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10 Reasons Why You Need An Amazon Echo Dot

September 11, 2017 By Amy Oztan 106 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links.
If you buy something from one of the linked sites you won’t pay anything more, but I might make a commission.

Have you been asking yourself if you should get an Amazon Echo? Have you been wondering if you would find Alexa useful, but don’t want to pay roughly $180 to find out? The Echo Dot from Amazon is your solution! Here are ten reasons why you need an Echo Dot from Amazon.

10 Reasons Why You Need An Amazon Echo Dot - Pinterest

Alexa is a voice-controlled digital assistant created by Amazon. Amazon now lets you access Alexa from the Echo, Echo Tap, Echo Dot, Echo Show, Echo Look (invitation only!), Alexa Voice Remote, Fire tablets, Fire TV Stick, and Fire TV, plus a growing collection of watches, phones, speakers, and other devices that have Alexa built-in. Many of the reasons behind getting an Echo Dot are the same as getting any of the other Alexa devices, but the Dot does have some things going for it that the others don’t.

What is a Dot, exactly?

The Echo Dot is basically the top part of the original Echo. It has all of the functionality of the Echo without the big speaker. There was a slightly clunkier first version, but now we’re on the second generation of Dot, and it’s much sleeker looking.

You need the Alexa app (Android, iOS, or Fire OS), or the Alexa web page in order to set up your Echo Dot. But you do not need the big Echo. A Dot can work on its own, in conjunction with other Dots, or with other Echo products.

Ten Reasons Why You Need An Amazon Echo Dot

1. Price

The original Echo is still pretty expensive, although you can get a refurbished Echo on Amazon for much less (I’m a huge fan of refurbished products). The cheapest way to try out Alexa, though, is with an Echo Dot. It usually sells for $50, but Amazon runs sales periodically, especially if you’re buying more than one. On Prime Day they were going for $35 as a Deal of the Day, but who knows when that kind of deal will come around again.

2. Size

The Dot is about the size of a hockey puck. It can sit on an end table, counter, or desk and not take up much space. And while it has the same footprint as the original Echo, it’s only 1.3” tall, so it can go on top of other things in order to save space. Don’t even want it taking up space? Hang it on a wall, or stick it to a wall, or even hang it on an outlet (great for a bathroom!!).

3. Flexibility

Don’t like the speaker in the original Echo? Or don’t like how the Dot looks? You have options.  Other companies have made docks for your Dot that give you a bigger, better speaker. This speaker from iHome turns your Dot into a bedside clock. The Vaux speaker, which I bought a couple of weeks ago, hooks your Dot up seamlessly with a bigger, rechargeable speaker, allowing you to get great sound wherever you want.

You can even change the look of your Dot with a custom case. Amazon sells little cases for the Dot to help it fit in with your decor. Some are even leather. Other companies have really cute ways to dress your Dot too, like these colorful cases. Or this owl. Or this sparkly vegan leather sleeve.

4. Portability

Dots are very portable. Going on vacation? As long as you’ll have internet where you’re going, you can take your Dot with you! Going to visit mom for a few days and can’t stand the thought of being away from Alexa? Take her with you! She can even travel in style.

5. Drop-In

You can use your Dot like an intercom, either with other Alexa devices in your house (your ‘Household’ in Amazon parlance), or with people in your contacts who have enabled the drop-in feature for you. Want to call your son to dinner without yelling up the stairs? Just tell your Dot to drop in on the Dot in your son’s bedroom. He doesn’t have to answer, you can just start talking (and listening). Worried about your grandparents and want to check in? Drop in on them and hear what they’re hearing. Yes, it’s a little stalkerish, but the people outside of your household that you want to drop in on have to give you permission first, and their device will make a noise when you drop in. How-To Geek has a good tutorial on how to get this set up.

You can also use your Dot to call or message people in your contacts, which is less intrusive (the person on the other end has to actually “answer” the call, or they can ignore it). But I can definitely see some uses for the drop-in feature, and they don’t all involve annoying my children.

6. Lists

At this point in my life I am completely unable to hold anything in my head for more than a minute. If you ask me to do something and I don’t make a note of it immediately, it will disappear from my memory. Yes, I know I said I would buy you Nutella, but I forgot twenty seconds after you mentioned it.

