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Summary: In this article, I review the best Amazon Echo device gifts to give and get in what is already shaping up to be another epic year for Alexa.
If you simply want to know the best Amazon Echo devices to gift this year, here they are, starting with my favorites:
- #1 – Echo Show 10
- #2 – Amazon Astro
- #3 – Fire TV Cube
- #4 – Echo Show 15
- #5 – Echo Studio
- #6 – Echo Sub
- #7 – Amazon Echo 4th Gen
- #8 – Echo Show 8
- #9 – Echo Auto
- #10 – Echo Dot with Clock
- #11 – Echo Dot Kids Edition
- #12 – Echo Buds Wireless Earbuds
- #13 – Echo Wall Clock
- #14 – Echo Show 5
- #15 – Echo Glow
- #16 – Echo Show 2nd Gen
- #17 – Echo Frames
In the rest of this article, I’ll summarize the high points of the very best Amazon Echo device gifts in my official gift-giving guide. I’ll also include some handy price comparison tables so you can see which gifts match your budget at a glance.
My Secret Crush
Can I let you in on a secret?
I think I have a crush on Alexa.
Why?
She gets me.
Alexa brightens my day [smart lights and bulbs]. She helps me when I’m forgetful [reminder skill] and gets me out of bed on time [alarm]. She even feeds me [GrubHub and Whole Foods skills] and she makes me laugh [pirate jokes].
And she keeps my kids and me entertained on the weekends [music and games].
Besides, she’s way cooler than Siri ever was.
Amazon Echo Device Gift Guide
According to the latest Smart Speakers Statistics Report published by Speakergy.com, Amazon sells more smart speakers than any other vendor worldwide.
And an earlier study of smart devices from Statistica found that at least 43 percent of U.S. households own a smart home device. Without question, Amazon is poised to increase those ranks big time, especially with its yearly new product launches.
Whether it be a birthday, graduation, holiday, Father’s Day, or Mother’s Day present, Amazon Echo devices are often at the top of the gift list for people of every age.
It’s no wonder.
Amazon continues to improve Alexa and usher in some major improvements to key members of the Amazon Echo family.
These include some great new features that help to address Alexa privacy concerns.
Without further ado, let’s dive into more detail about each of the best Echo device gifts you can give this year.
I own several of these, and I have a few on my list for Santa this year. I hope I made the “Nice” list. Hmm.
Drumroll, please…
Amazon Echo Device Gifts: #1-6
Here are my top six picks for the best Amazon Echo Device gifts summarized in a table.
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Prices are pulled in nightly from the Amazon API and were last updated as to the date and time displayed at the bottom of the table.
But that’s only six, you say! What about the rest of the amazing Echo device gifts on my list? The countdown continues below!
#1 – Amazon Echo Show 10
The Amazon Echo Show 10 is one of the most advanced smart displays you can buy today. It is also my favorite Alexa device, so it tops my list of the best Amazon Echo device gifts this year.
It features everything you expect from an Echo Show, but it comes with improvements that you can only wish that Santa’s elves enabled in other smart displays.
If you’re looking for a great video conferencing solution that you can put on your desk or in the kitchen, Show 10 checks all the boxes. One Echo Show 10 standout feature is its super-sharp 13MP camera. Even cooler is that since it’s mounted on a rotating base, the display can “follow you” around when you’re nearby. And its “auto-framing” feature makes sure you’re also in the middle of the frame at all times.
This can come in handy if you’re making video calls, watching Netflix, or viewing recipes while preparing dinner. A little creepy? Maybe. Cool? Oh yeah!
iJustine does a great job explaining some of the additional benefits in her review and unboxing video, which I’ll include below. Dig the enthusiasm, iJustine!
#2 – Amazon Astro Household Robot
As silly as this may seem to some of you, this is the device that I am most excited about getting. You can think of Astro as a personable smart display mounted on wheels with home security capabilities. While it won’t vacuum your floors or make you a sandwich (yet), it can beatbox and bring you a beverage.
More to the point, Astro was designed to be a roving security robot that roams about your home, allowing you to check every nook and cranny in your home. You can get alerts for certain events and see live views of what Astro sees in the app. Think you left the stove on? Don’t worry. Send Astro on over to check it out. A telescopic arm lets Astro peer into high-up places. Very neat.
