The 7 best Amazon Echo devices to shop during Black Friday
Amazon’s Echo devices have solidified their place as the central hub of smart home technology, offering a versatile range of functionalities that cater to various needs. These devices, which include the Echo Dot, Echo Show, and Echo Studio, are equipped with Amazon’s AI assistant, Alexa, enabling users to play music, manage their calendars, and control other smart devices effortlessly. With the recent introduction of Alexa+, a premium version of the assistant, Echo devices have become even more powerful, allowing for more interactive and engaging conversations. Alexa+ is available to Prime subscribers at no additional cost, while non-subscribers can access it for a monthly fee, providing enhanced capabilities such as personalized reminders, recipe assistance, and even the ability to book restaurant reservations.
As the demand for smart home technology continues to grow, Amazon’s Echo lineup is expanding, with new devices like the Echo Dot Max and the refreshed Echo Studio set to debut in 2025. However, significant changes are also on the horizon for existing users. Starting March 28, 2025, the “Do Not Send Voice Recordings” feature will be discontinued, meaning all voice requests will be processed through Amazon’s servers. While Amazon assures users that their data is secure and encrypted, this shift raises concerns about privacy and data access. Echo devices have proven to be more than just smart speakers; they serve as multifunctional tools that can enhance daily life, whether at home or on the go.
For those considering investing in Amazon’s smart home ecosystem, timing is crucial. With major sales events like Prime Day and Black Friday offering significant discounts—up to 73% off on devices like the Echo Dot and Echo Pop—it’s wise to wait for these opportunities to purchase. As Black Friday approaches on November 28, 2025, consumers can expect to see historically low prices on Echo devices, making it an ideal time to enhance their smart home setup. With over 100,000 Alexa skills available and continuous updates, Amazon’s Echo devices remain at the forefront of smart technology, making them an essential addition to modern households.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNNGUeXs_0o
Among Amazon’s flagship gadgets, like
Kindles
and
Fire TVs,
Echos are the star of the show. These multitasking
smart home
devices do a little bit of everything in nearly every room in the house. (Plus, with this year’s rollout of
Alexa+
, they’re now supercharged with extra AI features.) Whether you need a smart speaker, alarm clock, or hub for your other smart devices, there’s an Echo to help you out. Amazon’s list of devices is ever-growing, so we’ve tested them to find the best Echo devices for your smart home.
If you’re ready to invest in an Echo, you don’t need to buy these devices at full price. They always go on sale during events like
Prime Day
and
Black Friday
. This past Prime Day, we saw
Echo discounts
of up to 73% off devices like the
Pop
,
Dot
, and
Spot
. So, if you are going to buy an Amazon smart home device, it’s worth holding out until the
next sale
.
And luckily, the next sale is almost here. Black Friday is coming Nov. 28, 2025, and we expect to see devices hit their all-time low prices. Last year, the Echo Dot dropped down to $22.99 and the Echo Pop fell to $17.99.
New Echos in 2025
On Sept. 30, 2025, Amazon debuted several new Echo devices. We’ve yet to test the new Amazon Echo Dot Max or the refreshed Echo Studio, however, once we’ve completed testing, we’ll add them to this guide.
Changes to existing Echo devices in 2025
For existing Echo owners, or those looking to become ones, a
major change
happened in 2025 that affects user privacy. Amazon sent out an email to users saying the “Do Not Send Voice Recordings” feature on the device will no longer be available as of March 28, 2025. But what does that mean?
Previously, the “Do Not Send Voice Recordings” setting allowed the devices to process requests locally without sending them to Amazon servers. However, with that setting no longer supported, all requests will now go through Amazon servers. Plus, if you do have that setting turned on after the change goes into effect, you’ll lose access to the Voice ID feature as well.
While Amazon promises that all information requests are encrypted and secure, it still means that the retailer has access to all of that data.
What can an Echo smart speaker do?
Trying out the new Echo Spot smart alarm clock.
Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable
All
Echo devices
utilize Amazon Alexa’s
AI
superpowers — it’s just a matter of which form you want your Echo to take. The
Echo and Echo Dot
are smart speakers that you can use for music, phone calls, calendar reminders, or news alerts. Amazon Echo Show devices, on the other hand, can do all of the aforementioned audio stuff, but they also boast colorful displays for making video calls, streaming entertainment, or managing your day. Think of Echo Shows as stationary, more affordable tablets, essentially.
Most Echo devices are designed to act as smart hubs within your home, but some Echo devices can also be taken on the road. Echo Auto brings hands-free Alexa functionality to the car, while Echo Buds and Echo Frames can travel with you anywhere.
What can Alexa+ do?
Alexa is to Amazon as Siri is to Apple, and is the driving force behind every Echo. But Alexa just got a big upgrade. Now there’s Alexa+, a
new AI-powered version of Alexa
introduced to Echo devices in March 2025. For Prime subscribers, Alexa+ will be included in membership, and non-subscribers will have to pay $19.99 per month for the service.
Alexa has an answer to almost anything you ask. Just by shouting out, you can play music, adjust the volume, and set an alarm or timer. And that’s just naming a few options. On devices like the Echo Show, you can also ask Alexa to pull up recipes or answer questions that come up while cooking. With
Alexa+
, the AI agent doesn’t just respond to commands but can actually engage in conversation.
Here’s a short list of what Alexa+ can do:
Provide a highlight reel of the day’s security footage
Read stories to kids
Plan a date night
Book restaurant reservations
Control your smart home technology from one central hub
Access your calendars and set reminders
Get answers to any question you can think of
Make phone calls (and video calls with an Echo Show)
Get the latest weather and news
Follow recipes
Shop on Amazon
Stream music (and video on an Amazon Echo Show)
Play games
There are
more than 100,000 Alexa skills
that you can utilize via an Echo device, and Amazon is always adding more.
Alexa gets supercharged when other smart home tech comes into the picture. If you have a smart thermostat or smart light bulbs, as long as they’re compatible with the Alexa system, you can create routines through your Echo. That can be as simple as telling Alexa to turn on the lights in one room or programming Alexa to turn the thermostat down before you come home.
If you’re ready for an Alexa-powered home, read on for the 10 best Amazon Echo devices of 2025.
