As with design, the performance of the Echo is almost identical to that of the Echo Plus, with one exception: the Echo doesn't include the Zigbee smart-home hub that allows the Echo Plus to connect to even more smart home devices.

Audio

As we mentioned, the Echo has the same speaker design as the Echo Plus, a definite improvement over the previous generation of Echo.

The speaker is decently powerful for the size and the bass is surprisingly deep and booming. However, it's still not exactly a party speaker.

The mids and highs are clear, and it has a full and well-rounded sound. The Echo is also great for listening to high-frequency spoken audio like podcasts.

It's undoubtedly an improvement over the audio quality of the Echo (2nd Gen), but if you're looking for more power, you can pair the Echo with the Echo Sub or Echo Studio.

Smart home

There isn't anything that Echo's Alexa can do that any other Echo device can't, but Amazon continues to update Alexa and add more skills to its repertoire.

Once you wake up Alexa (using the wake word "Alexa" or pressing the Alexa button on the top panel of the Echo), you can use voice commands to access a range of skills. Alexa can answer basic questions about the weather or the time, give you real-time sports scores and news, tell jokes and browse the web for answers to your most burning questions. You can also use Alexa to set timers, reminders and alarms.

To play music, you'll need to sync your Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music, iHeartRadio or TuneIn account using the Alexa app.

Alexa also supports a wide range of smart home devices. As mentioned, the Echo doesn't include a built-in Zigbee hub. If you want access to even more smart home products, and are willing to spend a bit more, the Echo Plus allows you to connect to more smart devices outside of Amazon's range.

Alexa is getting better and better at understanding voice commands, but it isn't perfect. Some of the language required to access specific skills feels awkward and unnatural.