Yes, your Amazon Echo Dot has a speaker feature. But you know you want to listen to your favorite tracks at a higher volume, right? The Echo Dot is an amazing device, working together with Alexa to source and play the audio you want. But the speaker is way too soft to really satisfy. That’s the motivation behind this article: to help you identify the best speaker for Echo Dot. Then you can have the luxury of prompting music with Alexa with your voice, and then enjoy it in crystal clear audio at the volume you prefer.
Why such an in depth article? Because to sync with something as advanced as Alexa and the Echo Dot, you need advanced tech. Not all speakers can, so you have to ask: will it actually work with your Echo Dot? Then there’s also the features that make it user friendly such as giving you a long play time. And where will you use it? That determines the weight, dimensions and range you’ll enjoy. We discuss it all, so you can make an informed decision.
We compiled this information with the help of a few experts in the field. For two weeks our staff used these (Echo Dot devices and the speakers listed below) wherever they went: in their offices, at home and while relaxing with their families. They tested them in all environments so you can see whether it will work in your unique scenario. You can scan through the comparison table or read the in-depth reviews. If you’re cautious about making the right investment, scroll down to the buying guide where we listed all need to know facts to make you a pro on this subject. You can enjoy your music (and news, weather, sport scores etc.) more—we’ll show you how.
Extra features: “tap” controls, available in multiple colors, waterproof, shockproof
We’ll start off by remarking how this one gives you what you need in terms of technology and aesthetics. It looks modern and suave in its protective casing which protects it from water & shock if you should drop it (and even mud which makes it practical for hiking and camping). The brand produces 12 different designs so you can pick a color or theme that suits your style (or other audio gear).
Using it is practical and fun: You simply tap once if you want to play or pause and to skip a track you tap twice. That makes it very quick to use, but also means you don’t have to rotate it to reach the appropriate buttons. You don’t even have to be on a certain side of this unit to enjoy the high quality audio it produces—this is one of the impressive 360° units on the market, so your entire crowd next to the pool can enjoy the background music.
It’s not too heavy so you won’t have a problem carrying this around wherever you go. Wherever you use it it’s a breeze to set up as you’ll get a quality Bluetooth connection from up to 100ft away. Leave your Echo Dot where it’s safe and take your Boom 2 with you to the pool.
The brand caters for all music genres thanks to drivers that produce all frequencies clearly—even low bass notes will sound clear.
Wondering whether it will still serve you well in a few years’ time? This model along with the app allows for updates so if the brand thinks up new ways of enhancing your music experience, you don’t need a new tool—just download. Yes, it’s on the pricey side, but worth it.
Extra features: waterproof, available in a range of colors, 5-year warranty
JBL has been a market leader for years and with this design the brand once again proves why. If you’re looking for a unit that will present an excellent range even if there are walls between devices, this is your solution.
Even the weight requires a mention, because at just over 1lb it’s one of the lightest units on the list, so carrying it in your backpack is no problem at all. You can also position it upright or lying down, so if you don’t have a lot of space—no problem.
The JBL allows you to connect more than one device at a time, so friends or two producers in a studio can both share their tracks. Apart from linking with other mobile devices you can also connect a few JBL speakers so they produce loud, quality audio for a large room or outside area. If this outside area has a pool—no fear: The Flip 4 is waterproof with an IPX7 rating so even accidentally submerging one in the water won’t damage it.
The brand offers this impressive unit in six unique colors so your gear can match your personal style.
Of course, sound quality matters and this one produces loud, clear audio every time. The sound is very well balanced, so critical listeners will be impressed too. This is very important if you need one for your sound studio. If this is how you’ll facilitate future conference calls, you’ll appreciate the noise & echo cancelling speaker phone.
The one concern is battery life that seems to deteriorate quite quickly as unit gets older.
Extra features: humidity-resistant, compatible with all Alexa devices
For Sonos it was all about versatility with this design as—for starters—you can pick from a stunning black or ultra-modern white range. It’s so stylish it won’t ruin the aesthetics of a room—it will boost it. It’s even wall mountable.
Then we get to the technology: with these speakers for Echo Dot you can transform how you listen and enjoy music in your home or office. Every family member or employee can enjoy different songs in their rooms OR you can share the same background music with everyone. And if you add more offices or rooms you can easily add more speakers to the system.
As it’s designed to use with Alexa and Echo Dot it’s fairly user friendly as setup via your Wi-Fi only takes a few minutes.
Note that this is one of the heavier models on our list, but for that sacrifice, you get incredibly good audio: rich and loud. It’s surprising for such a small unit.
For those who do want to take it everywhere, while it’s not completely water proof, humidity at least won’t do anything, so it’s safe to use even in the bathroom (and yes, even outside).
One practical matter to consider: this is not a battery powered unit so you’ll need to make sure there’s an electricity outlet where you use it.
Extra features: aluminum body, water-resistant
Here’s another one that has consumers raving about looks as well as features. The cone like shape means it takes up very little counter space, making it practical for even your cluttered desk. This design also supports the 360° audio feature so everyone can enjoy the quality sound. From a quality brand such as Bose you will obviously enjoy uniform coverage so everyone at the pool party will enjoy the same quality audio.
