Amazon Echo (1st Gen)From real comments

Name: Amazon Echo (1st Gen)
Rating: 3.4 (13 reviews)

Verdict distilled from 13 mentions across 10 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment69%

PROS 69%

CONS 31%

Rank based on 13 mentions across 10 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

You want a very cheap used entry point into the Alexa ecosystem
You already own compatible smart switches, outlets, or a thermostat
You appreciate the twist-top volume control over button controls

What users love

Durable long-term reliability0 mentions

Strongly positive

Loved twist volume control0 mentions

Strongly positive

Decent sound with tweaking0 mentions

Widely praised

Solid smart home integration0 mentions

Widely praised

Very affordable used0 mentions

Widely praised

Still a favorite among owners0 mentions

Strongly positive

Skip this if...

You expect sound quality comparable to newer Echo speakers
You need seamless setup via Chrome or a modern app without workarounds
You need full control (volume/channel) over connected Bluetooth speakers

What users complain about

Limited third-party speaker control0 mentions

Generally negative

Setup difficulties0 mentions

Generally negative

Sound needs tweaking to shine0 mentions

Mildly negative

Device shows wear over time0 mentions

Mildly negative

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice

1Mid

Sonos One

Excellent sound quality

Sonos One

Excellent sound quality

You are here

2Budget

Amazon Echo (1st Gen)

Decent sound with tweakingDurable long-term reliabilityLoved twist volume controlDevice shows wear over timeLimited third-party speaker controlSetup difficulties

Amazon Echo (1st Gen)

Decent sound with tweaking

Durable long-term reliability

Loved twist volume control

Device shows wear over time

Limited third-party speaker control

Setup difficulties

3Premium

Sonos Era 300

Excellent Atmos surround performanceSeamless Sonos ecosystem and ease of useStrong stereo pair sound qualityDisabled front driver in surround modeHigh priceInconsistent or disjointed sound for some listeners

Sonos Era 300

Excellent Atmos surround performance

Seamless Sonos ecosystem and ease of use

Strong stereo pair sound quality

Disabled front driver in surround mode

High price

Inconsistent or disjointed sound for some listeners

Denon Home 250

Impressive sound for its sizeProximity-sensing touch controlsStrong wireless stereo pairing experienceAudio-video lag when watching video

Denon Home 250

Impressive sound for its size

Proximity-sensing touch controls

Strong wireless stereo pairing experience

Audio-video lag when watching video

5Premium

Bang & Olufsen Beosound A9

Iconic, eye-catching designLong-term listening satisfactionExpandable multi-room setupUncertain fit for small roomsGoogle Assistant privacy concernsLimited flexibility on early models

Bang & Olufsen Beosound A9

Iconic, eye-catching design

Long-term listening satisfaction

Expandable multi-room setup

Uncertain fit for small rooms

Google Assistant privacy concerns

Limited flexibility on early models

6Mid

Amazon Echo (2nd Gen)

Rich, Room-Filling SoundSharper Far-Field MicrophonesUseful Smart Home & Calling IntegrationConnectivity Dropouts & Setup FailuresNo Bluetooth Multi-Room SyncEarly Units Had a Sound-Quality Bug

Amazon Echo (2nd Gen)

Rich, Room-Filling Sound

Sharper Far-Field Microphones

Useful Smart Home & Calling Integration

Connectivity Dropouts & Setup Failures

No Bluetooth Multi-Room Sync

Early Units Had a Sound-Quality Bug

Best value

7Premium

Apple HomePod

Great home theater/TV speaker setupExcellent sound qualityStrong value when discountedHigh retail priceWeak Siri assistantHardware reliability issues

Apple HomePod

Great home theater/TV speaker setup

Excellent sound quality

Strong value when discounted

High retail price

Weak Siri assistant

Hardware reliability issues

8Mid

Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)

Improved Sound QualitySmart Home IntegrationTemperature Sensor FeatureLack of 3.5mm Audio JackSetup Connectivity IssuesInconsistent Voice Recognition

Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)

Improved Sound Quality

Smart Home Integration

Temperature Sensor Feature

Lack of 3.5mm Audio Jack

Setup Connectivity Issues

Inconsistent Voice Recognition

9Mid

Amazon Echo (4th Gen)

Improved sound qualityNew spherical designGood value/pricing on dealsZigbee/smart device connectivity problemsDesign/accessory complaintsQuestionable upgrade value

Amazon Echo (4th Gen)

Improved sound quality

New spherical design

Good value/pricing on deals

Zigbee/smart device connectivity problems

Design/accessory complaints

Questionable upgrade value

10Mid

Sonos Play:3

Strong sound qualityReliable multi-room integrationGreat resale value and bargainsDifficult setup and factory resetMono confusion in single-unit modeSupport and reliability concerns

Sonos Play:3

Strong sound quality

Reliable multi-room integration

Great resale value and bargains

Difficult setup and factory reset

Mono confusion in single-unit mode

Support and reliability concerns

Sound quality
1. Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)arrow_upward12
2. Apple HomePodarrow_upward9
3. Amazon Echo (2nd Gen)arrow_upward7
Setup issues
1. Amazon Echo (1st Gen)arrow_downward1
2. Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)arrow_downward7
Temperature sensor
1. Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)arrow_upward6
2. Amazon Echo (4th Gen)arrow_upward2
Smart home hub
1. Apple HomePodarrow_upward4
2. Amazon Echo (2nd Gen)arrow_upward3
Durability
1. Sonos Play:3arrow_upward2
2. Amazon Echo (4th Gen)arrow_upward1

Overall Impression

It has aged surprisingly well for smart home basics. Owners report the original Echo still functioning a decade after purchase, controlling switches, outlets, and a thermostat without issue. One user noted it could only turn a Bose speaker on or off, not adjust volume or channels, attributing this limitation to the speaker rather than the Echo itself. Overall, it remains genuinely useful for straightforward automation tasks.

