The Amazon Echo Dot has a new job alongside playing music and answering Alexa questions: it can connect compatible smart-home devices through a built-in hub. The updated speaker costs $99.99 in the U.S. and can also extend an existing eero Wi-Fi network, Amazon says.
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A hub inside the Echo Dot
Amazon says this is the first Echo Dot with a built-in smart-home hub. It supports Zigbee, Matter and Thread, giving owners a way to connect and control compatible devices without a separate hub. Compatibility still depends on the individual product and its requirements.
The speaker also includes an eero Wi-Fi extender. Amazon says it can add up to 1,000 square feet of coverage to an existing eero network. That figure is a maximum, not a promise for every home, and the Dot isn’t a replacement for an eero network or an internet connection.
There’s useful history here: eero extension itself isn’t new to Echo Dot. Amazon announced eero Built-in for the fifth-generation Echo Dot in 2022. The built-in smart-home hub is the new addition Amazon highlights for the Dot line.
Sound, Alexa and sensors
Amazon says the redesigned speaker delivers 50% more bass than the previous generation. The company also added its AZ3 processor for on-device processing and a fourth microphone, which it says helps Alexa hear requests in busy rooms. We haven’t tested those claims.
Its Omnisense platform detects conditions such as room temperature and presence. Amazon describes using that information with Alexa to trigger compatible smart-home actions, such as adjusting a thermostat or turning on lights. A dedicated button turns the microphones off.
Certain features require Alexa+, which Amazon says is included with Prime membership. Our Alexa+ coverage explains more about membership eligibility.
Pricing and the kids model
The standard Echo Dot is available in Graphite, Glacier White, Agave Green and Coral Pink for $99.99 in the U.S. Amazon also lists an optional stand for $39.99.
The Amazon Kids Echo Dot starts at $109.99 and comes in Octopus and Penguin designs. It includes one year of Kids+, with access to children’s audio content and parental controls. Amazon says the kids model offers the same features and performance as the standard speaker.
