Amazon Echo Pop Review

Introduction

The Amazon Echo Pop is an entry-level smart speaker designed to provide an affordable way to bring Alexa into your home. It stands out with a unique semi-spherical design, aimed at small spaces like bedrooms or offices, and comes in various colours including Charcoal Black, Glacier White, Lavender, and Teal.

Design and Build

The Echo Pop features a distinctive semi-spherical shape, designed to sit discreetly in a corner. It’s compact and lightweight, making it ideal for smaller rooms. The fabric-covered front speaker adds a touch of elegance, and optional colourful silicone sleeves are available for customization​​.

Performance

Powered by Amazon’s AZ2 Neural Edge processor, the Echo Pop is responsive and efficient. It performs impressively for basic Alexa tasks such as setting timers, controlling smart home devices, and playing music. The sound quality is decent for its size, though it can become muddy and distorted at higher volumes. It’s best suited for spoken word content like audiobooks and podcasts​.

Features and Usability

The Echo Pop includes three microphones, which generally pick up voice commands effectively. However, it lacks some advanced features found in the Echo Dot, such as motion detection and a temperature sensor. It also doesn’t include an action button, relying solely on voice commands to activate Alexa. Despite these omissions, it integrates seamlessly with other smart home devices and can even extend the range of an Amazon Eero mesh Wi-Fi network.

Comparisons

Compared to the Echo Dot, the Echo Pop is slightly cheaper but has fewer features. The Echo Dot offers better sound quality, additional sensors, and a more rounded design. For just a small price difference, the Echo Dot provides a more comprehensive experience​.

Value for Money

The Echo Pop is priced at around £44.99, making it an affordable option for those looking to add Alexa functionality to additional rooms without spending too much. However, considering the minimal price difference, the Echo Dot may offer better value due to its enhanced features and sound quality.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Compact and stylish design
• Affordable price
• Good for basic Alexa tasks
• Customizable with colourful sleeves

Cons:

• Sound quality not as good as Echo Dot
• Lacks some advanced features like motion detection and temperature sensor

Overall Rating

Based on various reviews, the Echo Pop scores around 3.5 to 4 out of 5 for its design, performance, and value for money. It’s a solid entry-level option but is overshadowed by the slightly more expensive Echo Dot in terms of overall functionality and sound quality.

Conclusion

The Amazon Echo Pop is a stylish, compact, and affordable smart speaker that performs well for its intended use. It’s a great choice for small spaces and those new to smart home devices. However, if you’re looking for better sound quality and additional features, the Echo Dot is worth the extra investment.

For more detailed insights, check out reviews from sources like Expert Reviews, T3, and The Independent