The 7 Best First Generation Echo Dots (2023 reviews)

We consider a first generation echo dot to be a worthy investment in the long run. We are here to help you choose the right one for your purposes from all the best available products in market today.

Our review process: Show/Hide

Our Top Picks:

Best Overall: Buy: Amazon Smart Plug READ REVIEW

Best With Zigbee: Buy: Amazon No additional Philips Hue Hub READ REVIEW

Best For instant questions: Buy: Amazon New Dot READ REVIEW

Best For introduction: Buy: Amazon Echo Device READ REVIEW

Best For alarm Clock: Buy: First Generation Echo Dot READ REVIEW

Best For high volume Music: Buy: Amazon Great gift READ REVIEW

Best premium: Buy: Amazon Echo Dot READ REVIEW

Best Overall: Amazon Smart Plug

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The amazon smart plug is long-lasting, rigid and fits well with your regular usage like a dream. This device needs a power off button. It plays calm music for them. It is easy to connect other products too. It is simple to set up and use—plug in, open the alexa app, and get started in minutes. It has to be plugged in, even if you have a portable charger.

This gen, with the fabric wrap is nice looking compared to previous models and the volume at max is more than sufficient for some light partying while pushing a swiffer and dust cloth around the house or working on a project in the garage. It is a really nice little helper.

• Convenient size, came with smart plug
• Great to have this little dot to ask questions
• Good investment for long term

Best With Zigbee: Amazon No additional Philips Hue Hub

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Compared with other products by Amazon, the amazon no additional philips hue hub has a convenient design. THIS ECHO Dot 5 Generation is a Must have for any home and for anyone etc. It includes echo dot (5th gen) charcoal and philips hue white a19 medium lumen smart bulb, 1100 lumens. It has sub woofers and you really feel them. It is extra effective depending on what surface you place this on.

This smart light, while bluetooth compatible, will continue to work with your hue hub and can be seamlessly integrated into your hue ecosystem. Addition to echo dot, this one contains an inbuilt temperature sensor so you can automate things based on the indoor temperature. The sound quality is tremendous in comparison.

• The greatest speaker, surround sound, dolby, device hub studio speaker
• Connect your philips hue smart lights to alexa for easy voice control
• Good brand reputation

Best For instant questions: Amazon New Dot

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The amazon new dot is the best reliable product on the market today. The Echo Dot is intended to be a convenient, compact, inexpensive smart speaker. It works with any device that is "alexa compatible. It's clear and crisp, making it perfect for streaming music or listening to audiobooks. The sound is much punchier with more bass than the 2nd gen Dot, which is great. It provides more power for audio processing.

The new Gen 5 Speaker is noticeably heavier than the Gen 4 thanks to the new speaker and electronics inside. It has lots of features in the app and you can setup and control other smart devices through the app connection with Alexa. It is great for homework or instant questions.

• Controls the lights and locks on the door with no problem
• Amazing for music and smart home
• Marginal improvements in sound, touch control and better clock display

Best For introduction: Amazon Echo Device

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The amazon echo device has killer features for the price point. The Google Assistant is much more resourceful and accurate than any other voice assistant, including Alexa. It comes with 3 dots plus works well in the dot dock. It has a basic function that will listen for smoke alarm sound, or glass breaking etc. It also has rounder edges and a cloth speaker cover. If you have alerts turned on, the "light ring" will light up green and remain that way if a severe weather alert is issued for your area.

It's a very good size for travel and audio books for children and adult alike. It is best with big speakers attached. It is a christmas gift along with the newest ring doorbell.

• Looks even more discrete and goes well mounted on the wall
• Great features, no more having to tune radio or use cd player etc
• Works as a glass break monitor

Best For alarm Clock: First Generation Echo Dot

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The first generation echo dot is satisfactory and appropriate and fits well with your regular usage. This smart speaker is great at controlling your smart home and light music listening. It's definitely a showpiece compared to the other dot models, which are more discreet. The mismatching cord definitely cheapens the product, and sticks out. It is easy to set up and get connected to wi-fi.

It's a reasonably heavy product, and the materials feel sturdy and premium. The white light from the clock casts a glow at night. It is less reliable and is unable to perform quite a bit of skills that previous generations could perform without a hitch. It does not need to be plugged into a smart plug. This is helpful for tracking your day to day life and staying up to date.

• Build quality and design are beautiful
• Nice classy sound and easy to hide
• Sleek, modern, replaces radio and alarm
• An upgraded alexa with booming sound

Best For high volume Music: Amazon Great gift

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The amazon great gift is capable of outshining several other products featured in this list in overall features in its price range. It looks like a dragon and is very fun for kids. The bright colored owl is actually on fabric covering the speaker so you don't have to worry about the picture rubbing or scraping off the plastic. It is filtered and keeps things age appropriate. It can play any song you like. The sound quality is good, and it responds well to quiet kid voices. It is built with multiple layers of privacy controls, including a mic off button. The speaker sounds great with just enough bass and clarity. It comes set up with parental control.

• Cute and fun for a kid
• Very easy to use and fun
• Super cute, the voice matches the animal, as opposed to the regular alexa voice
• Super cute design and owl voice

Best premium: Amazon Echo Dot

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The amazon echo dot is capable of outshining several other products featured in this list in long-lasting features. It offers a built in hub with alexa. It includes an echo dot (5th gen) glacier white and philips hue white with a19 medium lumen smart bulb, 1100 lumens. The new dot sounds as good as the full sized echo but cheaper. With the eero mesh capabilities and the good sound, these are a must buy for the alexa household.

• Great convenience to control a lamp with alexa
• One of the new comers and featured product