Best of the Amazon Echo line-up!

Lucas Brown
4 min readJul 2, 2021

One cannot deny the fact that in recent years Amazon Echo devices have managed to find a good spot for themselves in the markets as well as in homes. They have almost become quite a necessity in smart homes or in transforming homes into smart homes in the easier manner. Echo devices vary in size and price, but all have built-in support for Alexa, Amazon’s digital assistant platform. Alexa generally works the same across these speakers, but some devices have screens and some boast better audio quality than others.

Alexa’s capabilities have significantly improved since its debut. You can ask Alexa questions, play music, set timers, order products, control other compatible smart devices, and more just using your voice. You can also listen to Amazon Prime Music, Spotify, and other services. Some Echo speakers sound better than others, so you’ll want to pay attention if you’re planning on using yours to play lots of music.

Echo devices with screens can stream movies and shows and make video calls. The screen can also help with certain tasks, like recipes. In a smart home environment, Amazon Echo devices have helped making lives a lot more easier and also comfortable at the same time. No wonder they have become the favorites in many smart homes. Taking cue with the increasing demand of these Echo speakers, Amazon have been doing fairly well at introdcuing more and more options in the markets for the consuers to choose from.

While the newest Echo devices are Amazon’s best so far, there are certain models that may be better suited for specific budgets and tasks. With that in mind, we’ve selected the best Echo devices for a variety of needs.

The best Echo with a big screen

This is an Echo with a screen, and this model has the biggest display Amazon offers. It can do anything a standard Echo can, but it shows the information visually, in addition to audibly.

For instance, if you set a timer you’ll be able to watch it count down. You’ll be able to see your calendar when you ask Alexa about your upcoming events, and you can even watch Prime Video, Hulu, and more. This voice assistant speaker is powered by Mediatek chipset. In February 2021, Amazon release the third generation Echo Show 10. The device is a step up from its predecessor as its screen now has the ability to turn toward you when you say the wake word or engage in an activity. Its 13-megapixel camera can also center you in its frame for any video calls you make. This new following feature, however, is not always the most accurate and it takes some getting used to.

The best Echo with a small screen

This is a smaller version of the original Echo Show. It has a 5-inch screen, so it can display video content, the time, and visual representations of Alexa’s answers.

Just like the original Echo Show, you can watch Prime Video, view security camera footage, and other video content. This device also comes with an integrated Mediatek chipset at its core. It can also display the time, and you can use it to set alarms to wake you up in the morning, making it a great smart alarm clock for your bedside table.

The best budget Echo

This is one of the best entry-level Echo you can buy thanks to its lower price. For less than half the cost of the standard Echo, you get a hockey puck-sized gadget that can help you control your lights with your voice, answer questions about the universe, and connect to external speakers through a Bluetooth signal.

The Echo Dot’s best feature is definitely its small size. You can stick it just about anywhere, and because it has the same microphone array as its bigger siblings, it won’t have a problem hearing your requests.

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