Echo Pop vs Echo Dot (5th Gen): which is the best budget Amazon smart speaker?

Dark grey Echo Pop and light grey Echo Dot sat on separate bookshelves.

Amazon Echo Pop

Bluetooth: Yes

Features: Alexa voice control, on-device touch control

Dimensions (hwd): 9.1 x 8.9 x 8.3cm

Finishes: x4 (charcoal, white, green, purple) 

Verdict: While we haven't reviewed the Echo Pop, it offers much of the Dot's features in a slightly less mature design. It could be worth saving money for if you wouldn't benefit from the Dot's temperature sensor.

For

• Offers most of the Dot's features
• Slightly cheaper
• More colour choice

Against

• No temperature sensor

Amazon Echo Dot (5th Generation)

Bluetooth: Yes

Features: Alexa voice control, on-device touch control, temperature sensor

Dimensions (hwd): 10 x 10 x 8.9cm

Finishes: x3 (charcoal, blue, white) 

Verdict: The latest generation of the Echo Dot keeps up the series' high standards thanks to its surprisingly decent sound at this affordable price, and perhaps the smartest Alexa integration yet.

For

• Impressively expansive sound
• Great Alexa integration
• Pleasing, understated aesthetic

Against

• Sound distortion at higher frequencies and volume