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Deal.ai › Compare

Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) vs Amazon Echo Dot Max

Buy the Echo Dot Max if sound quality and smart home control matter to you. It has a two-way speaker with a dedicated tweeter and woofer, a built-in smart home hub, Wi-Fi 6E, eero coverage and presence and temperature sensors. The 5th Gen Dot is smaller, lighter and the better pick for a bedroom, a kitchen counter or a second room where you mainly want Alexa and basic music. Owners rate the Dot Max highly for its fuller sound and hub, while Dot owners value its low-key size and the 3.5 mm jack for wired output.

  • Choose the Echo Dot (5th Gen) if you want a small, simple Alexa speaker for a nightstand or a second room and don't need a hub or room-filling sound.
  • Choose the Echo Dot Max if you want fuller sound, a built-in smart home hub and presence and temperature sensing in one device.

Prices

  • Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen): $79.99 at Amazon (last seen Nov 13)
  • Amazon Echo Dot Max: $79.99 at RELYmedia (last seen Nov 10)
  • Difference: both cost the same at the latest prices (Nov 10 and Nov 13)
Amazon
Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen, 2022 Release) Smart Speaker with Alexa

Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)

Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen, 2022 Release) Smart Speaker with Alexa

$79.99at AmazonChecked Nov 13
See all prices and details
Visit Amazon

Store links may earn us a commission. As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

Pros
  • Small and light, easy to place or move
  • 3.5 mm jack for wired audio output
  • Microphone-off button for privacy
  • Handles music, timers, reminders and smart home voice control
Cons
  • Single full-range speaker with limited bass
  • No built-in smart home hub
  • No presence, light or temperature sensors
  • Older Wi-Fi standard
Amazon
Amazon Echo Dot Max

Amazon Echo Dot Max

5(299 ratings)
$79.99at RELYmediaChecked Nov 10
See all prices and details
Visit RELYmedia
Pros
  • Two-way speaker with a tweeter and woofer for fuller sound
  • Built-in smart home hub and Sidewalk support
  • Presence, light and temperature sensors for automations
  • Wi-Fi 6E and eero coverage up to 1,000 sq. ft.
  • Pair two units for stereo sound
Cons
  • No 3.5 mm audio jack
  • Larger and heavier than the standard Dot
  • Alexa+ needs Prime or a subscription
  • Costs more than the standard Dot

What separates them

Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)Amazon Echo Dot Max
Speaker driversOne 1.73-inch full-range speaker0.8-inch tweeter plus 2.5-inch woofer, two-way mono
Frequency rangeTuned for clear vocals and modest bassReaches down to 53 Hz for deeper bass
Smart home hubControls devices over Wi-Fi, no built-in hubBuilt-in hub plus Amazon Sidewalk
SensorsMicrophone only, with a mic-off buttonAmbient temperature, light, presence detection and accelerometer
Wi-Fi and networkingWi-Fi 5, no eero supportWi-Fi 6E, extends eero coverage up to 1,000 sq. ft.
Wired audio out3.5 mm jack for headphones or a speakerNo 3.5 mm jack
Size and weightCompact and light, easy to move room to roomAbout 4.27 inches wide and 1.11 lb, larger footprint
Alexa featuresStandard Alexa voice controlBuilt for Alexa+, which needs Prime or the Alexa+ Standard plan

Price history

$119.99$79.99
Nov 10Nov 13
  • Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen): lowest $79.99 on Nov 13 at Amazon.
  • Amazon Echo Dot Max: lowest $79.99 on Nov 10 at RELYmedia; $119.99 on Nov 12.

Prices at every store

Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)

  • McGrocerNew

    In stock

    $123.65+ $74.08 shippingChecked Nov 13
    Visit McGrocer
  • ExecutiveAdvertising.comNew

    In stock

    $250.53+ $76.00 shippingChecked Nov 13
    Visit ExecutiveAdvertising.com
  • PoshmarkPre-owned

    Availability unknown

    $35.00+ $6.49 shippingChecked Nov 13
    Visit Poshmark
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $79.99Free shippingChecked Nov 13
    Visit Amazon

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 4 stores and price history →

