Echo (Newest gen) | With premium sound, smart home hub and Alexa | CharcoalReducing CO2

I haven't used Alexa devices before so can't compare to others. I've also not used it much or done anything particularly interesting with it. Just your basic timers, turning lights on and off and listening to music.It's a bit bigger than I expected, but otherwise looks how I expected including the colour matching the photos.So far I will say that sound quality and comprehension/ responsiveness do seem better than what I'd say is the equivalent Google device. I also don't think Google lets you see your timers in the app and is harder to make named timers with so that's nice too.Sound is also better than the Echo Pop. It has good bass for a small speaker.It's also nice that it remembers where you are with music even after a long time. And it seems to understand Spotify playlists better than Google.It was easy to link up with Govee. I'm not sure it's understanding the snapshots that have been set up in the Govee app but haven't tested that too much. Might have just been that it needed longer to sync up or something.I like that you can just say "five minutes" and it will set a timer. I do wish you could say "thank you" to dismiss timers cos I'm used to that and now I feel mean just saying "stop".And it can measure temperature which I don't think Google (the ones I have at least) can.So far I prefer it to Google largely because it seems more responsive and I've that my Google devices are getting worse and worse at responding to commands.I'm actually surprised by the amount of functionality that the Echo and the Pop have in common. If you're not sure about the price difference then I'd say this is the option to go for if you don't have other speakers and care about sound quality or if you want that portable battery pack. But I don't think you'd be missing out on too much with the Pop. At least not for basic usage.

UPPDATE: Beware that the auto connect and auto set up convenience of this device is problematic because it kept "hijacking" my spotify connection when using my Sony Wireless headphones in a different part of the house - as it was via wifi it was no good unpairing it from my phone - it was so disruptive and no way to stop it i returned the device then deregistered it.However, today the same thing has happened even though the new echo is in transit back to Amazon - see screenshot - and this time when it did this it started playing through my old echo plus speaker that used to be Dumb !!Ive removed permissions from Alexa for Spotify and from Spotify for Alexa - whether this will resolve the problem remains to be seen.I am a bit fussy with my audio and find modern kit to be too heavy on the bass at the default settings and this is no different, so i went into the settings and took the bass right down.I got the Echo Plus second generation back when it was released in 2018 i think, and compared to the echo dots the sound quality was an improvement. I have the dots mounted in holders that help the audio quality, kept permanently in the wall sockets rather than free standing but they are still "tinny".My Echo plus has been on almost 24/7 so theres a few understandible issues with loss of sound quality hence on the black friday sale i decided to go for this.Its spherical shape takes up more space, but i have it on the bed near the headboard so can get away with itSet up from the box was a million times better as the smart tech just got on with it, no manual set up needed.The sound is more mellow, and half asleep the controls are easier to locate by touch than on the previous echo plus.The sound is slightly more mellow which suits me, and as a convenience in my bedroom the "omni" speaker does a good job with depth of sound. However, they dont come close to a traditional stereo hifi properly set up.Mine is a Denon of the pre bluetooth "dumb" variety but thats not an issue with the Bluetooth receivers and transmitters designed mainly for cars.I have this one from Amazon plugged into the analogue audio in at the back of my Denon, and from my Samsung A35 i can stream spotify through this receiver and play it back through the amp, and my proper speakers and subwoofer. The sound quality of this traditional hifi - is streaks ahead of any of the modern omni speakers - and as us humans have an ear on each side of our head.. properly set up stereo speakers are the only way to get the full listening experience.My new Echo as an omni speaker in my bedroom does a good job of sound separation in a small room -that i can live with.My echo dots set up with it into a group in my living room, kitchen and bedroom do give the convenience of doing the housework with my fave tracks in each room.Overnight this new speaker gives good enough sound quality, as i sleep with the convenience of alarm, timer, and reminders on request, i can ask the time, set alarms etc whilst half asleep.There will always be a trade off between sound quality and convenience with these "omni" speakers.. vs traditional hifi separates and i use both.. if i am busy around the house the concenience of tge Echo range is a good trade off for less accurate sound quality.If i am to savour the music then my Denon set up, amp, tirntable and speakers set up properly - is supberb and no modern tech can mimic a well set up system.If you have good quality kit that is "dumb" you can make it blue tooth smart for streaming for not a lot of money with one of these https://amzn.eu/d/1aFi0pbBeing honest about what your expecrations are will go a long way to getting what you want and staying safe.https://amzn.eu/d/1aFi0pb