Now that I’m almost always near a Dot, I can just say “Alexa, add Nutella to the shopping list.” Or, “Alexa, add Go Shopping to the to-do list.” Later, I can have my Dot read the lists back to me, or I can see them on the app or Alexa website and check things off. I can even see my shopping list right on the Amazon website – how’s that for convenient? Each item on the shopping list can be searched for instantly on Amazon. And if you already use apps like Any.do or Todoist, your Alexa shopping and to-do lists can be integrated into the apps.

7. Timers, Alarms, & Reminders

At any given time I have three or four timers and alarms set, plus a few reminders. Add more if I’m cooking or baking. The other day as I was making dinner while fighting off a cold, I had two timers going for the meal I was making, one timer for bread that was rising, a timer for taking my next cold pill, and a reminder for picking something up for a neighbor. Each of the timers and reminders  had a different name (“pasta” “oven” “bread” “Zicam” and “CSA”), so when each one went off I knew exactly what it was for, and I never had to wipe off my hands and hit a button.

8. Music, News, Podcasts, & Books

You can use your Dot to play almost anything from a bunch of different sources, including just using it as a Bluetooth speaker. Your Dot can play your audiobooks or read your Kindle books to you, read news headlines, play music according to your mood, and connect with services like Spotify and Sirius XM. You can even stream music to multiple Alexa devices.

9. Home Automation

There are a ton of devices that work with Alexa, including smart plugs, thermostats, lights, locks, security cameras, and even kitchen appliances, like the Instant Pot. Chances are you already have something in your house that can be controlled with your Dot.

10. Random Info

“Alexa, what’s the capital of Canada?” “Alexa, how do you spell Ottawa?” “Alexa, how many tablespoons are in a third of a cup?” “Alexa, how many major-league baseball teams are there?” “Alexa, how much does the moon weigh?” “Alexa, what’s the weather like today?” And she never gets tired of answering!

Should you get an Echo Dot from Amazon? Here are 10 reasons why you need Alexa in your life! #Amazon #Echo #AlexaClick to Tweet

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Filed Under: Amy's Blog, Tech Tagged With: Alexa, gifts, smart home

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Comments

  1. lauren says

    September 12, 2017 at 1:24 pm

    I would use it for weather updates, music and to tell funny jokes.

    Reply
  2. shannon fowler says

    September 13, 2017 at 9:50 pm

    Reminders ad lists would be amazing! My fiancé and I are both so busy. This could definitely help keep us organized.

    Reply
  3. Amber Hites says

    September 13, 2017 at 10:06 pm

    I would use it for all sorts of things. Getting news, shopping, surfing the web, whatever!

    Reply
  4. CC says

    September 13, 2017 at 11:00 pm

    I’d use it for music, weather, basic tasks and something to yell at. lol

    Reply
  5. Seyma Shabbir says

    September 13, 2017 at 11:14 pm

    I would use it to play music!

    Reply
  6. Angela Patino says

    September 14, 2017 at 7:04 am

    For reminders, music, weather updates and news

    Reply
  7. Natalie says

    September 14, 2017 at 7:23 am

    I would use it for the hard questions from my kids homework

    Reply
  8. Donna James says

    September 14, 2017 at 7:44 am

    News, Weather, and music.

    Reply
  9. sandra says

    September 14, 2017 at 7:58 am

    I would most likely use it to keep our family calendar so we don’t miss anything!

    Reply
  10. Kathy Clark says

    September 14, 2017 at 7:59 am

    I never knew you could make to do lists through Alexa! I am the ultimate list maker! I’d love to use it to make lists for myself at home! Then I don’t have to stop what I’m doing to write something on the white board!

    Reply
    • Amy Oztan says

      September 14, 2017 at 10:33 am

      I’m just adding things to the lists literally all day, stuff that before I would have said to myself, “I don’t want to stop what I’m doing, I’m sure I’ll remember it later.”

      Reply
  11. Erin says

    September 14, 2017 at 9:29 am

    Timers and reminders, weather, flash briefing, and to control a waterproof/dustproof Bluetooth speaker in the bath.

    Reply
  12. Lisette says

    September 14, 2017 at 9:34 am

    I love being able to have Alexa play music from Amazon prime. Great article, I don’t have a dot yet I’m using my Amazon fires remote and tv to access Alexa but who wants to leave their tv on?

    Reply
  13. Chanel says

    September 14, 2017 at 10:13 am

    I would love to use this to listen to podcasts and music! It would also be useful as an alarm.

    Reply
  14. Kelly D says

    September 14, 2017 at 10:18 am

    I would use it to listen to music and for reminders.

    Reply
  15. Sheri Macy says

    September 14, 2017 at 10:38 am

    I would use the Echo Dot for reminders, music and random info.

