Echo Sub Review: If you’ve ever thought your Echo speakers needed just a little more oomph in the bass department, you’re definitely not alone. Enter the Echo Sub, Amazon’s companion subwoofer designed specifically to pair with Echo devices and bring deep, room-filling bass to your smart speaker setup. With its 100W deep bass sound and sleek, minimalist design, this device is touted as the perfect sonic boost for the Echo ecosystem.
As someone who rigorously tests smart home audio gear here at RatedByMia, I was curious to see whether the Echo Sub lives up to its claims—and more importantly, whether it’s a worthwhile investment for anyone looking to complete their Echo home audio system.
Let’s dive into this hands-on, detailed echo sub review and find out if it really delivers the bass upgrade you’ve been craving.
Who Should Consider the Echo Sub?
The ideal audience for the Echo Sub includes:
- Echo users who want to enhance their home audio setup with deeper bass.
- Smart home enthusiasts who already have at least one Echo speaker and care about sound quality.
- People looking to upgrade their speaker system without investing in an expensive, complicated surround sound setup.
This subwoofer is especially great for casual movie-watchers, podcast lovers, and music enthusiasts who value rich, full sound. If you’re streaming music on Spotify, Amazon Music, or Apple Music through your Echo, the Echo Sub can instantly improve your listening experience. It pairs seamlessly with Echo devices and is a compelling option over traditional subwoofers, which often require complicated wiring or third-party apps.
However, it may not be ideal for users expecting an audiophile-grade setup or those who don’t already own an Echo speaker—since the Echo Sub does not function as a standalone speaker and is essentially useless without an Echo device to link with.
Product Overview & Summary
Echo Sub Summary
- Product: Echo Sub
- Type: 100W Subwoofer for Amazon Echo speakers
- Highlights:
- Powerful down-firing 6″ woofer
- Pairs with one or two Echo speakers for stereo sound
- Seamless Alexa integration
- Compact, modern design
- Automatic software updates
- Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Design & Build
The Echo Sub features a compact, cylindrical shape with a minimalist black or white fabric finish, blending easily into most home décor styles. It stands at just over 8 inches tall and 8 inches in diameter, making it surprisingly small for the impact it delivers. The round, fabric-covered body has a premium feel, with discreet branding and a bottom-firing woofer that ensures sound disperses evenly.
Build-wise, it feels sturdy and substantial, which is exactly what you’d expect from a speaker designed to punch out low frequencies. The non-slip rubber feet keep it stable even on hardwood floors, and the clean, wire-free look keeps your media stand cable-clutter-free. Based on design alone, it’s one of the sleeker options among smart subwoofers in this category.
Features & Functionality
The Echo Sub’s most attractive feature is its integration within the Alexa ecosystem. It’s designed to pair with either a single Echo or two Echo speakers for full stereo sound, allowing for a customizable audio experience. Once connected, it adds rich, dynamic bass to whatever content you’re playing—whether that’s your favorite playlist or an action-packed movie.
Here are some notable features that make the Echo Sub stand out:
- 100W Down-Firing Woofer: Pushes out deep, booming bass that significantly enhances spoken audio and music playback.
- Echo Speaker Pairing: Supports 1.1 and 2.1 stereo configurations, giving you flexible surround options.
- Wi-Fi Connectivity: No messy cables and constant syncing. The sub communicates smoothly using your home network.
- Alexa Compatibility: Once configured, you can control volume and sound settings using voice commands or the Alexa app.
One small but important detail: the Sub only works with compatible Echo speakers—like the Echo (2nd-gen and later) or Echo Plus—not with Echo Dot or third-party Bluetooth devices. This reinforces Amazon’s ecosystem approach: if you’re already invested, it’s incredibly plug-and-play. If not, you might be better off with a more flexible system.
Ease of Use
Set-up is surprisingly fast and user-friendly. Using the Alexa app, pairing the Echo Sub with your existing Echo device(s) takes about five minutes. It walks you through speaker pairing, allows you to name your setup, and even manages groups (like “Living Room” or “Kitchen”).
There are no physical buttons to worry about—everything is handled digitally, making it perfect for users who prefer simplicity over technical fine-tuning. Also, since it connects via Wi-Fi, you don’t have to worry about Bluetooth interference or physical distance constraints as long as it’s in your home network range.
