Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Gen) With Clock Review
This smart speaker from Amazon can display the time, acting as an alarm clock as well as a timer.
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Last Updated on May 15, 2024
What We Like
- Over 100,000 skills available: Alexa is the most popular voice assistant as well as the voice assistant with the most skills.
- Shopping: Most people prefer to shop online through Amazon, easily done through the Amazon Echo Dot with Clock.
- Affordable: At only about $50, the Amazon Echo Dot with Clock certainly doesn’t break the bank unlike some smart speakers and displays I can think of.
What We Don't Like
- No screen: You won’t be able to watch movies and TV or video chat with the Amazon Echo Dot with Clock.
- Only available in one color: Unfortunately, the third generation Amazon Echo Dot with Clock is only available in light gray, but the latest iteration comes in glacier white and twilight blue.
- Plug-in: Some people may not want a smart speaker with a power cord.
Bottom Line
A smart speaker and alarm clock in one, this $50 device from Amazon works with over 100,000 Alexa skills. We loved ordering from Amazon and playing music using our voices alone!Editor’s Note: Since we last bought an Amazon Echo Dot, Amazon has come out with a new generation of smart devices. The 5th Gen. Amazon Echo Dot is similar, although this one has an orb-like shape and is slightly bigger overall. But, it doesn’t have an aux plug anymore which means you need to connect to it over Bluetooth. We really like the new clock design though.
It has been almost a decade since the cylindrical smart speaker now popularly known as the Amazon Echo hit the shelves. Now, Alexa – the voice assistant that powers the Amazon Echo – is available through many different devices, large and small. And if you’re looking for something minimalistic but functional, the Echo Dot with Clock is a great option.
Today, we’re taking a closer look at the Echo Dot with Clock. With a design adopted from the Echo Dot – a mini version of the Amazon Echo – and a built-in LED clock display, the Echo Dot with Clock can be a great addition to your nightstand or office desk. So let’s take a closer look at its features and what it can do.
Pros and Cons
What We Like
- Affordable
- Clock, temperature or timer display
- Alexa
What We Don’t Like
- Plug-in
- No screen
- Currently only available used from third-party sellers, so no guaranteed price
Video Review
A Short Guide To Echo Dot with Clock Versions
As you can see in the video review above, we tested the third generation Echo Dot with Clock, but here’s where it gets a little confusing: That was the first Echo Dot with Clock to actually hit the shelves.
The Echo Dot with Clock shares the same hardware design as the Echo Dot, and the Echo Dot has had different versions throughout the years. This particular Echo Dot with Clock we tested takes its design from the third-generation Echo Dot. So technically, it’s a third-gen Echo Dot but with a built-in LED clock display.
Now, the third-gen Echo Dot has been phased out; the currently available versions are the fourth and fifth generation Echo Dots, both of which have a ball-like design (instead of the puck-shaped third-gen Echo Dot). Both also come with a “with Clock” version.
The clock features didn’t actually change, so the upgrades were to the Echo Dot speaker and capabilities.
With all that being said, let’s take a look at what an Echo Dot with Clock can do.
Amazon Echo Dot With Clock Design
If you’re already familiar with the third-gen Amazon Echo Dot, then the Amazon Echo Dot with Clock won’t be hard to imagine. Basically, it looks exactly the same as the gray smart speaker, with a diameter of 3.9 inches, a height of 1.7 and a 1.6-inch speaker, but with an LED clock on the side. If you want something with an even smaller profile, check out our review of the Amazon Echo Flex.
Now, aside from the time of day, you can also have the clock show you the temperature as well as a timer countdown. That way, you don’t have to ask Alexa or touch any device to get this information. And to hit snooze on those mornings where you just can’t get out of bed, simply tap the top of the Amazon Echo Dot with Clock to catch a few more minutes of zzz’s.
