It’s been ages since an alarm clock sat on my nightstand — my phone took over long ago. This early Prime Day deal on the Echo Spot has me rethinking that. We’ve reviewed this all-in-one smart speaker, and with its screen showing everything from the time to weather updates and song titles, it’s hard to argue against giving it a spot at your bedside, especially now that it’s just $45 — that’s over 40% off.
Amazon
Rise and shine! This compact, all-in-one device combines an alarm clock, a speaker and a smart assistant in one sleek package.
$45 at Amazon
Why is this a good deal? 💰
One of the biggest complaints from our tech editor, Rick Broida, about the Echo Spot was its price. He said its “relatively high price makes a strong case for choosing a different Echo device.” Well, with over 40% knocked off for Prime Day, this deal makes the Echo Spot much more appealing. Even though we’re looking at the current 2024 model, it’s priced in step with older, more limited versions of the Echo. And once this deal ends, the price will almost double.
Why do I need this? 🤔
The Echo Spot was practically made for your nightstand. It gives you the time in a large, easy-to-read font, along with the weather and temperature. With just a glance, you’ll have all the info you need to start your day. Plus, it’s got a built-in speaker so you can stream your favorite tunes from Amazon Music, Spotify (Spot-ify?), and other services. You can even listen to podcasts or check reminders.
Worried about privacy? There’s a physical button to turn off the mic, so you’ll know it’s not listening. And if you’re into smart home setups, the Echo Spot integrates seamlessly—imagine your lights turning on automatically when your alarm goes off, that’ll really wake you up.
Of course, it’s not perfect. It doesn’t have an Eero Wi-Fi extender like other Echo devices, and it won’t play videos. If you need those features, you could step up to the Echo Show 5, which offers more functionality while only being 2 inches bigger. Normally, it’s $90, but it’s also on sale for $50 Prime Day.
Want to dig deeper? Check out our full review of the Echo Spot for more pros and cons.
What reviewers say 💬
The 2024 model debuted this summer and has already racked up over 8,000 five-star ratings. To say that the Echo Spot is a hit would be quite an understatement.
Pros 👍
Reviewers love this little gadget for bringing their alarm clocks into the 21st century.
“It’s loaded with Alexa so I can listen to my Amazon music playlists as well as local radio and Sirius XM Radio. I can shuffle a playlist and tell Alexa to turn off after 30 minutes, an hour or when the playlist is over. I can verbally ask to set an alarm for my wake-up. And the unit takes up very little space. It’s a great upgrade from my ancient clock radio,” said one five-star fan.
“Everything I wanted in a smart alarm clock. The sound quality is impressive for its size, and Alexa integration makes it super convenient for managing my daily routines,” said one happy reviewer. “I love how I can check the weather, set alarms and even control my smart home devices right from my nightstand. The design is sleek, compact and looks great in my room.”
“I am thoroughly impressed with the new mini touchscreen display. This latest model is a significant improvement over its predecessors and is definitely worth the upgrade,” said another shopper.
“Everything I wish the Show was, but in a smaller package,” said a final fan. “It does NOT feed you visual ads at all. … Put simply, this is a smart speaker with a clock, weather and music display and nothing else unneeded. That’s what I wanted to begin with. This device is simple, has no camera (which I never used the Alexa video calling anyway because come on, everyone has a phone and/or tablet or computer nowadays) so theres no worries about it peeking in on you.”
Cons 👎
While the Spot does satisfy some with its ability to stream Apple and Spotify playlists, don’t replace your Sonos just yet. Some lament the speaker’s sound quality.
“The small front-firing speaker sounds OK but is nothing to write home about. Think of it as a 2024 version of the old clock radios many of us grew up with. Except now you use your voice to set the alarm instead of a bunch of buttons. And, of course, this Spot has all the same Alexa functionality you expect from similar Amazon devices,” said one reviewer.
“The speaker is fine for a 1.5 inch; however, don’t expect quality sound. It sounds like a JBL handheld speaker if that helps,” said another.
Amazon
Available in black, white and blue, this stylish speaker is a great addition to any bedroom.
$45 at Amazon
Feeling like you’re down with the Spot but want a bit more oomph when you’re playing your tunes? We’ve got just the thing.
JBL
JBL makes some of the best portable speakers, full stop. With a virtually unrivaled 4.8-star average rating from over 52,000 Amazon customers, the Flip 5 ranks at the top for its versatility. Available in a choice of 12 colors and able to run up to 12 hours on a charge, the fully waterproof speaker delivers big, bright sound from a relatively compact package.
$90 at Amazon
If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)
Your Prime Day Shopping Guide: See all of our Prime Day coverage. Shop the best Prime Day deals on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for Prime Day tech deals. Hear from Autoblog’s experts on the best Amazon Prime Day deals for your car, garage, and home, and find Prime Day sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
