Do you have an Echo Dot lying around the house? I've got a few! I love how easy the Echo Dot makes it to listen to music, search for the news, add items to your grocery list, and do so much more. The device's sound quality isn't terrible, but if you want a better audio experience, you'll want to purchase compatible speakers. There are hundreds if not thousands out there for you to choose from. Here are the top picks.
Best Overall: Sonos One SL
Sonos is known for its powerful hi-fi speakers, but it makes the dream of owning them a little more accessible with the One SL. Not only is this the most affordable wireless speaker the company offers, but it also produces impressive sound quality and looks stylish to boot. Since it's built so compactly, it won't take up a lot of space in your home. Both the black and the white version look good, so you can purchase the look you like best.
It features a midrange woofer and a tweeter that are powered by their own amplifier. You'll find that it pairs beautifully with the Echo Dot and other Alexa-enabled devices so you can control music by merely giving a voice command. If you want, you can purchase two of these speakers and set them up in the same room to provide a stereo audio experience.
The one thing to note is that wireless connectivity is done through Wi-Fi; it doesn't support Bluetooth. Technically, Wi-Fi gives a better sound experience, but some might find the lack of connection options to be a downside. Similarly, you'll find an Ethernet port on the backside for a better internet connection. However, there is no 3.5mm auxiliary input, which some users might find limiting. Lastly, the Sonos One SL is intended to be a permanent fixture that's plugged in at all times, so it doesn't have a built-in battery for portable use.
Pros:
- Two color options
- Compact design
- Easy to use
- Can connect with other Sonos speakers
- Wi-Fi connectivity
Cons:
- No Bluetooth connectivity
- No 3.5mm auxiliary input
- Not portable
Best Overall
Sonos One SL
A powerful compact speaker
Pair this Sonos speaker with your Echo Dot to make music listening a simpler experience.
Best Budget: OontZ Angle 3
Now, if you're looking for something quick and cheap, the Oontz Angle 3 is the speaker to get. Despite its small size, it offers decent audio that rivals more expensive devices. At higher volumes, the bass has been known to struggle. One of the things we like about it is the number of colors it comes in. Choose from blue, white, orange, red, and of course, black to spice up any room. It will last up to 14 hours and work up to 100 feet away from the transmitting device.
As far as construction goes, the middle is cased in plastic while the edges are covered with a soft rubber that feels good to the touch. The 3.5mm headphone jack and micro USB port are protected behind a rubber flap. That being said, while it is water-resistant, it isn't fully waterproof, so you'll want to be careful when using it near a pool or bathtub. When it comes time, you can connect it to your Echo Dot using Bluetooth or using a cable.
Pros:
- Up to 14 hours of battery
- Works up to 100 feet away
- Five color options
- Compact design
- Easy to use
- Inexpensive
Cons:
- Bass isn't the best
- Isn't fully waterproof
Best Budget
OontZ Angle 3
A good, inexpensive speaker
This option is cheaper than many other speakers and still provides decent sound quality and connection options.
Best Portable Speaker: Anker SoundCore 2
You usually can't go wrong with Anker, an electronics company that's proven its worth, especially when it comes to power banks. Unsurprisingly, the Anker SoundCore offers one of the most extended battery life options we've ever seen in a portable speaker — up to 24 hours of music listening on one battery charge. What's more, you won't have to pay a fortune for it as it's priced lower than many other speakers of the same quality. However, the bass is known to have problems when handling higher volumes.
Connect your Dot wirelessly with Bluetooth or use the auxiliary input to connect the two devices with a cable. The wireless connection works up to 66 feet away so you can take it with you from room to room without disturbing the link to the Dot. It's also perfect for pool parties and outdoor activities since it's waterproof. As with most speakers, it comes in classic black, or you can get it in blue or red if you want something with a bit more color.
Pros:
- Up to 24 hours of battery
- Inexpensive
- Works with paired devices up to 66 feet away
- Three color choices
- Waterproof
Cons:
- Doesn't offer the best bass
- Average quality speaker
Best Portable Speaker
Anker SoundCore 2
A quality speaker at an affordable cost
Using a Bluetooth connection, it works up to 66 feet away from your Echo Dot, either around the house or outside.
Best 2nd Gen Speaker Dock: Nomodo Echo Dot Speaker Dock
If you're worried about how cluttered a room can look with both an Echo Dot and a speaker, you might want to consider getting a speaker dock to combine the two. Nomodo's speaker works with the 2nd Gen Echo Dot and provides up to 10 hours of music listening on one battery charge. This means you can take it with you around your home or even outside. Unlike many of the other speakers you'll find on the market, this one looks stylish with its fabric covering that you can get in four different colors. Choose from Red, Navy Blue, Charcoal, and Grey to fit the decor of your home.
As with most inexpensive speakers, the sound quality won't be as good as what you'd find with a fancier device. However, it works well and does enhance the Echo Dot's speaker by quite a bit. It may or may not bother you, but it's worth noting that the Echo Dot doesn't lay flush on top of the device. This is done to make the Dot easier to place and remove from the dock, but it can be unpleasant for some to look at. While you can command Alexa at any point in time by saying her name, this dock must be turned on and off manually. You'll need to remember to switch it off if you want to save battery power.
