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Amazon Echo Dot Gen 4 Review

Kenn Muguna Avatar
Updated Jan 25, 2024 6:27 PM

True Score

86
85
16

Experts

94
142.1k

Consumers

Product Awards

Top 10

GR Certified

Customer Favorite

Expert Rankings

Critics were quite pleased with how well the Amazon Echo Dot Gen 4 was easy to set up through its companion app. They also liked its room-filling sound and extra features such as motion sensing and low power mode. However, its lack of a battery contributed to its poor portability, and it is not designed to be used outdoors.

$49.99

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Table of Contents

Product Snapshot

Overview

The Amazon Echo Dot Gen 4 is an entry-level smart speaker that was first released in mid-2020. Weighing only 0.7 pounds, the speaker is pretty light in weight, and like some of the top-rated speakers in the market, it also has a set of four microphones that make it possible to use its voice assistant functionality.

The Alexa voice assistant will only work through WiFi, but owners can stream music and videos from their devices through WiFi and Bluetooth or link their smartphones to use it as a speakerphone. Speaking of which, it has a Bluetooth range of 214 ft, making it a lot more convenient to use than some of the most popular Bluetooth speakers and a good number of the best WiFi speakers in the industry. If you’re looking for a speaker that’s a lot better for streaming content, we have a few ideas on the best soundbar for Roku TV (or any other popular streaming platform).

Consensus

our Verdict

The Amazon Echo Dot Gen 4 received praise from critics for its spherical shape and easy-to-use voice assistant. Expert testers from What HiFi liked how easy it was to set up since, during testing, all they had to do was download the Alexa app onto their smartphones and follow easy prompts. Reviewers from Tom’s Guide were satisfied with how well the speaker could fill a room with sound and also liked that it had a low power mode to reduce power consumption when idle. Also commended was its motion sensing feature, which, they established, could detect when people enter or exit a room.

However, testers were slightly disappointed that the Echo Dot Gen 4 had no battery and had to be plugged into work. This makes it unfit for outdoor use and is a discredit it has in common with the Amazon Echo Gen 4 (which we’ve covered in our Amazon Echo Gen 4 review).

ReasonS to Buy

  • Exceptional Bluetooth range
  • Room filling sound
  • Support for Alexa Assistant
  • Easy to set up
  • Motion detection

Reason to Avoid

  • No battery
  • Not built for outdoor use

Amazon Echo Dot Gen 4 Specs

Battery LifeBattery Life4 hrs
Built In MicrophoneBuilt In MicrophoneYes
Charge TimeCharge Time1 hrs 45 min
Smart AppSmart AppAmazon Alexa app
Speaker PairingSpeaker PairingYes
Water ResistantWater ResistantNo
WattageWattage15W
Wireless RangeWireless Range1000 sq ft

All Specs

Test Results

Battery Life (Hours)0
Volume Output (dB)78.4
Low End Roll Off (Hz)142.544
High End Roll Off (Hz)2,487.122

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Product Comparison

Amazon Echo Dot Gen 4 Review

True Score

86
NR
NR
NR

Ranking

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6

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109

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Market Context

The Amazon Echo Dot Gen 4 is an entry-level smart speaker that was first released in mid-2020. Weighing only 0.7 pounds, the speaker is pretty…

The Amazon Echo Dot Gen 4 is an entry-level smart speaker that was first released in mid-2020. Weighing only 0.7 pounds, the speaker is pretty light in weight, and like some of the top-rated speakers in the market, it also has a set of four microphones that make it possible to use its voice assistant functionality.

The Alexa voice assistant will only work through WiFi, but owners can stream music and videos from their devices through WiFi and Bluetooth or link their smartphones to use it as a speakerphone. Speaking of which, it has a Bluetooth range of 214 ft, making it a lot more convenient to use than some of the most popular Bluetooth speakers and a good number of the best WiFi speakers in the industry. If you’re looking for a speaker that’s a lot better for streaming content, we have a few ideas on the best soundbar for Roku TV (or any other popular streaming platform).

The Amazon Echo Dot Gen 4 is a spherically shaped speaker that is slightly larger than the Amazon Echo Dot Gen 3. The Gen 4…

The Amazon Echo Dot Gen 4 is a spherically shaped speaker that is slightly larger than the Amazon Echo Dot Gen 3. The Gen 4 also delivers slightly more bass than the Gen 3 and is available in more color options than the Echo Dot Gen 3.

The Amazon Echo Dot Gen 4 has a mute function while the Amazon Echo Plus 2 does not, and it also comes with a subwoofer…

The Amazon Echo Dot Gen 4 has a mute function while the Amazon Echo Plus 2 does not, and it also comes with a subwoofer and an AUX input, both of which are missing on the Echo Plus 2.

At a weight of 12 ounces, the Amazon Echo Dot Gen 4 is heavier than the Google Nest Mini 2nd Gen, which weighs about 6.4…

At a weight of 12 ounces, the Amazon Echo Dot Gen 4 is heavier than the Google Nest Mini 2nd Gen, which weighs about 6.4 ounces. The Echo Dot Gen 4 also supports Amazon Alexa, while the Google Nest Mini supports Google Assistant.

Battery Life

4 hrs

Built In Microphone

Yes

Charge Time

1 hrs 45 min

Smart App

Amazon Alexa app

Speaker Pairing

Yes

Water Resistant

No

Wattage

15W

Wireless Range

1000 sq ft

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Score Card

E

Expert Score

85

*.75

We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

C

Customer Score

94

*.25

We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

True Score

86

Any product with a True Score above 80 is a Absolutely Fresh

Expert Scores

  • Rtings
    100.6

    Category Trust Rating

    62
    The Amazon Echo Dot 4th Gen is middling for music. Its balanced mid-range reproduces vocals… Read More

    By:

    Dan Seifert
  • PC Mag
    43.6

    Category Trust Rating

    80
    The fourth-generation Echo Dot speaker doesn’t offer particularly impressive sound quality, but for $50, it’s… Read More

    By:

    David Ludlow
  • Tom’s Guide
    65.58

    Category Trust Rating

    80
    With the 4th generation Echo Dot, Amazon has once again delivered an inexpensive smart speaker… Read More

    By:

    Ben Patterson
  • Trusted Reviews
    45.5

    Category Trust Rating

    90
    With its new spherical design, the Amazon Echo Dot (4th Generation) is a far more… Read More

    By:

    Mike Prospero
  • Trusted Reviews
    45.5

    Category Trust Rating

    90
    A funky overhaul to the Echo Dot, the Amazon Echo Dot (4th Generation) Kids Panda… Read More

    By:

    Cody Toombs
  • Lifewire
    50.83

    Category Trust Rating

    84
    The new Echo Dot (4th Gen) looks great, especially the “with clock” version, but it’s… Read More

    By:

    David Ludlow