Gadget Review: Echo 2 vs. Echo Plus

Each released generation of the Amazon Echo contains advanced features the previous version did not have and increases Alexa’s capabilities.

In this guide, you’ll learn of improvements made since the first generation Echo including; artificial intelligence, sound quality, integration with external products, and how to set up your smart home through a central hub that controls all smart devices.

Most importantly, you’ll eliminate any confusion between the Echo Plus and the Echo 2; you’ll know why Amazon has developed multiple generations of the same product.

Choosing Which Echo Is Right for 2018

The Amazon Echo products allow you to connect and control your smart home devices, call family and friends, listen to your favorite songs, and utilize all of Alexa’s other functions. The Echo 2 is ideal for introducing yourself to Amazon’s Echo products and familiarizing yourself with Alexa.

Both devices give you these functions, making it a difficult choice. If your goal is to create a smart home, you may want to get the Echo Plus. This device can start your smart home or be the hub for smart devices you already have.

The Echo 2 Feature List

The Echo 2 is the second generation of Amazon Echo products. The first generation Echo Dot is a basic version of the Echo 2. If style is an important feature, the Echo 2 may be the better choice.

It's available in an oak finish that looks similar to wood as well as charcoal fabric, heather gray fabric, sandstone fabric, and a walnut finish. The outer shell is removable so that you can change the style as you please.

The Echo 2 has four buttons on the top for volume, turning the microphone off, and performing an action. The control buttons are slightly different on the Echo Plus. The Echo 2 is physically smaller than the Echo Plus. It measures 5.9 inches in height and 3.9 inches across, weighing 29 ounces or 821 grams.

Response Time and Sound Quality

The audio quality of the Echo 2 has improved since the first generation Echo Dot. The Echo 2 has a downward-facing subwoofer and tweeter as opposed to the Echo Dot which only has a speaker. The Echo 2 houses a .6 inch tweeter and 2.5-inch subwoofer.

Upgrading from the first generation Echo Dot to the Echo 2 is ideal if you are looking for improved sound quality. The Echo Dot has a high-pitched, tinny sound compared to the increased bass of the Echo 2. It also has improved response to the wake word phrase and noise cancellation allows for better far-field voice recognition.

Pros and Cons of the Echo 2

Pros

• The Echo 2 is available for less than the Echo Plus at $99; prices fluctuate
• The Echo 2 has Dolby Sound; the first generation Echo had a far less robust sound system

Cons

• The Amazon Echo 2 does not have the same tweeter integration as the Echo Plus; the result is diminished sound quality due to the smaller 0.6” tweeter
• No smart home control built into the device
• The Echo 2 cannot control your smart locks, bulbs, in-wall switches, and plugs

Robust Echo Plus Features Worth Mentioning

The Amazon Echo Plus is an upgrade from the Echo 2 because it allows you to turn your home into a smart home.

The Echo Plus expands on Alexa’s capabilities because you can perform multiple smart actions at once. Routines for Alexa allows you to customize phrases for Alexa which command several tasks to occur simultaneously rather than speaking each command.

The Echo Plus is a comprehensive system that can detect and control other smart devices in your home. To manage smart home features, you can use the built-in Zigbee feature or opt for Z-wave technology. The Echo Plus has omnidirectional audio and Dolby sound processing.

Dolby Atmos sound is different than a traditional audio mix because it turns sounds into individual audio objects. This allows a soundtrack creator to place sounds around you in a cinematic 3D space. Regarding overall sound quality, the Echo Plus has greater sound clarity than previous generations. It has clear treble and midrange but lacks bass.

Some smart devices are compatible with both Zigbee and Z-wave while others support a specific technology. Smart devices work by containing a chip that receives and sends information; the chip is compatible with one or both technologies. However, any given smart device can only be paired with one main controller.

Zigbee Supported Devices:

• Philips Hue Bridge
• Smartenit
• Sylvania Smart
• Yale
• WigWag

Z-wave Supported Devices:

• Vera Control VeraPlus
• WigWag
• FIBARO
• Yale

Features Specific to the Echo Plus

You may need to use this feature if you want to perform specific actions.

The Echo Plus has another beneficial feature. In addition to using the Zigbee system, the Echo Plus integrates with Z-Wave which allows you to have a choice of which smart system you would like to use.

If you decide to use the Z-Wave smart system, you'll need to purchase an additional product that is not built into the Echo Plus. The Echo Plus is available in numerous different styles; black, white, and a silver finish.

It is taller than the Echo 2 and has perforated holes around the top portion of the device. One feature that differentiates the Echo Plus from the Echo 2 is the way you control the sound. On the Echo Plus, the light ring on the top of the device rotates in a circular motion as a control. It only has two buttons on the top; it has one action button and a button to turn the microphone off.

Control the sound with a voice command or by turning the light ring. The Echo Plus may be better for listening to music because it has the most improved speaker system of all Amazon speakers. This Echo measures 9.3 inches high and 3.3 inches across. It weighs 33.6 ounces or 954 grams. It houses a 2.5-inch subwoofer and a .8 inch tweeter.

Pros and Cons of the Echo Plus

Pros

• The Echo Plus alone allows you to control more than 100 different smart devices
• You can expand on Alexa’s skills by using the Echo Plus
• The Echo Plus has better overall sound because of the slightly larger tweeter

Cons

• Typically available at $149, a higher price point than the Echo 2 and all other Echo devices
• Regarding Hue smart bulbs, the Echo Plus does not allow you to modify individual color settings; you will need to use the Hue Smart Bridge instead
• Cannot tune into a radio station, use music playback, or turn on your TV using Amazon Fire TV

Defining the Better Product for You

The sound quality has been improved on both devices but it is better on the Echo Plus.

Whether you have smart devices that you want to control with one hub or you don't have any smart devices and you want a smart home, choose the Echo Plus.

You won't need to purchase a Philips Hue starter pack to get started creating your smart home because the Echo Plus typically includes a Philips Hue bulb to kickstart your smart home.

The Zigbee and Z-Wave smart homes systems work by enabling a mesh network that strengthens and furthers the signal of your Wi-Fi. The Echo Plus is capable of learning different voices and catering to each personality accordingly. While the Echo Plus may not have the most extensive smart home features, it does provide the basics.

However, you may want to choose the Echo 2 if you're not interested in creating a smart home and you're looking for basic features. If you want to access Alexa commands and use the device as a speaker, the Echo 2 is the choice to make. The Echo 2 is the ideal choice for a person who is new to Amazon products.

Your choice is going to largely depend on the features that are most important to you. Note that the Echo Plus has more features and a slightly larger speaker. The Echo Plus is better at defining low and high tones. Listening to music will be a better experience on the Echo Plus.