Best answer: The 3rd generation of the Amazon Echo Dot can output audio to other speakers via a 3.5mm auxiliary cord or wirelessly via Bluetooth.
- Amazon: Amazon Echo Dot (3rd gen) ($50)
- Bet Buy: UE BOOM 3 ($150)
Two speakers are better than one
The speaker on the 3rd generation Amazon Echo Dot is bigger and better than the 2nd generation — a 1.6-inch speaker instead of a 0.6-inch speaker — but why listen on such a small speaker when you have bigger speakers all over your house? You can plug your Amazon Echo into bigger speakers thanks to the 3.5mm audio output port, but Amazon does not include a cable to do so.
Many of us already have a 3.5mm aux cable sitting around our house somewhere to use with the new Amazon Echo Dot, or a 3.5mm to RCA adapter to hook the Echo Dot up to an audio video receiver, but if you do not, these old-school cables are easy to find in as sort or long a cable length as you could ever want.
What about digital output?
The audio output from the new Amazon Echo Dot is analog only; it does not offer digital audio output from its 3.5mm audio output port like a Chromecast Audio does. While you could use an analog to digital converter to connect an all-new Echo Dot to a digital audio system, you might be better off using Bluetooth instead.
What speaker should I use?
Well, between Bluetooth and aux out, you could use just about any speaker with the Echo Dot you want, but if you're looking to pump up the party, consider checking out the UE BOOM 3, which can connect to your new Echo Dot with a 3.5mm aux cable or wirelessly with Bluetooth. It's a portable speaker, so you can bring the party around the house while your Echo Dot stays tethered to its outlet in one room, and you can take it on trips to use with your phone or computer.
If you're going to leave the UE BOOM 3 plugged into the Amazon Echo Dot via aux cable, I would suggest grabbing a UE POWER UP charging station so that you're leaving the waterproof flap open all the time.
Bigger and better in every way
The latest Echo Dot has a vastly improved speaker that's 70% louder and offers a more clear sound for Alexa's responses and streaming music. A new soft-fabric siding gives the all-new Echo Dot a cozier feel and comes in three colors so that the Echo Dot can blend in or stand out among your home decor as you wish.
Bring the party from one room to the whole house
This is one of the best Bluetooth speakers on the market. It's got a bold, booming 360-degree sound, great battery life, IP67 dust and water resistance, and easy device — and multi-device — management through UE's BOOM app. The BOOM 3 also sports a beautifully durable look that will fit in just fine alongside your Echo Dot.