The Amazon Echo Dot with Clock also has a ring of light around the top, which actually adjusts automatically based on the brightness of the number display. Like I said earlier, the Amazon Echo Dot with Clock needs to be plugged into power and comes with a power adapter. It’ll connect to your mobile devices over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. When it comes to privacy, I like that Amazon included a button to turn the Amazon Echo Dot with Clock’s microphone off so that the device can’t listen for its wake word. After all, we all need privacy at some point or another!
When it comes to functionality and features, the third-gen Echo Dot with Clock we tested isn’t much different from the fourth-gen. I’d say the biggest difference is the shape — the third-gen looks like a giant macaron, while the fourth-gen is spherical. Other than that, they’re identical, so feel free to choose based on your preference.
Amazon Echo Dot With Clock Features
Of course, the Amazon Echo Dot with Clock is more than just a clock. You also get access to over 100,000 Alexa skills simply by saying the wake word “Alexa”. You can also use it to control other connected devices from a number of different smart home brands. Let’s get into specifics.
Music
At its core, the Amazon Echo Dot with Clock is a smart speaker, connecting to music, audiobook, and podcasting apps like:
- Amazon Music
- Apple Music
- Spotify
- Pandora
- Audible
If you use any of these applications, you can play audiobooks, songs or podcasts simply by telling Alexa what you want to hear.
Shopping
Now, this aspect of the Amazon Echo Dot with Clock may be a bit dangerous for your bank account, as you’ll be able to shop on Amazon using your voice alone. However, I can see this making for an easier shopping experience than if you had to go on the website.
Cooking
If you keep your Amazon Echo Dot with Clock in the kitchen, you’ll love using it to help make your delicious food. Aside from using the Dot’s display to set times, you can also have Alexa convert measurements, look up recipes from Allrecipes and read them to you step-by-step, buy an ingredient for you, and more. If you’re not much of a cook, you can use the Amazon Echo Dot with Clock to order food through Seamless or make reservations on OpenTable. Basically, if it’s food-related, your Amazon Echo Dot with Clock can be a huge help.
Amazon Echo Dot With Clock Setup
Setting up the Amazon Echo Dot with Clock was really easy. I already had the Alexa app downloaded, and once I plugged in the Dot, the app immediately recognized it and asked me if I’d like to set it up. After connecting it to my home’s Wi-Fi, I customized a few settings, like the device’s location, and I was done! The entire process shouldn’t take more than a few minutes.
If it’s your first time setting up an Alexa device, though, you’ll need to follow the steps outlined in the user manual. Don’t worry, it’s not that hard. You’ll only need a smartphone with the Alexa app installed and an Amazon account login. The app will pretty much detect the Echo Dot with Clock automatically once it’s plugged in and booted up.
Amazon Customer Support
We all need help with our technology at one point or another. If that’s the case with your Amazon Echo Dot with Clock, then you can check out Amazon’s online help center, submit a request, or call them on the phone. Now, the Amazon Echo Dot with Clock currently has a 4.6 rating on Amazon, but I want to look specifically at customer support.
Out of 81 reviews that mentioned customer support specifically, only 30 were positive, a little less than 40%. It seems like many people who had issues with their devices were disappointed by the help they received. Gerald Fontenot wrote in a recent one-star, mixed review,
“Customer support is lacking for this device. They run you around in circles and a little reluctant to admit the unit might be defective and reluctant to refund. But they will. Most features work well.”
Despite this review, I’m encouraged by the device’s overall rating, as most people didn’t have problems with their Amazon Echo Dot with Clock.
Our Echo Dot with Clock Research and Data
The following is the data and research conducted for this review by our industry-experts. Learn More.