It’s already impressive that you can use it for 12 hours before needing a recharge. That means if you use this at work or in your studio you’re sorted for an entire day’s work. Best of all is that you can carry on listening while it charges, so there’s no break in enjoying your Echo Dot. It also charges quite quickly so if you need to move it near a power source you won’t be inconvenienced for long.
It’s a quality unit that will keep on working even if splattered with a few drops of water, but note that this is not the one you can take into the shower with you.
It has versatile modern features such as connecting with the Bose app. Along with this, you can also switch between Stereo and Party modes depending on your setup & audience.
These look striking and come in two impressive designs (white and black). Just note that it’s quite expensive. Worth it? Our team thinks so.
Extra features: LED fuel gauge, allows for phone charging
Yes, this is an expensive unit, but it comes from a market leading brand and the technology is worth the investment. From Beats you don’t simply get an audio speaker, but the unit will charge your phone with its available power thanks to a USB out.
If you’re using your speaker for Echo Dot for phone calls as well you’ll love how clear this one sends incoming and outgoing audio. Enjoy hands free calls with optimum clarity. The unit produces clear sound thanks to an advanced speaker design. In this compact casing the brand succeeded in tweeter and woofer separation. That’s in part why studios’ audio sounds so good and now you have that technology in a very small device in your backpack. If you’re picky about how your tracks sound, this one doesn’t disappoint.
The high end unit provides you with 12 hours of play before you need to recharge, which is an industry standard – Beats keeps up with the best in the business. You’ll also be able to track available battery as there’s an LED gauge on the exterior.
You can also pick from three different colors (black, white and red) to suit your style.
This brand keeps on catering for modern consumers as you can pair and sync two of these speakers (or even allocate one for left and one for right).
It’s a bit heavier than some other designs, but not cumbersome, so you’ll still want to take it everywhere.
Extra features: water-resistant: splash-proof and rain-proof
This uniquely shaped unit deserves a mention for its exceptional range, which is yours in a speaker that’s remarkably well priced. You can connect from as far as 100ft away which means your Echo Dot can be in the safety of your home, while this entertains your crowd outside.
If you’re entertaining a huge crowd you can connect two of these without even using wires. What’s so handy is that both can play stereo or set it up so one plays left and the other right. You can customize according to your layout and needs.
Your audience will enjoy the quality audio as there’s a 14W speaker inside this one.
For this low-budget model, we were quite surprised at the long battery life of 20 hours. Using it sporadically for a few days may not even require any recharging at all, even if your volume is turned up around halfway.
Included in the low price is a promise of giving you a weatherproof unit. Although you can’t submerge it, the IPX6 rating is still impressive and means it’s safe to use next to the pool. You can even have it in the bathroom when you shower—the humidity won’t damage it. That makes it a solution for indoors and outdoors.
It’s relatively light weight, so for a good price you can get a unit you’ll carry with you everywhere from now on.
Extra features: 12W subwoofer, 12 month warranty
Compared to most others on this list, this square unit is quite unique in design but we appreciate the classic feel. This makes this not only a high end tech device for your studio, but it will add some character to the room. As a bonus this one comes at a decent price so anyone can enjoy quality sound.
The audio you’ll get comes from a 20W driver which offers up some strong, loud volume. Thanks to expert engineering you’ll enjoy quality high notes, bass notes and mids without distorting your favorite tracks. For those who love their low notes, this is one of the best on the market thanks to the 12W super bass drivers.
This is an all round winner as it will cater for all your audio setups. If you use other devices apart from your Echo Dot, this one will play tracks coming via an Aux in too. The wireless connections are good, giving clear, unbroken sound.
It’s not the longest battery life in the business but 10 hours is still impressive. Just note that for this you can’t play it at top volume all the time. With the volume turned up half way you’ll enjoy decent battery usage. The recharge time is +/- 4 hours, which isn’t bad, though it will hopefully be improved upon in future models.
This is quite a heavy unit, making it more practical as a stationary speaker compared to the one you’ll carry around in your back pack.
You’re probably looking forward to enjoying your Alexa and Echo Dot combination—now you just have to optimize your experience. We’ll help you with some insights below, so you pick the rich Echo Dot speaker for your unique application. But first, let’s discuss the benefits so you know it’s worth every dollar you spend.
The first reason you’re investing in this is of course volume: The Echo Dot simply can’t perform in that area. But here’s what makes it worth spending a little more so you get a top-quality speaker for Echo-Dot:
So it’s about getting more satisfaction from your Echo Dot, enjoying your music setup and making sure the new speaker will fit in with your lifestyle (how you use it for work or play). To make sure this happens for you, use these guidelines to pick the perfect one.
Not everything we list below will apply to you, but they’re important in most shopping scenarios. The best plan is to make a list of what you perceive as your priorities. Then read through the guidelines to see how to make sure you get what you’re looking for in the best speaker for Amazon Echo Dot in those categories. Also, take notice of other aspects you may not have thought of yet.
