Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) Smart Speaker with Alexa, Black

The Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) is a compact tech gift that brings Alexa into a living room, bedroom or kitchen. It plays music from Amazon Music, Spotify, JioSaavn and Apple Music on voice command, with clearer vocals and deeper bass than earlier Echo Dots. Alexa understands both English and Hindi, so it suits the whole family.

Why it makes a great tech gift

Smart speakers are useful from the first day: alarms, reminders, news and music are a voice command away. This one also carries a motion sensor and a temperature sensor, which means routines such as turning on the lights on entry or the AC when the room warms up. Parents who are less comfortable with phones often find it easy to use.

Key features

• Improved sound with clearer vocals and deeper bass compared with earlier Echo Dots.
• Music on voice command from Amazon Music, Spotify, JioSaavn and Apple Music (some need a subscription).
• Smart home control of Alexa compatible lights, ACs, TVs and geysers.
• Motion detection and temperature sensor for automated routines in the Alexa app.
• English and Hindi support for reminders, news and everyday questions.
• Tap controls on top to pause music, snooze alarms or dismiss timers.

Who it's for

Suits parents, grandparents, students and anyone setting up a new home. It is a handy housewarming gift, a birthday present or a Secret Santa pick for colleagues.

Gifting tips

Pair it with a smart plug so the recipient can control a lamp or appliance by voice from day one. Setting it up in their language before gifting saves them a step.