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The Alexa Echo Device Comparison Chart

How every item in the Echo product line stacks up

By Brad Stephenson Brad Stephenson Freelance Contributor Western Sydney University Brad Stephenson is a freelance tech and geek culture writer with 12+ years' experience. He writes about Windows 10, Xbox One, and cryptocurrency. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on May 24, 2021 Reviewed by Michael Barton Heine Jr Reviewed by Michael Barton Heine Jr Michael Heine is a CompTIA-certified writer, editor, and Network Engineer with 25+ years' experience working in the television, defense, ISP, telecommunications, and education industries. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email

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Expand Jump to a Section New Amazon Echo Devices in 2020 and 2021 Current Echo Lineup Amazon Echo Comparison Echo Dot Comparison Echo Show Comparison Other Amazon Echo Devices Wearable Alexa Product Line Vintage or Obsolete Amazon Echo Devices Amazon Echo is a wide range of devices that feature internet connectivity, multimedia functionality, and support for the Alexa digital assistant. The first device came out in 2014 with the debut of the original Amazon Echo smart speaker. The brand has since expanded significantly with newer speaker models and entirely different form factors such as wearables and even an Amazon Echo device for cars. This quick guide breaks down each type of Amazon Echo product line in addition to comparing older Echo models to the latest versions.

New Amazon Echo Devices in 2020 and 2021

In 2020, Amazon announced new models for their Echo, Echo Dot, and Echo Show range of Alexa-enabled devices. While the more recent fourth-generation Echo and Echo Dots came out in late-2020 and are now available for purchase, the new Echo Show, the Echo Show 10, is expected for release sometime in early to mid-2021.

Current Echo Device Line-Up Comparison

Due to Amazon’s strong support for almost all of their Amazon Echo devices with frequent software updates, most of them could technically be described as current even though they aren’t the latest model. The following chart compares the latest versions of each of the main Echo products while the charts underneath compare several generations of each Echo type. While many Amazon Echo devices are still supported with software updates and customer support, older models are much harder to find on Amazon and other stores. Feature Echo (4th gen) Echo Dot (4th gen) Echo Show 10 (3rd gen) Entry price $99 $50 TBA Release 2020 2020 2021 Microphone Yes Yes Yes Speakers 3.0" woofer and dual front-firing 0.8" tweeters 1.6" front-firing speaker 2.1 System: 2 x 1.0” tweeters and a 3.0” woofer Camera No No 13MP Line in/out 3.5 mm line in/out 3.5 mm line out No Dolby Dolby audio No Dolby audio Zigbee smart home hub Yes No Yes LED clock No Only on Echo Dot with clock model No Screen No No 10.1” with 1280 x 800 resolution Size 5.7” x 5.7” x 5.2” 3.9” x 3.9” x 3.5” 9.9” x 9” x 6.7” Echo Dot (3rd Gen) Review: Everything Alexa has to offer in a tiny package

Amazon Echo Comparison

This chart breaks down all of the technical differences between the primary Amazon Echo product line. Note that the two Echo Plus models are considered to be the second and third-generation Echo models. Feature Echo Echo Plus Echo Plus (2nd gen) Echo (4th gen) Entry price $179.99 $150 $150 $99 Release 2014 2017 2018 2020 Microphone Yes Yes Yes Yes Speakers 2.5" woofer and 2.0" tweeter 2.5" woofer and 0.8" tweeter 3.0” woofer and 0.8” tweeter 3.0" woofer and dual front-firing 0.8" tweeters Camera No No No No Line in/out No 3.5 mm line out 3.5 mm line out 3.5 mm line in/out Dolby No Dolby audio Dolby audio Dolby audio Zigbee smart home hub No Yes Yes Yes LED clock No No No No Screen No No No No Size 9.25” x 3.3” x 3.3” 3.4" x 3.4" x 9.2" 3.9" x 3.9" x 5.8" 5.7” x 5.7” x 5.2”

Amazon Echo Dot Comparison

The Echo Dot is the smaller, though still feature-packed, sibling of the main Echo line of devices. The first three Echo Dots use a hockey puck disk design, while the fourth-generation model has a spherical look. Additional Echo Dot with Clock and Echo Dot Kids Edition versions of the third and fourth generation models are also available with the same hardware as the base models but with a visible digital clock on the former and additional safety features and cute colorful designs on the latter. Feature Echo Dot Echo Dot (2nd gen) Echo Dot (3rd gen) Echo Dot (4th gen) Entry price $49.99 $49.99 $49.99 $49.99 Release 2016 2016 2018 2020 Microphone Yes Yes Yes Yes Speakers Yes. (Specs unknown) 1.1" front-firing speaker 1.6" front-firing speaker 1.6" front-firing speaker Camera No No No No Line in/out 3.5 mm line out 3.5 mm line out 3.5 mm line out 3.5 mm line out Dolby No No No No Zigbee smart home hub No No No No LED clock No No Only on Echo Dot with clock model Only on Echo Dot with clock model Screen No No No No Size 3.3" x 3.3" x 1.5" 3.3" x 3.3" x 1.3" 3.9" x 3.9" x 1.7" 3.9" x 3.9" x 3.5"