The twist-top volume dial is a standout physical design choice. Multiple commenters specifically praised the twisting top for adjusting volume, calling it easier and more satisfying than pressing buttons. This tactile control appears to be a lasting favorite feature even years later, distinguishing the original Echo from later button-based or touch-based models. It's a small but memorable design element owners still bring up unprompted.

Sound and setup require some patience by modern standards. With its small 2.75-inch drivers, audio needs tweaking or a graphic equalizer app adjustment to sound its best, and users acknowledge it won't compete with newer Alexa speakers. Setup can also be inconsistent today: one buyer couldn't connect via Chrome or the Android app and had to switch to Firefox on a laptop to get it working, though it performed well afterward.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?

check_circleDurable long-term reliability

2 mentions

Strongly positive

Multiple owners report their 1st Gen Echo still working well after roughly 10 years of use, even after being repaired or modded. This longevity is repeatedly highlighted as impressive for a device of its age.

@Valay.

2024 review. Still rocks today and thats good for a 10 year old speaker. Though you have to tweak it a little bit to be able to squeeze as much as you can from those little 2.75 drivers in order to get the best sound possible… it definitely wont compare at all with the newer Alexas but it still does fine on its own at its 10 years of existing. Mine its in a little rough shape after a decade but she still gives battle to my several other echoes with its mods that i did to it

smart_display

February 29, 2024

@MarkMphonoman

This echo is beautiful. I have about a half a dozen echo devices and this original one is still my favorite. Love everything about it. They used to have skins for it to dress it up. Not sure if you can still find any of those. I too like the twist feature for volume. So, numero uno is still King. 👍

smart_display

February 20, 2023

volume_upLoved twist volume control

2 mentions

Strongly positive

The twisting top for volume adjustment is called out by multiple users as a favorite feature, preferred over pressing buttons. It's considered easier and more intuitive to use.

@MarkMphonoman

smart_display

February 20, 2023

@georgehext2244

I do love the twisty part on the top for the volume, it's easier than the buttons for suree

smart_display

November 29, 2021

graphic_eqDecent sound with tweaking

2 mentions

Widely praised

Despite small drivers, users say the speaker sounds great and can be improved via a graphic equalizer in the app, giving satisfying audio for its size and age.

@Valay.

smart_display

February 29, 2024

@caveredecorator5310

thank you so much for this review. i just ordered one on ebay for 12 dollars.. 8 dollars shipping and a dollar tax. update. it came today and wouldnt connect with google chrome or the app on the android. i had to download firefox on my laptop to set it up. sounds great. update; after several months of use i am still enjoying it and it now is accessable to adjust with my android app. even has a graphic equalizer on there.

smart_display

January 12, 2022

homeSolid smart home integration

1 mentions

Widely praised

The Echo successfully controls switches, outlets, a thermostat, and a tankless water heater, making it genuinely worthwhile for users with existing compatible smart devices.

@94Sadek

like the features, setup was difficult for some of my devices (August Door lock, https://www.youtube.com/post/UgkxhB5YOMNj04GuoAosExygP4cH-dKeb4aB Bose speaker)... but all switches and outlets (5), thermostat, tankless water heater. Unfortunately all I can do is turn on/off Bose. It doesn't support volume or changing channels, but I believe that is due to the particular speaker I have.... Worth getting if you already have other devices to use it with... I don't sit around and ask Alexa questions much so that doesn't really matter to me....

smart_display

August 14, 2023

attach_moneyVery affordable used

1 mentions

Widely praised

A buyer found a used unit on eBay for a low total price including shipping and tax, making it an inexpensive way to try the Alexa ecosystem.

@caveredecorator5310

smart_display

January 12, 2022

favoriteStill a favorite among owners

1 mentions

Strongly positive

One user with several Echo devices says this original model remains their favorite, praising it overall despite owning newer versions.

@MarkMphonoman

smart_display

February 20, 2023

warningLimited third-party speaker control

1 mentions

Generally negative

When paired with some Bluetooth speakers, the Echo could only turn the device on or off, without volume or channel control, a limitation attributed to the specific speaker used.

@94Sadek

smart_display

August 14, 2023

errorSetup difficulties

1 mentions

Generally negative

One user could not get the device to connect using Chrome or the Android app and had to resort to using Firefox on a laptop to complete setup.

@caveredecorator5310

smart_display

January 12, 2022

tuneSound needs tweaking to shine

1 mentions

Mildly negative

Getting the best audio out of the small drivers requires some adjustment effort, and even then it clearly can't compete with newer Alexa speakers.

@Valay.

smart_display

February 29, 2024

buildDevice shows wear over time

1 mentions

Mildly negative

After a decade of use, one unit is described as being in rough shape, needing mods to keep performing well.

@Valay.

smart_display

February 29, 2024

Amazon Echo (1st Gen)chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

thumb_up_off_altBuy this if...

What users lovefavorite_border

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What users complain aboutheart_broken

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Who wins on what

Sound quality

Setup issues

Temperature sensor

Smart home hub

Durability

auto_awesomeOverall Impression

Amazon Echo (1st Gen)From real comments

Buy this if...

What users love

Skip this if...

What users complain about

Overall Impression