Smart speakers have come a long way, but the Amazon Echo (4th Gen) still holds a strong position in 2025.
Launched in late 2020, it quickly became a favorite among music lovers thanks to its rich audio performance, adaptive sound tuning, and smart home integration. But with newer models available, is the Echo 4th Gen still a smart buy in 2025?
We’ve tested the Echo (4th Gen) extensively to see how it holds up today, focusing on its sound quality, music performance, and overall smart capabilities.
If you’re wondering, “Is the Amazon Echo 4th Gen good for music?”… Well, we’ve got the answer!
Now, let’s dive into the details, starting with its design and build quality.
1. Design and Build Quality
Sleek, Functional, and Built for Better Sound
The Amazon Echo (4th Gen) ditches the older cylindrical look for a compact, spherical design—and it’s not just for aesthetics. This shape helps improve sound distribution, making for a more immersive listening experience.
Wrapped in a soft fabric cover, the Echo (4th Gen) has a modern, premium feel that fits seamlessly into most home decor styles. It comes in three colors—Charcoal, Glacier White, and Twilight Blue—giving you options to match your space.
Easy Placement, Room-Filling Acoustics
Whether placed on a shelf, desk, or kitchen counter, the Echo (4th Gen)’s acoustics ensure balanced sound throughout the room. The speaker’s downward-firing woofer and front-facing tweeters optimize audio output, making it a great addition to any setup.
2. Audio Performance
One of the biggest reasons to choose the Amazon Echo (4th Gen) is its audio performance. Amazon has stepped up its game with improved hardware and software-driven enhancements, making this smart speaker a great option for music lovers.
Whether you’re streaming your favorite playlist or using it for casual listening, the Echo 4th Gen’s music performance delivers a well-rounded experience.
360-Degree Sound Experience
Unlike many smart speakers that focus sound in one direction, the Amazon Echo (4th Gen) features a dual-tweeter setup and a powerful woofer, creating a 360-degree soundstage. This means music sounds just as good no matter where you’re standing in the room.
Adaptive Audio Tuning
A standout feature of the Amazon Echo 4th Gen’s audio performance is its adaptive audio tuning. The speaker automatically analyzes the acoustics of your room and adjusts its output for the best possible sound.
Dolby Audio Support
While it doesn’t quite match the full surround sound experience of a dedicated home theater system, it still adds noticeable richness to music, podcasts, and audiobooks.
3. Smart Features and Alexa Integration
Beyond great sound quality, the Amazon Echo (4th Gen) shines with its smart capabilities.
Voice Control for Music
The Echo (4th Gen) makes hands-free music control effortless. It supports major streaming services like Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music, and more, so you can play your favorite tracks with a simple voice command.
Alexa can also create custom playlists based on your listening habits and suggest songs that match your mood, making music discovery easier than ever.
Multi-Room Audio
If you have multiple Echo devices, you can sync them together for a seamless multi-room audio experience. Whether you’re playing the same song throughout the house or different tracks in separate rooms, the Echo (4th Gen) makes whole-home music effortless.
Smart Home Hub Integration
One of the standout features of the Echo (4th Gen) is its built-in Zigbee hub, which allows it to control smart home devices directly—no extra hubs needed.
Intercom and Drop-In Features
Alexa’s Drop-In and Intercom features make communication within your household easier. You can instantly connect with other Echo devices in different rooms, whether it’s calling the family to dinner or checking in on someone without needing to yell across the house.
4. Connectivity and Compatibility
The Amazon Echo (4th Gen) offers versatile connectivity options, making it easy to integrate into different setups.
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Options
The Echo (4th Gen) supports both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, allowing you to stream music from various devices. Whether you prefer using Alexa voice commands or manually pairing your phone via Bluetooth, the connection is stable and reliable.
3.5mm Audio Input and Output Support
For those who like wired connections, the Echo (4th Gen) includes a 3.5mm audio jack, allowing you to connect it to external speakers or audio systems. This is a great feature for users who want to boost their sound setup while still using Alexa’s smart features.
Works with Other Smart Home Ecosystems
While the Echo (4th Gen) is optimized for Alexa, it also works with other smart home platforms like Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit through third-party integrations. This flexibility makes it a solid choice for households with mixed smart home devices, ensuring smooth interoperability across different ecosystems.
5. Performance in Different Scenarios
The Amazon Echo (4th Gen) adapts well to different listening environments quite well.
Loud and Clear in Large Rooms
Thanks to its 360-degree sound design and powerful woofer, the Echo (4th Gen) easily fills large rooms with rich, balanced audio. Even at higher volumes, it maintains clarity without noticeable distortion, making it great for house parties or open-concept spaces.
Soft and Balanced for Background Listening
For low-volume listening, the Echo (4th Gen) remains detailed and immersive. Whether you’re playing soft background music while working or winding down for the night, the speaker delivers clear vocals and smooth instrumentals without losing depth.
Bass and Treble Performance at Different Volumes
One of the biggest strengths of the Echo (4th Gen) is its dynamic bass performance. At low volumes, the bass remains present without overpowering other frequencies. As you increase the volume, the treble and mids stay sharp, ensuring vocals and instruments don’t get drowned out by bass-heavy tracks.
6. Privacy and Security
Amazon has taken steps to address privacy concerns with the Echo (4th Gen), giving users more control over their data and voice interactions.
The Echo (4th Gen) includes a dedicated microphone mute button. Pressing it physically disconnects the microphones, ensuring no voice commands are picked up until you turn it back on.
Voice Recording Management Options
Amazon allows users to review and delete voice recordings at any time through the Alexa app. You can also set up automatic deletion for recorded interactions.
Data Security and Alexa Permissions
The Echo (4th Gen) provides customizable privacy settings, allowing you to manage app permissions and choose what data Alexa can access.
What Makes the Echo (4th Gen) Stand Out?
For starters, its sleek, spherical design blends seamlessly into any space. But the real star of the show is its audio performance—Amazon packed in some serious hardware upgrades, promising rich bass, crisp vocals, and room-filling sound.
After spending time with the Amazon Echo (4th Gen), we put it to the test to see if it still holds up in 2025. We’ll cover everything you need to know and whether it remains one of the best smart speakers you can buy today.
Final Verdict – Is It Worth It for Music Lovers?
The Amazon Echo (4th Gen) remains one of the best smart speakers available in 2025, especially for users who prioritize audio quality. Its adaptive tuning, 360-degree sound, and Dolby Audio make it an excellent choice for music lovers.
While it lacks certain features, its balanced sound performance, deep bass, and smart features give it a competitive edge over similar speakers in its price range. If you’re looking for a versatile smart speaker with premium audio, the Echo (4th Gen) is still a top choice in 2025.
FAQs
Can I pair the Echo (4th Gen) with another speaker for stereo sound?
Yes, you can pair two Echo (4th Gen) speakers for stereo sound or connect an Echo Sub for extra bass.
Does Alexa recognize different voices for personalized music recommendations?
Yes, Alexa can recognize multiple voices and provide personalized playlists and suggestions.
