Amazon Echo (2nd Gen) — A Legacy Smart Speaker Still Sold at Clearance Prices
The Amazon Echo 2nd Generation is a discontinued model still available through third-party sellers and Amazon''s own clearance inventory. Originally $100, it now sells for $30-50. As a smart speaker, it''s functional but outclassed by the current Echo (4th/5th Gen) in both sound quality and microphone performance. As an Alexa device, it does everything the newer models do — voice commands, smart home control, timers, music streaming — just with worse audio.
Sound Quality
A 2.5-inch downward-firing woofer and a 0.6-inch tweeter in a cylindrical enclosure. Bass is thin, midrange is adequate for podcasts and voice responses, and treble is slightly harsh at higher volumes. Music sounds passable as background audio in a kitchen or bedroom. For focused music listening, even a $50 Echo Dot (5th Gen) with its improved driver design produces a more balanced, less harsh sound.
The 2nd Gen Echo was good for its era (2017). Speaker technology in smart speakers has improved significantly since then. The current Echo ($100) uses a 3.0-inch woofer with better crossover design, producing noticeably fuller sound with actual bass presence.
Alexa Functionality
Same Alexa capabilities as any current Echo device: voice commands, music streaming (Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music), smart home device control (lights, thermostats, locks), timers, alarms, weather, news briefings, shopping lists, and skills. Alexa updates are cloud-based, so the 2nd Gen receives the same feature updates and intelligence improvements as newer hardware.
The seven-microphone array picks up voice commands reliably from about 10-15 feet in quiet rooms. In noisy environments (kitchen with a vent hood, room with music playing), the 2nd Gen''s microphones struggle more than the improved far-field arrays in the 4th/5th Gen models. You may find yourself repeating commands or raising your voice more often.
Smart Home Hub
The 2nd Gen Echo does NOT include a built-in Zigbee/Thread hub. Current Echo models include Thread support, allowing direct connection to Thread-enabled smart home devices without a separate hub. This means the 2nd Gen requires a separate hub (like a SmartThings or Philips Hue bridge) for Zigbee devices, while newer Echos connect directly.
Should You Buy One?
- At $30-40 clearance pricing, it''s the cheapest way to add Alexa to a room.
- Full Alexa functionality — voice commands, streaming, smart home control.
- Adequate for voice responses, podcasts, and background audio in small rooms.
- Sound quality is noticeably worse than current-gen Echo speakers.
- Microphone pickup is less reliable in noisy environments.
- No built-in smart home hub — requires separate hubs for Zigbee/Thread devices.
- Discontinued product — Amazon may eventually end software support.
At clearance prices under $40, the Echo 2nd Gen is a functional Alexa endpoint for rooms where sound quality doesn''t matter — a garage, a bathroom, a child''s room. For any room where you''ll listen to music or want reliable voice pickup, the current Echo Dot ($50) or Echo ($100) are significantly better investments.
Key Features
Pros & Cons
What We Like
- Audio quality is surprisingly good.
- Alexa is still super responsive.
- Fabric design looks much nicer.
- Smart home control is excellent.
What Could Be Better
- Sound can't compare to newer models.
- Needs to be plugged in constantly.
- No screen, just voice commands.
Specifications
| Brand | Amazon |
|---|---|
| Model | Echo 2nd Gen |
| Dimensions | 5.9 x 3.5 x 3.5 inches (14.8 x 8.8 x 8.8 cm) |
| Weight | 29.0 oz (821 g) |
| Material | Fabric, Plastic |
| Color Options | Charcoal Fabric, Heather Gray Fabric, Sandstone Fabric |
| Warranty | 1-Year Limited Warranty |
| Speaker Drivers | 2.5" Woofer, 0.6" Tweeter |
| Connectivity | Dual-band Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n), Bluetooth |
| Voice Assistant | Alexa |
Frequently Asked Questions
Even though it's an older model, the 2nd Gen Echo is still a solid smart speaker, especially if you can find it at a good price. It delivers decent sound for its size and handles all the core Alexa functions perfectly, making it a good entry point into smart home tech or an excellent addition to extend Alexa's reach in your home.
Like most Amazon devices, the Echo 2nd Gen typically comes with a 1-year limited warranty from the date of purchase. This covers defects in materials and workmanship. If you buy from Amazon directly, their customer service is usually pretty good about helping with issues within that period.
The 2nd Gen Echo and the original Google Home were direct competitors back in the day. Both offer good smart assistant capabilities, but the Echo uses Alexa while Google Home uses Google Assistant. Sound quality was somewhat comparable, but it really came down to which ecosystem you preferred for smart home control and general queries. Alexa was often seen as more established for smart home devices at the time.
This speaker is great for anyone starting out with a smart home, existing Alexa users looking to expand their setup, or someone who wants a decent-sounding speaker for ambient music and quick information. It's not for audiophiles, but it's perfect for everyday voice commands and background tunes.
Available on Amazon and other major retailers. We recommend checking Amazon for the best current price and fast shipping.
Final Verdict
The Amazon Echo 2nd Gen, while not the newest kid on the block, remains a capable and attractive smart speaker. It offers solid Alexa performance and decent sound for its price, making it a great option for expanding your smart home or getting started with voice assistance. For current pricing and availability, checking Amazon is highly recommended.
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