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Amazon Echo Dot (3rd gen)
For Everyone
Pros
- All-new design
- Improved sound
- Retains input methods from 2nd-generation
- $20 cheaper
Cons
- Not ideal for kids
- Lack of extended warranty
- Have to pay extra for FreeTime Unlimited
The new Amazon Echo Dot (3rd gen) is sleek, keeps all of the same input ports as its predecessor, and is $20 cheaper. However, this is not an ideal solution for potentially messy kids, the warranty is nowhere near as good, and you have to pay extra for parental control features.
Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition
Kid-centric
Pros
- Included protective case
- 2-year worry-free guarantee warranty
- 1-year Amazon FreeTime Unlimited included
Cons
- $20 more expensive than Echo Dot
- Third-party child-friendly cases are scarce
- Not ideal for every room of the house
- Less powerful speakers
This is the obvious choice if you want to put Alexa in your child's playroom or bedroom. The included warranty and FreeTime Unlimited are almost worth the price of admission. However, that will be a tough pill to swallow at $70.
How do they stack up?
At first glance, the decision on which version of the Echo Dot (3rd gen) should be easy to choose from. However, there is more than meets the eye when comparing these in regards to which would be best for the kids. The standard Amazon Echo Dot has just seen its biggest update yet and sports a much cleaner, mainstream design, that falls in line with the other products in the Echo lineup.
| Echo Dot (3rd gen) | Echo Dot Kids Edition | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 3.9" x 3.9" x 1.7" | 1.5" x 3.5" x 3.5" |
| Weight | 10.6 oz. | 6.7 oz. |
| Microphones | 4 | 7 |
| Speakers | 1.6" speaker | 0.6" speaker |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| 3.5mm audio output | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 3-months | 2-years |
As for the Echo Dot Kids Edition, this is essentially the 2nd-generation Echo Dot (which is still available), with a colorful, protective case. The real value comes in the "extras" that are available with the Echo Dot Kids Edition. If parental controls and family-friendly content are vital to your plans, then you'll enjoy the one year of FreeTime Unlimited and a 2-year warranty. This warranty provides a full product replacement, regardless of what happens to the Echo Dot.
This is extremely tempting if you are clumsy, or there are children running around the house. The Echo Dot (3rd gen) only has a 90-day warranty, meaning you could end up shelling out another $50 if something goes awry. Other differences come in the speaker and microphone department. These are speakers after all, so these are important.
The Echo Dot Kids Edition is essentially a second-generation Echo Dot with a colorful, protective case.
Speaking of FreeTime Unlimited, there are a few things to take note of. The included subscription with the Kids Edition not only provides a plethora of parental controls, but also a multi-platform subscription, which offers music, audiobooks, TV shows, movies, games, and much more for your kids. You can stream music from Radio Disney or access the Parent Dashboard, which provides Parental Control features.
Additionally, if you end up deciding on the Echo Dot (3rd gen), then you can actually add FreeTime Unlimited. This will cost you an extra $2.99 per month and will still give you the same access as if you purchased the Echo Dot Kids Edition. Amazon also offers a yearly subscription priced at $83 for Prime members or $119 if you aren't a Prime subscriber.
Opting for FreeTime Unlimited means that you'll have kid-friendly content accessible across an array of devices. These products not only include the Echo family, but also Fire tablets, Kindle tablets, iOS, and Android. This is the perfect way to keep your children occupied and looking at the "right" content, regardless of the platform.
The Echo Dot (3rd gen) comes equipped with a much more powerful 1.6-inch speaker, combined with four total microphones. However, a new product means improvements to these various hardware inclusions. The Echo Dot Kids Edition includes a total of seven microphones, but a much smaller 0.6-inch speaker that can sound tinny at times and inadequate when compared to other speakers.
Chances are if you really care about the sound that much, you'll end up having picked up a Bluetooth speaker that is compatible with either Echo Dot (3rd gen). If this is destined for a bedroom or office, then you'll likely want to swing for the standard Echo Dot (3rd Gen) over the Kids Edition. Unless, of course, you really want that nifty and vibrant case.
So the final decision should be simple. If you have kids and want all that FreeTime Unlimited has to offer, you should go for the Kids Edition. Unless you're a clumsy adult or want a colorful case, you should get the Echo Dot.
Amazon Echo Dot (3rd gen)
For everyone
Perfect for just about anyone
If you are looking for a speaker featuring a great design, improved speakers and microphones, and a cheaper price tag ($50), then you'll want the standard Echo Dot.
Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition
For Kids
Perfect for those seeking parental controls
The Echo Dot Kids Edition is the obvious choice for those wanting to put Alexa in the child's playroom or those who want the great warranty included, and don't care about the price.
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