Couple this with Alexa Guard, and Astro is capable of detecting the sound of smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, and even glass breaking and sending alerts to your phone. I am super stoked to have finally received mine. I just took it out of the box and will include a link to my unboxing video below.
Here’s an unboxing video I did on my new Astro over on my YouTube channel. Please subscribe!
#3 – Fire TV Cube with Alexa
A Fire TV stick and Echo smart speaker smashed into one, the Amazon Fire TV Cube lets you control your entertainment experience using Alexa. Trust me when I say this would make an excellent Amazon Echo gift for any binge-watcher or a streaming junkie (like me).
I love using my voice to turn on/off the TV, open apps like Netflix and YouTube, and play, pause, rewind, and fast-forward my favorite content. Best of all, the new Fire TV 3rd Gen’s design upgrades make Alexa in the Cube more responsive than the 2nd Gen Cube.
Here’s an aerial view of my Fire TV Cube sitting atop my soundbar. Please pardon my dust!
My Fire TV Cube (2nd Gen)
With Alexa built onboard the Cube, a trip to the Amazon Cloud is no longer required for basic commands. This means common Alexa commands like turning on the TV and tuning to your favorite shows and channels are executed fast. For example, you can just say, “Alexa, Play Squid Game.” And she will fire up Netflix where you last left off with that show instantly.
You can also use Alexa Fire TV voice commands to navigate around and show specific seasons and programs from which you can select a show. Just say, “Alexa, Show me all the Seasons of Iron Fist.” “Alexa, Scroll left.” “Alexa, Pick Episode 5.” This thing is just awesome.
Here’s a video of my unboxing the Fire TV Cube over on my Tec Timmy YouTube channel.
#4 – All-New Amazon Echo Show 21/15
The Amazon Echo Show 15 is no ordinary smart display. It may not look like it, but it packs all of the features of the Amazon Echo Show devices, plus a few new goodies that Amazon display owners have been wanting for a while.
As its name suggests, it’s a 15.6-inch touchscreen with Alexa capabilities. You can mount it on a wall or set it up using a rotatable stand on your kitchen counter. The gem inside this piece of hardware is its AZ2 Neural Edge processor, a custom chip designed specifically for Amazon that allows the Echo Show 15 to process voice commands with ease. I love that you can rotate the display to either landscape or portrait mode.
The Echo Show 15 also acts as an entertainment and smart home hub allowing you to organize shopping lists, appointments, and security cam footage. All of this can be customized using the new “widgets” capability. Oh, and with the ability to watch Netflix, Hulu, YouTube videos, and live TV, it also makes a nice alternative to your kitchen TV.
If you are torn between this and the Echo Show 10 like me, check out this post I wrote comparing the Echo Show 15 vs 10. I think I decided I am getting both devices. LOL.
Please Subscribe to my TecTimmy YouTube Channel
#5 – Echo Studio
The Echo Studio is Amazon’s best-sounding speaker yet. I love my Echo Studio and the audio depth it adds to my multi-room music configuration. This bad boy packs in a ton of audio hardware that includes three mid-range speakers, a one-inch speaker, and a five and quarter-inch subwoofer at the base of the device. The Studio fires sound in all directions to fill even a large room with robust three-dimensional sound.
📚 Related: Echo Studio Vs Echo Sub
The speaker is, of course, also a voice assistant with full Alexa capability, but Amazon designed this for the audiophile. If you are nuts about listening to music or creating an immersive surround sound experience with your home theater setup, the Echo Studio is for you. For home theater, Amazon suggests combining two Echo Studios with an Echo Sub for the ultimate in home-entertainment audio.
TecTimmy gave their impressions of the Echo Studio in this helpful review.
OK! On to #6 in my list of best Echo device gifts this year. I don’t think this next one will surprise you.
#6 – Echo Sub
Next on our list of best Amazon Echo device gifts is the Amazon Echo Sub Subwoofer. I can attest to the fact that this would make a great gift for any music lover on your list.
Perhaps the best compliment to the other audio devices in the Echo family, the Echo Sub will let you significantly update the sound of your Echo devices. How? This little beast of a subwoofer provides the powerful, deep room-filling-bass capability. Moreover, it will work with existing Alexa speakers so you can provide a surround-sound or multi-room audio experience.
