The Amazon Echo devices are becoming increasingly popular and are indispensable in many households. But what about the power consumption of these smart speakers and voice assistants?
In this article, we will take a closer look at how much energy the different Echo models require during operation and how their consumption compares to other electronic devices and household appliances. We will also provide some tips on how to reduce the power consumption of Echo devices and save energy costs.
To measure the power consumption of the Echo devices, a Brennenstuhl power meter is used. This not only measures the power consumption during operation, but also in standby mode, as the Echo devices still consume electricity even when not actively used.
In addition, the power consumption of the Echo devices is measured during music playback, both at a low volume (level 1) and at a higher volume (level 5). The power consumption is measured over a certain period of time to obtain meaningful results.
The measurement results show that the power consumption of the Echo devices in standby mode is relatively low, but still present. During music playback, power consumption increases, especially at higher volume levels. However, the power consumption of the Echo devices is generally low compared to other electronic devices and household appliances.
If you want to further reduce the power consumption of your Echo devices, you can follow some tips. For example, it is recommended to completely turn off the Echo devices in standby mode when they are not in use. Disabling unnecessary functions can also reduce power consumption.
For the first power consumption test, I selected the first Echo speaker (1st generation). The measurements showed that power consumption in standby mode is just under 3 watts, precisely at 2.9 watts. During music playback at low volume (level 1), power consumption only increased slightly to around 3.0 watts. Even at higher volume (level 5), power consumption was only slightly higher at around 3.1 watts.
The results show that the Echo speaker does not consume much more power during operation than in standby mode.
In the second step, I measured the power consumption of the latest Echo model, the 4th generation Echo. It was found that power consumption in standby mode is around 1.5 watts, which is only about half as high as in the 1st generation model. During music playback at low volume (level 1), power consumption increased to about 4 watts, slightly higher than the Echo (1st gen.), which is understandable as the volume and sound (bass) are significantly higher and better. At even higher volume (level 5), power consumption varied between about 5 watts and 7 watts, depending on the music (highs/lows distribution).
Despite the higher power consumption compared to the first Echo speaker, the power consumption of the Echo 4 model during operation is still relatively low. However, it should be noted that power consumption may vary depending on usage and may therefore be higher.
I conducted the next power measurement with the Echo Studio, which is currently the most powerful and loudest Echo. The measurement results show that power consumption in standby mode is about 4 watts. During music playback at low volume (level 1), power consumption increased to around 6.1 watts, which is slightly higher compared to the other Echo models. At higher volume (level 5), power consumption only changed slightly and was around 6.2 watts.
Compared to the Echo 4 model, the power consumption of the Echo Studio is slightly higher in standby mode. However, the dependence of power consumption on volume is lower than, for example, the 4th generation Echo.
The next Echo device I tested is the Echo Dot 3rd generation with clock. The measurement showed that power consumption in standby mode is around 1.6 watts. During music playback at low volume (level 1), power consumption increased to around 2.2 watts, and at higher volume (level 5) to around 2.6 watts.
Compared to the other Echo models, the power consumption of the Echo Dot 3rd generation with clock during operation is generally lower. This is mainly because the device has a smaller speaker and thus delivers less power. As a result, the overall power consumption of the Echo Dot 3rd generation is lower than that of the larger Echo models.
The last power measurement I conducted was with the Echo Dot 4th generation without clock. The measurements showed that power consumption in standby mode is around 1.3 watts. During music playback at low volume (level 1), power consumption increased to around 1.9 watts, and at higher volume (level 5) to around 2.9 watts.
Compared to the other Echo models, the power consumption of the Echo Dot 4th generation without clock during operation is generally lower. Here again, the lower power consumption is due to the smaller speaker that delivers less power than the speakers in the larger Echo models. Therefore, the Echo Dot 4th generation is currently the most energy-efficient Echo device from my tests.
In summary, Amazon Echo devices consume relatively little power overall. The power consumption in standby mode is low for all Echo models in the test, and even during operation, the devices consume little power overall, although consumption increases at higher volume.
The Echo Dot 4th generation without clock was the most energy-efficient Echo device in the test. In comparison, the Echo Studio consumes the most power during operation due to its higher power and volume, while the Echo Dot 3rd generation with clock has an overall slightly lower power consumption.
However, it is still recommended to keep an eye on power consumption and avoid unnecessary power consumption by selectively switching off or deactivating functions. This can not only save energy but also contribute to environmental protection.
Kriterium | Bewertung |
---|---|
First Generation Echo | 4,2 |
4th Generation Echo | 4,7 |
Echo Dot (3rd gen) with clock | 4,8 |
Echo Dot (4th gen) without clock | 4,9 |
Echo Studio | 4,6 |
Bewertung | 4.9 Punkte (max. 5) |