Amazon.ca:Customer reviews: All-new Echo Dot (4th Gen) | Smart speaker with Alexa

Reviewed in Canada on November 21, 2020

Color Name: CharcoalConfiguration: Device onlyVerified Purchase

HIGHLIGHTS of the new Echo Dot
1) The response time is a little faster than on its predecessor. That said, I don't know if it's me, but I feel like Alexa can't hear me as well as on my gen3.
2) Great new spherical shape.
3) I really like the new location of the light which is now located at the bottom of the device. I find it more visible since it illuminates the surface on which the device is placed.
4) The sound is "richer" with a little more bass and a wider angle of sound diffusion.
5) The installation is very easy, 5 minutes and it's done!

WEAKNESSES
1) The CHARCOAL echo comes with a WHITE power cable... we agree that it's not very aesthetic... in any case, I don't like it. If I chose a black color it's because there was a reason, wasn't there?
2) The power supply box is still as big as ever! Come on! it takes two power outlets wide...
3) The buttons are really ugly and look cheap compared to previous generations. They're made out of some kind of plastic and are a little bit raised. I definitely preferred the smooth and flat buttons of the Echo Dot 3.
4) Needs a few updates to improve the French Canadian version.

I mainly use the Echo Dot to listen to my music on my sound bar. It's the functions, stop, pause, up/down the sound, put the sound at 3 to 7, next, who's that artist, add that song to my playlist, etc. that make my music listening experience much more enjoyable. No need to change tabs, or get up, everything is controlled by voice! Really convenient the voice technology combined with a subscription such as Amazon Music, Deezer and/or Spootify to listen to your music.

SOUND | Compared to the Echo Dot 3rd generation, this one (4th gen) has a slightly improved sound. Probably this spherical style allows for a greater angle of sound diffusion. Rather than being propelled only upwards as on the 3rd gen, it diffuses both upwards and forward. In any case, if you don't like the sound of this dot, you can always pair your device with your sound bar/home theater. Personally, that's what I do, so sound quality is not a big concern for me. Having said that, I think it sounds really good for an alarm clock sized device! Also, the sound is much louder and richer than on the Echo Dot 3rd Gen no matter what some people say.

IN SUMMARY | It can be used as an alarm clock, a timer, a calendar reminder, a calculator, help you fall asleep at night, answer your questions, give you quizzes, etc. There are so many things that can be done with this device that it is impossible to list them all here! Also, if you have other types of smart equipment, such as light bulbs, smart plugs, etc. you will surely find your own connection with this Echo Dot.

105 people found this helpful

Helpful

Brian Rodgers

Not too shabby eh.

Reviewed in Canada on October 23, 2020

Color Name: CharcoalConfiguration: Device onlyVerified Purchase

It's a touch smaller than I thought. Sound is great on the new fourth Gen echo. Response is faster than the previous Gen's. The lights on the bottom reflects light on the surface well. I wouldn't say it's absolutely worth upgrading, if it's not necessary. It does the same thing as the 3rd gen, sound is a touch better than the 3rd gen, despite a few seconds faster in response time, I wouldn't suggest running out to upgrade. It is great for people who don't have one, or those who collect these devices.

104 people found this helpful

Helpful

H W

Returned. Very disappointed

Reviewed in Canada on November 13, 2020

Color Name: Glacier WhiteConfiguration: Device onlyVerified Purchase

I bought this as a gift to a friend and here is his review:

I have returned this product when I learned that I can only manually pick songs if I have Amazon Music. This product is supposed to make one feel easy, but I had an unpleasant experience telling Alexa to play specific songs. The app does not provide an interface for one to select a song.

I an switching to a Google Nest & urge you readers to do so. The app is barely functional & Alexa has a lot of bugs. You have lost a client & potential purchases when people read the truth, Amazon.

