Back in 2014 Amazon had just released the Echo. And truth be told, it was a bit of a weird product at launch. I mean, no one had been clamoring for a smart speaker, yet here was Amazon just dropping one on everybody out of the blue.
However, thanks to its huge library of downloaded “skills” (basically, voice applications) people quickly learned to love the Amazon Echo. Other tech giants took note too. In the years since Google has released its Echo competitor–the Google Home–and Apple has announced its competitor–the Apple HomePod (now to be released in 2018).
Still, the Amazon Echo generally is the leader in the smart speaker category and as such has been seeing updates for the last three years. Recently Amazon updated the Echo to a second generation model and also introduced the Amazon Echo Plus, which is built around other smart home devices. Here’s how the two compare.
Amazon Echo (2nd generation) vs. Amazon Echo Plus: Specs
Amazon Echo (2nd generation)
- Speaker size: 2.5" woofer, 0.6" tweeter
- Device size: 148 x 88 x 88 mm
- Weight: 821 g
- Colors: Fabric: charcoal, grey, or sandstone; Finish: oak, walnut, or silver
Amazon Echo Plus
- Speaker size: 2.5" woofer, 0.8" tweeter
- Device size: 235 x 84 x 84 mm
- Weight: 954 g
- Colors: black, white, or silver
So first thing’s first, Amazon has improved the sound quality on both its new Echos. But yes, the Echo Plus is just a bit better. The new Echo has a 2.5-inch down-firing subwoofer and an upward-firing 0.6-inch tweeter, whereas the new Echo Plus has the same 2.5-inch down-firing subwoofer and a slightly better upward-firing 0.8-inch tweeter. Will you tell a difference? Yes, if you’ve got great ears. Keep in mind too, that the Echo Plus is also capable of 360º audio. However, both Echos have the same number of microphones: seven.
Amazon Echo (2nd generation) vs. Amazon Echo Plus: Design
As for design, the new Echo is both shorter and squatter than the original Echo. And it now comes in two different makes: fabric or solid finishes. Fabric options get you the charcoal, grey, or sandstone color choices, while the solid finish options get you the oak, walnut, or silver color choices. The new Echo Plus comes in three color options: black, white, or a metallic silver.
At 88mm in diameter, the Echo is fatter than the Echo Plus, which is 84mm in diameter. The Echo Plus is also taller than the Echo, standing at 235mm tall versus the Echo’s 148mm height. As for weight, the Echo Plus is about 15% heavier–but it’s not like you’re meant to carry these speakers around.
Amazon Echo (2nd generation) vs. Amazon Echo Plus: Third party smart home device integration
It’s important to note that both Echoes can control many smart home devices, such as smart lights. However, controlling those devices is where the regular Echos capabilities end. The Echo Plus, on the other hand, acts as a smart-home hub/control center–it can actually set up your smart home devices just by asking it to. As Amazon explains:
“With the built-in smart home hub, Echo Plus makes connecting to compatible smart home devices easier than ever. Just ask ‘Alexa, discover my devices’, and Echo Plus will automatically discover and set up compatible smart lights and more without the need for additional hubs, apps or setup.”
Amazon Echo (2nd generation) vs. Amazon Echo Plus: Price & Verdict
If you want the best sound quality and also the ability to set up your connected smart home devices without much fuss, the Echo Plus is the Echo to get. However, if you want a slightly cheaper model, which sounds almost as good, and you don’t need or use a bunch of other smart home tech, you’ll be fine going with the new second generation Echo. The new Echo is £89.99 and the new Echo Plus is £139.99.
by michaelg via Featured Articles
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