Amazon Echo Plus (2nd gen. 2018)

49 reviews

May, 2024

Positive
sound (15)
usability (13)
design (11)
price (4)
bass quality (2)

Negative

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 49 reviews of Amazon Echo Plus (2nd gen. 2018). The average rating for this product is 4.4/5, compared to an average rating of 4.5/5 for other products in the same category for all reviews. Opinions about the bass quality and price are on the whole positive. The design and usability are also appreciated.

sound, usability, design, price, bass quality

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other products in the same category the Amazon Echo Plus (2nd gen. 2018) is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 90/100 = Excellent quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 49 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

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Features

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usability
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design
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price
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Showing 47 review(s)

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Showing 1 - 10 of 47 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (6)

Expert review by : Will Greenwald (pcmag.com)

Amazon Echo Plus (2nd Generation)

The Amazon Echo Plus smart speaker adds a temperature sensor in addition to its Zigbee hub, but doesn't bring a dramatic difference in sound quality over its predecessor.

Generally strong sound with clear high-mids and highs. Alexa is powerful and functional. Bluetooth connectivity. Zigbee hub built-in.

Not significantly more powerful than the Echo. Relatively weak bass. Bluetooth doesn't work with stereo pairs or Echo Sub.

Bottom Line: The Amazon Echo Plus smart speaker adds a temperature sensor in addition to its Zigbee hub, but doesn't bring a dramatic difference in sound quality over its predecessor.

Jul, 2019

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Expert review by : Molly Price Ty Pendlebury (cnet.com)

Amazon's fanciest speaker is still a tough sell

Amazon upgraded the sound, added seamless smart home hub controls and improved the look of the Amazon Echo Plus, all while keeping the $150 price tag.

The second-gen Echo Plus looks better than before and includes a temperature sensor and upgraded speakers.

It's Amazon's most expensive smart speaker and there are better-sounding options out there for the true audiophile.

If you're looking for an Alexa-enabled speaker with a Zigbee hub, the Amazon Echo Plus is your best bet. If you're looking for the best sound quality, the Sonos One is still the top contender.

Oct, 2018

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Expert review by : Sascha Segan (pcmag.com)

Amazon Echo Plus

The $150 Amazon Echo Plus is a very capable voice-assisted speaker that can't quite replace a dedicated hub if you're serious about smart home automation.

Integrated Zigbee automation hub. Audio has slightly more bass response than the standard Echo. Strong Wi-Fi reception.

Alexa app can't control smart home devices with as much granularity as dedicated apps.

Bottom Line: The $150 Amazon Echo Plus is a very capable voice-assisted speaker that can't quite replace a dedicated hub if you're serious about smart home automation.

Jun, 2018

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Expert review by : Christopher Null (techhive.com)

Amazon Echo Plus (2nd Gen) review: Good sound, plus a Zigbee smart-home hub for the win

If you can forgo Z-Wave smart-home devices, this is the smart speaker to buy (but that calculation could change soon).

Until recently, pricing for the Echo Plus (2nd Gen) was set at $150, while the standard Echo (3rd Gen) was $100. The $50 upgrade was at least cheaper than the $70 you’d pay for a SmartThings hub—though again, SmartThings supports both Zigbee Z-Wave....

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Expert review by : Corey Gaskin (phonearena.com)

Amazon Echo Plus Review

Retailing for $149.99, and often coming with at least one Philips Hue light bulb, the Echo Plus endeavors to save you over $100 in extra, otherwise necessary equipment.

Built-in Zigbee Hub and included Philips Hue light combine for $150 value ; Zigbee compatible with over 100 devices ; Improved smart device integration and interface within Alexa App ; Alexa’s wealth of over 10,000 app/device integrations (skills) ;...

Alexa search functionality inferior to Google Assistant ; App could use quick toggles for smart home control ; No Z-wave support

Jan, 2018

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Expert review by : Jason Cipriani (zdnet.com)

Amazon Echo Plus (2018) review: A refined upgrade Review | ZDNet

The new Echo Plus looks great, sounds OK, and doubles as a smart home hub for common light bulbs and plugs.

Easy setup ; A single device to manage smart home accessories ; Alexa Skills and features

Sound quality is good, not great

Oct, 2018

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Expert review by : Monica Chin (tomsguide.com)

New Amazon Echo Plus (2nd Gen) Review: Smart Speaker, Big Sound

The new Echo Plus is a huge upgrade from its predecessor, with great audio quality and a convenient built-in smart-home hub.

The Echo Plus is a great smart-home hub, and a great smart speaker — but it's not yet the best in either category. That said, if you're looking to start up a smart home, or want an Alexa speaker with better audio than the other Echos can provide, the...

Sep, 2020

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Expert review by : Leslie Shapiro (soundandvision.com)

Hands On with Amazon's Echo Plus 2 Smart Speaker

After checking out the Amazon Echo Sub recently, I thought the sound and features of the new Amazon Echo Plus (2nd generation) deserved a review of its own. It certainly performed admirably when paired with a second Plus and the Echo Sub, but how does...

Nov, 2018

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Expert review by : Deepak Rajawat (smartprix_com)

Amazon Echo Plus (2nd Gen) Review 2018: New Master For Your SmartHome

Amazon recently upgraded its smart Echo devices globally and in India. The new Echo Dot (review) and Echo Plus (2018 versions) bring in several improvements, including a more inviting design, without any increase in price. Last week, we reviewed the...

Depth in mid-tones are missing ; Alexa App needs improvement ; Fabric exterior is not washable

Nov, 2018

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Expert review by : Mike Prospero (tomsguide.com)

Amazon Echo Plus Review: Simplifying the Smart Home

Adding a smart-home hub into a device that's already sitting in the middle of your house was a logical move for Amazon. It gets rid of the extra step of a consumer having to set up a second gadget just so they can control a third. Not only is this a...

Connects to lots of smart bulbs ; Good sound quality ; Easy setup

Very basic smart-home automation ; Same design as original Echo

By adding a smart-home hub into the Alexa-enabled Echo Plus, Amazon is trying to make the smart home more accessible to the masses.

Sep, 2018

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