We compare the Echo Dot Kids and Echo Dot to help you work out which is the right Echo speaker for you
Estimated reading time: 1 minute
Amazon has a number of Echo speakers and displays within its portfolio, from the small and compact Echo Pop through to the biggest Echo Show 21. The company also offers a couple of specific ‘Kids’ models in the Echo Show 5 and Echo Dot, as well as the Echo Pop if you’re in the US, which can make things even more complicated if you’re trying to pick the right Echo to buy.
That’s where we can help though. If you’re trying to decide between the Echo Dot and the Echo Dot Kids, let us explain the differences and what you get with the slightly more expensive Kids model so you can figure out which is right for you and the people in your home.
Amazon Echo Dot vs Echo Dot Kids: Price
Both the Amazon Echo Dot and the Echo Dot Kids are available globally, including in the US and the UK. The Echo Dot costs $49.99 / £54.99. It comes in three color options of Charcoal, Glacier White and Deep Sea Blue.
The Amazon Echo Dot Kids meanwhile, is a little more expensive at $59.99 / £64.99, but it does come with 12 months of Amazon Kids+ free, which is normally $4.99 / £4.99 a month, so you more than make back that extra $10/£10. It comes in two designs with a Dragon and an Owl available and the Echo Dot Kids also has a two-year Worry-Free Guarantee where Amazon will replace it free of charge if your child was to break it.
It’s also worth keeping in mind that both the Amazon Echo Dot and the Echo Dot Kids are typically discounted during sales periods like Prime Day, Black Friday and holidays. When these discounts appear, they are both usually 50 per cent less than full price so it’s worth waiting until those opportunities where possible.
Amazon Echo Dot vs Echo Dot Kids: Design
The Amazon Echo Dot and the Echo Dot Kids are identical in design, to some degree. They are the same size at 100 x 100 x 89mm, same weight at 340g, the same shape and they have the same controls, as well as the same internals.
But they don’t look the same. Why? Well, the Echo Dot has a plain material covering in one of the three available color options, while the Echo Dot Kids has either the Dragon covering or the Owl, which makes it more exciting for little ones. With the Echo Pop Kids, you can simply remove the insert that makes it more child-friendly, but that’s not the case with the Echo Dot Kids. Once you invest in that owl design, it isn’t going anywhere.
The Echo Kids have the option of a stand too, with the Owl option available with a nest stand, while the Dragon has a cracked egg stand so both have the potential to make them even more appealing to kids.
Both the Echo Dot and Echo Dot Kids have volume up and volume down buttons on the top of their ball-shaped designs though. They also have an Action button and a microphone mute button. Both also have an LED ring at the bottom that lights up when Alexa is triggered so apart from their material coverings, they are identical speakers.
Amazon Echo Dot vs Echo Dot Kids: Performance
When it comes to sound quality and performance, the Echo Dot and Echo Dot Kids are identical here too. They both come have the same 1.73-inch front-firing speaker and both deliver decent sound performance.
Neither is going to fill a room with sound if you’re having a party – you’ll need the Echo Studio for that, or a smart speaker like the Era 100 or Apple HomePod, but for some casual tunes in the kitchen, office or kid’s bedrooms or playroom, the Echo Dot and Echo Dot Kids are more than capable.
Amazon Echo Dot vs Echo Dot Kids: Features
When it comes to features, the Amazon Echo Dot and the Echo Dot Kids are similar, but there are a couple of differences. Starting with what’s the same though, both devices have Alexa built in, as you would expect, and that brings a number of features.
Both support Alexa Drop In and Alexa Calling for example, and you will be able to use Alexa on both the Echo Dot and the Echo Dot Kids to control compatible smart home devices, set up Alexa Routines, set alarms, ask for weather, find out general information, and stream music, books and podcasts.
The Echo Dot Kids has a child-friendly version of Alexa however, so it’s an age-appropriate version of Amazon’s assistant that can filter out explicit lyrics in music for example, or give kid-friendly responses to questions.
Children can still use Alexa on Echo Kids to control smart home devices, set alarms, call contacts and listen to audiobooks and music, as well as get help with homework and answers to questions. But contacts available to call are approved but parents and music and books are age-appropriate.
We mentioned the Echo Dot Kids comes with one year of Amazon Kids+, and that means they will get access to age-appropriate educational content, kid-friendly Audible books, interactive games and educational Alexa skills, including content from Horrid Henry, Numberblocks and Harry Potter, with the Echo Dot Kids. The Echo Kids also has a Parent’s Dashboard for setting volume and daily time limits, and reviewing activities.
The Echo Dot meanwhile, is Matter compatible and it can also act as a Wi-Fi extender if you have Amazon’s Eero system – neither of which you’ll find on the Echo Dot Kids.
Amazon Echo Dot vs Echo Dot Kids: Which one is right for you?
If you have children between the ages of 3 and 12, then the Amazon Echo Dot Kids is a no brainer if you’re planning on putting it in a room they use regularly. It not only offers the same sound performance as the Echo Dot, but it has many of the same features but with age parameters in place.
The Echo Dot Kids designs are more exciting for kids too, and even when those kids grow up, the Echo Dot Kids can then switch to functioning just as the Echo Dot, apart from without Matter and Eero support and in a more childish design.
If you don’t have young kids in your home, then the Echo Dot is probably the one you’ll want out of these two, unless of course you prefer the cute designs of the Echo Dot Kids.
FAQs
Yes, Amazon’s Echo Dot Kids has Alexa but it is a child-friendly version.
You get one year of Amazon Kids+ free with the Echo Dot Kids, and that unlocks that subscription on other Echo speakers you might have. After the year, it costs $4.99 / £4.99 a month.
