EDIT: Apologies! I meant 3rd Gen! While we happen to like the 2nd gen as well, we prefer the 3rd since it addressed the too low volume issue of the 2nd gen. Of course the compromise was that higher power amp required moving from a standard micro-USB power port (could even power the 2nd gen with a USB power bank for portability!)… to a proprietary higher power wall wart and connector on the 2nd gen. The 2nd gen is also great for dusty environments like shops and garages since it is entirely smooth plastic with no fabric whatsoever
The 2nd 3rd gen Echo Dot remains our favorite all around Echo device. Solid, clean, if not musical sound, much nicer design than the silly dust-collector globular later gen Dots.
And wow, at this late date, new, with full original 1-year Amazon warranty rather than neutered 90-day Woot warranty. $17. Seems a buck or two high but slipping hairs since refurbs seem to be about $10.
We also have been using a second generation echo dot for a few years, but the past few weeks we have been having issues with Internet connectivity. It’s not our connection since we have upgraded to a mesh system that’s way better than the router we were using.
We don’t keep it on 24/7 we have it on a powerstrip that gets shut off at night (could be the cause of the trouble), but recently we’ve had to turn it on then off & on again to connect which is becoming a pita. Tried resetting & other troubleshooting, but I think it’s end of life may be approaching.
Like the dots because it sits on top of the wall outlet/charger & is out of the way. I think the price is a bit high too for such an old model, but I guess people (like me) still have a need & will pay.
Once again thank you fellow wooter for bringing this to the front page. I just purchased one.
I still have my 1st connected and I use it daily.
All gone already?
Nooooooooooooooooo!!! 
I just gave one of my shows to my mom, so I need a few more. I’ve only got 1 more, but I need at least two. And the one ‘extra’ I have was always flaky!
Whaaaa!
Did anyone else hear that they are going to start charging to use Alexa… WTF
Well damn. I didn’t hear about that, but after searching came across a few sites.
They are calling it Alexa Plus & i don’t see any mention of being able to keep the non plus service. Since i only use it for music & weather I’ll be abandoning it if it becomes a paid service. Already pay for Prime & wont pay extra for plus.
Corporate greed never ends. Sad.
Ikr bullshit I use it nightly for sleep sounds and ask her random questions but yeah paying I don’t know about all that
Yeah. I heard.
There are ways to make Alexa THINK it’s chacking in w/Amazon, but it’s contacting YOUR stuff.
We bought their stuff w/certain expextations, and if they stop meeting those, we can fix that.