Amazon Echo Plus Review
Amazon Echo Plus (2nd Gen)
A smart speaker featuring an integrated Zigbee hub, designed to simplify smart home management for Alexa users.
How This Score Is Calculated
- Sources analysed: 6 reviews
- Sentiment-only: 6 sources (weighted 1.0×)
- Split: 4 Positive · 2 Mixed · 0 Negative
- Raw weighted average: 7.1
- Formula: Σ(score × weight) ÷ Σ(weight)
- Final score: 7.1/10 (clamped, rounded to 1 decimal)
Algorithmically calculated from source data. No manual adjustments.
- Most reviewed featureZigbee Hub (6/6)
- Most praisedSmart home connectivity
- Most criticisedLacks Z-Wave support
- Reviewer consensus levelModerate
- Value for moneyGood Value (7.5/10)
The Amazon Echo Plus (2nd Gen) is widely regarded as a practical, entry-level smart home hub that excels at simplifying the setup of connected devices via its integrated Zigbee radio. While it offers solid audio performance and a modern fabric design, reviewers note it falls short for audiophiles and lacks the Z-Wave compatibility required for more advanced, complex smart home systems. It is best suited for users already invested in the Alexa ecosystem who want an all-in-one device to manage lighting and sensors without the need for additional bridges.
🔧 Key Specifications
Specifications sourced from reviewer mentions. Verify with manufacturer for complete details.
- Smart Home Hub: Built-in Zigbee
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
- Sensors: Temperature sensor
- Design: Fabric-wrapped aesthetic
- Compatibility: Alexa-enabled devices
💲 Price Range
₹6,250 – ₹14,999
Prices sourced from reviews. Check current retailer pricing.
📊 What Reviewers Say — Feature by Feature
5 features evaluated across 6 sources.
👍 Key Strengths
- Integrated Zigbee smart home hub
- Modern and attractive fabric design
- Excellent voice recognition performance
- Simplified smart home setup process
👎 Key Weaknesses
- No support for Z-Wave devices
- Clunky Alexa app interface
- Weak bass performance for music
- Limited temperature sensor functionality
💰 Value for Money Analysis
Reviewers generally view the Echo Plus as a good value, especially when found at lower street prices (approx. ₹6,250). While some suggest it doesn't offer enough sonic improvement over the standard Echo to justify the full ₹12,500-₹14,999 MSRP, its utility as a smart home hub provides significant worth for those looking to avoid buying separate bridges.
4 of 6 sources commented on price or value.
⚡ Where Reviewers Disagreed
The following areas saw meaningful disagreement across sources.
- Audio Performance: 2 sources praised the sound quality as excellent, while 2 sources described it as lacking power and bass compared to the standard Echo or other competitors. The disagreement likely stems from differing expectations; those comparing it to basic speakers find it excellent, while those comparing it to audiophile-grade gear find it underwhelming.
🎯 Who This Product Is For
Reviewer recommendations for different target audiences and use cases.
🛠️ Best Use Cases
- Smart Home AutomationHighly effective for managing Zigbee-based devices directly, acting as a central hub for Alexa routines.Great
- Voice Assistant InteractionPerformance is best-in-class for Alexa voice recognition and command execution.Great
- Music ListeningAcceptable for casual listening, but performance is overshadowed by dedicated audio speakers like the Sonos One.OK
🔀 Alternatives Mentioned by Reviewers
Maximise this list. Include EVERY single competitor, rival, or alternative product mentioned in any of the source reviews. Do not omit any. More alternatives and longer lists are better.
- Sonos One — Frequently cited as the superior alternative for pure audio quality, offering significantly better sound for a small price premium. Choose this if music fidelity is your priority over smart home hub features.
- Amazon Echo Studio — A more powerful, premium alternative designed specifically for music lovers, featuring Atmos-inspired sound. It is larger and pricier but provides far better audio separation and bass.
- Amazon Echo Show — Recommended for users who want a display-based experience. It offers superior audio quality compared to the Echo Plus and adds visual feedback for smart home controls.
- Standard Amazon Echo — A cheaper alternative that offers nearly identical audio performance to the Echo Plus. Critics suggest buying this instead if you do not strictly require the built-in Zigbee hub.
- Google Home / Apple HomePod — Mentioned as competing ecosystems. The Echo Plus is generally favored over these for smart home enthusiasts who specifically prefer the Alexa ecosystem and its integrated Zigbee functionality.
- SmartThings Hub — A more mature, dedicated smart home hub. While more complex to set up than the Echo Plus, it provides broader device support, including Z-Wave technology.
Alternatives sourced exclusively from reviewer mentions.
🛒 Buyer's Guide
✅ Buy This If…
- You want an easy way to connect Zigbee smart home devices.
- You are already deeply invested in the Amazon Alexa ecosystem.