In other words, this ‘mini ottoman’ gives Alexa some serious bass.
While a few have complained about the looks, I just don’t get it. This is about as attractive a sub-woofer gets, and it is definitely better-looking than the boxy sub-woofers that come with most soundbars. If you are interested in comparing this with additional subwoofers, don’t miss my review of Echo Sub Vs Sonos Sub Vs Bose Sub.
If you want to see it in action, check out this Digital Trends video review here:
Amazon Echo Device Gifts: #7-12
This post is so big I couldn’t possibly cram all of those devices into a single table! Read on for my next seven Echo device gift faves that you can get from Amazon this year.
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#7 – Amazon Echo 4th Generation
With the new Amazon Echo 4th Gen, Amazon has built a better mousetrap. First, I’ll state the obvious: the new Echo sports Amazon’s revamped circular design. It features better premium speaker hardware and a more advanced upward-firing speaker configuration, including a 3.0″ woofer and dual front-firing 0.8″ tweeters.
This Echo includes a 3.5 mm line in/out if you want to hook it up to a surround sound configuration or an external speaker setup. The net result is a dramatically better audio experience.
It even includes a built-in Zigbee smart home hub to control compatible devices without requiring a separate hub. This is a boon for those running multiple Zigbee devices, including Phillips Hue smart bulbs, some of which require a hub. This is truly a brilliant upgrade, in my opinion, that will make a great gift for anyone on your list.
📚 Related: Echo 4th Gen vs Echo Plus 2
#8 – Echo Show 8
Coming in at number eight on my list of best Amazon Echo device gifts is, you guessed it,the Echo Show 8.
Amazon released the latest 2nd Generation Echo Show 8, which provided not much in the way of design changes but some nice hardware upgrades over the 1st-gen model released in 2019. The newer Show 8 has an 8-core MediaTek processor vs a 4-core with the previous generation.
It also has a much-improved 13MP vs 5MP camera with pan and zoom capability. While it doesn’t have the same robotic ability to follow you around the room as the Echo Show 10. The pan and zoom capability will let you check up on things from your smartphone or tablet, which is a nice addition.
The 2021 Show is also made from recyclable materials, following Amazon’s drive to be more eco-friendly. I’m a fan of that. If you are interested in learning more about the differences, check out my full post comparing Echo Show 8 2021 vs 2019.
#9 – Echo Auto
Amazon’s Echo Auto brings the power of Alexa to your car. Before I got this handy little gadget, I used to think if I had $10 for every time I wished I could talk to Alexa in my car, I would be rich.
I do some of my best thinking in my car, so it would be great to be able to ask Alexa to take notes, send an email or text, update my to-do lists, etc. I also strongly prefer Alexa to Siri, which has improved, but I prefer Alexa for the basics, like checking the weather or making calls.
If you have an Alexa fan in your life who doesn’t already own this little gadget, do them a favor and give them the gift of Echo Auto.
With eight microphones designed for in-car acoustics, Echo Auto can hear them over music, air conditioning, outside weather, and road noise. As I documented in my early review of Echo Auto, I am a big fan and have been loving Alexa in my car.
In addition to the more traditional ways you use Echo, you can also:
Even cooler, you could set location-based routines. These are automated actions Alexa can start when you leave the office or get home (i.e., open the garage door, turn on outside/inside lights, and unlock the front door.
Here’s another shout-out to tw HomeShow for the helpful Echo Auto video.
📚 Related: Echo Auto 2nd Gen Vs 1st Gen
#10 – Echo Dot with Clock
Next on my list of the best Amazon Echo device gifts is the Echo Dot 5th Generation with Clock. When first hearing about the new 5th Gen release, I wondered how Amazon will improve on its most popular smart speaker.
They put a cool LED clock under the fabric and made it sound better. The larger, rounder design change is a bit less subtle. But I still like the 4th gen model with the bright clock display, which could make a nice addition to your bed stand or perhaps even your favorite side or coffee table.
