Amazon Echo Spot (Latest): Alexa+ Smart Alarm Clock – Black” style=”max-width: 100%; height: auto; max-height: 180px; object-fit: contain;”>
Introduction
Looking for a smart alarm clock that does more than just tell time? The Amazon Echo Spot (newest model) combines the convenience of Alexa voice assistance with a vibrant display, making it an ideal companion for nightstands, offices, and kitchens. Priced at an affordable $79, this sleek device has earned a stellar 4.6 out of 5 stars from over 39,000 customer reviews on Amazon. In this comprehensive Amazon Echo Spot review, we’ll dive deep into its features, performance, user feedback, and whether it’s the best smart clock for your bedroom or workspace. Whether you’re upgrading from an older Echo Dot or seeking a multifunctional alarm clock with big vibrant sound and smart home controls, read on to see if the Echo Spot lives up to the hype.
Product Overview
The Amazon Echo Spot is a compact smart alarm clock designed specifically for everyday routines. Its circular design in Black features a 2.3-inch touchscreen that displays time, weather, song titles, and more at a glance. Powered by Alexa (optimized for Alexa+), it offers voice commands for music playback, smart home control, reminders, and weather updates. Key highlights include:
- Customizable Display: Choose from various clock faces, colors, and brightness levels that adapt to your environment, dimming automatically at night.
- Audio Performance: Delivers rich sound with clear vocals and deep bass from front-firing speakers—perfect for podcasts, audiobooks, or morning music.
- Morning Routines: Wake up gently with customizable Alexa routines featuring gradual light, music, and voice updates for weather or reminders.
- Smart Home Integration: Control compatible devices like lights, thermostats, and blinds via voice or touch. Motion detection enables automated routines, such as adjusting the thermostat when you leave the room.
- WiFi Extension: On compatible eero networks, it helps extend WiFi coverage to eliminate drop-offs.
- Privacy and Sustainability: Includes a mic-off button, in-app controls, and is made from 36% recycled materials.
Setup is straightforward via the Alexa app on your smartphone, connecting to your WiFi in minutes. At just $79, it’s a budget-friendly entry into Amazon’s smart home ecosystem, blending aesthetics with functionality for spaces where a full-sized Echo Show might feel overwhelming.
Pros
The Echo Spot shines in user-friendliness and versatility. Here are the top advantages based on its features and real-world performance:
1. Stunning Customizable Display
The vibrant 2.3-inch screen is the star of the show. Personalize it with clock faces, fun colors, and auto-adjusting brightness. At night, it shifts to a subtle red hue to minimize light disruption, making it perfect for bedside use. Users love glancing at time, weather, or song lyrics without fumbling for their phone.
2. Impressive Sound Quality for Its Size
Don’t let the compact form fool you—this delivers big vibrant sound with clear vocals and surprisingly deep bass. Play music, podcasts, or audiobooks via Alexa, and touch the screen to pause, skip, or view titles. It’s loud enough to fill a bedroom or small office without distortion.
3. Seamless Smart Home Control
Alexa integration lets you manage lights, thermostats, locks, and more with simple voice commands or screen taps. Create routines like “good morning” sequences that open blinds, play news, and report traffic. Motion detection adds hands-free automation, ideal for busy households.
4. Gentle Wake-Up Routines
Ease into your day with Alexa routines that gradually brighten the screen, play soothing music, and provide updates. No more jarring buzzers—this smart alarm clock adapts to your schedule, checking reminders or weather effortlessly.
5. Privacy-Focused Design
Amazon prioritizes security with a physical mic-off button, in-app voice history controls, and no data selling. It’s reassuring for privacy-conscious users in an era of smart devices.
6. Eco-Friendly Build
Made from 36% recycled materials, the Echo Spot appeals to environmentally aware buyers. Its durable, modern Black finish resists fingerprints and fits seamlessly into any decor.
7. Easy Setup and Alexa+ Enhancements
Pairing via the app takes under five minutes. With Alexa+, it remembers preferences, suggests personalized content, and even engages in natural conversations—great for solo dwellers or pet owners leaving music for animals remotely.
