Tech & Appsbuying guide
Echo prices jumped by up to $100 this year, so buy with care
A global memory crisis pushed up what Amazon charges for Echo speakers and displays, and Black Friday is the next sale to watch.
What changed in August
The Echo Show 21 now costs $499.99, up $100 from $399.99, the largest increase on Amazon's list. [1] If you are shopping for an Echo speaker or smart display, every model on that list costs more than it did before. [1]
A global memory crisis is behind widespread price increases across the tech industry. [1] As of August 2026, those increases reached Amazon devices, including Echo devices. [1]
The new prices
The Echo Dot (5th Gen) rose from $49.99 to $79.99, an increase of $30. [1] The Echo Spot rose by the same $30, from $79.99 to $109.99. [1] The Echo Dot Max went from $99.99 to $119.99, an increase of $20. [1]
Among the displays, the Echo Show 8 rose from $149.99 to $199.99, an increase of $50. [1] The Echo Show 11 base price rose from $220 to $250. [2]
The Echo Dot (5th Gen) shows how much the picture has shifted. Its base price used to be $50 and it was often on sale for around $30, but it is now $80, with a sale price of $55. [2]
What an Echo does
Echo devices are multitasking smart home devices that do a little bit of everything in nearly every room of the house. [1] With the rollout of Alexa+, they are now supercharged with extra AI features. [1]
The Echo Dot (5th Gen) has a built-in mic, in-app privacy controls, a temperature sensor, and a motion detector to help automate other smart home devices. [1] With sound detection routines, you can set a specific sound, such as a dog barking, to trigger an Alexa Routine. [1]
The Echo Show 8 has an 8-inch HD touchscreen and a 13-megapixel camera. [1] It can also function as a security camera that you can check through the Alexa app while you are away. [1]
The options at the top
Amazon is no longer selling the plain Echo, which was last updated in 2020. [2] That makes the Echo Dot Max the only powerful-sound option under $150 from Amazon. [2] The Echo Dot Max has a built-in smart home hub, which the reviewer says was never before available in such a small speaker. [2]
The Echo Dot Max comes with Alexa+ out of the box. [2] Without a Prime membership, it offers only a 30-day trial before a fee applies. [2]
A new 6th-gen Echo Dot costs $100. [2] It includes a smart home hub, Omnisense environmental sensing, the ability to extend an eero mesh Wi-Fi system, and improved bass. [2]
Among displays, the reviewer preferred the Echo Show 11 over the fourth-gen Echo Show 8, citing its larger screen and sound quality. [2] The Echo Show 11 has onscreen ads, which is listed as a drawback. [2]
New rivals and new models
Apple announced a collection of smart home products, a new venture for the company that may compete with Amazon. [1] The HomePod mini 2 is positioned as an Echo or Echo Dot counterpart, and the Apple HomeView as an Echo Show counterpart. [1]
Amazon announced several new Echo models on October 28, after which the reviewer said they would update the guide. [2]
What it means for you
Echo devices typically go on sale during events such as Prime Day and Black Friday. [1] The next big sale expected is Black Friday on November 27, 2026. [1]
If you want an Echo Dot Max and do not have a Prime membership, check the fee that applies after the 30-day Alexa+ trial. [2] If you are weighing a Show 11, the onscreen ads are a drawback to consider. [2]
Sources
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