Amazon Echo Show Comparison

The Show devices are Alexa Echo-enabled multimedia devices with a screen for watching content and a built-in camera and microphone for communicating with friends and family via video calls. Amazon called the first Echo Show in the second generation the second-generation Echo Show. In contrast, Amazon's second and third models added to the second generation were called the Echo Show 5 and the Echo Show 8. The numbers in the Echo Show 5 and 8 names refer to the screens' size, 5- and 8-inch respectively, even though both are second-generation models. Similarly, the number in the Echo Show 10’s title refers to its 10-inch screen, not the model generation, which is the third. Feature Echo Show Echo Show 5/8 (2nd gen) Echo Show 10 (3rd gen) Entry price $229.99 $229.99
$90
$130 TBA Release 2017 2018 2021 Microphone Yes Yes Yes Speakers 2 x 2" stereo speakers 2 x 2.2” stereo speakers
2 x 2.0” stereo speakers
1 x 1.7” stereo speakers 2.1 System: 2 x 1.0" tweeters and a 3.0" woofer Camera 5MP 5MP
1MP
1MP 13MP Line in/out No No No Dolby Dolby audio Dolby audio Dolby audio Zigbee smart home hub No Yes Yes LED clock No No No Screen 7" with 1,024 x 600 resolution 10.1” with 1280 x 800 resolution
5.5” with 960 x 480 resolution
8.0” with 1280 x 800 resolution 10.1" with 1280 x 800 resolution Size 7.0" x 7.4" x 4.0" 9.7” x 6.9” x 4.2”
5.8” x 3.4” x 2.9”
7.9” x 5.4” x 3.9” 9.9" x 9" x 6.7"

Comparing Other Amazon Echo Devices

In addition to the Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, and Echo Show Alexa product lines, there are several other Echo devices that Amazon has released over the years for various use cases and niche demographics. Here’s how the Echo Flex, Echo Auto, Echo Tap, Echo Spot, and Echo Studio Alexa devices differ regarding specs and features. Feature Echo Flex Echo Spot Echo Studio Echo Auto Entry price $24.99 $129.19 $199 $49.99 Release 2019 2017 2019 2018 Microphone Yes Yes Yes Yes Speakers 0.6" mini speaker 1.4” speaker 1.0" tweeter, three 2.0" mid-range speakers, and 5.3" woofer No. (Connects to car speakers via Bluetooth) Camera No 1MP No No Line in/out 3.5 mm line out 3.5 mm line out 3.5 mm or mini-optical Toslink line in Bluetooth Dolby No No Dolby Atmos No Zigbee smart home hub No No Yes No LED clock No No No No Screen No 2.5" round display with 480 x 480 resolution No No Size 2.8” x 2.6” x 2.0” 4.1” x 3.8” x 3.6” 8.1" x 6.9" 3.3” x 1.9” x 0.5”

Comparing the Wearable Alexa Product Line

Amazon’s virtual assistant, Alexa, isn’t just available via smart speakers and screens; it's also in a couple of Amazon Echo wearable devices such as the Echo Buds earbuds and Echo Frames smart glasses. Feature Echo Buds Echo Frames (2nd gen) Entry price $129 $249.99 Release 2020 2020 Microphone Yes Yes Speakers Knowles dual balanced armature drivers 4 microspeakers Camera No No Line in/out No No Dolby No No Zigbee smart home hub No No LED clock No No Screen No No Size 22 x 23 x 24 mm 54 x 18 x 145 mm

Vintage and Obsolete Amazon Echo Devices

Several Amazon Echo products have been officially discontinued.

Vintage Amazon Echo Wearables

Amazon discontinued the first-generation Echo Frames; the second generation is still available. The experimental Echo Loop smart ring sold out, and it’s unclear if Amazon will produce more. Either device should still function if you manage to get your hands on one. Amazon has discontinued the production of the Amazon Echo Tap though it should still work if you manage to find one. Echo Frames (1st gen)Echo LoopEcho Tap

Obsolete Amazon Echo Devices

The Echo Look was a precursor to Echo Show and was an intelligent selfie camera. All Echo Look devices were remotely disabled in mid-2020 so, even if you manage to buy one, it won't function. Echo Look Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Fix It When Alexa says the Echo is Offline How to Fix It When Your Alexa Alarm Isn’t Going Off How to Put an Echo Dot in Setup Mode The 9 Best Amazon Devices, Tested by Experts How to Connect Your Android Phone to Alexa How to Set up the Amazon Echo Show How to Reset Alexa on Echo Devices The 7 Best Alexa and Alexa-Enabled Speakers of 2022 What Is the Amazon Echo Show? How to Use the Alexa Equalizer to Fine Tune Your Music Listening How to Turn On an Echo Dot How to Make Alexa the Center of Your Smart Home Is Alexa Safe to Use? How to Use Alexa to Transfer Music Between Echo Devices How to Change the Clock Brightness on Echo Dot How to Pair Two Echo Dots for Stereo Sound Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies