Amazon Echo Studio (2025) review

Amazon Echo Studio (2025): Introduction

Times have changed since the original Echo smart speaker was launched. That device was primarily a speaker designed for interacting with Alexa, but it’s fair to say that most people want a smart speaker that’s good for music first, with smart features layered on top. That’s clearly where Amazon’s new speakers are aimed, with the Amazon Echo Studio (2025) designed as the high-end speaker.

Effectively a combination of the old Echo and Echo Studio, this new model is a fully-rounded smart speaker with great audio, even if it doesn’t quite sound as good as the old Studio.

Design and components

The old Echo Studio looked like a bit of tech, but the new Amazon Echo Studio (2025) is designed to better blend in with your home. Like a tweaked Echo (4^th Gen), the new smart speaker is clad in material, wrapped around its spherical body.

For this speaker, Amazon has tilted the control panel forward, which makes a lot of sense, as it’s easier to reach. There’s also a minor tweak of the control. Gone is the action button to wake up Alexa, and there are just volume controls and a mute button that also cuts off the microphones.

At the back, there’s just a single power input. There’s no line out on this speaker, which is fine: there’s no point buying a speaker like this and then running audio out to a different system.

Underneath is a screw thread, which you can use to mount the speaker on the wall if you want it out of the way.

Features and in-use

With built-in Wi-Fi 6E, the Amazon Echo Studio (2025) easily connects to the Alexa app and is ready to go. Here in the UK, the speaker will only work with standard Alexa, but in the US and Canada, it’s Alexa+ ready. I won’t go into the details of Alexa/Alexa+ here, but suffice to say that the experience here is similar to that of other Echo speakers, and Alexa is a mature smart assistant that’s easy to interact with, and the system has the best overall smart home device support.

With this smart speaker you get the AZ3 Pro processor with AI Accelerator, which is designed for Alexa+. Overall, the speaker responds fast to requests and its wake-word recognition is impressive, even picking up a hushed wisper in a room playing music.

The Echo Studio (2025) includes a built-in Zigbee and Thread hub, is fully Matter-compliant, and connects directly to compatible devices, such as the Tado X smart heating system, for faster smart home control.

Tap gestures are on-board: tap the top to silence an alarm, hang-up a call or Drop-in session, or play/pause music. I really like this kind of quick interacations, which often prove easier and faster than using voice.

Ultrasound Motion Detection is built-in, allowing the Amazon Echo Studio (2025) to become a presence sensor for use with Routines. It works really well and is more sensitive than a traditional motion sensor. For example, I find that using a motion sensor to turn off lights when no motion is detected often requires me to wave my hands to keep the lights on; with the ultrasound sensor, I didn’t have to exaggerate movements in my office to keep the lights on.

Sound quality

Internally, the Amazon Echo Studio (2025) has multiple angled speakers for spatial audio: three 1.5-inch drivers and a 3.75-inch high excursion woofer. That sounds good, but the previous Echo Studio had a 5.25-inch woofer, three 2-inch midrange speakers and a 1-inch tweeter. It’s probably no surprise that Amazon makes no direct comparison between the two.

Given its price, the Amazon Echo Studio (2025) delivers impressive performance. Starting with bass-heavy tracks, it manages them well and handles higher volumes better than the older Echo (4th Gen). In Limp Bizkit’s Out Of Style, the guitars pack a punch, though the bass isn’t quite as powerful as that of the previous Echo Studio (2022).

OK Go’s This Too Shall Pass is bass heavy and can challenge less capable speakers, but the Echo Studio (2025) copes admirably. The track has good depth, even if it doesn’t completely shake the room.

Foo Fighters’ Enough Space begins with a swirling guitar effect. While the stereo separation isn’t perfect, the speaker layout does hint at the movement of sound from left to right.

On more subtle tracks, the Echo Studio (2025) also performs well. Harmonies in Simon & Garfunkel’s The Sound of Silence sound particularly clear, and classical pieces like Clair De Lune are rendered with appropriate detail.

Overall, the sound remains balanced at all volume levels, with a sense of urgency and excitement throughout.

At this price point, the Amazon Echo Studio (2025) offers commendable audio performance. While the Sonos Era 300delivers superior sound quality, it is considerably more expensive. The HomePod sits in the middle, in terms of price and audio capability.

You will also be able to pair the Amazon Echo Studio (2025) with some newer Fire TV models, with support for up to five Echo Studio models and one sub for full Dolby Atmos audio. At the time of review, this feature wasn’t available and so I couldn’t test. 

Final thoughts

A summary of all the above, combined with the verdict but more succinct. Also reiterate why it is better or worse than alternatives.

How we test

When we publish our reviews, you can rest assured that they are the result of “living with” long term tests.

Smart speakers usually live within an ecosystem, or a range of products that – supposedly – all work in harmony. And they are designed to offer a range of different cleaning options. Therefore, it’s impossible to use a speaker for a week and deliver a verdict.

Because we’re testing smart home kit all day, everyday, we know what matters and how a particular smart cleaning machine compares to alternatives that you might also be considering.

Our reviews are comprehensive, objective and fair and, of course, we are never paid directly to review a device.