Amazon Echo (2nd gen. 2017)

Excellent value ; Easy to set up ; Expandable range of skills ; Clean audio and simple voice control

Similarly priced speakers offer better sound

It doesn’t have the audio prowess to take on the best Bluetooth speakers. However, clear audio, great looks and a significantly lower price than the original make this smart assistant a winner.

New look ; Low price ; Great new Alexa features

More of the same ; Alexa app could be better ; No more rotating dial

While the smarts stay the same, the new Amazon Echo has been given a much-needed makeover with a price just too compelling to resist.

Alexa voice control ; Improved hearing commands ; Smart design ; Affordable

Average sound quality

Everything from the price to the microphone performance has improved. Unfortunately, sound quality hasn't

Alexa is a wonderful smart home controller ; Compact design with changeable skins ; Lots of third-party compatibility ; Affordable price

Sound quality isn't great ; No physical volume control ring ; Software is occasionally buggy

If you want to dip your toe into the world of Alexa, the Echo might seem like the obvious choice. However, with the Plus better for music and the Show and Spot better for visuals, Amazon's principal speaker seems squeezed by its surrounding Echo...

Camera snapshot feature is great ; Compatible with a huge range of devices ; Setup is surprisingly easy ; Screen is clear and bright, touch is precise

Widgets need a bit more finesse ; Snapshot needs to have support for Arlo and others ; Most features can be used on existing Echo devices

Ideal for bringing a little more order to larger Alexa setups. But the software needs more work, while the signature snapshot feature needs to have more than just Ring support.

More compact and colourful ; Alexa is constantly getting smarter ; Great price

Sound is merely OK

All the same smarts, but for a lot less cash. For first time smart speaker buyers, the new Echo is a no-brainer

With a variety of new designs, the new Amazon Echo is better-looking than the original, just as smart and a lot less expensive. The addition of an aux-out jack lets you connect it with your existing audio setup. It's also a slightly better listener...

Though fine for casual listening and strong enough to fill a room with music, the Echo still doesn't sound as good as premium, high-fidelity speakers. The volume ring of the original is gone, replaced with the cheaper volume buttons of the Echo Dot.

Alexa is still the most compelling voice control platform, and the new and improved Echo should only boost her momentum. It's well worth $100.

Cheaper than the original ; Smaller, with new design options ; New Alexa features

Much the same as the original

Regardless, if you’ve been hesitant in the past about plonking an always-listening device in your home, the Echo 2 is proof that these devices do indeed have a future, and they keep getting better and better. Amazon’s Echo 2 is definitely worthy of...