The Amazon Echo Dot comes to mind when searching for a quality speaker. That has a simple reason, the price. It is affordable and priced at less than $50. You would be amazed to know that they have not increased the price of the new models by a large margin.
That is a good sign. Amazon does not sell them for more than $50. You can find the previous models sold a lot cheaper. Apart from the price, this device is incredibly popular and helpful for smart homes.
If you own a smart home and are looking for a speaker, then you are reading the right post. That is because today, we are going to read about the Amazon Echo Dot and compare both the latest generations to find out which one is better than the other.
You see, smart homes are becoming a common thing in several countries, including the USA. You can find homes that are fitted with automatic devices that help keep track of your property from thieves and intruders.
Besides, it can switch on the smart light bulb or ring the video doorbell for you. This enables you to know if there is some movement on your property. In this review, we will compare the Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen) speaker vs Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) speaker.
Though they belong to the same maker, they come different in their own ways. They have different features and sublime capabilities that make them unique in their way. That is what we will try to find out through this guide.
The Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen) model is a popular unit from the manufacturer. It is a fantastic smart speaker that is worth your time & money. Please don’t be put off by the looks of the device.
The first generation was released into the market in 2016. Since then, it has come with several updates that make it a top-notch model. The older model has simply blown us away by the performance.
Is it worth getting if you still don’t have the Amazon Echo Dot device for yourself? You can do plenty of activities with the older Echo Dot device. You can control your home with voice commands, make calls to anybody, and play some of your favorite music if you want it to.
Sadly, it does not come with a few valuable things, like the 3.5mm auxiliary cord. The Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) speaker is another to reckon from the maker. However, you would be amazed to know that the shape has received plenty of criticism.
Wonder what the designers in the team were really thinking about when producing the product. The 3rd Gen speaker came with an opulent design to it. Besides, the new speaker comes with a clock and nothing much else.
We may not suggest that you get attracted to the new model just because of the clock. While the clock might be helpful for some people, it may not be useful for most of you. Is the old model better than the new model?
Let us read more about these two excellent models to find out. We have given the winner at the end of the review.
 |  |
|---|---|
| Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen) | Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) |
| PROS | PROS |
| The model comes with a compact design. The unit has an easy installation. It provides you with good call quality. There is an improved Alexa app. It is priced cheaply. | The unit has an elegant design. The sound quality is incredible compared to other models. It has an exceptional microphone fitted in there. It comes with an excellent Alexa app. The model is priced quite affordable. |
| CONS | CONS |
| The sound quality is not quite there. | The shape is not suitable for mounting on the outlet or the wall. |
| CHECK ON AMAZON | CHECK ON AMAZON |
Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen) vs Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen): Design & Features
The Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen) speaker comes with an outstanding design & features. Our tester thought it was easier on the eyes than most of the other models you can find sold in the market.
The edges are round, and it comes in a spherical shape that is quite opulent to look at. Some users felt that it appears like the hockey puck that you get to see in most games. Besides, the grille present on the model looks premium and elegant.
No, it does not look the same as the Google Home Mini. The mesh design is something that they have been providing most of the models so far. It easily blends with the décor of your home or room.
It does not matter where you place it because it will blend in well. The maker provides the model in a few colors, and we found the charcoal one pretty sublime. It is able to garner more views than the others.
The top of the model has 4 similar-looking buttons. They help you adjust the volume. Additionally, the unit also comes with Alexa and the microphone mute. You can also make use of the 4 microphones.
You can activate the Alexa through the button present on the top by saying the name. This brings out a flashing blue light that is provided there. However, some users felt that there was some kind of a delay in the response from the device.
The rear comes with the auxiliary 3.5mm jack and the power jack. You can use them to connect to the Amazon Echo Dot on any of the speakers with a jack. Sadly, you do not get one with this model and the accompanying charger.
The Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) speaker comes infused with stunning design & features. You can find most of the features found on the earlier model, along with a new clock. That is the only addition to this new model.
Perhaps, Amazon should have done something better. Coming to the model’s design, it is pretty similar to a dome, making it look somewhat odd. Most users were not very convinced about its shape of it.
But it is similar to the HomePod Mini when you place them together. Perhaps, they wanted to rival Apple’s design in this regard. But we felt that they did not succeed in doing so. The Charcoal blend of the model is kind of pleasing to the eyes.
We are not sure about the others. Our tester noticed that the power cable is mounted at the same angle as the HomePod Mini. However, it comes with a 3.5mm audio line that you can make use for listening to your favorite music.
We understand that designers can have a tough time designing devices that don’t look & appear the same. In the earlier model, the blue light was not able to reflect off your table or the surface of the desk you placed it on.
However, the new model comes with a blue light on top that makes it reflect on the desk or the surface of the table that you have placed it. The unit looks amazing when you place it on glass surfaces, tables, or desks.
The blue light shines elegantly. You will want to know that the third-and fourth-generation Dot models have a similar circumference. You can find the 4 physical buttons for doing what they are supposed to do.
You can also make use of the tap-to-snooze feature present on the model. You will want to know that the band of plastic can rise around the power port. You can now place it on your table or desk with some gap between the walls.