    Reply
  16. Jen Rodrigues says

    September 14, 2017 at 11:08 am

    Use it for music and weather updates and news updates.

    Reply
  17. Mona says

    September 14, 2017 at 11:12 am

    Would love to listen to podcast with it

    Reply
  18. Suzanne Greene says

    September 14, 2017 at 12:02 pm

    Most importantly, I would use for reminders, but also for weather and for proving my husband wrong! ;

    Reply
    • Amy Oztan says

      September 14, 2017 at 1:34 pm

      Mine is VERY useful for that last one!

      Reply
  19. Amy Heffernan says

    September 14, 2017 at 1:23 pm

    I would use it ALOT for the alarm and music!! Thanks!

    Reply
  20. Kimmy Ripley says

    September 14, 2017 at 1:24 pm

    We have the Philips Hue lights and I would love to control the lighting with this.

    Reply
  21. Steve Bobula says

    September 14, 2017 at 1:36 pm

    TIMERS, ALARMS, & REMINDERS oh boy would this be very handy…

    Reply
  22. heather kaufman says

    September 14, 2017 at 2:09 pm

    I would use it to keep lists.

    Reply
  23. amanda whitley says

    September 14, 2017 at 2:13 pm

    i would use it for a lot.. keeping grocery lists, schedules, setting timers, listening to music etc..

    Reply
  24. Kim Pincombe-Cole says

    September 14, 2017 at 2:48 pm

    This would be great for playing music, setting alarms & checking my calendar, and for answering every random trivia question that flies into my mind!!!

    Reply
  25. Gabrielle says

    September 14, 2017 at 2:56 pm

    I would use an Echo Dot for music and news at first, but I’m sure I’d wind up exploring many other features.

    Reply
  26. Elizabeth Robinson says

    September 14, 2017 at 3:01 pm

    I would use it to play music and a lot more!

    Reply
  27. Piroska says

    September 14, 2017 at 3:04 pm

    I would use it for shopping lists, appointment reminders, things to do list. My mind is like a sieve, lately, and this would help tremendously!

    Reply
  28. Velder Dixon says

    September 14, 2017 at 3:11 pm

    Updating me on the weather

    Reply
  29. rita leonard says

    September 14, 2017 at 4:11 pm

    I would put it on the second floor of the house to listen to music

    Reply
  30. emily says

    September 14, 2017 at 5:15 pm

    LIST, omg LIST! I am always making list reminding myself of things, mostly trivial like organize my vitamins haha but this would be so great for keeping my vitamins organized! Thanks!

    Reply
  31. Catherine Shaw says

    September 14, 2017 at 5:16 pm

    I’d use it for time, weather, jokes, music and lots more I’m sure!

    Reply
  32. John Leahy says

    September 14, 2017 at 5:44 pm

    I’d access my Prime music and use it for an alarm clock. And lots more, I’m sure.

    Reply
  33. Nancy Bowers says

    September 14, 2017 at 7:31 pm

    I would use the Echo dot for alarms and reminders.

    Reply
  34. Cathleen King says

    September 14, 2017 at 9:11 pm

    I would use for funny jokes.

    Reply
  35. Hannah McNally says

    September 14, 2017 at 9:35 pm

    I’d primarily use mine for music but I’d probably end up doing things like weather, Google, etc.

    Reply
  36. Linda Schiff says

    September 14, 2017 at 9:38 pm

    I’d use for music and news updates

    Reply
  37. Onyinye Elochukwu says

    September 14, 2017 at 11:26 pm

    I would use it to play misic and setting reminders.

    Reply
  38. Bryan Vice says

    September 15, 2017 at 10:22 am

    I would use it mostly about weather and music. I have a lot of friends that have the echo they’ve told me they’re awesome you can literally ask it anything

    Reply
  39. richard turner says

    September 15, 2017 at 1:11 pm

    i’d just talk to it all the time.

    Reply
  40. Steve Weber says

    September 15, 2017 at 4:07 pm

    I would stream music wirelessly!.

    Reply
  41. Will G says

    September 15, 2017 at 4:51 pm

    I would use it for controlling zwave devices.

    Reply
  42. Stephanie Shipley says

    September 15, 2017 at 5:45 pm

    I would use it to make to-do and shopping lists, alarms, play music, and to drop in on my mom’s dot to check in easier on her.

    Reply
  43. Rachel says

    September 15, 2017 at 11:06 pm

    I would use the Amazon Echo Dot in the kitchen for music and to help me find recipe substitutes.

