This is the 1st Generation of the Amazon Echo Pop which is a new low-cost smart home speaker that Amazon has produced. This speaker to me is shaped like an Orange cut in half and it measures in at less than 4” all around. The front facing flat area houses the 1.95” speaker that delivers directional sound mainly the direction is it pointing. The sound is good, but no where near-earth shattering, but it is an improvement over my 2nd Generation Echo Dot. It was able to connect to my Wi-Fi 5GHz network as well as my 2.4GHz and includes Bluetooth 5.0+, supports Matter over Wi-Fi and can function as an Eero access point, although at very slow speeds (I did not test this). There are only three buttons on the device now, Volume up, Volume down, Mic Mute and gone is the physical assistant activation button, but you can use the Vol up and down buttons together to activate it. I found that to be difficult to do since the buttons on my Charcoal color is so dark that I can’t see them unless it’s a well-lit area. There are also three visible microphone holes on top and I found them to work well even in a room with a lot of background noise such as my portable A/C blowing at full speed a few feet away from the Echo Pop. I found that this Pop will do all of the voice commands that my Dot would do and then some. Gone is the micro-USB power connection and it is replaced with a 3.5mm like power adapter that is White, and I wished it would have had a matching power cord. Also gone is the 3.5mm audio jack that my Dot had, but this is not something I used, but you want to be aware of that. Over-all this is a simple and inexpensive Alexa device if you are looking to venture into the realm of home automation or voice assistant devices. Set up is very simple in the Alexa app and you can customize a lot of things about this device.

We currently have a fan in our master bathroom water closet that has an assistant built into it but it is very temperamental and works less time than it doesn’t. Since almost all of our lighting in the house is controlled by Alexa enabled products, we wanted to get a unit for the Master Bedroom. We wanted newer technology but nothing huge as we were putting it in our media fireplace. When I saw the echo pop I thought that it would fit in well. It gives us the ability to turn lights on or off in the house as needed so no more walking through a dark house to go from one room to another. Setup was very easy and accomplished within a couple of minutes. Everything you need is included. The only drawback was this has the actual plug in to an outlet kind of cord and I was hoping for a usb style so I could plug it directly into my media center. This would have allowed me to place it where I originally wanted to. Not a deal breaker but something to keep in mind as you do have to have a power receptacle close by. While it comes in multiple colors, we got the charcoal so that it would blend in enough to basically disappear in the original location but now it is on top in plain sight. It is kind of a cute looking little thing and much less bulky than the full-size unit I have and not as outdated as the regular dots. Just as with the other units you can use the Alexa app to change the wake word to a few others though it would be nice to be able to personalize the name rather than use one of the few they already have. Within the app you can also change the accent and language that the unit uses which is kind of fun to play with. Though being Irish I wish they had an Irish accent lol. The light that comes on is not overly obnoxious and can be adjusted as well. I like that I can talk in a whisper and it will pick up my commands. For such a small unit the sound is actually pretty good on it. I have had it read audio books as well as playing music or telling me the news… all of which were crystal clear and appropriate. Just as with the others you can link them together with others you may have to create a multi room speaker system. So while it is basically a smaller newer version of the same thing we are enjoying it and it works very well for our needs.

The Amazon - Echo Pop (1st Generation) Smart Speaker with Alexa – Charcoal at first gave me a headache to get up and fully running, with my Samsung Galaxy S9 phone. I was able to complete all of the required tasks, except the final connection to the Wi-Fi network. I kept receiving the message to press the up and down volume buttons until the light turns orange and the Amazon - Echo Pop (1st Generation) Smart Speaker with Alexa – Charcoal will return to its initial setup mode and attempt to connect to the internet. I found myself in a loop of repeatedly rebooting and attempting to connect to Wi-Fi. I decided to contact customer service, but it was late at night so I decided to call later the next day. The next day, before contacting customer service, I thought about using my other phone to see if that would make a difference. After install the Alexa app again, on my other phone, a Motorola, I started the connection process instructions in the app all the way to completion. I heard Alexa say, “Your Echo Pop is connected.” Alexa immediately began to speak to me with questions and commands to sync my voice. After syncing my voice, I could ask questions and give commands through the Echo Pop. Alexa informed me that my TV could be connected to my Echo Pop for command functions. Turning on my televisions Bluetooth allowed the connection and gave me the ability to change channels and play apps with voice commands. The Alexa app on my phone also gives me some control over functions. I was able to control volume and pause the screen with the app. The Amazon - Echo Pop (1st Generation) Smart Speaker with Alexa – Charcoal is small in its size, but is big in its many features.

The Amazon Echo Pop is a compact smart speaker that packs a punch. The Echo Pop arrives in a small yet unassuming box. Opening the box reveals the new Amazon - Echo Pop Smart Speaker and immediately you will be amazed at just how small the speaker is. The build quality is great with a decent weighted base that allows the Echo Pop stay stable on a desk, dresser or kitchen counter. Taking the speaker out the box you will be greeted with an instruction pamphlet and power cord. Set the Echo Pop on a flat surface and plug in power. On your mobile phone, open the Alexa App and tap More. Once this opens up tap on Settings. Then tap on Device settings. You will see the + sign at the upper right of your screen. Tap on the + sign and Alexa will search for the Echo Pop. Once the Echo Pop is found, then next step is to connect it to your wireless network.

Volume controls are on top of the speaker and very easy to adjust the volume to your liking.

After its all said and done, you will enjoy very robust and spacious sound from such a tiny speaker. I am amazed everyday on just how compact and good the new Amazon Echo Pop sounds.

I would garner to say I like the sound quality better then my old Echo speaker.

If you want a affordable but very good smart speaker that packs fantastic audio into a tiny package, look no further than the new Amazon - Echo Pop Smart Speaker.