When it came to setting up my smart home, I got bitten by the Amazon bug, meaning I've got a number of its smart assistant speakers in my house. In my office, an Echo Dot, for example, while in my kitchen, an Echo Show, as well as having plenty of the other best Alexa speakers throughout the home to listen to music and audio content.
I can't really fault these smart devices for usability. They're reliable and easy to operate when set up, and installing a new speaker on an existing Alexa network takes less than a minute. There is, however, one problem I've had with them — they're not always the most stylish of designs. They feel a bit.. techy, if you know what I mean, where I'd ideally want something a bit cooler, especially when it comes to the devices with screens which you don't want to hide away so much.
Enter Amazon's newest release of the Echo Spot, a smaller-screened Alexa-enabled speaker that's been re-designed with good looks in mind. It's hailed as a 'Smart Alarm Clock' to bring 'Alexa to your nightstand', and that's what it feels right for.
I put it next to my bed for a month, and this is what I thought of it.
The 2024 Echo Spot has a more dynamic design that blends better into your home. It's currently available in Black, Glacier White and Ocean Blue — my preference is the Black, as it means there's no contrast between the screen and the rest of the speaker, which helps it feel more minimalist in design. It's currently on sale for Amazon Prime Day for 44% off.
Design
This isn't the first iteration of the Echo Spot that's been in the Alexa line-up, but it's inarguably the better-looking version. Amazon's devices tend to feel a little more tech-leaning in their appearance, while a smart home brand like Google feels a bit sleeker and more design-focused — just compare Amazon's Ring Vs Google's Nest doorbell offering.
However, the newest Echo Spot is a definite move in the right direction. It's a clean, modern design with an aesthetic screen interface, which is more than can be said for the first Echo Spot design. You can choose between different clockfaces to customize the appearance of the screen, as well as several color schemes. It's not total customization, but the choices are nice enough that you probably won't feel short-changed.
As someone who also owns an Echo Show Gen 8, the Echo Spot is also a refreshing take on a smart assistant with a screen. It only really shows you a different screen when you interact with Alexa, compared to the Echo Show's constant slideshow. All in all, its interface is a lot more grown-up, making it a better fit for a modern interior.
Features
The Echo Spot has mostly the same features as other Alexa-enabled devices — this design is, however, pitched as the best choice for a bedside alarm clock, making it easy to check time, date, weather and more at a glance.
The product listing suggests that it can work to wake you up slowly with gradual light or sound, but in terms of the former, it's only by setting up an Alexa routine, connected to a compatible smart light in the room. As someone who uses a Lumie wake-up alarm clock, also from Amazon, I prefer having it all within one device, but if having a smart assistant in your bedroom is non-negotiable, this will help stop your nightstand from being overwhelmed by devices.
Unlike other screen smart assistants, your Echo Spot won't be able to function for video calling, or connect to the live view of a Ring Video Doorbell. It can still be used for Announcements, Drop-in, and voice calls though.
My one grievance with the device was that when you ask it to play a song or podcast, it displays an audio screen, and doesn't return to the clock by default. You have to say "Alexa, go Home" to return to this.
Sound quality
My sound-testing for the Echo Spot wasn't exactly scientific in its approach, but I put an Echo Show Gen 8 next to it and compared the quality for the same song. Listening on the Echo Spot is in no way a bad experience, but it's a little less rich than the sound from the Echo Show. I also compared it to my Sonos One, an Alexa-compatible smart speaker, which does still dwarf both these Amazon devices in quality.
Is it worth it?
If, like me, you've chosen an Amazon system for your Smart Home (all my devices are at least Alexa-enabled, if not Amazon products themselves), then you might find the new Echo Spot deserving of a spot in your home. It doesn't, it's fair to say, do much better than other Amazon devices, however, it keeps up with the rest, and looks much better in the process.
If, however, you're just looking for a smart Amazon speaker, screen or no screen, the Echo Pop is better value for money, and shares the same minimalist aesthetic.
