Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) review: the smart home orb that finally sounds decent

Let us be honest, most smart speakers are just glorified microphones that occasionally play music between bouts of misunderstanding your requests. The 5th Gen Echo Dot is still a sphere that looks like a high-tech baseball, but the internals actually got some love this time. It is heavier than the previous version, which is usually code for 'we actually put a decent driver in here'.

At nearly half off, it is difficult to find a reason to complain. It sits on your desk or nightstand, takes up minimal space, and actually manages to produce sound that does not make my ears weep with boredom. It is not going to replace your floor-standing speakers, but for a podcast or some background noise while you work, it is perfectly adequate.

The spec sheet claims better bass and clearer vocals, and for once, the reality does not stray too far from the marketing fluff. It handles voice commands even when the room is not perfectly quiet, which is a rare treat in the world of budget tech. Plus, it includes built-in temperature and motion sensors, so you can automate your room without buying a dozen extra gadgets.

That said, the touch interface on top is a bit twitchy. I have seen reports of people accidentally triggering the thing while trying to wipe off dust, which is the kind of 'smart' feature that occasionally feels a bit too eager. Still, it is a polished piece of hardware that does exactly what it says on the box.

If you have a bedroom, office, or kitchen that lacks a voice assistant, buy this while it is discounted. It is an affordable way to drag your home into the 21st century without sacrificing your entire tech budget. However, if you are looking for concert-hall audio performance or you just plain hate the spherical aesthetic, you should probably keep your wallet in your pocket.