This Echo Dot 5th Gen review covers everything you need to know about Amazon’s small smart speaker, one of Alexa’s best-selling devices. Released in October 2022, it sells for $49.99 in US and £53.99 in the UK. At first glance, it is almost identical to the 4th Gen Dot, a sphere wrapped in fabric with an illuminated light ring but it has a few tricks up its sleeve. It is a cheap little speaker with “better sound” and additional sensors. Indeed, The 5th Gen adds some extra features to a formula that already works well adding in a temperature sensor, useful tap function and a superior sound than its previous 4th generation. In brief, it is a smart speaker Amazon that remains simple to set up and operate even for beginners but now with some added features.
This small smart speaker Amazon (about size of a tennis ball) retains the same rounded appearance as previously. The clock version now features an improved LED screen (displaying time, song title or weather).
Key Features & Enhancements
While the Dot 5 looks familiar, Amazon improved it under the cover. Some key Echo Dot 5 features are:
- Tap gesture controls: A new accelerometer allows you to tap on top of the speaker to pause/play music, hang up calls or silence alarms without saying “Alexa”. It is just like a secret button, you only need a light tap without voice commands.
- Built-in temperature sensor: Dot 5 now detects room temperature. You might ask “Alexa, what’s the temperature in here?” or set smart home routines based on temperature changes. (For instance, it could engage a fan if the room heats up too much.)
- Improved sound: Amazon upgraded the speaker in the Echo Dot 5th Gen by replacing the old 1.73-inch speaker and audio driver. This change gives clearer voices and stronger bass. When you play music or podcasts, the sound is much better than the 4th Gen. It’s not perfect like studio sound, but it’s pretty impressive for a smart speaker that costs around £54.
- Wi-Fi mesh support: The Dot 5 will function as an Eero mesh node (expanding your Wi-Fi range). Gulf News states the Dot 5 serves as a Wi-Fi extender that covers roughly 1,000 sq ft at up to 100 Mbps for 10 devices. This Eero functionality is only available in UK, US and Canada.
- New colors and display: It is available in Charcoal, Glacier White and Deep Sea Blue color. The Echo Dot with Clock model which is available as an option has a high-density LED display for time, timers and song information.
These updates don’t alter the fundamental Echo experience, it still uses Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant. But they make it easier. For instance, instead of needing to say “Alexa, pause,” you can simply press the top. This feature is called “practical when you don’t want to open your mouth first thing in the morning”.
Sound Quality and Alexa Experience
The new 1.73″ front-firing speaker and custom driver provides additional bass and clarity compared to the old Dot.
One of the standout elements in this Echo Dot 5th Gen review is its improved audio performance. The speaker now delivers noticeably better bass and vocal clarity. Amazon itself describes the new speaker as slightly larger with increased excursion which leads to deliver clear vocals and better bass among other things. When in use, playing music moderately loud (say 4 or 5) can fill a medium sized room and speech content is clear. It’s not a party speaker – don’t expect ear-shattering bass but it’s a worthwhile upgrade for casual users.
As with all Echo Dots, Alexa is at the center. The 5th Gen continues to use the latest Alexa software so it can provide answers, play music from Spotify/Amazon Music, set alarms and turn on smart home devices. It has “a massive wealth of Alexa skills”. You can have lights, locks, thermostats and more automated with your voice. For instance, someone might instruct Alexa to “turn off the lights in 10 minutes” or ask for the weather or news. Alexa is able to also make announcements (“Dinner is served”) or play children’s quiz and games.
In daily life Dot 5 acts as a hands-free assistant. Even those who are not experts can utilize it. You can tell Alexa to remind your kid to wash his/her hands after returning from school or to make announcements about prayer times indicating how Alexa can take care of everyday family routines. Briefly, the voice features are identical on Dot 4 or 5 , Alexa is still one of the most universal voice assistants to control your smart home.
Echo Dot 4 vs 5: What’s Changed?
For anyone who wants to know “Echo Dot 4 vs 5,” the differences are generally internal. Both devices have the same round shape, so it’s under the cover:
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Audio Jack
The 4th Gen Dot featured a 3.5 mm audio jack to connect speakers. The 5th Gen eliminates this jack. Audio now only plays out of the Dot’s built-in speaker or Bluetooth.
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New Sensors
The 5th Gen includes a temperature sensor and tap (gesture) sensor. There were none on the 4th Gen. These allow for new capabilities such as asking the room temperature and tapping to pause music.
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Sound Upgrade
Both are round in shape but Dot 5’s speaker is marginally larger (1.73″ versus 1.6″) and features a new driver. This adds a little extra bass and clarity compared to Dot 4. It is noticeable but small.
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Wi-Fi Mesh
Echo Dot 5th Gen supports extending Wi-Fi through Amazon’s Eero technology. The Dot 4 lacked any such functionality.
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Display and Colors
The Clock model on Dot 5 has a more detailed LED display. The new Deep Sea Blue color was launched with Gen 5 (Dot 4 was available in Twilight Blue, Charcoal and White)
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Price and Release
Both were released around $50/£55. Today they usually are discounted.
Overall, this Echo Dot 5th Gen review finds the improvements useful but incremental but not a must-upgrade for everyone. If you already own a Dot 4, the Dot 5 isn’t a huge jump – same Alexa experience but improved sound and a few nice add-ons. But if you don’t own a smart speaker yet, the Dot 5 is well worth purchasing at this affordable price. Summing it up, 5th Gen remains “the go-to choice for anyone looking for a new, budget-friendly smart speaker.”
Should You Upgrade?
Is the Echo Dot 5th Gen worth upgrading from? It depends. If you have an old Dot 4, the choice depends on how much you care about the new Echo Dot 5 features. The improved bass, tap controls and Wi-Fi mesh networking are lovely but not a must for everyone. What’s particularly interesting is that you give up the headphone jack on Gen 5 so if you’re using an aux cable, you’ll need to change over to Bluetooth. If you adore your Dot 4’s sound and don’t require the new stuff, you may well pass it by.
New purchasers, though get a lot of value. The Echo Dot 5th Gen provides a little more sound punch and smart capabilities for the same low cost. It’s still a top smart speaker on a budget. Consider it the standard Echo Dot experience “stronger than ever”, small tweaks make daily functions more convenient. As we wrap up this Echo Dot 5th Gen review, it’s clear that this smart speaker remains a top choice for beginners looking to dip their toes into the world of Alexa and home automation.
FAQS
In addition to Alexa’s standard capabilities, the Dot 5 includes integrated temperature measurement and tap-to-pause functionality. It also features a marginally bigger speaker for improved bass and can act as a Wi Fi booster through Eero. The clock display version features an enhanced LED matrix.
Dot 5 has a few extras and slightly improved sound but otherwise looks and operates just like Dot 4. The 5th Gen‘s major additions are gesture controls, a temperature sensor and mesh Wi-Fi. It does not have the 3.5 mm audio jack that the 4th Gen had.
