Echo Dot vs Echo Dot Max: What's the difference between Amazon's smart speakers?

The current fifth-generation Echo Dot is one of the most popular smart speakers on the market, but the newer and more expensive Echo Dot Max offers several upgrades. The main differences are in audio performance and connectivity.

The Echo Dot costs $50 and features a single front-firing driver. It supports dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 and 5 GHz). Its dimensions are 3.5 x 3.9 x 3.9 inches, and it weighs 10.7 ounces. The controls are located on top of the device.

The Echo Dot Max costs $100 and has a two-way speaker system (tweeter and woofer), delivering richer bass and clearer high frequencies. Amazon claims the Max delivers three times the bass of the standard Dot. The Dot Max supports Wi-Fi 6E for faster and more stable connections. It measures 3.9 x 4.4 x 4.9 inches and weighs 17.8 ounces, which is 65% heavier than the Dot. The buttons are on the front, and the device is equipped with an AZ3 chip for improved voice detection.

Both devices support the Alexa+ smart assistant, but the Dot Max is better suited for music lovers and larger rooms, while the standard Dot is adequate for everyday use in smaller homes. The Dot Max also makes it easier to build a Zigbee/Thread network as a gateway.

The price difference is $50, and while the Dot Max offers better audio and connectivity, most users may find the basic Dot sufficient. However, for music enthusiasts, the Dot Max is the better choice.