The 9 Best Amazon Echo Battery Bases
Editor's Notes
January 06, 2021:
Amazon's Alexa is an amazing device, and once you own one, you'll wonder how you ever made due without it. That being said, it has one notable flaw, the need to be constantly connected to a power source. The battery bases on this list allow you to take your standard Echo or the Dot anywhere you want, without being tethered to a wall. Though they are currently selling 4th generation models, we realize many people are still using older ones, which is why you'll find options for every generation and model here, including the Plus.
If you want something to enhance the sound of your Echo, you should look to one with an integrated speaker, like the Nomodo Speaker Dock, Ion Smart Tailgater, and Cyber Acoustics dot.Boom. However if portability is your top priority, you'll be best served with something compact, like the Mission MC46B, GGMM D3+, or Caramote Portable.
August 21, 2019:
What could be more convenient than having access to Alexa from your Echo device? Making that device portable so you can use it anywhere, of course. Our selections of battery bases do just that, letting you use Alexa services in the garage, on the patio, around the pool--anywhere your Wi-Fi coverage extends.
When making a choice of which one to buy, it comes down to battery life and ease of use, and, if you're wanting to expand the sound of your diminutive Dot, the quality of the speaker. We ranked the Koozie MegaBoot in one of our top slots because of its incredible battery life--up to 24 hours. As an accessory for the Dot, we like the Cyber Acoustics dot.Boom for its outstanding sound and the fun addition of LED lights to the front driver. Both of these bases are easy to connect to your Echo device.
Why You Might Want A Battery Base For Your Amazon Echo
Well, there's a solution for the Echo's chained-to-the-wall problem.
"Alexa, can I take you into the garage while I clean it?"
"Only if you have a long enough extension cord."
Okay, so nobody has ever asked Alexa this question about their Amazon Echo device. Everyone who owns an Echo knows that it's chained to the wall by the power cord that has to be plugged into an electrical outlet. (an exception is the Echo Tap, but it has issues of its own)
That fact limits the Echo's portability and prevents people from taking it with them where they want to, such as into other rooms of the house, to the patio or garage, or to the park. And some people really do want to be that close to their Echo device at all times.
This limitation feels like a real downer because most Bluetooth speakers have batteries that let you take them with you anywhere, sometimes even into the pool. Just connect them to your phone and you have your music, audio books, or podcasts in rich sound anywhere you go, without headphones.
Well, there's a solution for the Echo's chained-to-the-wall problem. A battery base. Insert the Echo, charge the base's built-in battery, and voila! you can use the magic of Alexa without looking for an outlet wherever there is a WiFi network. Or, if you're out of network range, you can use your Echo like other Bluetooth speakers and stream audio from your phone.
Its uses are now limited only by your imagination. Take it out into the yard with you while gardening. Want it in the bathroom for some tunes while you shower? On the patio while you do whatever it is you do on your patio? In the kitchen while preparing dinner? No problem! Want to take it with you in the car? (Not sure why you would, but we don't judge around here.) You can with a battery base — without the hassle of dealing with the Echo's power cord and adapter, and without continually rebooting the device. A relatively small investment can extend the usefulness of your Echo, and the reach of Alexa, just about anywhere you go. If that idea appeals to you, then you might be a good candidate for a battery base.
What To Look For In A Battery Base
As you can see from our product selections, battery bases come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some are designed for the Echo Dot and some are designed for its full-size predecessor, and a few even fit the 2nd generation Echo. Read the full product descriptions on Amazon to be sure you're getting a base that will work with your Echo model.
You'll also want to look for a base that is wide enough to provide stability and for non-slip features to keep the base in place on a surface and to keep it from falling off your Echo when moving it. If you are shopping for your Echo Dot, consider a base that amplifies its rather diminutive sound. Pay attention to how long you can use your Echo on a single charge because batteries are not all created equal. Look for LEDs or other indicators that warn you when the battery is getting low and that show when it is fully charged.
Finally, some electrical protections would be a good idea. You want to be able to leave the base plugged in without worrying about overcharging or damaging the battery. And good models also protect against short-circuiting, low voltage, and overheating.
A Short History Of The Amazon Echo
The history has to be short because Echo devices have only been available for purchase by the general public since June of 2015, when the first model was offered (it went on sale in the UK the following year).
Amazon introduced a new version of the Echo in March of 2016. The Echo Dot, which looks a lot like a hockey puck, has the same Alexa-powered functions as its much taller ancestor, but the sound is not as rich because the speaker is smaller. The Dot was followed by the Echo Look, Tap, Show, Spot, and Plus, so the Amazon Echo family now boasts at least seven members.
The Dot was followed by the Echo Look, Tap, Show, Spot, and Plus, so the Amazon Echo family now boasts at least seven members.
During its short lifespan, the Echo has made quite a splash with consumers. By the end of 2017, some analysts estimated Amazon had sold around 22 million Echo devices in that year alone. Amazon sold 2.5 million Echo devices in the first quarter of 2018, falling behind Google Home (Google's smart speaker) in sales for the first time.
While Amazon engineers were creating the device at Lab126 — Amazon's hardware division — it was originally going to be called the "Amazon Flash," a name that CEO Jeff Bezos favored. Boxes had already been printed with that name on them. In addition, its wake word was going to be "Amazon," but engineers reasoned that people say that word a lot, even when they don't intend to talk to their device. Plus, how disastrous would it be if a device heard an Amazon advertisement on the radio or TV and started ordering products without the owner's permission?
Before the product shipped, engineers convinced Bezos to call the device Amazon Echo and to make its wake word "Alexa." (Owners can change the wake word of the device to "Amazon" or "Echo.") Today, approximately 39 million American households own a smart speaker; that's one in six Americans talking to a device that answers back and can play music, set alarms, add events to your calendar, tell you the weather, dial your phone, and much more.