Amazon’s Echo Dot is an amazing product with such an affordable price tag. Though it is least expensive it has a pairing feature with other speakers. This pairing feature is not present in other Echo devices.
The coolest part of this external speaker pairing is, you can control the playlist & music without physically touching your phone. Echo Dot (2nd generation ) will assist you in doing this by voice commands. This pairing is available over wired or wireless bluetooth connection. For pairing with other speaker and mobile devices Alexa enabled Echo Dot primarily use bluetooth as protocol. Alexa uses two different profiles to talk with compatible speakers and mobile devices. For speakers it uses – A2DP also known as Advanced Audio Distribution Profile. In case of hands free voice control with other mobile devices it uses the other bluetooth profile known as – Audio / Video Remote Control Profile ( AVRCP ). Just to mention in case of pairing with mobile phones Alexa does not access any text message, notification & phone calls.
Now before taking a look at the list of awesome speakers for Echo Dot, let us divide the list into two sections. The first section will outline some of the best pairing speakers which is recommended by Amazon for Echo Dot. These are “certified bluetooth speakers” for Echo Dot. The second section will list out some more amazing speakers for pair up with Echo Dot which are picked by us and really good to go with Echo Dot.
Best Speaker for Echo Dot (Updated List) :
For quick and easy selection please check the table below. More detailed product description can be found in later section.
1) Bose SoundLink Mini II – The best speaker for Echo Dot Pairing :
Bose SoundLink Mini II has aux input. This helps to connect the speaker over bluetooth and wired connection. Because of its aux input, you can connect the Echo Dot to this speaker through a wired or wireless connection. Bose SoundLink Mini II looks very similar to the Earlier released SoundLink Mini. It’s small nice aluminium built body and can be handled easily in your hand. You will find it difficult to carry this speaker in your trouser’s pocket. The outside exterior seems little prone to external damage, hence we are recommending to use a cool rubber cover for better protection.
It is a small portable indoor speaker which goes really well with connecting to Amazon Echo Dot when you want to enjoy the music within the comfort of your home. The unique charging facility of this speaker is really special. It has a charging dock facility where you can put the speaker in contact with a charging station through metallic contacts. You may opt for more conventional charging cable option. But this flexibility gives Bose SoundLink Mini II an edge over other small indoor wireless speakers.
Sound Quality & Performance :
As far as sound quality is concern, this will not disappoint you considering it’s small size. Bose SoundLink Mini II does not have aptX – the better quality codec, rather it uses standard SBC. There is no exceptional difference in the sound output if we compare with the other standard Bose products. It’s nice and fine with really good bass and power if we consider it’s small portable size and built. All the vocals are coming as natural tone and full without much compromise in mid-bass range.
Considering pretty good battery life of 10 hour, better than average audio quality and handy portable looks this is a great speaker to pair up with Amazon Echo Dot.
Features :
- Strong bass at every range of audible frequency.
- Ultra compact design and easy portability.
- Loud and clear speakerphone functionality.
2) JBL Charge 3 – Best Buyer’s Choice Speaker for Echo Dot :
JBL Charge 3 is a waterproof bluetooth speaker from JBL, launched after JBL’s success with JBL Charge 2+. This is in our preferred list for echo dot because amazon gives it a thumbs up for echo dot and we loved it for prolonged battery life at 20 hours, solid bass and portability to anywhere due to IPX7 waterproof rating.
JBL Charge 3 has a little extra weight (around 1.76 pounds) than Charge 2+ with dimensions of 213 X 87 X 88.5 mm, but comes with a strong room filling bass output with a significant battery life span. We tested and loved JBL Charge 3 for echo dot as this a perfect companion for outside party & fun. Also you can bring JBL Charge 3 in your pool as waterproofing is best in class at IPX7 rating. The cylindrical looks is like it’s predecessor, but comes with much more output power. A very unique feature about JBL Charge 3 is a special JBL button in the speaker control button set. This button which is known as “JBL Connect Button”, allowed us to connect multiple JBL Charge 3 to amplify the sound to a great extent.
Sound Quality & Performance :
JBL Charge 3 is a little bigger in size compared to most of it’s competition. We did not find any issues when testing it in a large room and finds the sound quite room filling at each corner. On the outdoor setup the good hearing range is within 20-25 feet and beyond that the sound seems to fade. But what can we expect from a bluetooth portable speaker at this price range. As far as strong bass heavy tracks or action movies are concerned JBL Charge 3 is really up to the mark with generating enough power and bass to make the audience happy. We also find the sound output is at it’s best when we placed it horizontally rather than in vertical position. Also we liked the in built mic-phone facility which makes it a useful device to join hands free calls and conf calls.
Features :
- Wireless connection to multiple smartphone or compatible device ( up to 3 ) to create impactful stereo sound.
- IPX7 waterproof rating.
