# Amazon Echo (4th Gen) vs Bose Home Speaker 500: specs and price compared

A sourced, side-by-side comparison of the Amazon Echo (4th Gen) (Amazon) and Bose Home Speaker 500 (Bose) among smart speakers. Amazon Echo (4th Gen) is the cheaper of the two at $99.

## Side by side

| Spec | Amazon Echo (4th Gen) | Bose Home Speaker 500 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US price | $99 | $379 |
| Brand | Amazon | Bose |
| Released | 2020-10 | 2018-09 |
| Assistant | Alexa | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
| Drivers | 1x 3-inch (76mm) neodymium woofer, 2x 0.8-inch (20mm) tweeters | 2x 2.5-inch full-range drivers (opposing sides, stereo) |
| Smart home hub | Zigbee, Amazon Sidewalk | — |
| Audio calibration | No | No |
| Aux or line out | 3.5mm audio in/out | 3.5mm aux line-in |
| Dimensions (in) | 5.7 x 5.7 x 5.2 | 8.0 x 6.7 x 4.3 |
| Multiroom | Yes | Yes |

## Key differences

- Assistant: Amazon Echo (4th Gen) Alexa vs Bose Home Speaker 500 Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
- Drivers: Amazon Echo (4th Gen) 1x 3-inch (76mm) neodymium woofer, 2x 0.8-inch (20mm) tweeters vs Bose Home Speaker 500 2x 2.5-inch full-range drivers (opposing sides, stereo)
- Aux or line out: Amazon Echo (4th Gen) 3.5mm audio in/out vs Bose Home Speaker 500 3.5mm aux line-in
- Dimensions (in): Amazon Echo (4th Gen) 5.7 x 5.7 x 5.2 vs Bose Home Speaker 500 8.0 x 6.7 x 4.3

## What reviewers say

**Amazon Echo (4th Gen)** — Four whitelisted testers — What Hi-Fi, SoundGuys, Tom's Guide and Reviewed — hands-on reviewed the exact 4th-gen Echo. Consensus: a well-rounded, great-value Alexa smart-home hub with a distinctive orb design and punchy bass, but recessed treble and mids, and sound clearly bettered by pricier rivals like the Sonos One. (4 sourced reviews.)

## Sources

- Amazon Echo (4th Gen): https://www.soundguys.com/amazon-echo-4th-gen-review-42618/ (soundguys.com, verified 2026-06-15)
- Bose Home Speaker 500: https://www.soundguys.com/bose-home-speaker-500-review-83480/ (soundguys.com, verified 2026-06-15)

Canonical: https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/smart-speakers/amazon-echo-4th-gen-vs-bose-home-speaker-500/
Cite: Per The Front Desk Review, Amazon Echo (4th Gen) ($99) vs Bose Home Speaker 500 ($379) — sourced spec-by-spec comparison at https://frontdeskreview.com/gear/smart-speakers/amazon-echo-4th-gen-vs-bose-home-speaker-500/
License: CC BY 4.0.