The Amazon Echo Studio 2025 is the second generation of the Amazon Echo Studio (1st generation). While the shift from a cylindrical to a spherical design is the most eye-catching change, there have been some tweaks under the hood, too. There's support for Alexa+ and the ability to combine up to five Echo Studios with a sub for the Alexa Home Theater experience. Plus, incremental upgrades like Wi-Fi 6 and a redesigned control interface bring it up to speed with its home speaker contemporaries.
Our Verdict
The Amazon Echo Studio 2025 is decent for music. It has a much more balanced frequency response compared to its predecessor, with more bass on tap and less treble roll-off. Combined with detailed mids, this speaker is a versatile choice that'll suit a variety of genres. Its spherical design means it's capable of reproducing sound consistently across different listening angles, too. Sadly, it's hampered by a lackluster dynamics performance and mono-only playback. It also lacks sound customization options compared to competitors, as its bass/treble controls lack the granularity of a graphic EQ.
Balanced default frequency response.
Mono-only playback.
The Amazon Echo Studio 2025 is middling for videos/movies. While it has the ability to be linked with other Echo Studios and a wireless subwoofer for the Alexa Home Theater experience, its weak dynamics performance and mono-only playback mean that it's not a great fit for soundtracking movie night. On top of that, it has high latency with both Android and iOS devices, so it's probable you'll run into some lip-sync issues. That said, its default frequency response is balanced enough that it can handle both explosion-ridden thrillers and dialogue-driven indie flicks.
Balanced default frequency response.
High latency with iOS and Android devices.
The Amazon Echo Studio 2025 is okay for podcasts. It's able to reproduce mid-range frequencies with plenty of detail, so your favorite hosts' voices will sound natural and lifelike. Its battery-less design means you'll need to keep it parked in one place, though, and its low top volume can be a limiting factor when listening from another room. Still, its directivity is good enough that your listening experience won't be too affected by how you're positioned around the speaker.
Balanced default frequency response.
Doesn't get very loud.
The Amazon Echo Studio 2025 has outstanding voice assistant support. It's intended to be used as a part of a wider Alexa ecosystem, so it's equipped with Alexa+ compatibility, which allows for more complex, AI-assisted functionality. While we weren't able to install Alexa+, we found that the built-in mic did an outstanding job of recognizing voice commands, even in noisy environments, with regular Alexa.
Mic recognizes commands very easily.
Good directivity.
This is a home speaker that lacks a built-in battery. As a result, it's not really suited for outdoor use.
Changelog
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Updated Feb 03, 2026:
We referenced the Amazon Echo Dot Max in the Style box.
- Updated Jan 30, 2026: Review published.
- Updated Jan 27, 2026: Early access published.
- Updated Jan 16, 2026: Our testers have started testing this product.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Amazon Echo Studio 2025 comes in two color variants: 'Graphite' and 'Glacier White,' and we bought and tested the 'Graphite' variant; see a picture of our unit's label. If you encounter another variant of this speaker, please let us know in the comments.
Popular Speaker Comparisons
The Amazon Echo Studio 2025 is a refreshed version of the Amazon Echo Studio (1st generation). This newer iteration features a redesigned exterior, with the original generation's cylindrical shape swapped out in favor of a smooth, spherical design. The 2025 refresh also features a redesigned control panel that utilizes tap gestures. The new gen has a more balanced default sound but lacks the ability to play stereo content without downmixing. It can't get as loud either. If you're looking to spend a bit more and want a home speaker that's compatible with more voice assistants, you can take a look at the Bose Home Speaker 500, too. Its default sound isn't as balanced, but it can get louder and play back stereo content without downmixing. You can also consider the JBL Authentics 500 for a more balanced sound and better build quality, albeit at a higher price.
Check out our recommendations for the best home speakers, the best Bluetooth speakers, and the best-sounding Bluetooth speakers.
The Amazon Echo Studio 2025 is a great choice if you're already invested in the Alexa ecosystem, but the Sonos Era 100 is a versatile alternative. Both are wired home speakers, but the Amazon is compatible with the latest Alexa tech, like Alexa+ and Alexa Home Theater, and features a more balanced default sound. Both speakers have built-in mics that do an excellent job of picking up voice commands, even in busy places, but the Sonos features limited Siri compatibility in addition to Alexa. The Sonos can also get louder, can play back stereo content without downmixing, and is compatible with Apple AirPlay 2.
The Amazon Echo Studio 2025 and Amazon Echo Dot Max are both part of Amazon's 2025 speaker refresh. They both offer superb built-in support for Alexa and compatibility with Amazon's newest technologies, like Alexa Home Theater and Alexa+. The speakers are mainly differentiated by size and price. The larger Studio 2025 costs and weighs about twice as much as the Dot Max, but as a result, it gets louder and puts out more bass.
If you're looking to save some money and don't need all the bells and whistles, the Amazon Echo Gen 4 offers a scaled-back feature set at a fraction of the price of the Amazon Studio 2025. The Studio offers a much more balanced default sound, a room correction feature, a redesigned control interface, and compatibility with next-gen Alexa features, like Alexa Home Theater. Still, the Amazon Echo Gen 4 punches above its weight, with a comparable top volume, stereo playback, and lower latency with iOS and Android devices. The Echo's built-in mic won't recognize your voice commands as easily as the Studio's, though.
The Amazon Echo Studio 2025 is the next generation of the Amazon Echo Studio (1st generation). While the design has been re-worked, with the original's cylindrical shape swapped out for a smoother, orb-like design, there have been steps backwards when it comes to performance. The newer version doesn't get as loud, compresses more at max volume, and can't play back stereo content without downmixing to mono. That said, the newer version does feature some next-gen tech, like Alexa+ and Alexa Home Theater compatibility that can help futureproof your setup. It also has a more balanced default sound and does a better job of picking up voice commands in noisy situations.
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