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8 Aug 2024

Amazon Echo Spot review: An alarmingly handy device

Amy Flower

STACK Senior Editor

Amazon have just added to their Alexa-infused collection of smart devices with the Echo Spot, aimed squarely – or roundly to be more accurate – at those after an alarm clock that can do a lot more than just tell you the time.


At a glance
  • In the box

  • The speaker

  • Sound options

  • Buttons and privacy

  • What time is it?

  • The screen

  • Arm that alarm!

  • Connections

  • Winding up


In the box

Opening up the box, you’ll find your Echo Spot, a small how-to guide, and a mains power supply. Plug it in and you’re ready to go in no time at all, with easy app setup that just requires you to log into your Amazon account, wait for any updates to install, and then get tweaking things to just how you like them.

The speaker

At first glance, the Spot looks akin to the Echo Pop Compact smart speaker, with the obvious visible difference being the inclusion of a full colour screen in the top two thirds or so. You might be thinking that this means a less powerful speaker, however the Echo Spot actually compares well sonically to the Echo Pop, with only a small reduction in speaker size.

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Sound options

As the Echo Spot is fully Alexa equipped, there are more options for using that powerful little speaker than just alarms. It’s a doddle to connect it to music services such as Amazon Music, Apple Music, and Spotify and get those playlists happening, plus it also supports Audible for your more bookish needs, and iHeartRadio as well.

The little spot pumps out a pleasing level of bass, and anything over halfway in the volume levels is verging on the loud side of things. It certainly puts our old clock radio to shame.

If you do want more powerful sound, you can always connect your Echo Spot wirelessly with another to make a stereo pair.

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Buttons and privacy

Controlling that volume is easy via either commanding Alexa, or the more classic tactile way of pressing volume up and down buttons which are handily placed atop the Echo Spot. Sandwiched between them is a microphone off button, if you want to go old school clock with the extra privacy of not having Alexa listening in for your next command.

Speaking of privacy, you can also have Alexa erase anything that you may have said to it, and feel secure in the knowledge that there’s no inbuilt camera.

What time is it?

As for the time-telling functionality, a selection of fresh clock faces is available, including options for day, date, and outside temperature. You can even set colour schemes to match your vibe, which extends to the Echo Spot itself, which comes in match-anything black or white, plus a snazzy bright blue.

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The screen

While it can’t be used to watch videos such as YouTube, the screen itself is crystal clear, and does a great job of showing such things as record covers for any played music.

Arm that alarm!

Setting alarms is a snap with the Echo Spot, as you can just ask Alexa to cue up what you want, or you can do it within the Alexa app. The latter can be handy for more granular alarm setting, for example choosing a song from your preferred music service to wake up to, and whether you want to be awoken at the set time daily, or just on weekdays or weekends.

You can also use classic Alexa functions as you wish, from setting timers, to setting reminders, to checking the news, to asking general questions, to getting it to hit you with a joke.

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Connections

The joys of Alexa continue, with the ability to add your smart devices and control them. For example, we’ve set up a routine that, when we say, “Alexa, goodnight”, wishes us sweet dreams, turns off our bedside lamp, and plays our sleepy time playlist for an hour.

You can keep adding functions, too, so you may come up with a morning one that opens your smart blinds, gets the heating going, and even sets the coffee percolating. Assuming that you have these devices smart-enabled, of course!

While you obviously can’t make video calls, with the Echo Spot you can still easily make voice calls between Alexa devices, as well as announcements to other units that you may have throughout your home.

Winding up

Managing to look sleek and modern, but also unassuming, the Echo Spot is a great solution for those who want a clock with a minimal footprint that features all the smart capabilities that Alexa provides.

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