That said, users looking for manual sound EQ tweaks might be slightly underwhelmed. Aside from some limited bass controls via the Alexa app, this device doesn’t offer a lot in terms of customization.
Performance / Effectiveness
Does the Echo Sub live up to the “powerful subwoofer” branding? In most real-world scenarios, absolutely. Paired with a couple of Echo speakers, the difference is night and day—especially when watching action movies or listening to bass-heavy genres like hip-hop and EDM.
In my testing with an Echo (4th-gen) pair, the soundstage richness increased dramatically. The lows hit harder, vocals came through more clearly since the sub handled the bass, and overall, the system sounded more immersive. At medium to high volume, the sub delivers room-shaking bass that’s truly unexpected for its size.
That said, it won’t replace a full-blown 5.1 or 7.1 system for audiophiles, but it never claims to. What it promises—and delivers—is elevated sound for casual to moderate users who care about better audio without the complex wiring or additional remotes.
Value for Money
While the Echo Sub isn’t the most premium-priced subwoofer on the market, its value is in its tight integration with the Echo ecosystem. For users who already own Echo speakers and want to level up their sound, the Echo Sub delivers noticeable gains in audio performance with minimal setup hassle.
Factor in the smart control features, modern design, and surprisingly big sound in a small package, and it clearly offers strong value—especially compared to other smart speaker accessory subs.
As always, check the product box here for the most current pricing and offers:
Pros & Cons
- Pros:
- Deep, rich bass for a compact device
- Quick setup and seamless Alexa integration
- Improves music, movies, and TV sound
- Modern, attractive design
- Pairs with multiple Echo devices for stereo sound
- Cons:
- Only works with compatible Echo speakers
- No advanced EQ or custom audio tuning
- Not ideal for audiophiles or high-end theater setups
Alternatives & Comparisons
If you’re not fully committed to the Echo ecosystem, there are a few notable alternatives.
Sonos Sub Mini: Another compact, wireless subwoofer that pairs with the Sonos soundbar and speakers. It’s a great mid-tier option in terms of audio quality and design. While it offers more audio customization features, it also relies on staying within the Sonos ecosystem.
Bose Bass Module 500: For those with a Bose smart speaker setup, this is an excellent companion product. It’s lightweight, cleanly designed, and produces impressive low-end response, but might be considered a premium option in terms of cost.
However, if you’re already team Alexa, the Echo Sub remains the most logical and user-friendly option under Amazon’s family tree. The echo sub powerful subwoofer functionality is hard to beat when compatibility and convenience are your top priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Echo Sub work by itself?
No, the Echo Sub must be paired with at least one compatible Echo speaker. It is not a standalone speaker.
What devices are compatible with Echo Sub?
Compatible Echo devices include Echo (2nd-gen and later), Echo Plus, and Echo Studio. It is not compatible with Echo Dot or third-party Bluetooth speakers.
Does the Echo Sub support Bluetooth?
Indirectly. It connects to Echo speakers that may be using Bluetooth, but the subwoofer itself is connected over Wi-Fi for better performance and range.
Can I use the Echo Sub with a Fire TV?
Yes, but only if you’re routing audio through compatible Echo speakers that are part of your Fire TV setup.
Can you adjust bass levels on the Echo Sub?
Yes, you can tweak bass levels through the Alexa app under audio settings, but it is fairly limited compared to advanced EQ systems.
Final Verdict
So, is the Echo Sub the ultimate bass upgrade or a disappointing add-on? In most cases, it’s definitely the former. If you already use Amazon Echo speakers and are looking to elevate your home audio experience, the Echo Sub is a no-brainer add-on. It transforms decent speakers into a truly immersive 2.1 setup with room-shaking bass, all while keeping the user experience simple and smart.
While it may not satisfy hardcore audiophiles or those seeking complex audio tinkering, the Echo Sub excels at what it’s designed to do—delivering echo sub powerful subwoofer for your echo that just works.
Whether you’re jamming to music, watching movies, or just having better sound in your living room, this subwoofer is an easy win for Amazon’s smart speaker fans.