- Crystal clear hands free call with noise cancelling and echo-cancelling facility.
3) Beats Pill Plus – Best Apple Speaker For Echo Dot :
When we started reviewing speakers for Echo Dot we did not make a conscious choice of including an Apple product in this list. But after reviewing and testing we felt Beats Pill+ should make a mention in the list. We know this will make ardent Apple fans excited. Let’s look at what Beats Pill+ has to offer to us.
First of all if you used Beats Pill, Beats Pill 2.0 or Beats Pill XL, then Beats Pill Plus will surprise you a lot. Because all the above models were launched before Apple acquired Beats. More importantly all these models really lacks that punch & bass that a premium product commands. Beats Pill+ addressed this problem quite aggressively. This portable handy speaker measures at 2.5 X 8.27 X 2.72 inches and weighing around 750 gms (0.75 kg). I would not say it is too heavy but the solid rubber like exterior make you feel that it is made of something substantial which gives you a tough solid feel in your hand. Though not waterproof but splash-proof rating gives us enough peace of mind to carry it anywhere under the sun. On the wireless pairing side, it has bluetooth obviously but NFC is not present. Also we would love to find aptX compatibility for soothing sound during wireless streaming which is not present in this model.
Sound Quality & Performance :
On the sound quality front Beats Pill+ is much ahead than it’s predecessors. Also, if you love loud sound and for example want to use it in outdoor party along with Echo Dot, then this could be a decent choice considering the how loud it sounds in this small physique. But we are not impressed with the bass it produced through out audible frequency ranges. Prior to Beats Pill Plus, older Pill models have an array of small drivers which does not generate any bass or loud pitch. But in Pill+ we have a pair of bigger bass drivers making quite a lot of difference. But what we feel is, Beats Pill+ lacks a passive radiator. The passive radiator makes quite a lot of difference in producing bass for these smaller sized speakers and that’s why probably Beats Pill+ lacks the punch. The other option of using Pill+ to take calls as a speakerphone is quite handy like other speakers mentioned in this list.
On the battery life, just above 12 hours of play time with a single charge is good in this speaker segment. Also we taken into consideration the fact that you can use Beats Pill+ as a portable battery backup to charge your phone quickly. You can use the same USB charging facility to charge your Echo Dot as well.
Features :
- Solid exterior with splash-proof material and outdoor compatibility.
- 12+ hours of single recharge battery backup with use as charging unit for other apple devices and phones.
4) Bose SoundLink Revolve Portable Bluetooth Speaker – Best outdoor speaker for Echo Dot :
Just like Charge series and Flip series introduced by JBL, Bose has it’s own line of compact, cylindrical 360 degree output speaker. Bose SoundLink Revolve Portable speaker is of omni-directional design and generates enough bass considering it’s relatively smaller size.
SoundLink Revolve is chosen in our list of pairing speaker for Echo Dot and Amazon also approves the same because this speaker has a indisputable position in sound quality. When we compare Bose SoundLink Revolve with JBL’s Charge & Flip Series we found that the sound quality of this Bose product is a notch better. There is no comparison in other aspects link battery life though. JBL Charge 3 is way ahead is battery life at 20 hours and Bose SoundLink Revolve can play up to maximum 12 hours. Bose also sells a charging cradle separately which makes life easier for charging.
At first glance we thought, this is a good indoor speaker for echo dot pairing but later we confirmed this a water resistant & shock resistant speaker. This is portable and can be easily carried out for outdoor use.
Sound Quality & Performance :
We felt SoundLink Revolve emits much better sound compared to competition like UE Boom 2, UE Wonderboom and Flip & Charge series from JBL but considering that still the price tag of Bose SoundLink Revolve seems a little higher.
On practical tests we found, it’s better if we place SoundLink Revolve near a room wall rather than in center of a room. Because the wall acts as reflector and gives a boost to the bass of the speaker. The speaker has NFC tap-to-pair technology to pair up with compatible devices. One can easily pair up this with echo dot or any other speaker wirelessly to create a stereo feel. You may use the well known Bose Connect App to configure multiple Bose device to flare up the output sound. On the other side we loved the hands-free integrated mic which helps to take calls easily. All in all, though priced at little higher side, the compact looking, water-resistant speaker could be an ideal choice for echo dot pairing in our view.
Features :
- Complete 360 degree coverage with unique cylindrical shape.
- Good battery backup at 12 hours.
- Easy voice based wireless bluetooth pairing with Amazon Echo Dot and Google now.
- Water-resistant (IPX4) durable, aluminium body.
5) Sony XB10 – The best budget speaker for Echo Dot from Sony’s SRS series :
Sony’s SRS XB10 could be a perfect for Echo Dot pairing if we want to check with a quality, portable outdoor speaker with weighing around 320 gms. Strictly speaking this is not a waterproof speaker but certainly a water-resistant one. This is the most inexpensive in Amazon’s preferred list with a size similar to Echo Dot. This product is available in multiple color schemes. The amazing points are extra long battery life and better sound than many speakers of this compact size.