Here are the top features our pros use, as a reference to gauge a speaker’s value.
When you talk about the range, you have to consider two aspects:
If you’re using yours in your room or studio all the time, this isn’t the number one priority.
It should be relatively simple to keep it near a power supply, and if it’s a unit that can play while charging – you won’t even have downtime.
However, if you primarily need a mobile, portable unit for use outside or far from a power source, you need a long battery life (such as the JBL fiving you 12 hours) for Bluetooth speakers. Keep in mind that volume levels affect battery life. If you’re going to be loud, even the best wireless speaker for Echo Dot will quickly run out of power.
How often will you carry yours around? Of course, you want a portable unit that won’t weigh you down and that kids won’t accidentally drop because of the weight.
But the weight issue goes further than this. And Echo Dot connects you with music and information that could be vital to your work, hobbies or recreational time. For many scenarios, you’ll transport your gear with you and if your speaker for Echo Dot is too heavy you won’t want to add it to your luggage. Pick one you know won’t be a burden, no matter the scenario.
This links closely to what we discussed above. You don’t want a unit you’ll rather leave at home than take on your next trip. If your unit isn’t portable you can’t enjoy your music or other audio as much when you’re away as when you’re at home. Ideally, your speaker for Echo Dot should easily go where you go.
In addition, you have to consider floor space. If your gear is set on a shelf, counter or your studio work station you don’t want the new speaker to rob you of space or cause it to feel cluttered. For this reason, compact is better.
Also consider the specific dimensions of your speaker—with the range of options available you’re bound to find one that fits in perfectly in the space you have available today. Make sure there’s enough clearance at the top or wherever buttons are situated so operating yours is easy, without moving anything around.
Did you know there’s a difference between these two terms? Some units are water resistant, which basically means a few drops won’t matter. This feature is usually effective enough that you can safely use it next to the pool where it may accidentally get a drop or two messed on it.
However, submerging that unit or leaving it in the rain will damage it. If that’s where you want yours to work (listening in the shower where it’s extremely humid or using it for outdoor events) you’ll need a waterproof unit. Look for IPX ratings, such as found with the Oontz Angle 3 above, to tell you how impressive each one is in this category.
If none of these scenarios relate to how you’ll use your speaker for Echo Dot, of course, this feature matters a lot less.
Sound qualityFeedback from the testing group: this is something everyone should consider. Music aficionados won’t appreciate any distortion and all users usually enjoy listening at high volumes when a favorite track starts playing. If you don’t invest in one that’s designed to offer good sound quality, you’ll get distorted audio.
Along with this you must consider interference. Is it a unit that will connect well so there are no breaks in the tracks?
Lastly, consider where you want that high quality sound to be thrown. A 360° speaker may sound impressive, but can it really produce quality, distortion-free audio throughout the spectrum? If not (and if quality is a priority for you) a classically designed unit playing in one direction may be a better option that won’t disappoint once you switch it on at home.
Some units allow you to pick between 360° (Party Mode) and stereo, such as the Bose Revolve. This is worth the expense if you’ll use yours in various scenarios.
No longer are speakers kept stationary only to be used in studios or living rooms. Your speaker for your Echo Dot will be part of your lifestyle (that’s what they’re made for) and that means traveling with it, and often putting them through heavy duty handling: kids may drop it, it may be pushed into a back pack and it will be moved often. So make sure you pick one that’s guaranteed to last long. A protective exterior with rubber features to absorb some of the shock is also a great plus.
Make it easy on yourself and pick a unit that will also work with Aux cables. Apart from your Echo Dot, you may want to use your speaker with other devices too that don’t have wireless connectivity options. Make sure you invest in versatile equipment.
As you can see if you purchase quality products you can have peace of mind for years to come. Quality brands (such as seen in the JBL above) can give you warranties as long as 5 years. It’s proof that the manufacturers use quality components, making it a long term investment—worth every dollar. Since most speakers for Echo Dots undergo rough handling as portable units, this should be high on your priority list.
Please briefly answer the following questions:
Clean the outside’s solid surfaces with a wet cloth, but be careful not to let moisture seep inside.
Other areas can be vacuumed or gently brushed with an old, soft toothbrush. If there are removable parts you can take them off to clean underneath.
Your Echo Dot can be enjoyed so much more and if you want the best experience money can buy you need the Ultimate Ears BOOM 2. We love the easy-to-use tap features and it looks stylish, too. You also get your money’s worth with that long range.
Next in line is the JBL Flip 4. So many scenarios where consumers use their Echo Dots relate to water: around the pool, or in the bathroom or even in the kitchen where there’s also plenty of splashing! With this one there’s no chance of damage, so enjoy it ANYWHERE.
The Sonos Play:1 is an incredible speaker too, with the only drawback being that it’s not battery powered – although this also has its advantages! If that doesn’t hamper use in your particular scenario though, there’s no beating the great streaming features as well as the versatile setup options.
There’s a best speaker for Echo Dot option for every type of Alexa user. Which one are you?
