room occupancy, such as turning on the lights when you enter a room.
Echo Dot expands this capability further with a built-in temperature sensor, letting you create routines based on room temperature changes as well. Meanwhile, the Echo Spot doesn't have a built-in temperature sensor.
#3 Connectivity
Echo Dot
Both the Echo Dot and Echo Spot connect to a range of smart home devices from popular brands like Philips Hue, Nest, Ring, and more, allowing you to control them with your voice. Both devices also support Matter, a future smart home connectivity standard that enables interoperability between various smart home devices and platforms.
One advantage that the Echo Dot has over the Echo Spot is the Eero Built-In feature. This enables the Echo Dot to double as an Eero mesh Wi-Fi extender, providing improved wireless coverage in your home if you use a compatible Eero Wi-Fi route.
Echo Spot vs Echo Dot
Final Thoughts
Echo Spot
The Echo Spot's display offers a unique advantage over the Echo Dot's screenless design, allowing for visual interactions and control compared to the more voice-centric experience of the Echo Dot.
However, the Echo Dot's added temperature sensor and Eero Built-In Wi-Fi Extender capabilities give it an edge for more advanced smart home automation and improved wireless coverage.
This means, the choice between the Echo Dot and Echo Spot ultimately comes down to your specific needs and preferences in terms of visual interaction, smart home automation, and wireless coverage. If you don't plan on setting up temperature-based routines or if you don't use an Eero Wi-Fi system in your home, then the Echo Spot's display may be the more appealing option.
If you like to read more about Alexa Echo devices, check out our other relevant guides here:
Echo Dot (5th Gen) vs Echo Dot (4th Gen)
Echo Dot vs Echo Pop
Echo Spot vs Echo Pop
Echo Spot vs Echo Show 5
Echo Spot vs Echo Show 8
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