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    Echo Dot Kids Edition
    An Amazon WiFi and Bluetooth wireless smart speaker system with the Alexa digital assistant.
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    * This Model May Have Limited Distribution

    Description
    An Amazon WiFi and Bluetooth wireless smart speaker system with the Alexa digital assistant.

    CR Expert Take

    How did it perform in our expert lab testing?

    What goes into the Overall Score?

    Ratings

    EXPERT LAB TESTS

    Sound quality
     /  5
    Versatility
     /  5
    Ease of use
     /  5
    Color
     /  5
    Supported digital assistant(s)
     /  5

    Detailed Test Results

    Sound Quality

    The Amazon Echo Dot kids Edition has fair overall sound quality. What little bass there is has little impact is very subdued and deep bass is lacking. Midrange is thin - "telephone-like", hazy, congested and grainy. Treble is somewhat smeared, subdued and upper treble is muted. Doesn't do a good job of recovering room ambience and is somewhat congested. Provides adequate listening volume for a small sized room but is better suited for near field listening.

    Versatility

    Versatility is very good. It's a mono speaker, with multi-room support but lacks stereo pairing support with another Echo Dot Kids Edition. Wireless: WiFi supports dual-band and this unit has Bluetooth and can output to another speaker but lacks speakerphone functionality. Communications: Has support for calling, texting and messaging - called "Drop In". Digital Assistant Muting: Has a dedicated button to disable the digital assistant by muting its microphones. Audio Connections: Lacks analog audio input but has an analog audio output. Audio Tailoring: Lacks any user tone controls. OS Support: Fire OS, Android and iOS. Other connections and features: Lacks a USB device port. Streaming by voice command: Supports voice command of many common streaming services such as Amazon Music, Pandora, Spotify, Tune-In, and iHeart Radio. Voice ID: Supports voice identity - a feature which allows the account holder with their "voice print" to access personal information.

    Ease of Use

    Overall ease of use of the Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition is very good. Wireless setup: When unit is plugged in it verbally states to follow app instructions. Sign-in to Amazon account. Instructions use diagrams and words to describe setup steps. Must leave app to go to device settings to select he transmitted WiFi signal from the Echo Dot Kids. Unit prompts to continue setup in Alexa App, Select wireless network and enter network password. App prompts to select how to output audio, Setup Amazon FreeTime instructions. Profiles created are displayed, log into Amazon Account, a credit card number is requested, choose communications permissions, Video tutorial presented about how to use Echo Dot Kids. Bluetooth: Bluetooth unavailable until WiFi setup is complete. Setup instructions are not provided during unit setup but are available deep in app help section. Two methods are specified: 1) Pairing setup by voice command 2) Pairing setup started via settings menu. Requires more steps than the usual. However, they are straight forward and intuitive. Console controls: Volume controls are prominent +/- with graphical indicators of volume level which are non-persistent and easily repeatable via verbal commands and easy to actuate. Also, generates a tone with respect to the level selected with discrete volume changes with the physical controls. Audio mute: Lacks console mute or play/pause control. Microphone mute: Well marked, well placed, clear indication when it is engaged. Source selections: App can switch between wireless sources but can't switch to Bluetooth source which requires exiting the app to manually reconnect to paired Bluetooth source or Bluetooth can be connected by a verbal command to previously paired device. App remote: The volume control symbol leads to a volume slider which lacks index markings so not easily repeatable, but easy to actuate. Shown while in menu selection (Graphic EQ Symbol) for currently playing music (If multiple devices in account then the device may require selection). Mute: Well marked, well placed, clear indication when it is engaged. Voice transport controls: Natural language control of transport (Play/Pause/Skip/Mute), volume controls and source selection was easy and intuitive.

    About

    An Amazon WiFi and Bluetooth wireless smart speaker system with the Alexa digital assistant and audio output.

    Price & Shop