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Published: 25 May 2025
Also featured in: Top 5 Smart Home Hubs for UK Homes in 2025
Overview
The newest generation Echo smart speaker is more than just a music player — it’s now a full-fledged smart home hub with support for Matter and Thread. This makes it a central controller for a wide range of smart devices in your home, from lights to thermostats to sensors. In this review, we evaluate its audio performance, Alexa improvements, smart home capabilities, and whether it’s worth upgrading in 2025 for UK users.
Key Features
- ✅ Built-in smart home hub with Matter, Zigbee & Thread support
- ✅ Rich, room-filling sound with spatial audio tuning
- ✅ Alexa voice assistant with improved AI understanding
- ✅ Supports Bluetooth and dual-band Wi-Fi
- ✅ Temperature sensor and motion detection included
- ✅ Multi-room audio, intercom, and Alexa routines support
Pros
- Great sound quality for its size
- Smart home hub support built in
- Reliable Alexa voice control
- Works with Zigbee, Matter, and Thread
- Attractive spherical design fits any room
Cons
- No 3.5mm audio out port
- Requires stable Wi-Fi for best performance
- Not portable – needs mains power
Audio Quality and Performance
The Echo delivers powerful 360-degree sound with improved bass response and clarity over previous models. The speaker auto-adjusts based on your room’s acoustics and supports stereo pairing with a second Echo. It’s perfect for podcasts, music, and casual listening with deep integration into Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music, and more.
Alexa and Smart Home Features
Alexa has matured with faster responses and improved understanding of routines, schedules, and contextual queries. You can set up automations using temperature or motion triggers, control compatible lights and plugs, and use Alexa Guard for basic home security. The inclusion of a Matter controller and Thread radio brings future-ready compatibility with next-gen smart devices.
Setup and App Experience
Setup is seamless through the Alexa app, with guided instructions and smart home device discovery. Adding devices to routines or groups is easy, and firmware updates run in the background. The Echo also supports Guest Connect and intercom features for large households.
Final Verdict
With bold sound, a sleek look, and comprehensive smart home support, the latest Echo is Amazon’s most powerful smart speaker yet. Whether you’re just getting started with Alexa or upgrading your smart home hub, this Echo model is a top-tier choice for 2025 UK homes. The addition of Matter and Thread gives it long-term relevance in a rapidly evolving smart ecosystem.
★★★★★ (4.7/5)