Amazon Echo Dot vs Echo Dot Kids: What’s the difference?

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Amazon has several Echo speakers and displays in its portfolio, from the small and compact Echo Pop to the larger Echo Show 21. The company also offers a couple of kid-specific 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 choose the right Echo for buy.

But that’s where we can help. If you’re trying to decide between Echo Dot and Echo Dot Kids, let us explain the differences and what you get with the slightly more expensive Kids model so you can determine which one is right for you and the people in your home.

Amazon Echo Dot vs Echo Dot for kids: Price

Both Amazon Echo Dot and Echo Dot Kids are available worldwide, including the US and UK. The Echo Dot costs $49.99 / £54.99. It comes in three color options: Charcoal, Glacier White, and Deep Sea Blue.

Meanwhile, the Amazon Echo Dot Kids is a little more expensive at $59.99 / £64.99, but it comes with 12 months of free Amazon Kids+, which normally costs $4.99 / £4.99 a month, so You more than get that extra $10 back. £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 warranty where Amazon will replace it free of charge if your child breaks it.

It’s also worth keeping in mind that both the Amazon Echo Dot and Echo Dot Kids are typically discounted during sales periods like Prime Day, Black Friday, and holidays. When these discounts do appear, they are both usually 50 percent off the full price, so it’s worth waiting until those opportunities become possible.

Amazon Echo Dot vs. Echo Dot for Kids: Design

The Amazon Echo Dot and Echo Dot Kids are identical in design, to some extent. They have the same size (100 x 100 x 89 mm), the same weight (340 g), the same shape and have the same controls, as well as the same internal parts.

But they don’t look the same. Because? Well, the Echo Dot has a smooth material cover in one of three available color options, while the Echo Dot Kids has the Dragon or Owl cover, making it more exciting for little ones. With Echo Pop Kids, you can simply remove the insert which makes it more kid-friendly, but that’s not the case with Echo Dot Kids. Once you invest in the design of that owl, it’s not going anywhere.

The Echo Kids also have the option of a stand, with the Owl option available with a nest stand, while the Dragon has a cracker stand, so both have the potential to make them even more appealing to kids.

However, both Echo Dot and Echo Dot Kids have volume up and down buttons at the top of their ball-shaped designs. They also have an action button and a microphone mute button. Both also have an LED ring on the bottom that lights up when Alexa is activated, so aside from their material covers, they’re identical speakers.

Amazon Echo Dot vs Echo Dot for kids: Performance

When it comes to sound quality and performance, the Echo Dot and Echo Dot Kids are identical here too. Both come with the same 1.73-inch front-facing speaker and both offer decent sound performance.

Neither will 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 the Apple HomePod, but for some casual tunes in the kitchen, office, or in the kids’ bedrooms or playroom, the Echo Dot and Echo Dot Kids They are more than capable.

Amazon Echo Dot vs Echo Dot for kids: Characteristics

When it comes to features, the Amazon Echo Dot and Echo Dot Kids are similar, but there are a couple of differences. Starting with the same, both devices have Alexa integrated, as expected, and that brings a number of features.

Both support Alexa Drop In and Alexa Calling, for example, and you’ll be able to use Alexa on both Echo Dot and Echo Dot Kids to control compatible smart home devices, set up Alexa routines, set alarms, ask about the weather, and find out general information and broadcast music, books and podcasts.

However, Echo Dot Kids has a kid-friendly version of Alexa, so it’s an age-appropriate version of Amazon’s assistant that can filter out explicit lyrics in music, for example, or provide answers to questions for kids.

Kids 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, music and books are age appropriate.

We mentioned that Echo Dot Kids comes with one year of Amazon Kids+, which means they’ll have access to age-appropriate educational content, Audible books for kids, interactive games, and educational Alexa skills, including content from Horrid Henry, Numberblocks, and Harry. Potter, with the Echo Dot Kids. Echo Kids also has a parent panel to set volume and daily time limits, and review activities.

Meanwhile, the Echo Dot supports Matter and 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 for kids: Which one is right for you?

If you have kids between the ages of 3 and 12, then the Amazon Echo Dot Kids is a no-brainer if you plan to place it in a room they use regularly. Not only does it offer the same sound performance as the Echo Dot, but it also has many of the same features but with set aging parameters.

The Echo Dot Kids designs are also more exciting for kids, and even as those kids grow up, the Echo Dot Kids can transition to functioning like the Echo Dot, except without Matter and Eero support and with a more child-like design.

If you don’t have little ones at home, then the Echo Dot is probably the one you’ll want between these two, unless of course you prefer the cute designs of the Echo Dot Kids.

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