100 people found this helpful

Helpful

Honest review

Reviewed in Canada on November 16, 2020

Color Name: Twilight BlueConfiguration: Device onlyVerified Purchase

Pros:
~ Hands-free calling, and turns on devices and can find you phone
~ impressive speakers considering the size very loud and crisp
~ Aesthetically looks good
~ Cheaper than the other competitors

Cons:
~ Not much difference from Echo dot 3
~ I would love to see no more wires on the Echo dot
~ Alexa only searches for products on amazon, does not give you the option to choose from to buy from other stores
~ limited features and frankly not really useful
~ sometimes turns off by itself when using it
~ The cost doesn't justify the features, needs so much improvements

I also wish the cable was longer as it HAS to be plugged it for you to use it, and its a bit too short if you plan on placing it on a higher table/counter

67 people found this helpful

Helpful

Not a Big Fan of the Round Softball Design - Still Prefer the Gen 3 Hockey Puck Design

Reviewed in Canada on November 24, 2020

Color Name: CharcoalConfiguration: Device onlyVerified Purchase

The Echo Dot 4th Gen Speaker continues to be Amazon’s most affordable, entry level Echo speaker. Previous Echo Dots looked like Hockey Pucks but for the 4th Gen Dot Amazon decided to make it round like a ball. The Echo Dot 4th Gen is slightly smaller than an official sized softball. Amazon claims this new Dot sounds better than the old one however the improvements (if any) are marginal at best and certainly nothing to justify the huge increase in size.

As you might have guessed I’m not a fan of the new Echo Dot’s Softball Shape. The previous echo dots were small, compact and unobtrusive. They sat on the counter, under kitchen cabinets or could be wall or ceiling mounted to hide their appearance. The new ROUND Echo dot sticks out like a sore thumb, no matter where you put it. I have several Gen 2 and Gen 3 echo dots and they are wall and ceiling mounted and tucked away under my kitchen and bathroom cabinets … there is just no way to do this with the new Echo Dot.

Another problem with the Echo Dot 4th gen is the fabric covering. The Echo Dot 2nd Gen was all plastic body and was easy to clean especially when it got dirty in the kitchen. Likewise the Echo Dot 3rd gen only had fabric around the outside, the top button area was hard plastic … again easy to clean. The fabric covering on the Gen 4 Dot will get soiled and stained easily if you use the buttons on the top often. Maybe this was amazon’s idea … hoping you buy more dot’s when your old ones look worn and dirty. I do not recommend buying the White Echo dot as it will get dirty quickly.

*** WHITE POWER ADAPTER ? ***
One more perplexing thing about the new Echo Dot is the inclusion of a White Power adapter and cord with both White and BLACK Echo Dots. The White power adapter looks fine with the White Echo Dot however it looks odd and is very noticeable when using it with the Black Echo Dot especially when everything on your desk, dresser or counter top is black.

Overall I’m disappointed in the new Echo Dot Gen 4 speaker. There was a big improvement in sound quality between the Gen2 and Gen3 echo dots however there is very little improvement in the sound quality of the new Echo Dot Gen 4 and it’s nearly twice the size. Speaking of size I’m not a fan of the Softball sized speaker either. The shape is just odd … a little Retro looking perhaps but it just doesn’t fit with anything else on my counter tops, desk, dresser or shelves. The new design is difficult to hide and looks ridiculous when wall mounted. My advice would be to purchase the Echo Dot Gen 3 instead of the new Gen 4. The Gen 3 Dot sounds similar but is much smaller in size and blends into your decor much better. I’m not sure what Amazon’s plans are for the next generation of Echos and Echo Dots, but I have a feeling that the new round Softball design will not last and the next Echo Dot Gen 5 will go back to being a smaller, flatter speaker or as least more conventional design. I’m hoping they continue selling the Gen 3 Dot so you at least have a choice between Hockey Puck or Softball.

49 people found this helpful

Helpful

Diana Betancourt

It's Super!!!

Reviewed in Canada on October 24, 2020

Color Name: CharcoalConfiguration: Device onlyVerified Purchase

it has great sound and works super well. The only thing I didn't like is that I asked for it in black and the cable is white, everything should be the same color

27 people found this helpful

Helpful

Moonbeam

Decent product for the sale price - if you’re lucky enough to catch it

Reviewed in Canada on November 20, 2020

Color Name: CharcoalConfiguration: Device onlyVerified Purchase

Was shocked by how small it was. Expected something much larger for the cost. Sound is good considering speaker size but was not happy to see the massive price drop immediately after i picked up the product. Alexa is hard to speak with I found and the app did not work properly to set up only after nearly a dozen tries it finally accepted my log in approval. Issues with key features to set up so my hubby could use it as well - I had bought it for our bedroom. All in all a frustrating purchase but decent product for the new sale price.