    Reply
  44. amber cheras says

    September 16, 2017 at 1:40 am

    I would use it for alerts, weather, music, and so much more!

    Reply
  45. Forsberg says

    September 16, 2017 at 3:01 am

    Keep up on sports. Obviously.

    Reply
  46. MaryAnn says

    September 16, 2017 at 2:37 pm

    I would definitely use it to add things to my shopping list.

    Reply
  47. Janet OBrien says

    September 16, 2017 at 5:28 pm

    I would use it for numerous things throughout the day. To play music, check the weather, or do searches.

    Reply
  48. Kim thorne says

    September 16, 2017 at 8:13 pm

    I would use echo for keeping me organized.

    Reply
  49. jeremy mclaughlin says

    September 16, 2017 at 8:39 pm

    Would use to play music.

    Reply
  50. Katrina Angele says

    September 16, 2017 at 8:56 pm

    #1 thing I’d use it for would be my shopping list. I hate having to write on the one on the fridge. Always forget to jot down something. #2 would be just to answer those random questions I have….like what can I use as a substitute for butter.

    Reply
  51. Jaclyn Mercer says

    September 17, 2017 at 7:42 am

    I love the alarm/ timer feature. It would be great for listening to music while baking and working around the house.

    Reply
  52. Jeff Ayers says

    September 17, 2017 at 12:03 pm

    I would use it to give to someone since I already have one.

    Reply
  53. Robyn Bellefleur says

    September 17, 2017 at 2:16 pm

    I would use it for reminders and daily weather.

    Reply
  54. Victoria K says

    September 17, 2017 at 5:38 pm

    I would use it for weather, news and any general quetions I have

    Reply
  55. Karla R. says

    September 17, 2017 at 7:44 pm

    I would use it to control my home temperature.

    Reply
  56. Stephanie Phelps says

    September 17, 2017 at 10:21 pm

    I would use it for the weather, time and keeping up with things!

    Reply
  57. adriana says

    September 17, 2017 at 10:39 pm

    to play music.

    Reply
  58. Banugul Uyar says

    September 17, 2017 at 10:49 pm

    I want this to listen music, and news

    Reply
  59. krysta d says

    September 17, 2017 at 10:54 pm

    I would use it for mostly for music/podcasts but also for reminders and to do lists.

    Reply
  60. Anita Duvall says

    September 18, 2017 at 1:27 am

    I would use the Dot for making lists. Also for reminders for appointments and dates to remember.

    Reply
  61. Linda says

    September 18, 2017 at 1:34 am

    I would use my Echo Dot to listen to podcasts.

    Reply
  62. Holly Thomas says

    September 18, 2017 at 5:27 am

    I would use it for everything!

    Reply
  63. Tina W says

    September 18, 2017 at 6:28 am

    I would use it for reminders to turn off the sprinklers and play music while I cook.

    Reply
  64. Jeanne Coulombe says

    September 18, 2017 at 9:16 am

    I would use it for music reminders find things on internet weather

    Reply
  65. Kelley Moore says

    September 18, 2017 at 10:23 am

    I would use it for everything i can imagine it would be like having another person in my home when it’s just me!

    Reply
  66. Mike Flaman says

    September 18, 2017 at 5:37 pm

    I would use this for music! Thanks for the chance to win.

    Reply
  67. Megan Blumenthal says

    September 18, 2017 at 6:10 pm

    I would use it for breaking news and to play music.

    Reply
  68. Jenny Scheldberg says

    September 18, 2017 at 10:38 pm

    Reminders and music would be great.

    Reply
  69. carol clark says

    September 18, 2017 at 10:57 pm

    for weather and music and the news

    Reply
  70. Dan Dykstra says

    September 19, 2017 at 12:02 pm

    I would use it for surfing the net and weather updates

    Reply
  71. Annmarie W. says

    September 19, 2017 at 3:03 pm

    I would get the weather & news…and play my favorite radio station (not in this area…it’s near where I used to live)…and even play Jeopardy on it! Oh…and I think you can get recipes on it, too!

    Reply
  72. kelly tupick says

    September 19, 2017 at 5:33 pm

    I would use for my song list, weather updates and fishing reports.

    Reply
  73. Jessica says

    September 19, 2017 at 10:09 pm

    For music and weather/news .. I always need something playing:)

    Reply
  74. KV says

    September 20, 2017 at 4:53 am

    I would use it to make lists and listen to music.