Amazon Echo Dot Max

  • RELYmediaNew

    In stock

    $79.99Checked Nov 10
    Visit RELYmedia
  • Best BuyNew

    In stock

    $119.99Free shippingChecked Nov 12
    Visit Best Buy
  • TargetNew

    In stock

    $119.99Checked Nov 10
    Visit Target
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $119.99Free shippingChecked Nov 12
    Visit Amazon

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

All 14 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecAmazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)Amazon Echo Dot Max
Size—4.27” x 4.27” x 3.9” (108.7mm x 108.7mm x 99.1m…
Weight—505.3gms 1.11lbs 17.82 Oz
Audio bandwidth—53 Hz - 16 kHz (volume 6)
Speaker drivers—1x 0.8” tweeter, 1x 2.5” woofer
Playback channels—Two-way mono
Audio processing—Lossless High Definition, Automatic Room Adapta…
Wifi connectivity—1x1 Wi-Fi 6E 11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth wireles…
Processor—AZ3 with AI Accelerator
Smart home hub—Amazon Sidewalk
Sensors—Ambient temperature sensor, Ambient light senso…
eero coverage—up to 1,000 sq. ft.
eero speeds—up to 100 Mbps
Show all 16 specsShow fewer specs
SpecAmazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)Amazon Echo Dot Max
Color—Gray
Assistant Support—Amazon Alexa
Smart Functions—Voice Control
Connectivity—Bluetooth, Wi-Fi

What reviewers say

Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)

Owners generally rate the 5th Gen Dot as a solid small speaker and a cheap way into Alexa. Most praise the improved sound over older Dots and the reliable voice control; the common complaints are modest bass and occasional misheard commands.

What people mention
  • Sound qualityPraisedOwners say vocals are clear and bass is fuller than on earlier Dots.
  • BassMixedSome find the low end thin once the volume goes up.
  • Voice controlPraisedAlexa responds reliably for timers, music and smart home commands.
  • SetupPraisedBuyers describe getting it on Wi-Fi and linked to Alexa as quick.

Amazon Echo Dot Max

  • 5 / 5299 ratings

Owners rate it highly for its improved sound and built-in hub, though some note the subscription requirement for Alexa+ and its larger size.

What people mention
  • Sound qualityPraisedReviewers say it sounds much fuller and louder than the standard Echo Dot, with deep bass and clear vocals.
  • SetupPraisedOwners find setup quick and easy, with the built-in hub simplifying smart home connections.
  • SubscriptionCriticised
Reviews
  • Best Smart Speakers - Product Finder | Tom's Guide - Product Finder

Questions and answers

Which sounds better, the Echo Dot Max or the Echo Dot 5th Gen?
The Dot Max. Its separate tweeter and woofer and lower frequency range give it deeper bass and clearer separation than the single full-range speaker in the 5th Gen Dot.
Do I need a separate hub for smart home devices with the Dot Max?
No. The Dot Max has a built-in smart home hub and Sidewalk support, so it can control compatible lights, locks and plugs without extra hardware. The 5th Gen Dot relies on Wi-Fi devices and needs a hub for some protocols.
Which is better for a bedroom?
The 5th Gen Dot. It is smaller, lighter and has a microphone-off button, and its sound is enough for a bedside. The Dot Max suits a living room or kitchen where fuller sound and sensors matter.
Does the Echo Dot Max work without a Prime membership?
Yes for standard Alexa. Alexa+, the more conversational assistant the Dot Max is built for, needs Prime or the Alexa+ Standard plan.
Can I use the Echo Dot 5th Gen with wired speakers?
Yes. It has a 3.5 mm output jack for headphones or a powered speaker. The Dot Max has no audio jack, so it plays only through its own drivers or a paired Echo.
Is the Dot Max worth stepping up to?
If you want better music, a built-in hub and presence-based routines in one device, yes. If you mainly want Alexa for timers, weather and light control in a small room, the 5th Gen Dot covers it.

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More comparisons

  • Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen, 2022 Release) Smart Speaker with Alexa vs Amazon Echo Dot
  • Amazon Echo Dot Max vs Amazon Echo Dot
Some users are unhappy that Alexa+ features require a Prime or separate subscription.
  • SizeMixedWhile the larger size enables better sound, some find it bulky compared to the standard Echo Dot.