In fairness I have to say that I received this 1st gen Echo Dot as part of a Best Buy TV purchase - I did NOT purchase the Dot outright - basically it was a free thing to me. Having said that I thought I might use it via Bluetooth as an external speaker for the TV. I really don't have a use for the Alexa voice control function thats offered with the Dot. Plan on having to download and install the Alexa app to "install" this Dot to your TV. That seems to be necessary even if all you want is the Bluetooth speaker function. The sound quality is OK - not super but certainly better than the stock speaker setup on the small flatscreen FireTV I just purchased. The small downward facing speakers in the TV function but the sound quality isn't the best (especially if you are older like me and are having some hearing issues). This Dot improved the sound some..... Are there better Bluetooth speaker solutions -- ABSOLUTELY!!! But, as noted in the first part of this review the Dot was basically FREE to me and who doesn't like free.

The Echo pop is certainly adequate smart speaker. I have owned many of Amazon Echo models through the various generations. Always been a fan and this new model is no different. It produces great sound and responsive to voice commands. Like all other units in the past, The echo continues display a small light on top to help you the status of the connection or if you have any notifications. Sound quality compared the previous models is negligible. It is however a newer style than previous Dot models which has gone through small hockey puck looking design to a round ball of various sizes Would I go out to buy this model just to replace an older model? Probably not. But for any newcomer coming into the Echo speakers, I wouldn’t hesitate with this one either. However I do find that the older Dot generation with a clock is a better option personally. Especially if the echo is in a room without a clock near by. So buy it if you need a new speaker or if you like the half done style. but don’t consider it as an “upgrade” to previous dot models.

I own several Echo devices like the Show and the Echo Plus. This new Pop is very small and basic.

PROS: Compact size with front facing speaker. This is an entry model so it offers a low price compared to other Alexa devices. The Pop unit does have good sound quality with prominent and solid bass as well as clear highs. This model is great for listening at low to medium levels in small spaces. Like all Alexa devices this model offers easy setup using the Alexa App.

CONS: Volume controls on the top are not easy to find without picking up the device. The controls have subtle raised identifiers on their buttons but it’s still hard to feel them and decide which is which. Volume is good, but will not play super loud. There are no physical connections for other connections, but Bluetooth is included. White cord doesn’t match the device.

CONCLUSION: This is a basic good sounding device in a compact design for small spaces. If you want bigger sound consider the Echo Dot. If you budget is tight, this is a great choice and offers all the features you need for using Alexa.

Amazon has a new Alexa enabled device, the Echo Pop. This is a smart speaker that features good sound and is Alexa enabled. The speaker itself is straight forward. It has a light bar on top of it to indicate various statuses as well as 3 buttons. The three buttons are for increasing volume, decreasing volume, and muting the mic. You setup the Pop by way of the Alexa app. When setting this up, I didn't run into any problems as Amazon has made it very simple and easy to do. Since it is Alexa enabled, you can set alarms, routines, etc. to work with the Pop. I found the audio to be a little hot on the base, but overall has a rich clear sound output. The only downside I've found so far is that it doesn't use the more common USB power cable. Instead, it uses a cable that has a barrel connector on one end and a power block built into the other end. It would be good to see Amazon change this in a future version to be a USB-C PD powered speaker.

If you are looking for a smart speaker that is Alexa enabled, then consider the Echo Pop. I don't think you'll go wrong with this if you don't need anything more than a good speaker with Alexa capabilities.