Pros
- Up to 10 hours of battery life
- Four color options
- Portable
Cons
- Echo Dot doesn't lay flush
- Can only turn it on/off manually
Best 2nd Gen Speaker Dock
Nomodo Speaker Dock
A stylish speaker dock for Echo Dot (2nd Gen)
Dock your Echo Dot (2nd Gen) directly into this speaker for a tidy and elegant look. It offers up to 10 hours of battery life and comes in four colors.
Best 3rd Gen Speaker Dock: Cyber Acoustics Portable Speaker
For those that have purchased the most recent Echo Dot (3rd Gen), you'll want to check out this compact portable speaker dock. Its modern design matches the Echo Dot beautifully. The Echo Dot slots right in at the top of the speaker, and thankfully, the ring of light around the top is left visible. This way, you can know if Alexa has heard you or if it's having any issues.
Its small size makes it a great addition to a bedside table or desk, and it's also super portable. Take it with you anywhere and take advantage of the six-hour battery life. A built-in led around the speaker will liven up any get together, and the high-efficiency tweeter and front and rear drivers allow for 360-degree, room-filling sound.
Pros:
- Up to six hours of battery life
- Multi-colored LED for entertainment
- Charges with Echo Dot charging cable
- Compact size
Cons:
- Sound could be louder
Best 3rd Gen Speaker Dock
Cyber Acoustics Portable Speaker
A compact speaker dock for Echo Dot (3rd Gen)
Improve the sound of your Echo Dot (3rd Gen) with this portable speaker dock. It holds a charge for up to six hours.
Best Splurge: Sonos Play:5
The Sonos Play:5 is pricey, but it provides beautifully deep bass and crisp sound thanks to the three mid-woofers and three tweeters it employs. Setting it up with your Echo Dot is easy, so you'll be listening to your favorite songs via voice commands in no time. If the sound quality isn't enough, then there's also the sleek design. Considering what it offers, this speaker is pretty compact and will look good on your shelf or entertainment center. Since it's a high-end speaker, it would be nice if it came with a remote, but it doesn't. You'll have to rely on Alexa or an app to control it from a distance.
One of the nice things about it is that you can have it stand vertically or horizontally to better fit in your home. A built-in sensor adjusts sound quality accordingly, no matter which way the device is oriented. You can even pair it with another Play:5 to create stereo sound in your home. On the backside, you'll find a 3.5mm jack so you can plug in a compatible device and listen to music that way. While this speaker doesn't provide Bluetooth, it does provide a higher quality connection via Wi-Fi or Ethernet to connect with other devices.
Pros:
- Excellent sound
- Looks good
- Simple setup and pairing
- Works with other Sonos speakers
- Wi-Fi connectivity
Cons:
- Expensive
- No Bluetooth connectivity
- Doesn't come with remote
Best Splurge
Sonos Play:5
A superior speaker for music lovers
The Play:5 features three mid-woofers and three tweeters for deep bass and beautiful, crisp sound.
Best for Existing Speakers: Echo Link Amp
Alright, alright, this definitely isn't a speaker, and it doesn't come with one. However, if you already own a fancy speaker system and are looking to connect your Alexa device with it, this is a good option. You'll find inputs and outputs for both digital and analog devices on the backside of the amp. This means it works with a vast number of speakers.
The design of the box isn't anything special. I mean, it only comes in one color and doesn't have anything exciting about it. However, the fact that it's so simple and compact makes it easier to store on a shelf next to other electronics or decor. It sets up in minutes. Just use the proper cables to hook it up to your speakers, internet, and Echo Dot. Then you'll be good to go.
Pros:
- Super compact
- Works with several speakers
- Easy to setup
Cons:
- Doesn't come with a speaker
- Only one color option
Best for Existing Speakers
Echo Link Amp
Connect your fancy speakers with an Echo Dot
This amp allows you to connect Alexa devices like the Echo Dot to your existing speaker setup.
Big Boom
When you're looking for a speaker to use with your Echo Dot, you'll want something that gives you superior sound quality and added convenience for a reasonable price. There are hundreds out there to choose from, so we did the research and created a list of the best ones that were compatible with the smaller Echo. Whether you're looking for a speaker dock or a way to pair your hefty sound system, we've got you covered.
One of the best options out there is the Sonos One SL speaker. Its compact and stylish design makes it look good in any room without taking up too much space. You'll be able to set it up and pair it with your Echo Dot in no time. Best of all, it's decently priced, given the caliber of quality it provides.
Credits
Rebecca Spear loves keeping up-to-date with the latest and greatest electronics. She is a life-long gamer and a writer who has written hundreds of online articles over the past four years. On any given day you'll find her drawing with her Wacom tablet, playing video games, or reading a good book.
Jeramy Johnson is proud to help Keep Austin Weird and loves hiking in the hill country of central Texas with a breakfast taco in each hand. When he's not writing about smart home gadgets and wearables, he's defending his relationship with his smart voice assistants to his family. You can follow him on Twitter at @jeramyutgw.
Post a Comment