Amazon Echo (1st gen. 2014)

Excellent guarantee ; Funky new designs ; Improved audio

3.5mm audio jack has been removed

Available in cute finishes with an improved guarantee and a year’s subscription to Kids+, the Amazon Echo Dot Kids (5th generation) is well worth the extra tenner over the standard Echo Dot. Amazon’s parental controls are brilliant, offering fine,...

Improved audio ; Looks great ; Improved tap controls

No 3.5mm audio output

An audio upgrade on the previous model, the Amazon Echo Dot (5th generation) is now a capable music speaker, as well as a great smart speaker for smart home control and general enquiries. Overall, this is the best value smart speaker you can buy,...

Nice-looking ; Easy set-up ; Versatile with ever-growing Skills selection ; Good voice recognition that gets better over time ; Voice control over smart home

Poor sound compared to speakers in price range ; Must remain connected to the mains ; Limited choice of music streaming services

Here is a program I just invented with Alexa.

Powerful, room-filling sound ; Adapts the sound to the space ; Amazon Alexa built-in

Divisive design ; The sound sometimes lacks precision

Amazon's most powerful smart speaker, the Echo Studio, has had its sound revamped making it even more immersive than it was before. If you're looking for an Alexa speaker with huge sound, that's exactly what you get here.

Excellent value for the size and power ; Loud, clear sound ; Compelling directional audio

Requires Amazon Music HD to listen to fully 3D Ultra HD music

With surprisingly robust Dolby Atmos-compatible directional audio, Amazon's Echo Studio delivers just as much power as smart speakers that cost twice as much.

Compact design ; Easy to set up ; Very good microphones

Alexa doesn’t always understand ; Location issues when asking for directions ; Requires a data connection to your phone

The Echo Auto is a simple way to bring the Alexa voice assistant to almost any vehicle. Excellent microphones mean Alexa hears you clearly and serves up music, podcasts, radio and driving directions with a simple command. But it is reliant on your...