Amazon Echo Dot Max (2025) review
Best for: Music and voice control at home · Mid-range
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Pros
- Fuller sound than a standard Echo Dot
- Smart home hub built in
- Simple voice control for timers, radio and lists
Cons
- Needs an Amazon account and Wi-Fi
- No aux input
- Touch controls on the front can nudge it around
Full review
The Echo Dot Max sits between Amazon's tiny Echo Dot and its larger Echo speakers, and it makes a good gift for a kitchen, a teenager's bedroom or a parent who would enjoy asking for the radio, the weather or a timer without picking up a phone.
Inside is a two-way speaker with a separate tweeter and woofer, so it sounds fuller than the regular Dot, though it is not a hi-fi speaker. It also doubles as a smart home hub supporting Zigbee, Matter and Thread, which means compatible smart bulbs, plugs and sensors can connect directly to it. Temperature and motion sensors allow simple routines, such as switching on a lamp when someone walks in.
There are a few things to consider before wrapping it. The recipient needs Wi-Fi, a smartphone for the Alexa app and an Amazon account, and some people are uneasy about an always-listening microphone in the home. There is no 3.5mm input for an old CD player. Amazon's newer Alexa+ assistant has rolled out country by country, so check what is available where the recipient lives.
If they already use Alexa, this is an easy upgrade to recommend.
Full specifications
| What it is | Smart speaker with Alexa and smart home hub |
|---|---|
| Who it suits | Kitchens, bedrooms, anyone starting a smart home |
| Works with | Alexa app on iPhone or Android; Zigbee, Matter and Thread devices |
| Set-up for the recipient | Plug in, set up with the Alexa app and Wi-Fi |
| Battery / power | Mains powered, no battery |
| Charging | Power adapter |
| Water resistance | Not water resistant |
| Weight | About 505 g |
| Size | 108 x 108 x 99 mm |
| Colours | Black, white, purple (Amethyst) |
| What's in the box | Speaker, power adapter |
| Extras to budget for | Music streaming subscription optional |
| Standout feature | Two-way speaker with built-in smart home hub |
| Main drawback | No 3.5mm audio input; needs Wi-Fi and an Amazon account |
| Released | Autumn 2025 |
| Drivers | 0.8-inch tweeter, 2.5-inch woofer |
| Sensors | Temperature, motion |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 |
Spec check note: Amazon's own product page could not be read by our checker, so dimensions, weight and driver sizes follow UK retailer listings of Amazon's specification. Alexa+ availability differs by country.
Specifications checked against: Currys UK Echo Dot Max listing
How it compares with its rivals
| Feature | Amazon Echo Dot Max (2025) | Fujifilm instax mini 12 | Sony WF-C710N wireless noise-cancelling earbuds | Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (12th generation, 2024) | JBL Flip 7 portable Bluetooth speaker | Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, aluminium) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Music and voice control at home | A fun, low-cost present | A safe gift for any phone user | Readers of any age | Music outdoors | iPhone users who like to keep fit |
| Price band | Mid-range | Budget | Mid-range | Mid-range | Mid-range | Premium |
| What it is | Smart speaker with Alexa and smart home hub | Instant film camera | True wireless earbuds with noise cancelling | E-reader with 7-inch glare-free screen | Portable Bluetooth speaker | Smartwatch and fitness tracker |
| Who it suits | Kitchens, bedrooms, anyone starting a smart home | Teens, parties, weddings, anyone who likes printed photos | Commuters, students, gym-goers on any phone | Book lovers, commuters, holiday readers | Teens, students, campers, garden and beach days | iPhone owners who exercise or want health tracking |
| Works with | Alexa app on iPhone or Android; Zigbee, Matter and Thread devices | Stand-alone, no phone or app needed | iPhone and Android (Bluetooth 5.3, Sony app optional) | Stand-alone over Wi-Fi; Kindle app optional | Any Bluetooth phone; JBL Portable app optional | iPhone 11 or later on iOS 26 or later only |
| Set-up for the recipient | Plug in, set up with the Alexa app and Wi-Fi | Insert batteries and a film pack, then shoot | Pair once over Bluetooth | Connect to Wi-Fi and sign in to Amazon | Pair once over Bluetooth | Pair with the recipient's own iPhone |
| Battery / power | Mains powered, no battery | 2 x AA, about 10 packs of film per set | Up to 8.5 hrs (noise cancelling on), 12 hrs (off), per charge | Up to 12 weeks (Amazon's estimate) | Up to 14 hrs, 16 hrs with Playtime Boost | Up to 24 hrs, 38 hrs in Low Power Mode |
| Charging | Power adapter | Not rechargeable (AA batteries) | USB-C case, no wireless charging | USB-C (plug not included) | USB-C, about 2.5 hrs (cable not included) | Magnetic fast charger, about 80% in 30 mins |
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