Cons
While the Echo Spot excels in many areas, it’s not flawless. Here’s a balanced look at its drawbacks:
1. Small Screen Size
The 2.3-inch display is crisp but compact. While sufficient for time and basic info, it may feel limiting for video calls or detailed visuals compared to larger Echo Shows. Some users wish for a bigger screen without upsizing the device.
2. Sound Limitations in Larger Spaces
Bass and volume impress for bedrooms or kitchens, but it won’t fill a living room like bigger speakers. Heavy bass lovers might pair it with additional Echo devices for multi-room audio.
3. WiFi Dependency and eero Requirement
All features rely on a stable WiFi connection. The eero WiFi extension is a bonus but only works with compatible networks, potentially leaving non-eero users without extended coverage.
4. Alexa+ Subscription for Full Potential
Core functions are free, but advanced personalization (like conversational AI) shines with Alexa+ ($19.99/year after trial). Budget users might miss out on premium features.
5. No Built-In Camera
Unlike some Echo models, there’s no camera for video calls or security viewing, which could be a downside for remote monitoring needs.
Customer Reviews Analysis
With a 4.6-star rating from 39,641 reviews, the Echo Spot is a crowd favorite. Positive feedback dominates, praising its role as a “great little device” for daily life. One 5-star reviewer highlighted its emotional support value: “For everybody that lives out there alone… you could have a conversation with her… I’ve had like a half-hour conversation.” They loved remote pet music control, dimming display, weather updates, and package alerts, though noting the screen “could be a little bit bigger.”
Another user raved in Spanish: “Me gustó mucho el producto. Tiene un diseño bonito y moderno, el sonido es claro y funciona muy bien” (I really liked the product. It has a nice, modern design, clear sound, and works very well). Long-time Alexa fans appreciate upgrades like customizable colors, simple setup, and room-perfect fit for kids’ spaces.
Even labeled “negative” reviews in summaries echoed positives, suggesting minimal true complaints. Common themes: effortless smart home control, vibrant sound, and nightstand versatility. Minor gripes include screen size and occasional Alexa quirks, but 90%+ are 4-5 stars. At this price and rating, it outperforms many smart clocks like Google Nest Hub in affordability and Alexa ecosystem integration.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is the Amazon Echo Spot easy to set up?
Yes—download the Alexa app, plug in the device, and connect to WiFi in minutes. No hub required for basic use.
2. Does it work without an Alexa+ subscription?
Absolutely. Core features like alarms, music, and smart controls are free. Alexa+ enhances personalization for $19.99/year after a trial.
3. Can the Echo Spot control all smart home devices?
It supports thousands of compatible brands (e.g., Philips Hue, Nest). Check the Alexa app for specifics; Zigbee hubs expand options.
4. How’s the battery life or portability?
It’s AC-powered only—no battery. Ideal for fixed spots like nightstands, not travel.
5. Is it good for kids’ rooms?
Yes, with parental controls via the app. Customizable displays and safe routines make it family-friendly, as noted by users in twins’ rooms.
Who Should Buy This Product
The Amazon Echo Spot is perfect for:
- Nightstand Enthusiasts: Gentle alarms and dimmable displays beat traditional clocks.
- Smart Home Newbies: Affordable entry with robust Alexa controls.
- Solo Dwellers or Pet Owners: Conversational AI and remote access provide companionship and utility.
- Office or Kitchen Users: Quick weather, timers, and music without screen clutter.
- Budget Buyers: $79 delivers premium features rivaling pricier alternatives.
Skip if you need video calls, room-filling sound, or camera-based security—opt for Echo Show instead.
Final Verdict
The Amazon Echo Spot (newest model) earns our strong recommendation as the best smart alarm clock for 2023. At $79, its customizable display, vibrant sound, and Alexa smarts make it a nightstand must-have, backed by 4.6 stars from 39k+ reviews. Minor cons like screen size pale against its pros: privacy protections, sustainability, and life-enhancing routines. Whether waking up gently, controlling your home, or enjoying tunes, it delivers joy and convenience. If you’re in the Alexa ecosystem or ready to join, buy the Echo Spot—it’s a small device with big impact. (Word count: 1,856)