11 people found this helpful

Helpful

JAC

Another Great product

Reviewed in Canada on October 23, 2020

Color Name: CharcoalConfiguration: Device onlyVerified Purchase

Finally the Echo Dot has been given a make-over. Just a bit smaller than what was expected. Same features as previous ones but faster and better sounding. Do you really need it? Why not! Perhaps should have spent more for the next model with all the trimmings but save that for another day.

11 people found this helpful

Helpful

J

Huge WHITE adapter

Reviewed in Canada on December 4, 2020

Color Name: CharcoalConfiguration: Device onlyVerified Purchase

Bought two of these to replace 3rd gen, and the power adaper is huge on these and I don't have the outlet space. Also, the cord and adapter are white which makes the cord super obvious on a black echo dot. Its insane. Much preferred the USB.

EDIT: Amazon contacted me about this review--not to try and make it right, not to apologize or anything, just to let me know that they received the review... Gee... Thanks?

6 people found this helpful

Helpful

Edward

Crippled by lack of basic features for Canadian's

Reviewed in Canada on January 5, 2021

Color Name: CharcoalConfiguration: Device onlyVerified Purchase

Fantastic product crippled by lack of standard features support by Amazon in Canada. I use to be a Google home user however started to find it was having issues and was becoming a frusterating excersise. Over the holidays there were great deals on amazon echo products so purchased one to try and was impressed with how it incorporated with my smart home devices. I then purchased two more echos and and an 8 inch echo show for the kitchen and wanting it for recipes and cooking.

There was lots of information about All recipes which I use and Alexa being able to recognize the voice of multiple users, my self, wife and kids to offer customer responses and individual calenders, music Ext.

I attempted to get the All recipes set up and after having a great deal of difficulty had to do lots of research and found the All recipes Alexa echo show is not supported in Canada, very disappointing and I could find no other equivalent apps/skills that were even close to the usefulness of All recipes.

I then attempted to set up the voice recognition profiles for a household for myself and my wife so we could get the benifit from customized options Alexa offers, but again had a great deal of trouble and after an hour and researching found that this household ability is not enabled for Canadian users.

These are great devices, however they have been crippled by the lack of support for Canadian users. I could not find any future plans or information that indicate plans for Amazon to offer the basic features of the device or telling buyers some of the main features don't work.

Amazon if your reading this please comment on future support so purchasers are aware.

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

5 star		78%
4 star		14%
3 star		4%
2 star		1%
1 star		3%

Amazon Music Stream millions of songs	Amazon Advertising Find, attract, and engage customers	Amazon Drive Cloud storage from Amazon	Amazon Web Services Scalable Cloud Computing Services	Book Depository Books With Free Delivery Worldwide

Goodreads Book reviews & recommendations	IMDb Movies, TV & Celebrities	Amazon Photos Unlimited Photo Storage Free With Prime	Shopbop Designer Fashion Brands	Warehouse Deals Open-Box Discounts

	Whole Foods Market We Believe in Real Food	Amazon Renewed Like-new products you can trust	Amazon Second Chance Pass it on, trade it in, give it a second life

All-new Echo Dot (4th Gen) | Smart speaker with Alexa | Charcoal

›

Customer reviews

Customer reviews

All-new Echo Dot (4th Gen) | Smart speaker with Alexa | Charcoal

Top positive review

Top critical review

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

From Canada

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

Questions? Get fast answers from reviewers

All-new Echo Dot (4th Gen) | Smart speaker with Alexa | Charcoal › Customer reviews

Customer reviews

All-new Echo Dot (4th Gen) | Smart speaker with Alexa | Charcoal

Top positive review

Top critical review

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

From Canada

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

There was a problem loading comments right now. Please try again later.

Questions? Get fast answers from reviewers

All-new Echo Dot (4th Gen) | Smart speaker with Alexa | Charcoal

›

Customer reviews