Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen review: Brings sensors for smart routines, and more

The Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen is among the most affordable smart speakers with built-in accelerometer sensor, ambient temperature sensors, and ultrasonic motion detection tech

The Echo Dot speaker from Amazon has graduated to fifth generation. Compared to the last generation model, the Echo Dot 5th Gen is smarter with sensors that enable contextual Alexa experiences and routines. These sensors include an accelerometer sensor and a temperature sensor.  

Powered by Amazon Alexa, the Echo Dot line of smart speakers is designed to use with voice commands. Therefore, pick any model, old or new, there are limited buttons to play around with – a dedicated button for volume up and down, a microphone mute/unmute button, and an action button.   

The Echo Dot 5th Gen is no different, but it gets an accelerometer sensor that enables new tap gesture controls. With the gesture controls, it becomes a whole lot easier to operate the Echo Dot. For example, you can simply tap on the top of the device to pause and resume music, snooze alarms and dismiss timers, or end a call. Therefore, there is now a way to control the speaker without asking Alexa. It proves useful in multiple scenarios; for example, while drinking water. 

Next comes the ambient temperature sensor. With its built-in, the Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen is capable of new experiences. For example, the sensor enables contextual Alexa experiences, like the ability to set up a routine to automatically turn on smart AC or smart ceiling fan when it gets too warm inside. Setting up routines is easy from the Alexa app for smartphones – both iPhone and Android. 

Rounding up the package is the ultrasonic motion detection, which lets the speaker detect room occupancy. Like the temperature sensor, the ultrasonic motion detection enables new experiences. For example, you can set up routines to automatically turn on smart lights when you enter the room or turn them off when the room has been vacant for a long. 

In theory, these sensors and the ultrasonic motion detection should make life easy by enabling automation. However, it is not the case in real life experience. This is primarily because of error of judgement by these sensors and motion detection tech. For example, the ultrasonic motion detection triggers false vacant room routine despite occupancy. This is because the motion detection uses device speakers and microphone to detect major motion such as walking around the room. It does not detect minor motion, such as waving hands or sitting still in the room watching TV. That said, Amazon must find a way to add fineness here. Until then, in the current form, the sensors and ultrasonic motion detection feature are both the boon and the curse for the new gen Echo Dot speaker. 

Sensors are one of the upgrades and not the only upgrade here. The Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen gets sound upgrade too with new full-range audio driver, which delivers deep bass without compromising on vocals and treble. 

Verdict

At Rs 5,499, the Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen is capable of new experiences powered by its built-in sensors and ultrasonic motion detection tech. The core updates, including improvement in audio delivery, put it a notch above others. However, it is not perfect. Nevertheless, the Alexa-powered Amazon Echo Dot 5th Generation speaker makes a perfect fit in a smart home setup.