Amazon Echo Studio (2025)
Last updated: 2 October 2026
The new Echo Studio is Amazon's flagship Alexa speaker, redesigned in 2025 as a fabric sphere. It is 40% smaller than the 2019 original. It plays Dolby Atmos and spatial audio, doubles as a smart home hub and comes ready for Alexa+. RRP is £219.99 in Graphite or Glacier White, and it was £174.99 on Amazon UK when I checked on 2 October 2026.
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Buy Echo Studio (Graphite) on Amazon UK Buy Echo Studio (Glacier White) on Amazon UK
What is the new Echo Studio?
The Echo Studio is Amazon's flagship Echo speaker. The first one arrived in 2019 as a tall cylinder. When I tried it, I came away seriously impressed by the sound. Amazon announced the replacement in September 2025, and it reached the UK that November.
This time the shape is a ball. It measures 155 x 142 x 147mm and weighs 1.63kg, so it sits comfortably on a bookshelf rather than taking one over. Inside, an AZ3 Pro chip runs the show, and Amazon built it with Alexa+ in mind.
Key features
Dolby Atmos and spatial audio: Four drivers sit behind the knit fabric. There is one 3.75-inch high-excursion woofer and three 2.25-inch full-range drivers, set up as a 3.1.1 channel system with a height channel. As a result, Atmos mixes from Amazon Music and films on a Fire TV can place sound above and around you, not just in front.
Room adaptation: The speaker analyses the acoustics of the room and tunes playback to suit, wherever you put it. In other words, there is no manual tuning to do.
Smart home hub: It has Zigbee, Matter and Thread built in, so it can pair lights, plugs and locks directly without a separate bridge. On top of that, Omnisense uses a temperature sensor and presence detection to trigger routines.
Home cinema and multi-room: Two Echo Studios make a stereo pair, and you can group them with other Echos for multi-room music. You can also link them to a compatible Fire TV for Dolby Atmos film sound.
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. It also works as an extender on a compatible eero mesh network.
Privacy: A physical button cuts the microphones, and a red indicator shows when they are off.
Echo Studio and Alexa+
The new Echo Studio ships with Alexa+, Amazon's more conversational assistant. Alexa+ launched in the UK on 19 March 2026 as an Early Access programme. According to Amazon's UK announcement, it is free for Prime members and £19.99 a month for everyone else once Early Access ends. So, if you do not have Prime, factor that in or stick with the classic Alexa.
What changed from the original Echo Studio
- Size: 40% smaller, and the light ring has moved from the top to the front.
- Brains: the AZ3 Pro chip replaces the older processor, and Alexa+ support comes as standard.
- Smart home: Thread and Matter join Zigbee, along with the new temperature and presence sensing.
- Colours: Graphite or Glacier White, both at the same price.
Things to know before you buy
However good the new design looks, it is not an upgrade on every front. Expert Reviews found it has less bass than the 2019 model, which is the trade-off for the smaller body. There is also no 3.5mm or optical input, so you cannot plug a turntable or a TV straight in. Finally, the £219.99 RRP is higher than the original's £189.99 launch price, so it pays to watch for a discount.
If you mostly stream music, pair it with Amazon Music Unlimited, which carries the Dolby Atmos and spatial audio catalogue the speaker is built for. For a wider look at how it stacks up against Sonos and the HomePod, see my guide to the best smart speakers in the UK.
Echo Studio FAQs
How much is the Echo Studio in the UK?
The RRP is £219.99 for either colour. On 2 October 2026 Amazon UK had it at £174.99. Prices change often, so check the current price before you buy.
Is the new Echo Studio better than the old one?
It is smarter, smaller and better connected, with Alexa+, a smart home hub and spatial audio. However, it has less bass and drops the wired inputs, so the older model still has fans.
Does the Echo Studio need Prime for Alexa+?
No, but Alexa+ is free only with Prime. Without Prime it costs £19.99 a month once Early Access ends, and you can say "Alexa, end Early Access" to go back to the classic Alexa.
Can I use two Echo Studios as a stereo pair?
Yes. Two Echo Studios can form a stereo pair, and you can add them to a compatible Fire TV for home cinema sound.
Does the Echo Studio work as a smart home hub?
Yes. It has Zigbee, Matter and Thread built in, so it can control compatible lights, plugs and sensors without a separate hub.
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- Audible. How the audiobook service works, and what it costs in the UK.
- Gifts for audiophiles. More ideas for the person who cares how their music sounds.
- Best portable speakers UK. Smaller speakers you can take outside.
Prices and features were checked on Amazon UK on 2 October 2026 and can change at any time.
Image from Amazon
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