WIRED reviews Amazon's 2026 Alexa speaker lineup, highlighting Echo Dot Max and Echo Show 11
The Echo Dot Max leads compact audio recommendations, while the Echo Show 11 takes the display crown. Meanwhile, Amazon’s new Alexa+ service and the removal of local voice processing raise questions about privacy and value.
WIRED has published a comprehensive review of Amazon’s 2026 smart speaker range, identifying the Echo Dot Max as the top pick for sound quality in a compact form factor and the Echo Show 11 as the preferred smart display. The guide also notes that the third-generation Echo Show 8 remains a strong value option over the newer fourth-generation model. Additionally, the article details the rollout of Alexa+, a generative AI-powered assistant requiring a Prime membership or $20 monthly fee, and confirms that the local voice processing privacy feature was discontinued in March 2025.
The review positions the Echo Dot Max, priced at $100, as the standout device for users seeking powerful audio without the bulk of larger speakers. WIRED’s tester described the sound quality as impressive for the size, noting it rivals the discontinued plain Echo (4th Gen) and offers superior bass response compared to smaller models. The device features a new front panel design housing volume controls and a microphone mute button, alongside tap controls and a built-in smart home hub. It comes with Alexa+ access, though users without a Prime membership must pay the $20 monthly fee after a 30-day trial.
For smart displays, the Echo Show 11 at $220 was selected as the superior option among Amazon’s newest releases. WIRED praised its bright, crisp screen and immersive sound quality, which it found to be more well-rounded than the fourth-generation Echo Show 8. The reviewer highlighted the Show 11’s landscape photo slideshows and compact base as key advantages. However, the third-generation Echo Show 8 at $150 was recommended as a stronger value proposition due to its superior sound depth and bass levels compared to the newer, $180 fourth-generation model.
The article also examines the Echo Studio (2nd Gen), described as the best Alexa speaker for audiophiles due to its powerful output and spatial audio capabilities. For bedside use, the Echo Spot (2nd Gen) was highlighted for its half-circle screen and lack of distracting slideshows or cameras, while the Echo Dot Kids (5th Gen) was noted for its parental controls and inclusion of Amazon Kids+. The review further detailed the Echo Hub for dedicated smart home control and the Echo Show 15 for its large widget display, though it cautioned that the latter is not yet a viable TV replacement.
A significant portion of the review focused on the transition to Alexa+, Amazon’s generative AI-powered assistant. The guide confirmed that the “Do Not Send Voice Recordings” privacy feature, which allowed for local voice processing, was discontinued on March 28, 2025. Consequently, all voice recordings are now sent to Amazon for processing, regardless of whether users subscribe to Alexa+. WIRED’s testers found the updated voice conversational and capable, but expressed reservations about the $20 monthly fee, suggesting that Prime membership is the more economical route. The publication concluded that while Amazon’s ecosystem is vast, the Echo Dot Max and Echo Show 11 represent the best current investments for most consumers.
