Black Friday is here and that means Amazon will once again be discounting the Echo Dot device. But with five generations, a huge range of price drops and several bundle deals on offer which Echo Dot device should you buy and how much should you pay?
Thankfully, I have reviewed all five generations to find you the best options. You can see all of the Echo Dot deals for Black Friday here.
The Echo Dot is available in a number of generations. The device was originally a smaller version of the larger Echo device, with a downgraded speaker.
READ MORE: The £1.99 Echo Dot deal that is cheaper than Amazon’s Black Friday sale
It is almost impossible to find an original first generation Echo Dot device now because Amazon quickly replaced it with a second generation device that offered better audio via an updated speaker and, importantly, a lower price.
Since then a third generation has also arrived with a more rounded design and more audio upgrades, followed by a fourth generation that saw the device grow significantly larger and become almost a replacement for the Echo device.
A new 2022 fifth generation has now arrived, leaving shoppers with a choice when Black Friday comes around.
Which generation Echo Dot device should you buy and how much should you pay? Having used and tested every generation over the past few years I have some advice on what to do if you are looking for an Echo Dot.
In short, you need to be looking at a third generation or a fourth generation model for Black Friday. Both are reduced drastically but provide everything you need from Alexa.
Echo Dot fourth generation
The fourth generation is a very impressive bit of kit. It has a faster processor and superb bass performance thanks to a three-inch woofer and dual 0.8-inch front-firing tweeters. The sound quality listening to music and podcasts is noticeable.
It responds quicker to requests and the voice recognition is sharp and reliable. I love the device and the new minimalist globe-shaped design actually looks good on a shelf for those who want to keep their rooms uncluttered.
If you are expecting to be a heavy Alexa user and want to use it as a makeshift speaker this is the device for you. It is more expensive than the third generation at £19.99 in the Black Friday sale but the gap is small for such a big improvement.
Echo Dot third generation
The Echo Dot third generation is my favourite of the devices because it brings together superior audio quality over the previous two devices with a modern rounded design and it is incredibly cheap.
You will probably be able to get a third generation device for around £16.99 in the Black Friday sales, which is a good price but probably not low enough to warrant choosing it over the fourth generation.
Why is this the best option? Price is important.
For £16.99 you cannot really go wrong, and while the fourth generation is significantly better in terms of sound quality and speed the third generation is not bad. It perfectly blends affordability with usability and the compact shape is handy for slotting into tight spaces on desks and shelves.
Why not other generations?
The first generation is almost impossible to get hold of. It has the lowest quality sound system and the oldest software, and while the second generation is a solid option it is outstripped by the third generation in every aspect, while not offering a significantly lower price.
The new fifth generation is an excellent device but will probably not be discounted for Black Friday, making the fourth generation better value for money.
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