Amazon Echo Dot with Clock (2022) review: an affordable bedside smart speaker

Home LivingSmart HomeAmazon Echo Dot with Clock (2022) review: an affordable bedside smart speakerThe Amazon Echo Dot with Clock (2022) is a small device with a long list of benefitsWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Future)T3 VerdictIf you’re hunting for an affordable smart speaker to use in your bedroom, they don’t come much better than the Amazon Echo Dot with Clock (2022). The design is subtle, it displays the time and there are loads of cool smart features to explore.Reasons to buy+Compact and capable Alexa speaker+Extends your Eero mesh network+Includes a temperature sensorReasons to avoid-The sound isn’t meant for big spaces-Audio port has been removedWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.

The Amazon Echo Dot with Clock (2022) is a small device with a long list of benefits

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Future)T3 VerdictIf you’re hunting for an affordable smart speaker to use in your bedroom, they don’t come much better than the Amazon Echo Dot with Clock (2022). The design is subtle, it displays the time and there are loads of cool smart features to explore.Reasons to buy+Compact and capable Alexa speaker+Extends your Eero mesh network+Includes a temperature sensorReasons to avoid-The sound isn’t meant for big spaces-Audio port has been removed

(Image credit: Future)

The Amazon Echo Dot with Clock (2022) review: Alexa smart speaker lit up with the time

(Image credit: Future)

T3 VerdictIf you’re hunting for an affordable smart speaker to use in your bedroom, they don’t come much better than the Amazon Echo Dot with Clock (2022). The design is subtle, it displays the time and there are loads of cool smart features to explore.Reasons to buy+Compact and capable Alexa speaker+Extends your Eero mesh network+Includes a temperature sensorReasons to avoid-The sound isn’t meant for big spaces-Audio port has been removed

T3 Verdict

If you’re hunting for an affordable smart speaker to use in your bedroom, they don’t come much better than the Amazon Echo Dot with Clock (2022). The design is subtle, it displays the time and there are loads of cool smart features to explore.

Reasons to buy+Compact and capable Alexa speaker+Extends your Eero mesh network+Includes a temperature sensorReasons to avoid-The sound isn’t meant for big spaces-Audio port has been removed

Reasons to buy+Compact and capable Alexa speaker+Extends your Eero mesh network+Includes a temperature sensor

Compact and capable Alexa speaker

Extends your Eero mesh network

Includes a temperature sensor

Reasons to avoid-The sound isn’t meant for big spaces-Audio port has been removed

The sound isn’t meant for big spaces

Audio port has been removed

Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.

ThisAmazonEcho Dot with Clock (2022) review is aimed at anyone who wants one of thebest smart speakerswithout spending a fortune. It’s one of Amazon’s smallest and most affordable Alexa devices, and thanks to the clock face on the front, it’ll make the perfect bedsidealarm clock.

Combining solid performance and loads of cool features with a tiny contemporary design and an affordable price tag, the Echo Dot is one of the most popular smart speakers, and it makes a great gift.

Amazon Echo Dot with Clock (2022) review: what’s new

Amazon has made a few changes to the Echo Dot since the4th generationof the smart speaker. Firstly, they’ve increased the size of the driver from 1.6 inches to 1.73 inches. You get a few more features than before too including a built-in accelerometer to control the speaker with a tap, and there’s now a temperature sensor as well. Plus Amazon has upgraded the processor.

The design of the latest Echo Dot isn’t too different from the last model, although they have done away with the 3.5mm audio port and you can now buy it in a Deep Sea Blue option.

Amazon Echo Dot with Clock (2022) review: price and availability

You can buy theAmazon Echo Dot with a Clock (5th Generation, 2022)for £64.99 in the UK and $59.99 in the US. If you choose to buy it without the clock face, it’ll cost a bit less at £54.99 in the UK and $49.99 in the US.

Keep an eye on the price as it’s likely to be discounted during sales events like Black Friday andAmazon PrimeDay.