Couple of small but cool features like – detachable strap to hang around anywhere makes this a perfect companion in outdoor activities. Also in a home or office setup multiple SRS XB10 can be paired to create a stereo sound impact which is really great. The exterior of Sony SRS XB10 is a soft in touch but good grip for outdoor places. The downside is, this unique exterior attracts a lot of dust and you need to make the body clean often.
Sound Quality & Performance :
Sony SRS XB10 is a ultra-compact speaker and you can not compare it with Bose SoundLink Mini or JBL Charge 3 for sound quality. This comparison is not apple to apple comparison. We need to understand it is a small speaker with less budget. Considering all these, as the name suggest ( XB – stands for Extra Bass ), this speaker does generate some extra punch in it’s bass compared to other speakers of this size. But in higher volume we do experience some distortion in the audio output. But in a moderate volume the speaker performs quite satisfactorily. All in all if your budget is tight then this is a value buy speaker for echo dot with optimum sound performance.
Features :
- Light weight and portability.
- Latest Bluetooth 4.2 and NFC for wireless.
- Multiple SRS XB10 pairing for stereo effect.
- IPX5 rated water-resistance.
- Excellent battery life at 16 hours ( under predefined conditions ).
- Speakerphone capabilities.
6) UE MEGABOOM – Best Sounding Speaker For Amazon Echo Dot :
If you want a speaker which is kind of all-rounder for pairing with Echo Dot then, UE MEGABOOM is the right answer. This awesome product from Ultimate Ears has the features like high dust proof & waterproof (IPX7 rated) rating to be used in outdoor, excellent sound quality to fill a large room, pairing with other UE speakers to give a stereo feel.
Megaboom is around 8 inches tall and twice the size of UE Boom in volume. This excellent product is available in multiple colors. Though bigger in size, it is quite portable for outdoor activities and really rough and tough to be used in ease. The high waterproof rating ensures that complete submerge under water does not do any harm to this speaker. MegaBoom has a long range wireless connectivity through bluetooth unlike UE Boom. You can pair from a distance as long as 100 feet and still stream music to UE MegaBoom. The other added smart feature is –
Bluetooth Smart feature. This feature allows you to remotely switch on and off the speaker from UE app. This app also allows multiple UE speaker pairing to create a great stereo sound effect. The 360 degree sound makes it the ultimate outdoor or open arena choice for pairing with Amazon’s Echo Dot. The battery life is really good at around 20 hours which is essential for outdoor fun.
Sound Quality & Performance :
If you want to check in for a speaker which is unparalleled in it’s sound delivery then Ultimate Ear’s MegaBoom is the answer for you. After success of Boom and Boom 2, we expected something bigger from UE and they delivered their best. Be it action pack movies, any genre of music, we found the sound quality, bass, crispness just up to the mark. In fact when we played the same number in different volumes, it sounded so perfect. In a bigger sized room, it gave complete room filling experience which is beyond our expectation.
The one drawback of this speaker is obviously the price tag at around $300. But with a pricey value it gives great sound clarity though AptX streaming is not supported. The other drawback is toned down output in low frequency end otherwise it offers much more bass than the original UE Boom with minimal distortion and great clarity.
Features :
- 360 degree sound coverage with deep bass.
- Completely waterproof with IPX7 rating.
- Easy control of MegaBoom using Alexa through Echo Dot.
- PartyUp App helps to connect more than 50 UE speakers together for a solid stereo impact.
7) Ultimate Ears BOOM 2 Phantom Wireless Mobile Bluetooth Speaker – Best Waterproof Speaker For Echo Dot :
For those who like to party, Ultimate Ears presents their party-special BOOM 2 Phantom Wireless Mobile Bluetooth Speaker. It has loud 360ᵒ sound, exceptional bass and up to 15 hours of battery life. The speaker can be wirelessly paired with over 150 Ultimate Ears speakers using the PartyUp feature on the Ultimate Ears mobile app. It can be connected with, up to 8 Bluetooth-enabled media sources like smart phones, tablets, iPods, laptops, smart TVs, etc. The BOOM 2 Phantom has a Bluetooth range of 100 meters. So just gather your friends, and their Ultimate Ears speakers, and take your party anywhere you want to – the beach, your rooftop or on your camping trip. The speaker supports Siri, Alexa Eco Dot and Google Now so you can remotely control it through voice commands. It is shock-proof and water-proof (IPX7-rated), maintaining system integrity for up to half an hour when immersed in 1-meter deep water.
