Amazon has cornered the marketplace on affordable and easy-to-use good house gadgets with its Echo lineup. Two of its tiniest (but nonetheless feature-packed) choices are the Echo Dot, now on its fifth era, and the Echo Pop, which debuted in 2023. Each Alexa good audio system value underneath $50 and continuously pass on sale all through Top Day occasions. Talking of which, Amazon Top Day 2025 is subsequent up, and we expect to peer each gadgets obtain profitable reductions when the development takes position from July 8 via 11.
Whilst the 2 good audio system are remarkably identical, there are some key variations you must know earlier than you pick out one. Right here’s how the Echo Dot (fifth gen) and the Echo Pop evaluate, in accordance with my first-hand insights the use of them each.
Echo Dot vs. Echo Pop: Specifications

Credit score: Chart: SaVanna Shoemaker / Mashable
Design: We love colour choices
The Echo Dot and the Echo Pop are just about the similar dimension, however whilst the Echo Dot is spherical, the Echo Pop has a flat face. It mainly looks as if a cross-section of the Dot.

The Echo Dot (left) and Echo Pop (proper) — as you’ll be able to see, the Dot has been graced via infant spaghetti arms.
Credit score: SaVanna Shoemaker / Mashable
The Echo Dot additionally is available in 3 relatively muted colours (grey, white, and blue), however the Echo Pop is to be had in some, smartly, poppier colours (lavender and teal along with grey and white).
General, I really like the semblance of the Echo Pop somewhat higher. The brighter colours upload a adorable splash of colour to a nook shelf. The Pop can function a extra discreet Alexa assistant than the Echo Dot (which is relatively universally known as a wise house machine).
Each have a contemporary, graceful look that may simply supplement or mix into your house decor.
Winner: Echo Pop
Setup and simplicity of use
Amazon has made putting in place those gadgets extraordinarily clean. You’ll want the Alexa app for your telephone, and it walks you via setup step by step. The app could also be the place you’ll attach different apps like Spotify or Audible to move them for your Echo gadgets the use of Alexa voice instructions.
The gadgets themselves also are very easy. The bodily buttons on them will let you mute and unmute the microphone and modify the quantity. The entirety else is completed via voice instructions or in the course of the Alexa app. I had no issues putting in place both tool and each had been extremely conscious of my “Hiya, Alexa’s.”
Winner: Tie
Sound high quality is sort of an identical
Amazon describes the Echo Pop’s sound as a “complete sound” that’s a just right are compatible for bedrooms and small areas and the Echo Dot’s sound as a “larger colourful sound” for any room.
In my side-by-side comparisons of the Echo Dot and the Echo Pop, I couldn’t hit upon a distinction in sound high quality between the 2 gadgets. Each gadgets had been superb for enjoying background track in my place of business or being attentive to podcasts whilst doing house responsibilities, offering fuller, clearer sound and higher quantity in comparison to my smartphone.
The Echo Pop does have an ever-so-slightly better speaker. Alternatively, the Dot’s spherical form can lend a hand it to fill an area with sound regardless of the place it’s positioned.
Winner: Echo Dot
Alexa integration and good house connectivity
Each the Echo Dot and the Echo Pop combine with Alexa in the course of the Amazon Alexa app. You’ll use Alexa to invite questions, test the elements, set timers and alarms, and open hooked up apps (like track or streaming apps together with Spotify, Pandora, Audible, and Amazon Track).Â
For my part, I’ve at all times discovered Alexa gadgets maximum at hand within the place of business and within the kitchen. They supply a hands-free, screen-free strategy to set timers (for productiveness or pizza) or to move audio. A centrally-located Echo tool could also be an effective way to disencumber house on your mind. I’ve used Alexa to job my memory to water my vegetation, put birthday playing cards within the mail, and test the water degree within the pool at common periods when filling it up for the season.
Alternatively, the Echo Dot edges out the Echo Pop right here in two key techniques: temperature sensing and movement detection. So your Echo Dot can execute Alexa Routines that contain temperature or movement, whilst the Echo Pop can’t. Some examples:Â
Winner: Echo Dot
Taking into account further options
The Echo Dot and the Echo Pop can each function WiFi extenders when you have an current Amazon Eero community, including as much as 1,000 sq. toes of extra WiFi protection.
Alternatively, as soon as once more the Echo Dot edges out the Echo Pop when it comes to further options. As discussed above, the Dot comes provided with movement and temperature detection functions.Â
Winner: Echo Dot
Our winner: Echo Dot vs. Echo Pop
The Echo Dot and the Echo Pop are extra identical than they’re other. The Echo Pop is set $10 more economical and somewhat bit cuter (and to be had in additional a laugh colours). Alternatively, it lacks the movement detection and temperature sensing that will permit it to execute one of the most maximum useful and sensible Alexa instructions and routines.
When you’re simply searching for an easy-to-use speaker to play track or set alarms in your house, the Echo Pop is a tremendous selection. For a extra useful good house assistant, pay the additional $10 and buy the Echo Dot.Â