Product Review · Smart Speakers · #8 Ranked
Amazon Echo Pop (1st Gen)
Budget entry · Reviewed by Drew · amazon.com list, Sept 2026 — often $17.99–$24.99 on sale
Why it scored a 79
At $39.99 it is the cheapest way into Alexa, and with the Echo Dot jumping to $39.99 in August it is now the obvious budget pick. Value carries the score; the 1.95-inch driver is fine for a bedroom or kitchen counter but thin for music, and there is no temperature sensor or Bluetooth-out, which is where Features and Quality give ground.
What you're getting
- 1.95-inch front-firing full-range driver in a half-sphere design
- AZ2 Neural Edge processor; Alexa built in, Alexa+ eligible
- Dual-band Wi-Fi 5 plus Bluetooth streaming from your phone
- No Bluetooth out and no 3.5 mm jack for external speakers
- eero Built-in extender adds up to 1,000 sq ft to an eero mesh
- Works with Matter devices via Alexa; no Zigbee or Thread hub radios
- No temperature or motion sensor, unlike the Echo Dot 5th Gen
- 3.9 x 3.3 x 3.6 in, 6.9 oz; mic-off button and light bar
ViperScore breakdown
At a glance
- 1.95-inch front-firing full-range speaker, half-sphere design
- Alexa built in, AZ2 Neural Edge chip, Alexa+ eligible
- Dual-band Wi-Fi + Bluetooth streaming; eero Wi-Fi extender
- Price$39.99
- TierBudget entry
- Category rank#8 of 10
Should you buy the Amazon Echo Pop?
The Amazon Echo Pop (1st Gen) is the $39.99 speaker for someone who wants Alexa in a bedroom, bathroom, or dorm and does not care much about audio quality. It is the cheapest way into Alexa, and after the Echo Dot price hike it became the obvious budget pick. It ranks eighth among smart speakers with the highest Value score in the category. If you want a temperature sensor or better sound, the Echo Dot (5th Gen) at $39.99 is the next step.
Where it earns its score
- Value is its best factor at 92. The top Value score of any smart speaker we rank.
- Satisfaction of 88. Buyers know what they are getting and are happy with it.
- Alexa+ eligible. The AZ2 chip supports the newer assistant.
- eero extender built in. Adds up to 1,000 sq ft of coverage to an eero mesh at no extra cost.
What to know first
- Warranty is the weakest ViperScore factor. It scores 55.
- Features score is 68. No Zigbee or Thread hub, no temperature or motion sensor, no Bluetooth out, no 3.5 mm jack.
- Quality is 72. A single 1.95-inch driver in a half-sphere; fine for voice and podcasts, thin for music.
- Front-firing only. Sound is directional, so placement matters.
Our verdict
The Amazon Echo Pop scores 79, Fair Buy, and ranks eighth among smart speakers. Buy it if $40 is the budget and voice control is the job. If you can spend $80 more, the Echo Dot Max at 83 adds a real woofer and a smart-home hub.
Sonos Era 100
Questions buyers ask
Is the Echo Pop a smart home hub?
No. It works with Matter devices through Alexa, but it has no Zigbee or Thread hub radios.
Does the Echo Pop have a temperature sensor?
No. Unlike the Echo Dot 5th Gen, it has no temperature or motion sensor.
What is the difference between the Echo Pop and Echo Dot?
The Dot has a larger driver, a temperature sensor, and motion detection. The Pop is smaller, front-firing, and $40 cheaper.
Ready to check it out?
Amazon Echo Pop (1st Gen) · ViperScore 79 · Fair Buy · $39.99
How the other 9 smart speakers scored
84Sonos Era 100
84Amazon Echo Studio (2nd Gen, 2025)
83Amazon Echo Dot Max (2025)
82Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen)
81Amazon Echo Show 8 (4th Gen, 2025)
81Apple HomePod (2nd Gen)
80Apple HomePod mini
79Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen)
76Google Home Speaker (2026, Gemini)
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