Amazon Echo Pop (Lavender Bloom) Review: Smart Speaker for Every Room
Smart speakers are becoming increasingly integrated into our homes, offering convenience and control at our fingertips. Today, we’re reviewing the Amazon Echo Pop, a compact and colorful addition to the Echo family designed to fit seamlessly into any room. Let’s dive into what makes this little speaker stand out (and blend in) from the crowd.
Detailed Review
The Amazon Echo Pop distinguishes itself with its compact design and surprisingly full sound. Don’t let its size fool you; this small speaker packs a punch, making it ideal for bedrooms, dorm rooms, or any small space where a larger speaker would be overkill. The “Lavender Bloom” color option adds a touch of personality and style, allowing it to complement your existing decor.
Setting up the Echo Pop is a breeze. Simply plug it in, connect it to your Wi-Fi network using the Alexa app, and you’re ready to go. Once connected, you can use your voice to control music playback from various streaming services, including Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, and Sirius XM. Bluetooth connectivity is also available for streaming directly from your phone or other devices.
Beyond music, the Echo Pop excels as a smart home hub. You can easily control compatible smart home devices, such as smart plugs and smart lights, with voice commands or through the Alexa app. This allows you to automate your home and create a more convenient and efficient living space.
Alexa’s capabilities extend far beyond music and smart home control. You can ask Alexa to set timers, check the weather, read the news, re-order paper towels, make calls, answer questions, and much more. With tens of thousands of skills available, Alexa can help you with a wide range of tasks, from playing relaxing sounds to testing your trivia knowledge.
Privacy is a key consideration with any smart device, and Amazon has taken steps to address this with the Echo Pop. The device features a mic off button that physically disconnects the microphone, ensuring that Alexa is not listening when you don’t want her to. Additionally, the light bar provides a visual indication of when Alexa is actively listening.
Finally, Amazon emphasizes sustainability with the Echo Pop. The device’s fabric is made from 100% post-consumer recycled yarn, and the aluminum is made from 80% recycled aluminum. The device packaging is also 100% recyclable.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Compact and stylish design | Sound quality, while good for its size, may not satisfy audiophiles |
| Full sound for its size | Requires a Wi-Fi connection for most features |
| Easy to set up and use | Some features require subscriptions (Amazon Music, Audible, etc.) |
| Voice control of music and smart home devices | Privacy concerns (addressed by mic off button) |
| Wide range of Alexa skills | |
| Sustainable design |
Excellent Alternatives
- Echo Dot: A popular alternative with a similar feature set in a different form factor.
- Google Nest Mini: A competitor offering similar smart speaker functionality with Google Assistant.
- Sonos One SL: Provides superior audio quality, although at a higher price point, and is great for integration into a Sonos ecosystem.
Final Verdict
The Amazon Echo Pop is a fantastic entry-level smart speaker that offers a great balance of features, affordability, and style. Its compact design and surprisingly good sound make it perfect for small spaces, while its integration with Alexa provides access to a wealth of information and control. If you’re looking for a discreet and capable smart speaker, the Echo Pop is an excellent choice.
Our Rating
★★★★☆ 4/5