Additional improvements are similar to other 4th-gen Amazon Echo improvements discussed previously, including a more advanced audio setup for better sound and a better chipset to make Alexa more responsive. New color options include Twilight Blue and Glacier White. I think I am partial to the blue one (pictured above).
Here is a nice video review on the Dot from Craig Paulsen of Craig’s Tech Talk:
#11 – Echo Dot Kids Edition
Like the Echo and Echo Dot, the latest Echo Dot Kids Edition features a spherical design, updated hardware, and better sound. Available in two playful new design choices (Owl and Dragon), Dot Kids is an ideal gift for any youngster on your list. “Designed with kids in mind,” the Dot Kids Edition features a host of kid-friendly content and skills. Pair it with an Amazon FreeTime Unlimited subscription (a free trial comes with the Kids Dot), and you open up a whole world of content for the kiddos.
This includes 20,000 kid-friendly books, educational apps, games, movies, and many fan favorites from Disney and Nickelodeon. The Dot Kids edition has parental controls that enable parents to set daily time limits and monitor activity. The new Dot Kids also includes a longer two-year warranty. This can be useful if your kid decides to use it for a ball game or worse.
Amazon does a great job covering the benefits of the Kids Edition over the other Echo devices on its product page (link above).
There is also a new Kids Edition of the Echo Show. I’ll include a product box to that below.
If you want even more gift ideas for kids, check out this article I wrote on some of the best Alexa device gifts for kids.
#12 – Echo Buds Wireless Earbuds
Take that Apple Airpods! [Or is it Earpods?] Whatever…Amazon just upped the ante with its earbuds, the Amazon Echo Buds. Yes, they include hands-free voice control of your favorite tunes with none other than everyone’s favorite assistant, Alexa.
The buds feature Amazon’s premium speaker drivers with Bose Active Noise Reduction technology to limit background noise. A feature I love is that they built in the ability to temporarily turn off the noise reduction to let sound pass through to your ears. This is a great safety feature for commuters or anyone using the buds. The stylish-looking Echo Buds also pack in some solid battery life, with up to five hours of music playback per charge.
There is also a “quick charge” feature that gives you two hours with a 15-minute charge. Amazon says the buds are sweat-resistant and exercise-ready. I recently had mine stolen at my gym so I ordered another pair.
For those concerned about privacy, Amazon has built-in “multiple layers of privacy protections and controls.” This includes the ability to mute the mics with the Alexa app.
Amazon Echo Device Gifts: #13-17
OK, last but certainly not least, I have even more gems, including an Alexa device that you wear on your face! So be sure to read until the end – you don’t want to miss that one!
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#13 – Echo Wall Clock
The Amazon Echo Wall Clock was the butt of a few jokes when its debuted a while back. Some have even said that its initial mediocre launch is what led to Amazon’s ‘Alexa Fails’ commercial (yes, the one Han Solo and his Alexa dog collar and Forrest Whittaker with an Alexa toothbrush).
Say what you want about the wall clock, but I have one hanging on my kitchen wall and like it. Here’s what it looks like hanging over my stove.
My Echo Wall Clock
No, it doesn’t put full-blown Alexa on your kitchen wall. What it does do is let you set and see timers visually with the clock and your Alexa device. And that’s about it where Alexa is concerned. It will auto-adjust for daylight savings time, and the clock is stylish and inexpensive enough that it makes a super gift.
Stu’s Reviews does a nice job with his review of the Amazon Wall Clock:
#14. Amazon Echo Show 5
The Echo Show 5 is essentially a smaller version of Show 8. The ‘8’ and the ‘5’ indicate screen size (eight and five inches diagonal, respectively). My favorite of the smart screens with Alexa is the Echo Show 10, which has an even larger 10″ screen.
The Echo Show 5 includes the camera shutter for added privacy controls and has all of the newer audio components of the Echo Show 8. Like Show 8, Amazon released an upgrade the Show 5 in 2021.
The main improvement of the newer second-generation Show 5 is a better camera at 2MP vs 1MP on the previous 2019 model. There is also an additional color choice (Blue), and the Kids Edition mentioned previously. If you want to compare the new and older, Show 5s, check out this post I just wrote comparing Echo Show 5 2021 Vs 2019.
