The fifth-generation Amazon Echo Dot has taken the place of the now-replaced fourth-gen model, still maintaining the distinctive spherical design reminiscent of a hockey ball, showcasing a design choice that seems to have a lasting presence. Similar to its larger counterpart, the Echo (4th Generation), the Dot's rounded form is truncated at the bottom to create a stable base, featuring the iconic blue ring of light associated with the Amazon Echo line. The pulsating presence of Alexa's illumination is now more subtly displayed, casting a pleasing reflection on kitchen surfaces or glass tables.

For those acquainted with Amazon Echo devices, the setup process involves downloading the Alexa app on your smartphone, plugging in the Dot, and following the provided prompts, with recent enhancements facilitating the integration of multiple Echo devices.

Due to the front-firing driver in the Amazon Echo Dot 4th Gen, wall-mounting it (with the base against the wall) is not recommended. The optimal placement for this Echo Dot is in a corner or facing into a room, with the power connector positioned at the back. Despite a somewhat more intricate design in terms of placement, the audible difference becomes evident once the device is properly positioned.

While the 4th Gen Echo marked significant improvements in sound quality with its spherical design, the transition to an awkward orb shape in the Dot's 5th Gen iteration does not yield the same audio benefits, making the adoption of this form factor less pragmatic for the Dot.