The new Dot is fantastic. It sounds a lot better, looks a lot better and is still as cheap as ever. There are no playful colours on offer, and you can no longer power it from a USB power bank, but these are minor quibbles and are somewhat offset by the fact you can use two Dots as a stereo pair and even add an Echo Sub for 2.1 sound.

Amazon's third-generation Echo Dot ($49) looks good and sounds great. With vastly improved audio, it's now a distinctly better smart speaker than the Google Home Mini, and can replace the larger $99 Echo for less picky folks. That makes it our Editor's Choice for entry-level smart speakers. If you already own an old Echo Dot and use it to power a bigger, better speaker, there's no need to upgrade. But if you use your Echo Dot as a primary speaker, you'll want the new one.A Cuddlier Dot The Echo Dot is chubbier and cuddlier than the previous model, although it's about the same size. Instead of just hard plastic, now the speaker has a fabric wrap in one of three shades of gray. Choose wisely, because unlike with the full-sized Echo, you can't change the wrapping after you buy the speaker. Like previous Echo Dots, the speaker has a colored light ring around the edge and four buttons on top: volume buttons, a mic mute, and an action button. I like the Echo Dot's volume buttons better ...

The new Amazon Echo Dot delivers dramatically improved sound, making it an even better buy for an entry-level Alexa speaker.

Much better sound than previous model; Still the best inexpensive Alexa speaker; 3.5mm jack for more powerful speakers; Alexa remains the best voice ecosystem for smart home control

Alexa isn't up to Google Assistant's level at answering broad information queries

While the previous Echo Dots were cheap ways to extend smart home control all over your home, they weren't the most attractive devices and had weedy sounds. The Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen) as a vast improvement on the originals, even though it costs exactly the same. The new finish looks fantastic and the new Echo Dot is a device that you'd happily put out on show. Audio has been dramatically improved, too, both in terms of quality and loudness, which makes Alexa easier to understand and means that the odd bit of music or radio is a possibility. If you're looking to put Alexa in more rooms, then this is the device to buy.

Clear and loud audio; 3.5mm and Bluetooth audio outputs; Same price as old model; Improved design;

No longer USB-powered; Not ideal for music;

Amazon has created another smart speaker that brings practical smarts to the kitchen counter or the bedside table. It's not as adventurous a device as other Echo products, but it's one of the most wallet-friendly and practical.

The Echo Dot with Clock brings all the best elements of 2018's third-gen Dot and adds a smart quality-of-life upgrade in the form of an LED clock display.

The $60 price tag edges the new Dot out of the super cheap range shared by the standard Dot and Google Nest Mini; Plus, the LED display can't adjust color or color temperature, which makes it a little annoying in a dark room.

“What time is it?” I feel dumb wasting my breath to ask this question out loud to my all-knowing smart speakers, but it’s the question that I ask the most — and I’m not alone. Amazon says it’s one of the most commonly asked questions to its Echo smart speakers.

Powerful sound for the price; You’ll no longer have to ask for the time; Can also display weather info and timers

The clock adds $10 to the price; Can’t be mounted without additional accessories like the Nest Mini; Display could use a scheduling tool

Amazon Echo Dot (3rd gen) review : Both Google and Amazon have been trying to convince consumers to spend on a smart speaker, a device which can play music, control lights and appliances and serves as a home assistant.

I just got 2 of these. One for the living room and the other for the bedroom. Alexa recognizes my voice at low levels and from a good distance. Lots of skills can be added to make a dumb home smart. I recommend the Echo Dot 3rd Gen. The speakers have good quality sound from such a small device.

The third-generation Amazon Echo Dot looks prettier and sounds a whole lot better than earlier iterations of Amazon's entry-level smart speaker.

A very inexpensive voice-powered smart home controller; Best sounding audio in its class; Pretty industrial design

It's still not a speaker I'd recommend for critical music listening; $10 more expensive than the 2nd-gen model if you don't care about its musicality,...

Great device. The sound quality is incredible. I have grown tired of listening to music out of my phone's speaker. Music and podcasts sound incredible. Voice quality on a phone call is good on the dot end but just ok on the phone end. You pick up all the ambient noise. Love all the "skills" it has!

Cool little gadget. Does the job as advertised. Setting up the skills is easy - but finding the right one can be a mission. But this is not a fault of the unit. Works well and also looks pleasing on the eye with the fabric outer.