Amazon took the wraps off its latest Echo Dot smart speaker during its fall hardware event on Tuesday. The Echo Dot Max is a new entry that updates the recognizable spherical design with a flat face housing the speaker’s control buttons and LED light ring.
At $99.99, the Echo Dot Max is the same price as Apple’s HomePod Mini, and costs twice as much as the fifth-generation Echo Dot. Amazon says the sound system has been redesigned to integrate the speaker directly into the device housing, providing nearly three times more bass than its predecessor. This is also the first Echo Dot to sport two speakers, alongside a high-excursion woofer and a custom tweeter for crisp high notes.
The Echo Dot has been overdue for an upgrade, as Amazon last revealed a new pint-sized speaker in 2022, featuring a new temperature sensor, better bass, and the ability to work as an Eero Mesh Wi-Fi extender. Amazon also debuted the Echo Dot with Clock at the time, but it has since discontinued this model.
Amazon’s new Echo Dot Max will also benefit from the company’s AI-upgraded voice assistant, which is available through a new Alexa Plus subscription. Alexa Plus launched in early access in March and offers the ability to hold back-and-forth conversations, as well as control multiple smart home devices based on a single request. Alexa Plus can also “remember” your preferences, such as your favorite types of movies and dietary restrictions, allowing it to make more personalized suggestions.