If you’re in the market for a smart clock in the Amazon ecosystem with basic Alexa functions, the 2024 Echo Spot might be worth a look, especially with its current price drop to $44.99 from $79.99. It comes in three colors—black, glacier white, and ocean blue. It’s great for quick commands like checking the time, asking for the weather, or controlling smart home devices hands-free. However, the screen is reportedly on the smaller side at 2.83 inches, and its 320×240 pixel display resolution is not exactly the sharpest. Reviewers, like PCMag, have noted that the display becomes harder to read if you’re viewing it from the side.
It connects through dual-band wifi and Bluetooth and supports Amazon Music, Audible, and other streaming services like Apple Music and Spotify, though you’ll need to link your streaming accounts in the Alexa app for it to work with Spot. In terms of audio, the Echo Spot does a decent job, especially if you’re sitting in front of it. For casual listening (think podcasts or background music), it’s perfectly fine. But if you’re an audiophile, you might find the sound quality a bit lacking, which is on par with smart speakers this size.
If you have Alexa-compatible smart home devices, you can control them through the Echo Spot via the app. That said, it doesn’t support video calls or let you access security footage, as there’s no camera on this model. If you want a full-fledged smart display device, the Echo Show 5—currently discounted to $49.99 from $89.99—might be a better option.
