The Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen, 2022 Release) in Deep Sea Blue is a compact smart speaker that puts Alexa, music, timers, and smart home controls in one small, rounded device. It has a 4.8 out of 5 rating from more than 2,800 reviews at Best Buy, and it is often discounted well below its regular price.
This guide covers the specs, sound, smart home features, Alexa+, accessories, what is in the box, pricing, and who should buy it.
Echo Dot (5th Gen) at a Glance
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Model | Echo Dot (5th Gen, 2022 Release) |
| Color reviewed | Deep Sea Blue |
| Voice assistant | Alexa, designed for Alexa+ |
| Speaker | 44 mm (1.73-inch) front-firing speaker, mono playback |
| Microphones | 3-microphone array, with a mic off button |
| Wi-Fi | Dual-band Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), 2.4 and 5 GHz |
| Bluetooth | Yes, A2DP audio streaming |
| Sensors | Built-in motion sensor and indoor temperature sensor |
| Dimensions | About 3.9 × 3.9 × 3.5 in (100 × 100 × 89 mm) |
| Weight | About 10.7 oz (304 g) |
| Audio bandwidth | 62 Hz to 19 kHz (at volume 6) |
| Power | 15W power adapter included |
| Optional accessory | Echo Dot Battery Base (sold separately) |
Specifications are based on retailer and manufacturer listings and published reviews. Confirm details on the product page before buying.
Design and Deep Sea Blue Finish
The Echo Dot keeps its spherical shape with a fabric-covered body and a top-mounted light ring. The Deep Sea Blue color is a soft, muted blue that blends into most rooms better than the usual black or white. Amazon says the speaker was designed with sustainability in mind, using 100% recyclable packaging, 95% post-consumer recycled fabric, and 50% post-consumer recycled plastics. You can see the Deep Sea Blue color on Best Buy.
Sound Quality
Amazon describes the 5th Gen as its best-sounding Echo Dot yet, with clearer vocals, deeper bass, and more vibrant sound in any room. Reviewers agree that it sounds better than earlier Dots, thanks to a larger 1.73-inch speaker that moves more air and produces more bass. It is a single mono speaker, so expect good everyday sound for music, podcasts, and audiobooks rather than a room-filling stereo experience. Some reviewers also noted that it can distort when pushed to high volumes, and that the improvement over the 4th Gen is incremental.
You can play music from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, and other services, or stream over Bluetooth from your phone or tablet.
Alexa and Alexa+
The Echo Dot is built for everyday help. Ask Alexa for the weather, set hands-free timers, get answers to questions, hear jokes, or tap the top of the speaker to snooze an alarm for a few extra minutes.
This model is also designed for Alexa+. After early access, Amazon says Alexa+ will be free with a Prime membership or $19.99 per month for non-Prime customers, while the original Alexa remains included on all Alexa-enabled devices. Alexa+ early access requires a personal, US-based Amazon account with US English set on compatible devices, and access is granted to the account used to set up the device. Certified refurbished or used devices are excluded. Check Amazon for the latest terms.
Smart Home Features
With the built-in motion and indoor temperature sensors, the Dot can trigger routines on its own. For example, you can have lights turn on automatically when you walk into a room, or start a routine when the temperature changes. You can also control compatible smart home devices by voice. For a low-cost way to start a smart home, the Echo Dot (5th Gen) at Best Buy is an easy entry point.
Device Pairing and Wi-Fi
- Multi-room music: play music across compatible Echo devices in different rooms.
- Home theater: pair with a Fire TV to build a simple home theater setup.
- Wi-Fi coverage: extend your network with a compatible eero system to reduce drop-offs and buffering.
Echo Dot Battery Base
If you want to move your speaker around, the optional Echo Dot Battery Base turns it into a portable device. It provides up to five hours of battery life, comes in black and white, and is compatible with the Echo Dot 4th and 5th Gen and the Echo Dot with Clock. It is sold separately, and Best Buy lists it under SKUs 6551606 and 6551605. The Echo Dot listing has more details on compatible accessories.
Privacy Controls
Amazon says it does not sell personal information and builds the Echo Dot with multiple layers of privacy controls, including a physical mic off button that disconnects the microphones. You can also review and delete voice recordings in the Alexa app.
What’s in the Box
- Echo Dot (5th Gen)
- 15W power adapter (glacier white)
- Quick Start Guide
Price
At the time of writing, the Echo Dot (5th Gen) in Deep Sea Blue was listed at Best Buy for $39.99, a saving of $40 against a comparable value of $79.99. Retail prices and sales change often, so check the current price on Best Buy’s Echo Dot page before you buy.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Improved sound with more bass than previous Echo Dots
- Low price, especially during sales
- Built-in motion and temperature sensors for routines
- Tap gestures to snooze alarms or pause audio
- Works with eero as a Wi-Fi extender
- Optional battery base for portability
- Designed for Alexa+
Cons
- Single mono speaker, so not true stereo
- Can distort at higher volumes
- No 3.5 mm audio output
- A small upgrade if you already own a 4th Gen Dot
- Battery base is an extra purchase
Who Should Buy the Echo Dot (5th Gen)?
This speaker suits you if you want an affordable smart speaker for a bedroom, kitchen, office, or dorm. It also works well as a first step into a smart home. If you want a speaker that fills a large room with rich, stereo sound, you will do better with a bigger Echo model or a dedicated music speaker. If you already own an Echo Dot 4th Gen, the upgrade is probably not necessary unless you want the sensors and sound improvements.
Ready to see it in person? You can view the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen, 2022 Release) in Deep Sea Blue and compare current pricing and availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Echo Dot (5th Gen) work with Bluetooth?
Yes. It supports Bluetooth audio streaming, so you can play music from your phone.
Does the Echo Dot have a battery?
No. It plugs into a power outlet. The optional Echo Dot Battery Base adds up to five hours of portable use.
Does the Echo Dot have a temperature sensor?
Yes. It has built-in motion and indoor temperature sensors that can trigger Alexa routines.
Is Alexa+ free?
According to Amazon, after early access Alexa+ will be free with a Prime membership, or $19.99 per month for non-Prime customers. The original Alexa stays included.
Can I turn off the microphone?
Yes. A mic off button disconnects the microphones.
What is included in the box?
The Echo Dot, a 15W power adapter, and a Quick Start Guide.
Where can I buy it?
You can check price and availability for the Echo Dot (5th Gen) in Deep Sea Blue at Best Buy.
Final Thoughts
The Echo Dot (5th Gen) remains one of the easiest and most affordable ways to add Alexa to a room. It offers better sound than earlier Dots, handy smart home sensors, and a stylish Deep Sea Blue finish. At a sale price near $40, it is a strong value. Check the latest offer on the Best Buy product page and see whether it fits your home.
Prices, ratings, and specifications reflect retailer listings and published reviews at the time of writing and may change. Verify details with the retailer and Amazon before purchasing.