Encryption
| In Transit | Yes |
|---|---|
| At rest? | Yes |
| All network communications and capabilities? | Yes |
Security Updates
| Automatic, regular software/ firmware updates? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Product available to use during updates? | Yes |
Passwords
| Mandatory password? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Two-Factor authentication? | Yes |
| Multi-Factor authentication? | Yes |
Vulnerability Management
| Point of contact for reporting vulnerabilities? | Submit a report |
|---|---|
| Bug bounty program? | Yes |
Privacy Policy
| Link | https://www.alexa.com/help/privacy |
|---|---|
| Specific to device? | No |
| Readable? | Yes |
| What data they log | Name, address, email, country, nickname, telephone number, website, company, job title, credit card information, IP address, URL clickstream, browser information, operating system, toolbar service, cookies, web pages visited |
| What data they don’t log | n/a |
| Can you delete your data? | Yes |
| Third-party sharing policies | Shares information with third parties. |
Surveillance
| Log camera device/ app footage | No |
|---|---|
| Log microphone device/ app | Yes |
| Location tracking device/ app | No |
Parental Controls
| Are there parental controls? | No |
|---|
Company History
| Any security breaches/ surveillance issues in past? | Not the Echo Dot specifically, but other Alexa products |
|---|---|
| Did they do anything to fix it? | n/a |
Additional Security Features
| Anything like privacy shutters, privacy zones, etc.? | No |
|---|
Recap of the Amazon Echo Dot With Clock
Overall, I think the Amazon Echo Dot with Clock would be a great addition to your smart home, or if you lack any IoT devices whatsoever, a fantastic start. However, it’s not for everybody so let me break down who I think it would be good for.
I’d buy the Amazon Echo Dot with Clock if you’d like…
- Low price: For $49.99 (older versions are cheaper), the Amazon Echo Dot with Clock is a cheap way to start or add to your smart home ecosystem.
- Shopping on Amazon: The most popular e-commerce website of all time, it’s no surprise that the Amazon Echo Dot with Clock works with Amazon.
- LED display: See the time, temperature, or the time left on your timer on the Amazon Echo Dot with Clock’s LED display.
But avoid it if you want a smart speaker with…
- Screen: Unfortunately, the Amazon Echo Dot with Clock is limited when it comes to watching movies or TV shows.
- Color options: The Amazon Echo Dot with Clock is only available in Sandstone, unlike the regular Echo Dot.
- Wireless device: You’ll need to plug the Amazon Echo Dot with Clock into an outlet.
That’s it from me! If you want to be in the Amazon ecosystem but don’t think the Amazon Echo Dot with Clock is right for you, check out my review of the Amazon Echo Show. And if you’re interested in making your home safer as well, check out the Ring Stick Up Cam Battery. It’s a security camera that works fantastically with Alexa’s smart devices. Or, check out our roundup of the best home security systems that work with Alexa for complete home security solutions.
Amazon Echo Dot with Clock FAQs
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Does the Amazon Echo Dot work as an alarm clock?
Yes, the Amazon Echo Dot with Clock works as an alarm clock, display the time in LED lights on it’s face. You can set an alarm by asking Alexa.
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Is the Amazon Echo a good alarm clock?
I would recommend the Amazon Echo Dot with Clock as an alarm clock as you can set your alarm using your voice alone and see the time on it’s LED display.
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What’s the difference between the Amazon Echo Dot generations?
Most of the generations of the Amazon Echo Dot are similar. We generally recommend getting the latest generation as it will be supported by Amazon for the longest.
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Is an Amazon or Google voice assistant better?
Instead of choosing a platform based on the voice assistant, we actually recommend choosing a platform based on the smart devices it can connect to natively. So, if you like Nest cameras a lot, we’d suggest a Google voice assistant. But, if you prefer Ring cameras, we’d suggest an Amazon voice assistant. Basically, whichever platform you’re already bought into, we recommend you stick with.
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Why is the Amazon Echo Dot so cheap?
As the center of your smart home, most people expect to spend over $100 on a device like the Amazon Echo Dot. But, they’re always under $50 and sometimes go under $25 during good sales. We’re not sure exactly how they’re so cheap other than to get you into the Amazon ‘echosystem’ which encourages you to buy other Amazon devices.