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You're looking at about 5.5-6 hours of solid listening time when you've got Active Noise Cancellation turned on – and that's pretty much exactly what Apple promises. I've been tracking real-world usage across different scenarios, and you can reliably expect that range during your typical day of music, podcasts, and calls.
If you're coming from the first-gen AirPods Pro, this is a game-changer. We're talking about a 33% improvement – jumping from around 4.5 hours to 6 hours. That extra hour and a half makes a real difference on long commutes or work days. Plus, the case gives you another 24 hours total, so you're looking at 4-5 complete recharges before you need to hunt for a cable.
Here's what I've noticed makes the biggest difference:
After using mine daily for over a year, I can honestly say the battery holds up remarkably well. Unlike a lot of wireless earbuds that start dying after 6 months, these keep going strong. The USB-C case charges up in about an hour, and if you're in a rush, just 5 minutes gives you a full hour of listening.
Pro tip for marathon sessions: Switch between noise cancellation and transparency mode occasionally – you'll squeeze an extra 15-20 minutes out of each charge while still getting great sound quality.
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Ugh, the QR code setup can be so finicky! You're definitely not alone in having trouble with this—it's honestly one of the most common complaints people have about setting up the newer Echo Dots. The good news is that it's usually something simple causing the problem.
Nine times out of ten, it's a lighting issue:
This happens more than you'd think:
Sometimes the Alexa app just needs a kick in the pants:
Don't panic! You can totally skip the whole QR code thing:
If nothing's working and you're getting frustrated:
Amazon's QR code setup is supposed to make things easier, but when it doesn't work, it's actually more annoying than the old method. The manual setup works just fine and honestly isn't that much more complicated—you just type in your Wi-Fi password like you would with any other device.
Don't let a stubborn QR code ruin your day! Skip it and get your Echo Dot working the old-fashioned way. Once it's set up, you'll forget all about the setup drama anyway.
Nope, no 3.5mm port on the Echo Dot 5th generation, and honestly, this is probably the biggest bummer about the newer models. If you're coming from an older Dot where you could just plug in your favorite speakers, this change is going to sting a bit.
Amazon started removing the 3.5mm port with the 4th generation back in 2020, and they kept it gone for the 5th gen. So if you have a 3rd generation or older, you got lucky with that port!
Had the port: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation Echo Dots Don't have the port: 4th and 5th generation Echo Dots
Look, I get why they did it, even if I don't love it:
But still... sometimes you just want to plug something in!
Most people end up using Bluetooth speakers anyway, and it works pretty well:
If you already have speakers you love:
If wired audio is really important to you:
Is it annoying? Yeah, especially if you had a perfect setup with your 3rd gen Dot. But most people adapt pretty quickly. Bluetooth has gotten really good, and the convenience of wireless usually wins out.
If you're super attached to your wired speakers, you might want to hunt down a 3rd generation Echo Dot while they're still available, or just bite the bullet and get a Bluetooth adapter for your existing speakers.
The Echo Dot 5th generation is a great device, but Amazon definitely made this decision with wireless users in mind.
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