Sound Quality & Performance :
Boom 2 Phantom has a excellent immersive sound. When paired with Amazon echo dot, the speaker performs excellently and gives a premium experience for the ears. The BOOM 2 Phantom speaker has other amazing features. For example, you just have to tap the top of the speaker once to play or pause your songs, and twice to skip them. You can use the Block Party feature to interchangeably play songs from 3 different Bluetooth devices. Sound Alarm and EQ adjustments are also available. The BOOM 2 Phantom speaker has a maximum sound output of 90dBa and a frequency response of 90Hz to 20kHz. The hardware includes two 45mm active drivers and two 45mm x 80mm passive radiators. Dimensions of the speaker are: 2.5” x 2.5” x 7”. It weighs 1.2 lbs.
The speaker comes with rechargeable lithium batteries and it takes 2 hours 45 minutes to be fully charged. It is platform agnostic and is compatible with all Apple and Android devices. For wired connectivity, there is a 3.5mm audio jack and the box includes a micro USB cable and a power adapter.
Features:
- Portable Bluetooth wireless speaker with 360ᵒ sound.
- Connects with more than 150 UE speakers and up to 8 media sources.
- 15-hour battery.
- Shock-proof, water-proof.
- 100-meter Bluetooth range.
- Supports Alexa Echo Dot, Siri and Google Now.
8) FUGOO Style – Most Elegant Designed Speaker For Echo Dot :
The FUGOO Style is another durable wireless Bluetooth speaker with a staggering 40-hour battery life (at 50% loudness) so you can enjoy non-stop entertainment on the go. It boasts 6 powerful speakers: 2 woofers, 2 tweeters and 2 passive radiators. They can hit a maximum of 95dB SPL-A volume. The speakers are placed on 4 sides of the device at an angle of 8ᵒ facing upwards for more precise 360ᵒ sound projection. In terms of looks, the FUGOO Style is a trend-setter. It has stunning one-of-a-kind design and looks like a stylish women’s clutch/purse. The speaker is an IP67-rated water-proof device that can withstand water levels of up to one meter for 30 minutes. It is also mud-proof, snow-proof and dust-proof.
Sound Quality & Performance :
If you are looking for stereo sound then Fugoo Style is not the right answer. In fact we think, you should not ask for stereo impact in a smaller speaker. Fugoo did not try to design it to create the stereo. But on the other hand Fugoo Style generate a solid loud sound with crystal clear clarity. The FUGOO Style comes with an in-built microphone with full-duplex omni-directional functionality. You can use it to answer and make calls, and also issue voice commands through Siri and Google Now. There are 4 color options for the speaker’s jacket: charcoal, sand, red and silver. The dimensions of the product are: 6.5” x 2.6” x 2.1”. It weighs 15.5 ounces. For those interested in a remote control, the FUGOO Style has an optional water-proof remote that can be purchased separately. The remote comes in handy at pool-side parties and outdoor events.
Features :
- Mobile Bluetooth speaker with high-fidelity 360ᵒ sound.
- 40-hour battery life at 50% loudness.
- 2 tweeters, 2 woofers and 2 passive radiators.
- IP67-rated water-proof device.
- Mud, snow and dust-proof.
- Can be controlled through Siri and Google Now.
- 4 attractive speaker jacket colors: black, red, sand and silver.
9) Harman Kardon Aura Studio Bluetooth Home Speaker System :
If you are looking for a companion of Amazon Echo Dot but at the same time want an option to upgrade your home audio system with a new-age speaker system, we recommend the Harman Kardon Aura Studio Bluetooth Home Theater as an automatic choice. Its futuristic design and exciting features make it a great choice as a wireless speaker system for Echo Dot enabled modern homes.
Sound Quality & Performance :
The Harman Kardon Aura Studio speaker features DSP sound technology. It is fitted with 6 mid to high-range 1.5 inch transducers and a 4.5 inch subwoofer for generating room-filling 360ᵒ omni-directional sound. It has Bluetooth, so you can live stream all your favorite shows and music. The Harman Kardon Aura Studio has built-in Wi-Fi and supports DLNA (for Android and Windows devices) and Airplay (for Apple devices). You can link it to your home internet system and enjoy wire-free and hassle-free entertainment. What’s more, the speaker can also be remotely managed using its mobile app. The app works in amazing flexibility of control, making volume and track change, and managing features like stereo-widening, a whole lot easier. Plus, the installation process is made easy too, thanks to the user-friendly app. In short, if you are looking for a sophisticated home speaker system that combines advanced features with iconic design, the Harman Kardon Aura Studio is just what you need. Its dimensions are: 9.9” x 14.2” x 9.9”. It weighs 8.4 pounds and has a frequency range of 50Hz to 20kHz. There is a cloth grille at the base of the speaker and a round transparent enclosure on top. The subwoofer has a metal frame and it is illuminated with LED light, which gives it a neon glow. The package includes the speaker, an AC adapter, the installation app and a user manual.