#15 – Echo Glow
The Echo Glow is Amazon’s answer to similar colorful accent lighting from Philips Hue and others. However, it has one major added benefit lacking in the competition. You guessed it! The Echo Glow has some pretty ‘bright’ Alexa skills. Once you pair it with any Echo device, you can adjust color, brightness, and also create helpful routines using Alexa.
For example, you can set a morning routine that automatically slowly adjusts the lamp brightness as you (I mean your child!) are waking up.
You can also set rainbow timers for certain events – like bedtime, wake-up time, dinner, etc. The rainbow timer will cycle the lamp’s colors. Pretty neat. Amazon is selling this as an advanced nightlight for kids, BUT I totally want this for ME! If you want to see some additional accent lighting options for adults, check out this post I wrote comparing Philips Hue Play vs Bloom vs Go vs Iris.
#16 – Amazon Echo Pop
The Echo Pop is a compact smart speaker with Alexa that delivers impressive sound in small spaces. It seamlessly blends into any environment while standing out with its powerful performance.
Controlling music is effortless with the Echo Pop. I can ask Alexa to play my favorite songs, audiobooks, and podcasts from popular providers like Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, and more. Its Bluetooth connectivity allows for easy streaming throughout my space.
Transforming my space into a smart home is simple with the Echo Pop. I can control compatible smart devices, such as plugs and lights, using my voice or the Alexa App. Alexa also assists with daily tasks like setting timers, checking the weather, making calls, and answering questions.
If you prioritize sound quality, I recommend considering the Echo Dot. The Echo Dot offers superior audio performance while still providing the convenience of Alexa. It’s an excellent choice for those seeking a more immersive sound experience.
Here is what the 2nd Gen looked like on my counter (before me replacing it with Show 10):
My Echo Show 2nd Gen
Check out this excellent video review of the Echo Pop from Automate Your Life:
#17- Echo Frames
I got a first look at the new 2nd-Gen Amazon Echo Frames at my local Amazon store, and I’m here to say it’s a “good look.” These seem to be a vast improvement over the “Day 1” version of the frames (designed for early adopters) previously released.
The frames have Alexa built-in so you can pretty much take her anywhere. Swipe along the side of the frame to issue commands aloud, and Alexa will reply from the frames and send audio backward toward your ears. Wow, talk about futuristic. There is plenty of privacy built-in so that you can lower the volume, mute the mic, etc. I think the new 2nd gen frames look pretty stylish too.
Here is a nice review from Brian of the Day 1 version over at Amazon Alexa. Looking sharp, Brian!
My understanding is that the updated 2nd-Gen frames were made via an Amazon partnership with Burberry there are a few different design choices so they look even nicer and are easier to set up. You can see the latest models over at Amazon at the link above. Also, Amazon has added support for iOS in addition to Android.
Alexa, Alexa Everywhere
Wired, CNET, The Verge, CNBC, and the New York Times have all weighed in with very favorable reviews about the new Alexa devices so far.
And the momentum still seems to be building.
My crush aside, I really am a huge Alexa fan, so it’s kind of exciting. Sorry, Apple and Google.
Best of all?
Many of these products are generally more affordable and are now within reach for many consumers.
Best Amazon Echo Device Gifts – Your Turn
We hope you liked my review of the best Amazon Echo device gifts.
If you did, would you mind sharing it using the social media links at the top or bottom of this post?
Do you agree that this will be another banner year for Alexa? Which Alexa device is your favorite?
Do you have a crush on Alexa too ❤️?
Please leave a comment below and let me know.
Related Links
If you enjoyed this article, you might also like:
- Best Amazon Device Gifts for Kids
- Echo Studio vs Echo Plus: Which Speaker Is Better?
- Echo Dot Kids Vs Echo Dot
- Best Alexa Outdoor Speakers
- Echo Show 10 Vs 15
- Echo Dot 5th Gen Vs 4th Gen: a Big Orb Update
Tim Brennan, a tech blogger and host of the @TecTimmy YouTube channel, writes about smart homes at oneSmartcrib, home theaters at UniversalRemoteReviews, and AI in writing at Writeinteractive. He holds a Journalism degree from Northeastern University and has covered technology for three decades. He lives on the ocean in Nahant, Massachusetts.
Please subscribe to my YouTube channel for a fun take on all things tech.