ALEXASPEAKERS
96 AUGUST 2019|COMPUTER SHOPPER|ISSUE 378
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There’s no disputing that this current crop of
Echo devices is, collectively,Amazon’s best
yet. We had issues with the earlier models,
such as the Echo’s high price or the
underwhelming functionality of the first
Echo Plus, but there are no duds this time
around. Where there have been second- and
third-generation updates, there have been
significant improvements, and even new or
unchanged products, such as the Echo Input
and Echo Spot, are worthwhile buys.
As such, there’s alot to recommend, and
the best choice will depend on what you
want. Starting with the lower-cost products,
the Echo Dot 3rd Generation is an impressive
choice,particularly if you want to extend
Alexa to multiple rooms in your home.The
Echo Input is cheaper still, but this has to be
paired with an existing set of speakers. This
makes the Echo Dot, with its much improved
integrated audio compared to previous
generations, the best choice formany.
If you want an Echo device that gives you
the full range of features, including voice
calls, the Echo Plus 2nd Generation is the
best choice.Aswell as being good formusic,
with more powerful audio than the Amazon
Echo 2nd Generation, it has abuilt-in smart
home hub.This means it can control some
devices directly,including Philips Hue bulbs.
Audio enthusiasts, on the other hand,
would be better served by the Sonos One
than anything in the Echo range.Whether
as asolo unit or as part of aseamless
multiroom setup,the One’s sound output is
simply more pleasurable to listen to than
even the Echo Plus and Echo Show.The only
real downside is that it doesn’t support all
of the Echo features, such as voice calls.
The Echo Show 2nd Generation is easily
the better of the two display-equipped
Echo devices. The Echo Spot has niche
appeal, but the large touchscreen of the
Echo Show gives it the greatest flexibility
of anything in the range.
VERDICT
Award RECOMMENDED BEST BUY
Manufacturer AMAZON AMAZON AMAZON
Model Echo2ndGeneration EchoDot3rdGeneration EchoInput
Rating ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★
HARDWARE
Drivers 21 None
RMSpoweroutput Not stated Not stated N/A
Microphones 744
Audioinputs None None None
Audiooutputs 3.5mm aux 3.5mm aux 3.5mm aux
Dockconnector None None None
Wireless Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Ethernet No No No
NFC No No No
Screensize N/A N/A N/A
Screenresolution N/A N/A N/A
Camera None None None
Dimensions 148x88x88mm 44x99x99mm 14x80x80mm
Weight 821g 300g 79g
SOFTWARE
Digitalassistant Amazon Alexa Amazon Alexa Amazon Alexa
Appsupport Android, iOS, Fire OS Android, iOS, Fire OS Android, iOS, Fire OS
BUYING INFORMATION
Price £90 £50 £35
Warranty One year RTBOne year RTBOne year RTB
Supplier http://www.amazon.co.uk http://www.amazon.co.uk http://www.amazon.co.uk
Details http://www.amazon.co.uk http://www.amazon.co.uk http://www.amazon.co.uk
Partcode Echo 2nd Generation Echo Dot 3rd Generation Echo Input
