![]() But if you’re going to play music (and you’re not too tight on space), you might consider the somewhat more expensive but much better-sounding full-sized Echo. There’s a little more bass and treble and the midrange is a bit clearer, with less volume, but overall the sound quality of the latest Dot still remains near the bottom of our rankings. But CR’s testers report that the improvement is minor. What’s not to like: Amazon says that the drivers and electronics of the fifth-gen Dot were revamped with the aim of improving sound quality. You can even pair an Echo to a Bluetooth speaker you already own to give it smart speaker functionality. The Dot can also serve as an inexpensive way to introduce smart speaker functionality throughout your home in an Alexa-based multiroom system. What’s to like: Despite the small size and low price, the Dot offers the same smart speaker functionality as its far more expensive brethren. Who it’s for: A smart speaker newbie looking for an inexpensive way to see whether it really makes sense to add a digital assistant to their home. And if you’re going to mostly place the Wonderboom 2 on a picnic table or a beach blanket, there are slightly larger models, like the Sony SRS XB-23 or the JBL Flip 5, that offer better performance for nearly the same price. Among the truly portable models that you’d listen to on the go, it’s relatively large and has a small mesh loop at the top in lieu of a strap or handle. What’s not to like: The Wonderboom 2 is a solid performer, but consider how you’re going to use it before you buy it. It also has an IPX67 rating, which means it’s water- and dust-resistant, according to Ultimate Ears. Our testers find the model to be easy to use, with large buttons and a user-friendly Bluetooth pairing mode. The bass could be stronger, and the midrange, which isn’t particularly rich, has a trace of an echo. The sound quality is on a par with most portable models. What’s to like: The Wonderboom 2 is short and squat, and fits nicely in your hand. Who it’s for: A listener looking for music by the handful.
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