- You can find it at a discounted street price.
❌ Skip This If…
- You require Z-Wave device support for your smart home setup.
- You are an audiophile prioritizing sound quality above all else.
- You already own a dedicated, more capable smart home hub.
⚠️ Things to Check Before Buying
- Verify if your existing smart home devices are Zigbee compatible, as this unit lacks Z-Wave.
- Check current pricing, as the value proposition changes significantly compared to the standard Amazon Echo.
📈 Sentiment Trends Over Time
Reviews indicate the product has evolved, though some core limitations persist.
- Smart Home Integration — Software updates have improved the Alexa app interface for routines, making the hub more capable than at launch.
- Z-Wave Support — Consistently absent across all reviews, remaining the primary hardware limitation for power users.
The Amazon Echo Plus (2nd Gen) is a solid, user-friendly hub for those beginning their smart home journey. Its standout strength is the integrated Zigbee support, which simplifies device management, though it is held back by a lack of Z-Wave compatibility and mediocre audio for its price point. It is best suited for Alexa users who prioritize convenience over high-end sound. If audio quality is your primary concern, consider the Sonos One or Echo Studio instead.
Top Alternative: Sonos One — Choose this if your priority is high-fidelity music performance over smart home hub connectivity.
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Reviewer Perspectives & Source Breakdown
Amazon Echo Plus (2nd Generation) Review | PCMag - pcmag.com...
Price: ₹12,500
The Amazon Echo Plus is a decent smart speaker that includes a Zigbee hub and temperature sensor, but it fails to offer a significant audio improvement over the standard Echo to justify its higher price tag.
Pros
- Generally strong sound quality
- Clear high-mids and highs
- Powerful and functional Alexa integration
- Convenient Bluetooth connectivity
- Built-in Zigbee smart home hub
Cons
- Not significantly more powerful than the standard Echo
- Relatively weak bass performance
- Bluetooth limitations with stereo pairs and Echo Sub
Amazon Echo Plus review: smart home 101 | The Verge - theverge.com...
Price: Approximately ₹12,500
The Echo Plus is an excellent entry-level smart home hub for Alexa users, simplifying device setup significantly. However, it lacks support for Z-Wave devices and does not offer the advanced capabilities of more mature systems.
Pros
- Built-in ZigBee hub for smart device control
- Simplifies smart home setup process
- Improved Alexa app controls for routines
Cons
- Incompatible with Z-Wave smart home devices
- Less capable than more mature smart home systems
Hands-on Review - Amazon new Echo Dot, Echo Plus & Echo Sub - smartprix....
Price: Echo Dot: Rs 4,499; Echo Plus: Rs 14,999; Echo Sub: Rs 12,999
The new Echo lineup introduces a refreshing fabric design and notable performance improvements, with the Echo Dot sounding significantly louder and the Echo Sub offering a powerful companion audio experience.
Pros
- Refreshed, inviting fabric design
- Echo Dot is 70-percent louder
- Faster Alexa response times
- Built-in smart home hub in Echo Plus
Cons
- Echo Sub does not work with video playback
- Echo Sub limited to new Echo speakers
- No major audio improvements noted yet for Echo Plus
Amazon Echo Plus review - The Ambient - the-ambient.com...
The second-generation Echo Plus is a significant improvement, offering a better design and enhanced sound quality. Its integrated Zigbee hub remains a standout feature for smart home enthusiasts, though it lacks Z-Wave support.
Pros
- Simple setup process
- Improved audio quality
- Modern and attractive design
Cons
- Temperature sensor limited to one room
- Lacks Z-Wave support
- Local Voice Control feature not yet available
Amazon Echo Plus (2nd Gen) review: Good sound, plus Zigbee for the win |...
Price: Approximately ₹6,250
The Echo Plus (2nd Gen) offers excellent audio performance and built-in Zigbee smart home connectivity. While its smart-home configuration can be awkward, its current low price makes it a highly valuable purchase.
Pros
- Outstanding audio performance
- Built-in Zigbee smart home hub
- Excellent voice recognition
- Great value at current price
Cons
- Alexa app interface is clunky
- Zigbee pairing can be frustrating
- Does not support Z-Wave technology
- Volume buttons lack the old dial's fun
In Review: Amazon Echo Studio smart speaker rocks (plus comparison to So...
Price: ₹16,600
The Amazon Echo Studio is the best Echo speaker for music, offering powerful output and clean sound separation. While it is not true audiophile-grade gear, it provides a versatile and well-designed experience.
Pros
- Beautiful and elegant design
- Powerful output for an Echo speaker
- Clean mid-tones and excellent sound separation
- Impressive bass performance
- Distortion-free volume
- Best-in-class Alexa voice assistant experience
Cons
- Requires high volume to fully appreciate Atmos-inspired output
- Larger footprint makes it less suitable for small desks