Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen vs Sonos Move

Last updated: September 22, 2026

These are not really the same size class, and that is the honest framing here. The Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen ranks #6 of 9 powered desktop speakers by sound quality at $79.99; the Sonos Move ranks #27 of 78 large speakers by sound quality at $299.95.

Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen vs Sonos Move

The case for the Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen: What Hi-Fi rated it 5 stars for sound, calling it expansive for its size with great Alexa integration and an understated look, from a single 44mm front-firing driver. The tradeoff: What Hi-Fi’s one real complaint was distortion at higher volumes, and bass force and detail both fall off at the low end, typical for a speaker not much bigger than a hockey ball.

The case for the Sonos Move: A well-integrated Sonos portable that combines Wi-Fi multiroom playback, Bluetooth, automatic Trueplay room tuning and a charging base in a sturdy carryable enclosure. The tradeoff: It is mono, heavy and less portable than a conventional Bluetooth speaker, while bass pumping and compression become audible at high volume.

Buy the Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen ($79.99) for a powered desktop speaker; the Sonos Move ($299.95) suits a large speaker instead.

If water resistance matters to you, the Sonos Move at IP56 (powerful water jets) holds up far better than the Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen at no water resistance.

Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings and Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.

Specifications Side By Side

Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen Sonos Move
Price$79.99 each$299.95 Discontinued
Ranked#6 of 9 in Small Size Powered Desktop Speakers#27 of 78 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers
Aux InputNoYes
Battery LifeNo Battery11 hours (Manufacturer specified)
IP RatingNoneIP56
Party ModeYes (Wi-Fi multi-room, Alexa)No
Power InputExternal AC adapter (DC jack)USB-C (requires USB-C PD 12v minimum)
StereoNoYes
Weight0.7 lbs (340 g)6.6 lbs (3 kg)
Wi-FiYes (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4GHz/5GHz)Yes
AppYes (Alexa)No
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AACSBC
Built-in MicrophoneYes (mic mute switch, temperature sensor)Yes
EQNoNo
Power BankNoNo
TWSYes (Wi-Fi stereo pairing via Alexa app)Yes
Drivers44mm front-firing driver1x 3.5" (89mm) mid-woofer + 1x downward-firing tweeter (tweeter size undisclosed by Sonos)
DiscontinuedNoYes
InputsWi-Fi, Bluetooth-
XLR InputNo-
RCA InputNo-
TRS InputNo-
Optical InputNo-
Coaxial InputNo-
USB InputNo-
HDMI InputNo-
AES InputNo-
BluetoothYes-
Dimensions3.9" x 3.9" x 3.5" (100 x 100 x 89 mm) (H x W x D)9.4" x 6.3" x 5" (240 x 160 x 126 mm)
Voice AssistantsAmazon Alexa / Alexa+Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant (choose one) plus Sonos Voice Control
Streaming ServicesAmazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Pandora, iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, TuneIn-
Bass Extension (-10dB)-49Hz
Omnidirectional-No
Bluetooth Version-4.2
Maximum SPL-92dB (Manufacturer specified)
Digital Aux Input-No

More worthwhile head-to-heads for Sonos Move:

Prices on this page were last checked September 22, 2026 at 5:11 AM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

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The Two Speakers In Full

Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen: $79.99 each Amazon eBay

Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen ranking card

Pros: What Hi-Fi rated it 5 stars for sound, calling it expansive for its size with great Alexa integration and an understated look, from a single 44mm front-firing driver. It has a room temperature sensor, works as an eero Wi-Fi extender, and includes a mic mute switch alongside dedicated volume and action buttons.

Cons: What Hi-Fi’s one real complaint was distortion at higher volumes, and bass force and detail both fall off at the low end, typical for a speaker not much bigger than a hockey ball. Engadget’s own head-to-head against the step-up Echo Dot Max found that speaker louder and bassier, from a 2.5-inch woofer and dedicated tweeter versus this speaker’s single small full-range driver. It is mono in a single unit, has no 3.5mm output, no battery, and needs Wi-Fi and an Amazon account for its smart features.

AES InputNo
AppYes (Alexa)
Aux InputNo
Battery LifeNo Battery
BluetoothYes
Bluetooth CodecsSBC, AAC
Built-in MicrophoneYes (mic mute switch, temperature sensor)
Coaxial InputNo
Dimensions3.9" x 3.9" x 3.5" (100 x 100 x 89 mm) (H x W x D)
DiscontinuedNo
Drivers44mm front-firing driver
EQNo
HDMI InputNo
IP RatingNone
InputsWi-Fi, Bluetooth
Optical InputNo
Party ModeYes (Wi-Fi multi-room, Alexa)
Power BankNo
Power InputExternal AC adapter (DC jack)
RCA InputNo
StereoNo
Streaming ServicesAmazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Pandora, iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, TuneIn
TRS InputNo
TWSYes (Wi-Fi stereo pairing via Alexa app)
USB InputNo
Voice AssistantsAmazon Alexa / Alexa+
Weight0.7 lbs (340 g)
Wi-FiYes (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4GHz/5GHz)
XLR InputNo

Sonos Move: $299.95 Discontinued Amazon eBay

Sonos Move ranking card

Pros: A well-integrated Sonos portable that combines Wi-Fi multiroom playback, Bluetooth, automatic Trueplay room tuning and a charging base in a sturdy carryable enclosure. Reviews praise its broad, full-bodied sound, warm tonal balance and weightier bass than smaller Sonos speakers, particularly at normal indoor listening levels. Measured bass extension of 49Hz (-10dB).

Cons: It is mono, heavy and less portable than a conventional Bluetooth speaker, while bass pumping and compression become audible at high volume. Deep bass and maximum output trail the strongest speakers in its size class, and the rolled-off treble sacrifices some air and detail. It is discontinued in favor of Move 2, so buy used with battery condition in mind. Discontinued.

AppNo
Aux InputYes
Bass Extension (-10dB)49Hz
Battery Life11 hours (Manufacturer specified)
Bluetooth CodecsSBC
Bluetooth Version4.2
Built-in MicrophoneYes
Digital Aux InputNo
Dimensions9.4" x 6.3" x 5" (240 x 160 x 126 mm)
DiscontinuedYes
Drivers1x 3.5" (89mm) mid-woofer + 1x downward-firing tweeter (tweeter size undisclosed by Sonos)
EQNo
IP RatingIP56
Maximum SPL92dB (Manufacturer specified)
OmnidirectionalNo
Party ModeNo
Power BankNo
Power InputUSB-C (requires USB-C PD 12v minimum)
StereoYes
TWSYes
Voice AssistantsAmazon Alexa or Google Assistant (choose one) plus Sonos Voice Control
Weight6.6 lbs (3 kg)
Wi-FiYes