Skip to main content

How to set up the Echo Pop

The Echo Pop is the newest addition to the Echo family, offering access to the Alexa voice assistant for just $40. It may not sound as impressive as the Echo Studio, and it lacks the display of the Echo Show lineup, but the Pop is perfect as a budget-friendly entry into the world of smart assistants.

As a smart speaker designed for newcomers to the world of smart homes, you might have a few questions about how to install the Echo Pop – and you might even have some questions about how it works or what exactly it’s capable of handling.

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

10 minutes

What You Need

If you need some help, here’s a look at how to set up your Echo Pop, along with a few tips and tricks to maximize its potential.

Amazon Echo Pop setup on an iPhone.
Setting up an Echo Pop is as easy as any other Echo device. Phil Nickinson/Digital Trends

How to set up the Echo Pop

Like all Echo products, the Echo Pop is easy to install. The first thing you’ll want to do is install the Alexa app on your smartphone. With that done, here’s what you need to do.

Step 1: Plug in your Echo Pop.

Step 2: Open the Alexa app on your smartphone.

Step 3: Select the More option, then select Add a Device.

Step 4: Scroll down to the Amazon Echo menu, then select the Echo Pop from the long list of products.

Step 5: Continue following the on-screen instructions to sync your product and get it ready for use.

The Echo Pop sitting on a countertop.
Digital Trends

Tips for using your Echo Pop

While you can certainly just plug in your Echo Pop and start accessing all its great features, there are a few things you can do to improve the experience.

  • Find the right spot in your home for the Echo Pop. Since it doesn’t offer a 360-degree design like the Dot, the Echo Pop can largely only output sound in one direction. Because of this, don’t be afraid to tuck it into a corner. A good spot for it is on a kitchen counter, nightstand, or end table in your living room.
  • Link your music services to your Pop. If you want to listen to Spotify, be sure to dive back into the Alexa app and check out the Music & Podcasts menu. This can be found in the Settings menu under the Alexa Preferences section.
  • Give commands to other smart home devices. Once you’ve paired your smart home devices to Alexa, you can dish out voice commands to turn off lights, change the thermostat, and more. Functionality varies by device, so keep that in mind as you start to piece together your smart home.

There are plenty of other great ways to use your Echo Pop – be sure to check out our extensive guide on Echo tips and tricks for more great suggestions.

Editors' Recommendations

Jon Bitner
Jon Bitner is a writer covering consumer electronics, technology, and gaming. His work has been published on various websites…
6 HomeKit settings you should disable (or adjust) right now
A white HomePod mini sitting on a desk.

With the Homepod mini being so accessible and the new HomePod earning rave reviews, HomeKit has started to grow in popularity. Sure, its catalog isn't quite as robust as that of Amazon Alexa or Google Home, but there's no denying the appeal of a premium, Apple-powered smart home. And while HomeKit is an incredibly secure platform, it's not perfect.

Whenever you give Siri and command or ask it a question, details about the request are sent to Apple. While Apple does its best to hide unique information about you, it still collects contact information, music preferences, smart home usage statistics, and more.

Read more
8 Google Assistant settings you should disable or adjust
Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen.

Smart home devices like Google Nest Audio and Google Nest Hub continue to grow more popular every year -- but so do privacy concerns about what data they’re collecting and what’s being shared with their manufacturers. It’s highly unlikely these products are tracking everything you say, but users will be glad to hear there are several settings you can adjust to ensure your information is secure. Beyond security, Google Assistant has plenty of other settings for you to tinker around with, allowing you to optimize its performance for your home.

From adjusting its listening sensitivity to offering up vegan recipes, here’s a look at a few Google Assistant settings you should adjust. Most of these changes take no more than a few seconds to complete but could radically improve your smart home experience.

Read more
You don’t want to miss this Roomba deal — save $28
iRobot Roomba 694 Wi-Fi Connected Robot Vacuum cleaning up spilled cereal.

Amazon has one of the best robot vacuum deals around today with $28 off the iRobot Roomba 694 Robot Vacuum. Ordinarily priced at $275, it's down to $247 for a limited time making it an instant best seller in the genre at Amazon. You're going to need to be fast to snag this deal though so let's take a quick look at what you need to know about it before you commit to a purchase.

Why you should buy the iRobot Roomba 694 Robot Vacuum
No one likes vacuuming manually. It's an annoying chore that's vital for making your home look and feel cleaner. The iRobot Roomba 694 Robot Vacuum takes out much of that effort so you can leave the robot vacuum to do all the hard work for you. It's smart enough to learn your cleaning habits before automatically creating a customized cleaning schedule so it does the best job for you every time, just like the best robot vacuums. It also has Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility so you can use your voice to command the iRobot Roomba 694 Robot Vacuum to get to work.

Read more