Features :
- Wireless Bluetooth home speaker system with stereo-widening 360ᵒ sound.
- In-built Wi-Fi.
- DSP audio technology.
- 6 mid to high-range transducers and integrated subwoofer.
- Supports DLNA and Airplay.
- App-controllable.
10) Jabra SOLEMATE Wireless Bluetooth Portable Speaker :
The Jabra SOLEMATE is a portable and wireless Bluetooth speaker with impressive sound performance and smart build. It is engineered with a powerful trio of front-facing speakers: 2 acoustic tweeters and a subwoofer for producing reverberating audio. It also has a passive bass radiator for deeper bass. The Jabra SOLEMATE has both wired and wireless capability. It includes a 3.5mm audio cable and a USB cable for wired connections. For wireless function, the speaker has Bluetooth and NFC. Simply pair the device with your Bluetooth or NFC-enabled gadgets and directly stream your favorite songs, movies and shows. The Bluetooth range is 33 feet.
Sound Quality & Performance :
The speaker boasts of above average sound quality with an in-built mic which means you can place and answer calls with it. Its integrated rechargeable batteries give back-up of up to 8 hours for music playback and calls. It has a stand-by limit of 40 days. The device is shock, dust and splash-proof. It has an anti-slip durable rubber sole/base. The front, back and sides have a smart grille and the top panel has buttons for volume control and answering calls. One of the side panels has LED indicators for connection and battery status, a Bluetooth on/off button and 2 jacks for audio input and USB charging. The other side panel has an attached strap for carrying the speaker around. The Jabra SOLEMATE comes with a protective sound bag, a USB cable and a 3.5mm audio cable that fits in the sole of the device. Product dimensions are: 7.3” x 5.1” x 3.1”. It weighs 2.35 lbs.
Features :
- Wired and wireless portable speaker system.
- Bluetooth and NFC compatible.
- 8-hour battery back-up, 40-day stand-by.
- Shock, dust and splash-proof.
- Integrated carry strap.
- Includes a sound bag, USB cable and 3.5mm audio cable.
11) AmazonBasics Large Portable Bluetooth Speaker :
Another formidable contender for best speaker for Echo Dot in the mobile wireless speaker category is the AmazonBasics Large Portable Bluetooth Speaker. It is a durable speaker with 2 powerful in-built 5W speakers that project resonating and crystal clear sound. The speaker has Bluetooth for easy wire-free and clutter free connectivity for up to 33 feet. You can also plug it to your playback source using a 3.5mm stereo cable which you will have to purchase separately.
Sound Quality & Performance :
The AmazonBasics Large Portable Bluetooth Speaker has an in-built mic for making calls. It also has a button for Call Divert Function (CDF). Apart from diverting calls, you can use this button to switch between calls and your playback. The frequency response of the AmazonBasics speaker is 100Hz to 20kHz. It is compatible with both Apple and Android devices. Once fully charged, it can play music for 8 hours at a stretch. The AmazonBasics speaker is specially designed to be travel-friendly so you can enjoy your music anywhere you want. It has a compact build and is shaped like a brick. The flat base enables it to sit well on flat surfaces without being easily toppled over. The front of the speaker is covered by a metallic grille and the top panel has controls for volume, track change, CDF and Bluetooth. Power buttons and jacks for charging and audio input are available on one of the side panels. The AmazonBasics speaker comes with an AC power adapter. Dimensions of the speaker are: 10.2” x 2.9” x 3.1”. It weighs 1.61 lbs.
Features :
- Wired and wireless Bluetooth portable speaker of large size.
- In-built mic for calls.
- Call Divert Function.
- 8-hour battery life.
- Apple and Android compatible.
- Solid brick-shaped design for steady and firm placement.
12) HomeSpot NFC-Enabled Bluetooth Audio Receiver :
For those with an eye for funky portable speakers for Echo Dot, the HomeSpot NFC-Enabled Bluetooth Audio Receiver is a natural choice. It combines chic iconoclastic design and state-of-the-art features. As the name suggests, the speaker system has both NFC and Bluetooth capabilities for hands-free wireless connectivity. It has the advanced Bluetooth 4.0 (backward compatible with 2.1+EDR) that has a coverage range of 66 feet. The device features a 2-digit Bluetooth device name identifier for connecting multiple speakers. It supports A2DP profile and can store up to 8 Bluetooth devices in its memory.
Sound Quality & Performance :
The HomeSpot speaker also has auto-reconnect feature which automatically links it up with the last paired device during power-up. It has FastStream and Low Latency feature which synchronizes sound with visuals in video playbacks. The speaker has a simple plug-and-play functionality. Just connect it to your media source using a 3.5mm AUX cable or the RCA to 3.5mm audio cable and start playing. The HomeSpot speaker has a smart and compact design. It is easy to carry and does not take up much space. It has a shiny black square body with the NFC and Bluetooth icons at the centre of the top panel. A button for Bluetooth and ports for connectivity and charging are provided at the rear panel. The HomeSpot speaker box includes an RCA cable, a 3.5mm audio cable, micro charging USB cable and a UL-certified USB adapter.
