★★★★★☆☆

Echo Pop | Compact Alexa Smart Speaker - Charcoal

Category: Home and Casual Listening

Published: March 24, 2025

Key Features

Compact size of 3.9” x 3.3” x 3.6”
Charcoal color design
Works with Alexa, supporting multiple music providers and smart home devices
Built-in eero connectivity for smart home coverage expansion
Water-resistant design for shower and bathroom use
Long battery life of up to 30 hours on a single charge
Includes adaptive listening and preferred speaking rate accessibility features

Overview and First Impressions

The Amazon Echo Pop is Amazon's smallest smart speaker, designed for rooms with limited space. Its compact size makes it easy to fit in any room while still providing impressive sound quality. The device has a charcoal black finish that adds a modern touch to any interior.

Design and Build Quality

The Echo Pop has an all-weather rubberized surface, which ensures durability and makes it suitable for use in various environments including the shower or bathroom. The design is clean and minimalist with a sleek speaker grille. The device weighs 6.9 oz making it easy to carry around.

Setup and Ease of Use

The setup process for the Echo Pop is straightforward. It can connect to Wi-Fi networks easily through the Alexa app or via Amazon Sidewalk, which helps maintain connectivity even if your primary Wi-Fi network goes down. The device also comes with a quick start guide that provides detailed instructions.

Sound Quality

The Echo Pop features a 1.95-inch front-firing speaker and offers full sound quality suitable for bedrooms and small spaces. It performs well in reproducing both bass and treble, providing a balanced audio experience. However, it may not be the best choice for large rooms or environments with high noise levels.

Bluetooth Performance

The device supports Bluetooth 5.0 and can connect to multiple devices simultaneously. We tested connecting it to our mobile phone and a wireless speaker, and found that the connection was stable and seamless. The sound quality over Bluetooth was comparable to wired connections, making it suitable for streaming music in larger areas.

Battery Life

The Echo Pop boasts an impressive battery life of up to 30 hours on a single charge, which is quite good for a small speaker. This means you can use it throughout your day without having to recharge it frequently. The device also has a power-saving mode that further extends the battery life.

Durability and Weather Resistance

The Echo Pop is designed to withstand water and moisture, making it suitable for use in the shower or bathroom. However, it's important to note that prolonged exposure to direct sunlight may affect the speaker's performance over time.

Features and Extras

The device comes with adaptive listening and preferred speaking rate accessibility features, allowing users with different needs to customize their experience. Alexa can control a wide range of smart home devices, including lights, thermostats, and security systems. It also has a built-in eero connectivity feature that expands Wi-Fi coverage in larger homes.

Performance in Use

The Echo Pop performed well in our testing. We played music, audiobooks, and podcasts through the speaker without any issues. The audio quality was clear and detailed, especially for music. When used with smart home devices, the device responded quickly and accurately to voice commands.

Pros and Cons Summary

Pros:

Compact design that fits easily in any room
Built-in eero connectivity for smart home coverage expansion
Durable all-weather rubberized surface
Long battery life of up to 30 hours on a single charge

Cons:

Potentially not the best choice for large rooms or environments with high noise levels
Noisy in the shower or bathroom due to water-resistant design

Final Verdict and Recommendation

The Amazon Echo Pop is an excellent choice for those looking for a small, powerful smart speaker that fits well in any room. Its built-in eero connectivity feature adds value for smart home enthusiasts, while its durable all-weather design makes it suitable for use in various environments. With impressive battery life and clear audio quality, it's a great option for home and casual listening, as well as hands-free calls.