AMAZON ECHO †2ND GEN‡ £90

SOUND Caught by the fuzz

There’s no getting round the fact that the Echo is a so-so speaker – one that’s good value for its sub-£100 price tag, but is outperformed by similarly budget-minded Bluetooth speakers. You get a bit more bass and greater sonic heft compared to the original Echo, but the difference isn’t so pronounced as to elevate this version onto a whole new level. In all fairness, you’re unlikely to sit down with your Echo for a full album. It’s built for a quick burst of radio in the morning, plus news blasts and the odd disco megamix.

DESIGN Wooden it be nice

While the first Echo nailed its ‘cyberpunk Pringles tube’ vibe, it wasn’t for everyone. So the follow-up is a more understated affair with a classier choice of fabric, plastic and faux-wooden shells that wrap around a shorter speaker.

SMARTS That’s the way I mic it

There’s no question that Alexa works best on an Echo, making it an ideal, easy-to-use hub for your smart home kit. Amazon’s microphone tech has come on in leaps and bounds with its second speaker, so the ‘A’ word is more easily heard than ever.

APP It’s raining menus

Ever used Amazon’s shopping app to nab a Black Friday bargain? Then you’ve already got the gist of its Alexa-toting cousin. The answer you want is almost always tucked away beneath a litany of tabs and menus. Though it could do with some streamlining, this app still acts as a decent home for new Alexa skills, your other smart home kit and troubleshooting. Best of all, its homescreen acts as a record for all your Alexa activity, making it easy to check an alarm time in silence or the ingredients for a recipe you’re working off.