Features :
- Wired and wireless portable speaker system.
- Bluetooth and NFC-enabled.
- Up to 66 feet Bluetooth range.
- Auto-reconnect, supports A2DP profile.
- FastStream and Low Latency feature.
- Compact square design.
13) AmazonBasics Shockproof And Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker – Best Small Speaker for Echo Dot :
If you want a no frill good speaker within a small budget, then AmazonBasics Shockproof And Waterproof speaker is the best choice for pairing with Amazon’s Echo Dot speaker. This product is slowly gaining prominent position in “value for money small wireless speaker” segment. And here Amazon choose this one as a best speaker for Echo Dot. In fact this speaker is small in size and kind of looks alike of Echo Dot.
It is very simple looking with a single color option of black. The exterior is plastic body but well built to absorb good amount of external shocks. The speaker buttons are placed over middle rubber strip. On examination you will find these buttons to be little hard to push. This is intentional to make the speaker waterproof. The AmazonBasics speaker has only three buttons with two controlling volumes and the rest is for power and pairing controls. It is light weight with around 132 grams. Amazon’s claim on waterproofing & shock absorbing is pretty true in the sense that the speaker is doing fine with submerging it in water and droping from few feets. So, it’s a cool cheap option to use in outdoor parties with Echo Dot.
Charging your AmazonBasic Wireless waterproof speaker is pretty simple. The speaker comes with a USB charger but no power adapter. Either you need to use one or you may charge it via your laptop or a portable charger. The battery life is good at 10+ hours considering it’s low end price tag.
Sound Quality and Performance :
Sound quality is something the audio geeks will scrutiny very closely. Now considering the low end price of the product, this is pretty good at producing simple music for personal usage. There is no significant complain hearing the bass and treble. A single 3W driver along with passive radiators are good enough to create a clear bass and fair music quality at this price. In higher pitch and volume the speaker seems to be little unstable and this is probably one weakness witnessed by the users. Other than this it is a quality product from amazon which can be vouched for.
Features :
- Shockproof, dust-proof and waterproof design with rated IP67.
- Medium wireless range ( 33 feet ) with good bass output.
- Decent battery backup of 12 hours in a single recharge.
14) Amazon Tap – Alexa-Enabled Portable Bluetooth Speaker – Most intelligent speaker for Amazon Echo Dot :
Amazon Tap is an alexa enabled intelligent portable speaker much smaller and lighter than Amazon Echo. In our earlier list we omitted Amazon Tap for Echo Dot because we did not like pressing the “Tap” to wake up alexa in the speaker. Amazon responded to this quickly, and we get a firmware update to resolve this. So, now you can just say “Hey Alexa” and the Amazon Tap is ready to hear and do what is instructed. We loved two things in Amazon Tap. The first one is obviously the cloud based voice assistant alexa and the easy light design for portability. If you want to carry a speaker as a Echo Dot companion then Amazon Tap is a very good answer to that. But we must admit that the sound quality of Amazon Tap is mediocre and nothing top notch. Also battery life is just decent and you need repeated charging for longer play time.
Sound Quality & Performance :
Though Amazon Tap is an intelligent assistant, still it is a speaker and sound quality is an important factor to measure. Amazon Tap lacks good bass & clarity of pitch compared to most of the high end speakers discussed in this list. When we tested with some of the action packed movie sequences and then switched to some musical numbers, we experienced little monotonous 2D sound with less impact. If you just need an intelligent companion for echo dot and happy with not so exceptional sound performance then Amazon Tap is a easy choice. Otherwise you need to check the other speakers in this list.
The other notable aspect is battery life at 9 hours as claimed by Amazon but intermittent use of few minutes for 2-3 days sometime shows sudden drop of charge around 30% which is not acceptable. If we still consider the battery life to be around 8 hours still it is not up to the mark considering most of highly competitive speakers for Echo Dot. Bose SoundLink or JBL’s Charge series shows much more play time with a full charge.
Features :
- Powered with highly intelligent voice assistant Alexa.
- Easy blue tooth pairing with Amazon Echo and Echo Dot along with any compatible speaker and mobile device.
- Dual Stereo Speakers for creating 360 degree omni-directional sound effect.
15) Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Wireless Speaker – Most premium speaker for Echo Dot :
We discussed & included few awesome speakers for pairing with Amazon’s Echo Dot. But there are customer’s who are looking for premium products and do not mind to pay a fat price for that. Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Wireless speaker is for this segment. This awesome speaker has brand new drivers, top notch DSP unit, modern cabinet to create an excellent experience for it’s buyers. Wireless streaming is easy with Bluetooth, Spotify Connect and Airplay. You can control the streaming as well using mobile apps available for iOS and then PC or MAC.