Amazon Echo Dot with Clock (2022) review: design and setup

(Image credit: Future)

Amazon Echo Dot with Clock (2022) review: smart speaker with time displayed on a shelf

(Image credit: Future)

The ball has a flat base and back made from plastic, but the rest is covered in a meshed fabric. Across the front, there’s an LED display to show the time, song titles, the temperature and so on. Around the bottom is theAlexaring light letting you know when the voice assistant is listening to you. Despite being so small, the LED display showing the time is quite big so you’ll be able to read it from across the room, if you need to.

You can buy the version with a clock in Cloud Blue or Glacier White, or if you buy it without the clock face, you can choose between Deep Sea Blue and Charcoal as well as Glacier White.

(Image credit: Future)

Amazon Echo Dot with Clock (2022) review: speaker from above

(Image credit: Future)

Across the top of the sphere, there are four buttons: one to turn the volume up, one to turn it down, one to mute the microphone and the action button. The action button serves to physically trigger the voice assistant, put the speaker in setup mode and answer incoming calls, amongst other things.

Unlike the 4th generation of the smart speaker, the 5th model of the Echo Dot doesn’t have a 3.5mm audio port on the back. There’s only the port to connect it to power. I found the included cable was long enough to reach a shelf, and if you want to put it higher, there’s the option to buy an extension cable.

Amazon Echo Dot with Clock (2022) review: performance and features

(Image credit: Future)

Amazon Echo Dot with Clock (2022) review: smart speaker with temperature displayed

(Image credit: Future)

A 1.73-inch driver sits underneath the shell of the Amazon Echo Dot with Clock (2022). Being bigger than before, the audio quality has ever so slightly improved across the whole soundstage, but you still can’t expect to be blown away with huge room-filling sound.

In smaller spaces, the Echo Dot (2022) will provide a solid bass, strong mids and crisp highs, but there’s not enough power behind the sound to please a crowd. Rest assured though, for listening to podcasts, audiobooks and music in your bedroom or office, this speaker will perform well. Naturally, you get all the perks of an Alexa smart speaker here, with the ability to set alarms, ask random questions, control your smart home and so on.

Since I’ve been using the Echo Dot, the wake word has never been missed, and thanks to the latest AZ2 neural edge processor, the smart features work almost instantly each time. I tested it out against an older Alexa device and the voice assistant has noticeably sped up.

On top of the Alexa smarts, the Amazon Echo Dot with Clock (2022) can be used to extend your Eero mesh Wi-Fi network, stretching it into every corner of the house. It can provide up to 1,000 square feet of additional coverage. This smart speaker also doubles up as a Zigbee hub, expanding your smart home and communicating directly to your smart home tech including your lights, doorbells, coffee machines and so on.

Amazon Echo Dot with Clock (2022) review: verdict

(Image credit: Amazon)

Amazon Echo Dot with Clock (2022) review: speaker on white background

(Image credit: Amazon)

Given its price tag, the Amazon Echo Dot with Clock (2022) is a very convincing piece of kit, especially if you’re looking for something small to pop into your bedroom.

The clock itself is an excellent feature making this work like a super smart Alexa alarm clock, but add to that the temperature sensor, Eero compatibility and its modern, discreet design, Amazon is onto a winner. Granted, this won’t be best placed in a large space nor will it be the best choice for entertaining because it’s simply not powerful enough, but for anywhere or anything else, it’s a perfect budget smart speaker.

Amazon Echo Dot with Clock (2022) review: alternatives to consider

If you want something even cheaper than this, theAmazon Echo Popcosts a bit less, and it’s smaller too. You can buy it in a few fun colours, or you can buy a colourful skin to make it match the room you intend to put it in. The sound quality isn’t quite as good as the Echo Dot but it’ll be fine for solo listening.

Those who want a new smart speaker to be placed in a living room or kitchen that will be powerful enough for entertaining should look to buy theEcho (4th Generation)instead. It’s a bigger device that will do a much better job of filling the room with sound.

Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) with Clock: Price Comparison

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Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)…