    Reply
  75. Teresa A Thompson says

    September 20, 2017 at 10:52 am

    I would use it to listen to music and podcasts.

    Reply
  76. Darlene Carbajal says

    September 20, 2017 at 2:07 pm

    For music.

    Reply
  77. Cynthia Richardson says

    September 20, 2017 at 5:17 pm

    I’d like to try the home automation feature

    Reply
  78. Lyndsey R. says

    September 20, 2017 at 5:25 pm

    I would mainly use it to listen to music.

    Reply
  79. Angie S says

    September 20, 2017 at 8:28 pm

    I love that you can take it with you wherever you go. That wouldve never even occurred to me! My music, alarms, calendar, and all around connection to the internet in a tiny little portable thing.

    Reply
    • Amy Oztan says

      September 20, 2017 at 10:40 pm

      I know at least one person who brings it on vacation!

      Reply
  80. Rita A says

    September 20, 2017 at 9:05 pm

    I would ask spur of the moment questions and have it control the lights.

    Reply
  81. tracy k says

    September 20, 2017 at 11:06 pm

    i’d use it to play music

    Reply
  82. Shirley Shepherd says

    September 21, 2017 at 12:17 am

    I would use the Echo Dot for music, news, reminders, alarms and home automation.

    Reply
  83. Isabel Arraial says

    September 21, 2017 at 12:32 am

    This would be great to win.

    Reply
  84. Sue V says

    September 21, 2017 at 5:40 am

    I would use it to listen to music and check on the weather

    Reply
  85. Linda Walker says

    September 21, 2017 at 7:07 pm

    I would need it for reminders and calendar events.

    Reply
  86. gloria patterson says

    September 22, 2017 at 7:51 pm

    Listen to music, updates and reminders …… I would learn each day to use it for more

    Reply
  87. Jennifer H. says

    September 22, 2017 at 9:58 pm

    I would use it for info, weather and music.

    Reply
  88. John H. says

    September 22, 2017 at 10:52 pm

    I would use it for info.

    Reply
  89. Jessica W says

    September 22, 2017 at 11:00 pm

    I would use it for alarms and music. I think it would be so helpful when my hands are busy with cooking.

    Reply
  90. Jamie Williams says

    September 23, 2017 at 5:08 am

    I would literally use it for so much. Listening to music, as our alarm, searching for whatever I can think of and talking to it all the time
    It would be so cool.

    Reply
  91. Christy Peeples DuBois says

    September 23, 2017 at 10:06 pm

    From your list I can see clearly that I would use an echo continuously. I am always having to look up how to spell a word, like does it have one or two m’s, r’s, etc…., and I always have lists(plural) then I don’t have my list with me when I need it. These two things I would definitely save time with having an echo.

    Reply
  92. Mita says

    September 23, 2017 at 10:50 pm

    I would use it to play music

    Reply
  93. Erin M says

    September 24, 2017 at 10:16 am

    I would use it to listen to music.

    Reply
  94. stella methvin says

    September 24, 2017 at 11:20 am

    I would get weather, music and answers to those waay out there questions the grandkids come up with. Plus the answers I search for while in the middle of something else.

    Reply
  95. Kasey Kollman says

    September 24, 2017 at 11:35 am

    read to me at night!

    Reply
  96. Audrey Stewart says

    September 24, 2017 at 1:59 pm

    I would use it to play music.

    Reply
  97. sarah mayer says

    September 24, 2017 at 2:05 pm

    I would use it to stream music when I’m getting ready for work in the morning.

    Reply
  98. Amanda Lindsay Shearouse says

    September 24, 2017 at 3:34 pm

    I would use it for weather and news updates.

    Reply
  99. Gloria Luongo says

    September 24, 2017 at 4:18 pm

    Listen to music.

    Reply
  100. Katherine Lee says

    September 24, 2017 at 4:26 pm

    Would definitely use it for helpful reminders, weather updates, and playing music :)

    Reply
  101. Anita Jude says

    September 24, 2017 at 4:30 pm

    I would use it to find out about stuff that I wanted to know

    Reply
  102. Eileen Boyce says

    September 24, 2017 at 4:30 pm

    I would use it for music, alarms, weather, etc.

    Reply
  103. Dana Matthews says

    September 24, 2017 at 10:05 pm

    I would use it for listening to music.

    Reply

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Amy Oztan, blogger at AmyEverAfter.com

Amy is a blogger, podcaster, freelance writer, baker, and singer living in Brooklyn.[Read more…]

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