You should buy the Echo Pop if…
The Echo Pop is Amazon’s smallest and most affordable smart speaker, perfect for a small room — such as a dorm or kid’s room. Because it doesn’t feature a screen and can go unnoticed, it’s a simple way to introduce yourself to the Alexa ecosystem or give someone access to Amazon’s voice assistant in a simple, unintimidating way.
1. You need a compact speaker
The Echo Pop is a perfect option if you’re looking for a compact speaker for your kid’s desk, a guest room, or an area you don’t use often. It can be unreliable in larger rooms or when tasked with bigger assignments, which brings me to my next point.
2. You plan on everyday music streaming, podcasts, or audiobooks
The Echo Pop is surprisingly loud, but the sound quality decreases greatly when the volume increases. This is why the Echo Pop is meant for smaller rooms and much cheaper than other Echo devices. The Echo Pop won’t be the life of the party at a backyard barbecue. Still, it’s excellent for listening to music informally when hanging out in your room, catching up on your favorite podcasts, and listening to audiobooks. Having Alexa built-in makes it more enticing, as you can use the AI-powered voice assistant to control smart devices around your home.
You should buy the Echo Dot if…
1. You need Alexa to be more reliable
Because the Echo Pop is a smaller, more affordable smart speaker than the Echo Dot, it’s also less reliable. The Echo Dot is more responsive and can easily hear me from across the room, whether it’s playing music or not. The Echo Pop, in turn, appears to have a simpler microphone array that is easily overpowered by high volumes. I’ve often found Alexa unable to hear me on the Echo Pop when the volume is too high, which can be frustrating, especially because it doesn’t have an action button.
2. You want room-filling sound
The Echo Dot isn’t a high-end speaker, but it is great for most users. It can deliver room-filling sound from a small package, as the audio doesn’t deteriorate as much as the Echo Pop’s when the volume goes up. For example, you can pair two Echo Dots to function as external speakers for a TV and get stereo sound better than audio from most inexpensive TVs.
Alternatives to consider
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the key differences between the Echo Pop and the Echo Dot?
A: The Echo Pop is smaller, more affordable, and less reliable, while the Echo Dot is larger, more affordable, and more reliable.
Q: What are the Echo Pop and Echo Dot best used for?
A: The Echo Pop is best used for small rooms, everyday music streaming, podcasts, and audiobooks, while the Echo Dot is best used for most users who want a reliable smart speaker with Alexa built-in.
Q: Are the Echo Pop and Echo Dot available on sale during Black Friday?
A: Yes, both devices are available on sale during Black Friday at a discounted price.