Physical Design :
Design of Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Wireless speaker is minimalist. Soft black texture with sleek design makes it distinctive among it’s peer. More importantly this sleek and minimal design gives it a premium acoustic benefits. This is probably an ideal shape for their sound drivers to create soothing yet strong music for the audience. The build quality of the cabinet is truly amazing with around 50% extra thickness than the previous models from Zeppelin with delicately designed fiber ribs to strengthen it. The distinct control panel at bottom bearing has buttons for wireless pairing or aux input option. On top of that you will find, buttons of volume control and play / pause.
Sound System :
The aura of magical sound Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Wireless speaker creates basically comes from an array of speakers which are class apart from the competition. It has a pair of 25 mm double dome tweeters redesigned from it’s CM series. Then another pair of 90 mm medium range drivers inspired from the 800 series diamond speaker. All these are connected with a mighty sub-woofer of 6.5 inch with voice coil. More importantly these excellent set of speakers are powered individually through optimum Class D amplifier for best output. As far as quality of the sound is concern this is the finest at low to high range anywhere. It is among the best in it’s peer group.
If you are just perfectionist and do not mind to spend for a best in class pairing speaker for your Echo Dot, then go for it.
16) JBL Flip 3 – Third Generation Model :
JBL Flip 3 is excellent portable waterproof speaker which can be used in vertical or horizontal postures. Better than average battery life at more than 10 hours in the 3rd generation release makes it more awesome for non-stop music lovers. Particularly JBL connect app can help pair with other JBL speakers which gives booming musical experience to the users.
If as a buyer you want to go with an undisputed name and brand for your Echo Dot pairing, then JBL Flip 3 could be an ideal option to choose. Little heavy in weight at 450 grams this speaker creates excellent sounds except some manageable distortions at higher volumes for few tracks. Bluetooth pairing is also easy to use with any compatible devices as long as the device is present near by or within a room.
A single Flip 3 sounds quite strong than it’s predecessors. Unlike Flip 2 and original Flip model, it is generating 8 watt during the output which is quite good considering it’s compact size. The usb charge port is securely covered with a flap which is water-resistant as well. The model is available on multiple colors and you may check more details on JBL Flip 3 bluetooth speaker here. To learn more about this speaker check here.
Now let us examine the some other speakers which we found good for pairing with Echo Dot during our test. Amazon did not recommend these speakers officially in there site. Hence we created a separate list for the same as below.
17) Anker SoundCore Bluetooth Speaker :
Anker SoundCore Bluetooth Speaker is a basic, easy to use, budget friendly speaker. In fact when considering a top speaker for Echo Dot pairing if budget and very long battery life is your primary point of concern, then Anker SoundCore is the right answer. Let us look at this speaker with some more details now.
Advantages –
- The first awesome advantage is the astonishing 40+ hour long battery life with full charge.
- Very competitive pricing within it’s peer.
- Generally warranty lasts up to 18 months which is more than standard speakers warranty in this category.
Disadvantages –
- No standard waterproof rating. Not good for outdoor usage.
- Sound quality and volume are mediocre than most of the competition.
18) Sony SRS-X55 – A good wired speaker for Echo Dot :
Sony SRS-X55 is a little old model from Sony. It is look wise quite under rated and seems like a small box. The price is also little downgraded than what it was initially priced at. But we think old is gold at many situations and for a perfect classy companion of Amazon Echo Dot, Sony SRS-X55 is a very good choice.
First of all, we found that Sony SRS-X55 has a solid bass output in almost complete frequency range along with built-in speakerphone facility. We also noticed that the bluetooth pairing with Echo Dot is a ease to do. The aptX support makes the bluetooth streaming very soothing to hear as well. The NFC tap-to-pair functionality helps us to pair it with our smartphone. We also find audio input for wired connection from Echo Dot and other non-bluetooth devices. All in all we are quite impressed at first look.
Sound Quality & Performance :
If you consider Bose SoundLink Mini as a benchmark against this speaker, then Sony’s SRS-X55 scores higher in sound performance and battery life. We found the bass to be a notch better than Bose SoundLink. Considering it’s smaller dimension it does emit quite a lot of solid bass and in high volume it can stand it’s place and not displaced like SRS-X7. All in all Sony SRS-X55 performs really well with Echo Dot in high volume as well. We found that around 70% of it’s peak volume the sound performance seems to be at the best.
Features :
2.1 channel speaker system.
Easy hands free function.
Nominal output power at 20W.
Both wired & wireless connectivity option provided.
Special Digital Sound Enhancement Engine ( DSEE ).
Built in aptX & SBC decoder.
Long battery life at 8+ hours.
