Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. Pricing and availability subject to change.

Yahoo Tech

Early Black Friday deal: Get the Echo Pop and a free smart bulb for just $40

This gadget packs a ton of functionality into a tiny package — score a free smart bulb while you're at it.

Updated

Not everyone wants a huge smart assistant in their home. Sure, the Echo Show offers a great display, but sometimes you want something straightforward without all the distractions. That's where the Echo Pop comes in. This compact smart speaker measures just 3.6 inches tall, but it's a giant help. It has built-in Eero functionality (to extend your Wi-Fi) and all of the Alexa voice controls you could ask for. Plus, extra privacy features let you control just how 'smart' your speaker gets. It's only $40 thanks to this early Black Friday deal which includes a Globe smart light bulb without paying a cent more.

The Echo Pop is the smaller, feistier version of the Echo Dot. All four colors are on sale and it comes with a free, Alexa-enabled smart bulb so you can change the color of your room to match your mood.

$40 at Amazon

Why is it a good deal? ??

The Echo Pop packs big power into a small size, making it worth every penny at retail, but right now, you can snag it for 23% off. That includes Amazon's best-selling $12 LED bulb that can change colors to match your mood — all with just a touch on the app or, even better, by telling Alexa to do it for you.

Why do I need this? ??

The Echo Pop was built with small spaces — and privacy — in mind. It's the smart speaker for people who want a device in the bedroom or the bathroom, but one that's less invasive. But just because the Pop wants to respect your privacy, don’t underestimate its capabilities. You still get full access to Alexa and can ask it to play music, audiobooks, the weather, set reminders and much more. Even better, the Echo Pop includes Eero functionality, so it acts as a mesh router relay point, expanding your Wi-Fi if you use a compatible system.

Advertisement
Advertisement

And about those privacy features: The light bar at the top of the Echo Pop indicates when Alexa is listening, and the Mic Off button is a physical disconnect for the microphone. You can ensure the device won't listen in on your conversations with just a tap.

If you've never used a smart bulb before, what are you waiting for? Smart bulbs are some of our favorite tech devices for several reasons: One, they allow you to easily set the mood in the room, whether you'd like a romantic feel to your dinner or warm, calming light by your bedside table as you read, this bulb can do it. Two, they're easily controlled by voice thanks to Alexa, so you don't even have to use the app on your phone, just tell Alexa what color and how bright you'd like the light and boom, done.

Amazon Echo Pop
Illuminate your room using just your voice with the Echo Pop and Globe smart bulb. (Amazon)

What reviewers say ??

Over 55,000 five-star fans love the features of this powerful little helper (reviewed here, without the sweet smart bulb add-on).

Pros ??

"Small but mighty!" wrote one big fan. "I currently have my Echo Pop on my bedside table. I use it every day from morning to night. It was very easy to set up via the Alexa app. The app is great for controlling your device and setting up functions from your morning and bedtime routine, reminding you to drink water and take out your trash and my personal favorite, playing my Spotify playlists."

Advertisement
Advertisement

"I had never heard of it, I didn't need it, but now I wish I bought more," said one pleased impulse shopper. "I downloaded the Alexa app and plugged it in as instructed, it practically set itself up. The sound is clearer and louder than I expected, much better and less expensive than the highly rated off-brand speaker I previously bought on Amazon. Plus the Echo Pop makes lists, sets alarms and timers, my calls are clear, I've played music on Spotify and Amazon, it connects to my Audible account and I've had no issues with voice recognition."

Already have an Echo Dot, you say? This new release pairs beautifully with its older sibling and will only enhance your home system, fans say.

This happy shopper shared, "I really like this little speaker. It takes up about half the space of a Dot, but I think the sound quality is still right there. Now, I'm not trying to compare this to any high-priced surround sound audio system, but for the purposes of our house, it works great. We like to have music playing most nights, and we've got this one in the kitchen synced up to Dots in the living room and dining room. For the price, it's a fantastic setup."

Cons ??

While shoppers love the capabilities of this little smart speaker, do know that you're not going to get big booming bass with this little guy. That's something to keep that in mind if you're an audiophile.

Advertisement
Advertisement

"Not a great sound, but it’s used in an outdoor veranda, so a cheaper unit made more sense given [my] original Echo got damaged by rain, and this is considerably cheaper to replace should that happen again," said one shopper.

Another three-star reviewer gave a word of caution about connectivity, "I’ve experienced occasional connectivity drops with my Wi-Fi, which can be frustrating, especially when streaming music. ... It’s a good entry-level device for those new to smart speakers, but if you’re looking for more advanced features and reliability, you might want to consider other options in the Echo lineup."

With Alexa baked in and additional functionality as an Eero router, this is an absolute steal for $40 thanks to the free smart bulb, which will cost you $12 on its own.

$40 at Amazon

The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.

If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)

Looking for more great Amazon tech deals? Check these out:

Advertisement
Advertisement