Otherwise, there can be some discrepancies in the levels of sound. It comes with a new feature in the form of the 4cm driver. We noticed that the Alexa response is much quicker than the previous model.
It also has a low-power mode that helps you save power when you want. All in all, both the devices have a fantastic design. However, we think that the Echo Dot (3rd Gen) came better. The beautiful round design makes it appear excellent.
Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen) vs Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen): Setup & Performance
The Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen) speaker has an eloquent setup & performance. The model comes with a simple setup when you have one or more Alexa devices in your home or business. Now, you need to download the Amazon Alexa app on your smartphone and do the needful.
It scans for nearby devices, and you are running things with a new device. However, when you do not have any device that is installed with Alexa, then no worries. You must patiently complete the app process and sign inside your Amazon account.
The installation process is quite simple, and you can connect several devices together in the rooms that you want. You can also add additional smart devices to the appliances that are present in the room.
Sadly, Alexa has not got a similar kind of attraction with the users because Amazon is outsourcing plenty of functionality to the app designers. They are doing a good job, but some apps are not worth having.
The apps need to make complete use of this unique product manufactured by Amazon. The device’s sound performance is fantastic and enables the Echo Dot to perform better than others.
The audio performance was amazing, and you could hear everything you wanted. Likewise, the call quality is good. Besides, you can also set routines on your device. You can have all your heating, lights, and other appliances switched as and when you want.
The Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) speaker comes with a good setup & performance. You can notice that the driver that is present inside the latest model is a front wall mount; you may consider not doing it.
You can place it inside a room having the power connector at the rear. Otherwise, the sound performance of it is incredible. You can hear & listen to the audio opulently. All the vocals, instruments, and other components of the music can be heard with clarity.
The new model comes with a better hearing capability and agility. You can also find major improvements in this device. There is a name and group for the products inside your home or business that you can make use of.
There is also a feature like Amazon routines where you can dim all the lights present in your smart home rooms. You can also take Alexa’s help for your everyday queries. Our tester felt that this smart speaker provides you with massive benefits for the price quote.
Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen) vs Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen): Price
The Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen) speaker is priced under $40. You can now call and speak with friends who use the Alexa app with the Echo device. The device is more than just a speaker because it is infused with thousands of skills and getting smarter.
It is designed to protect your privacy. You know that your information is safe with them as it comes produced with several layers of privacy controls. That includes a microphone off button. The Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) speaker is priced under $50.
It is slightly expensive, more than $10 compared to the 3rd Gen model. It comes with a clock with a small LCD display, showcasing the time for you. Additionally, the speaker has an elegant design on it.
It can fit inside a compact space and provides you with crisp vocals and balanced bass. You can perform a host of functions with it. You can set the time, answer questions, check the weather, and also update your shopping list.
You may want to use the term “Alexa” and let the ring turn blue in color before giving the command to it. If you want a model, you can keep an eye on the Amazon discounts on the Echo Dot lineup for much less than the price.
Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen) vs Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen): Verdict
This is it. We have ended our comparison review on the Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen) speaker vs Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) speaker. We hope that you enjoyed reading the post and were able to make your decision.
The Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen) model is a fantastic option. When you search for a powerful speaker that is affordable yet reliable, it definitely has to be this one. It can help you perform a wide range of tasks like making calls, playing music, and controlling your smart home.
Our tester thought it was way better than the Google Home Mini in specific ways. For example, the call quality and music performance were fabulous. When you are somebody who enjoys listening to music a lot, then we would suggest that you get yourself an external speaker.
You would need the 3.5mm auxiliary cord along with that. You could also choose the audio-adept Alexa speakers if you want. It is a compact, surprising, and fantastic product. Some of you might be attracted to the newer model.
It depends on your personal use. When your entire household members are okay and okay with the iPhone, then the HomePod Mini might work out well. But this one comes much cheaper. The Echo Dot (4th Gen) model is an exceptional choice.
It has a sleek & compact design that can fit inside small spaces easily. The vocals and the bass are opulently done so that you can enjoy the music inside. Besides, you can perform a host of features like setting the alarm, viewing the time, and having them appear on the LED display.
This helps you tap the top of the model so you can snooze the alarm for yourself. The Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen) unit could be the better model as it has 3 more microphones, less body volume, and comes with a built-in Zigbee hub.
Moreover, the maker offers you a better manufacturer’s warranty. It is cheaper and slimmer. The Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) unit comes shorter; apart from that, there was nothing else we could add in its defense.
Our winner in this comparison review between the Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen) speaker vs Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) speaker is the Echo Dot (3rd Gen) model. Are you surprised? Well, unlike most reviews that we do, choosing the winner seems almost certain.
It is good to see that it was not so in this one. The third-generation model provides you with features that the fourth-generation model does not have. It offers the impressive sound quality, slightly quicker call quality, and exceptional sonic performance. However, for $50, the Echo Dot (4th Gen) unit is the gateway to the Alexa voice assistant.
James Smith has always been intrigued by electronic products since his childhood. After his post graduation in electronics from a popular university, he decided to pursue a career in the electronics sector. But his calling for writing about these marvellous pieces of work got the better of him. That is how UBG was started. With a writing career spanning more than 12 years, James has worked on several hundred product reviews. During his free time, he like to spend time with his pet dog and relax in the swimming pool.