Amazon's Echo Dot is a popular feature in many people's homes (Image: Amazon)

Amazon slashes over 50% off latest Echo Dot speaker that is 'truly impressive'

Shoppers can pick up the much-loved home gadget now for even less in time for Christmas.

by · Daily Record

Christmas is just one week away, and if you've still got a present or two to buy, you may be scratching your head over what a good gift might be.

You really can't go wrong with a smart speaker, and the ever-popular Amazon Echo Dot is now on sale at a massively reduced price.

Boasting impressive features such as Alexa voice commands, control over your home's smart devices and a big, vibrant sound, the latest edition of the handy gadget can be bought at a 55% discount.

At the moment, the smart speaker costs just £24.99 down from £59.99 - ideal if you want to treat someone for less this Christmas.

The latest model of the product, which was released in 2022, is Amazon's 'best sounding' Echo dot yet. Made for playing your favourite music and podcasts, the new Dot allows you to hear clearer vocals, a deeper bass and a more vibrant sound no matter where you choose to listen.

It's compatible with the Alexa app, but you can also talk to the speaker directly and ask it all kinds of questions and requests.

You can ask it for the weather forecast, remind you do to something, set an alarm - the opportunities are endless.

The Echo Dot can help with a huge range of household tasks (Image: Amazon)

Paired with compatible light bulbs, thermostats and much more, Echo Dot, with built-in motion and temperature sensors, lets you control your smart home when you’re at home or away.

You can create routines to automatically turn lights on or off, or play music at a scheduled time, or when you walk into a room.

For your peace of mind, the Echo Dot is also built with multiple layers of privacy protection and control, including a Microphone Off button that electronically disconnects the microphones.

Tech deal of the week

If you're struggling to get to sleep at night amid the cold weather, Amazon has slashed an "amazing" heated blanket by almost half price.

Currently included in the online retailer's top choice of products right now, the ZonLi Heated Blanket Throw has been slashed by 46 percent, taking the overall total for shoppers down from £69.99 to just £37.99.

Crafted from a super snuggly teddy fleece material, the ZonLi Heated Blanket Throw is soft to the touch and instantly warming when worn. It also comes with six heating settings and is said to heat up within just five minutes

.

The blanket also comes complete with a nifty auto shut-off protection program that will stop working if the temperature gets too high, making it ideal for any naps or overnight usage.

The ZonLi Heated Blanket Throw has become a popular choice on Amazon, boasting a 4.6 rating and high praise from shoppers who say it "heats up fast" and "can't believe how warm it is."

Amazon shoppers have been full of praise for the gadget, and have awarded it an average rating of 4.7 stars out of five.

Writing in the reviews, one customer said: "I am still amazed at how Amazon manage to make such a gadget at such keen prices.

"Alexa’s voice recognition is excellent. She always knows what I’m saying, making it easy to get music playing or find the answer to pretty much any question you may have.

"Combine this Echo with Amazon Prime Music and you get quick access to countless songs."

Another said: "I am not good with technology but even I could set this up. It is amazing, the sound quality is fantastic for music and voice. Using either your voice or the app. The world is your oyster. Look at the you tube reviews. A fantastic price, great value. I have thrown out my radio and was so thrilled by my purchase that I bought a second one."

And a third wrote: "Bought several of these for the house and they are very good. Link them all together and you can have things all around the house. Good design, good sound and don't take up a lot of space so don't look out of place on a unit."

Latest shopping news

However, some shoppers were less impressed with the sound quality, as one customer wrote: "I've had an Echo Dot 3rd gen for years and it's been brilliant. I expected the 5th gen to be better, but in my opinion it's not. The sound is a bit muffled when the volume is higher and it's drops off the WiFi every few days. Not sure if I've just got a duff one but I'm not overly impressed."

You can buy the Echo Dot here. Alternatively, you can pick up the Google Home for £49 for John Lewis, which can also be controlled via your voice.

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