19) Urge Basics Cuatro – Cheap Speaker for Echo Dot pairing :
Three cool things make us think that Urge Basics Cuatro can be in this list. First of all a very competitive price with basic features. Awesome exterior design with multiple color available to choose from. Also bluetooth 4.0 to pair wirelessly. All these makes it a cute addition in this list. This is a cheap speaker if you want to use it roughly and wants to use during travel. Very light weight at 0.8 pounds and measuring at 5.4″ X 2.5″, this is easy to carry anywhere.
Technical Specifications :
- Battery Span : Average 8 hours after full charge
- Power input : 5V USB Port
- Battery : 3.7V lithium-ion
- Bluetooth range : Around 10 meters
- Bluetooth profile : Bluetooth 4.0
- USB Charging Cable : 90 CM long micro USB cable
Sound Quality & Other Features :
The most important thing most speaker buyer looks for is sound quality. At this price and size we can not expect to get a huge boosted bass from this speaker. But the most impressive part of this product is excellent sound clarity without any noise. Though it can not generate high bass, it can decently produce enough bass from the mid range frequencies well. This sound capability is possible through two speakers with bass plus technology. Urge Basics Cuatro has the capability to be a hands free multimedia device. The user can take or reject an incoming call by a single button push. If you paired it with Echo Dot or any mobile device, it automatically changes the mode as hands-free speakerphone and once decoupled it gets back to resume the ongoing music. So, in a nutshell this budget speaker can be a very good companion for Amazon’s Echo Dot.
20) UE Roll 2 :
UE Roll 2 is a compact, waterproof, multipurpose speaker which can be carried to almost anywhere for musical merriment. It is a round shaped, compact speaker with a attached cord to carry and hang anywhere you wish to place it. It is available in multiple colors.
Features :
Let us find what makes Ultimate Ear’s UE Roll 2 our choice of speaker for Amazon’s Echo Dot. The main reason is versatility of it’s rich features. For an example, highest waterproof rating of IPX7. You can put it under 3.3 feet down the water for half an hour and then play your favorite music without any problem. You can pair two UE Roll 2 for stereo sound with pairing in closer proximity or placing them in different area of your house. This is possible because UE Roll 2 has a long 66 foot range for bluetooth pairing. This speaker is smart enough to connect to 8 devices together but obviously the play list in function will be one. This helps to quick switching between receiving an incoming call in your mobile phone and then going back to playing your music list again.
Pros –
- Pairing with multiple UE Roll 2 is ease to do
- Highest waterproof rating
- Affordable price range
Cons –
- The first and foremost annoying thing is long charging time ( Full charge requires 5.5 hours )
- Bass is good but if you are looking for something great, you will be disappointed.
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Read our complete review on Echo Sub and Echo Link for comprehensive smart speaker setup.
Echo Plus is a smart speaker with excellent audio quality. Buy one if you do not have budget constraint.
You may know how waterproof speakers & sound systems works here. If you are looking for all information about water-resistant speakers and waterproof soundbars you may find this resources useful.
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If you are looking for a quality, then go for Anker soundcore speaker. It has the very clear voice and a little bit of bass. I love this for light music listening. I’m able to plugged it into the dock with an aux cable.
Hey Suraj,
Agree to your point Anker Soundcore is a good speaker to consider.
Regards
Why all bluetooth speakers for an Echo Dot? The Dot has to be plugged into a power supply so it’s probably not going anywhere like your cell phone is. Just get a set of decent Logitech computer speakers with a subwoofer (Z323 or Z333), anywhere from $30-$70 and you will have better sound than any of these other than the $700 Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin.
Hi JimK,
You are partly correct. There are many wired speaker available in the market and many of them are really great on sound quality part. In fact many buyers prefer to go for wired speaker with echo dot. But having said that there is two other ways one can use pairing speaker with an echo dot. One is connecting your echo dot with a portable power bank with the USB charger. This makes Echo dot pretty portable. The other reason people want a bluetooth pair speaker for echo dot is to have a flexibility to manage multiple nearby speaker. Say, you have an echo dot in your living room and you paired two or more speakers in your bedroom or kitchen to play music. Wireless speakers come handy in this situations.
Regards
How about Sonos speaker? The sound quality of this speaker is amazing and app to controlling speaker through Amazon echo device is working great for me.
Hi Tony,
Yes I do agree that Sonos speakers are a good alternative along with alexa enabled Amazon speakers. We will try to test & find the merits & demerits in future. If suitable we may add this in our list. Thank you for your feedback.
Regards
Hello
I am Mofassal.
This is really helpful, detailed about Echo Dot as Bluetooth Speaker. Thank you for your information as it is very important for us. I have been struggling for past two days but your information was simple and your step by step instructions made it a breeze to connect my Echo Bluetooth speaker.
Thanks Mofassal for your encouraging words. Keep reading our blog to know more.