If you want something with a little more physical presence than a simple speaker but still don’t need a display, the 5th generation of Amazon’s Echo Dot might be perfect. Unlike the Echo, the Echo Dot displays the time with a digital clock that can prove useful when your phone isn’t nearby. It also displays any timers you set and gives a numerical representation of its current volume.
As of April 2024, the 5th generation of the Echo Dot sits at $60 on Amazon. Honorable mention to the version without the clock, which is $10 cheaper, and just as useful as this iteration. We ranked the Amazon Echo Dot (5th gen) as one of the best home assistant devices for 2023, and can easily carry that torch into 2024.
Its compact size and shape make it easy to place anywhere in the house without it being an eye sore. Thanks to a 1.7-inch driver at the front of the speaker, the sound in the 5th gen Echo Dot provides clearer vocals than previous generations. Per CNET’s review of the device, the outlet emphasized that if Alexa is your smart assistant of choice, the Echo Dot is a great choice since “it’s compact, it sounds decent, and it’s affordable.”
