Amazon has redesigned its Echo Studio smart speaker, adding a built-in camera that lets users monitor their homes, check on their pets and make video calls — while keeping the premium sound quality that made the original model stand out.

The new Echo Studio with Home Camera combines Amazon’s audio technology with expanded smart-home features powered by Alexa+. The device is designed to do more than play music, offering practical assistance with everyday tasks alongside its entertainment capabilities.

A Built-In Camera Adds More Smart-Home Features

The integrated camera is one of the biggest changes to the Echo Studio. Through the Alexa app’s Live View feature, users can see what is happening in front of the speaker, whether they want to check on a pet or confirm whether they left the lights on.

Alexa+ also adds hands-free assistance for routine activities, including reordering household essentials such as cereal and explaining the rules of board games like Monopoly.

The camera can double as a webcam for personal and business video calls. During a demonstration in New York, Amazon devices chief Panos Panay used the speaker to call his parents, with the camera capturing the scene while a connected Fire TV displayed the people on the other end.

Premium Sound Remains the Main Attraction

Despite the addition of a camera, Amazon says audio quality remains the Echo Studio’s defining feature.

The speaker retains its high-excursion woofer for deep bass, three full-range drivers for midrange and high-frequency sounds, and Dolby Atmos support for immersive spatial audio.

Amazon has also introduced two audio features designed to make listening more comfortable.

• Advanced Room Adaptation: Continuously adjusts sound to account for the acoustics of the room.

• Adaptive Volume: Adjusts playback based on the listener’s position, helping music and podcasts maintain a consistent perceived volume as they move around.

These features are intended to make the speaker more responsive to its surroundings rather than delivering the same audio settings regardless of where it is placed or how the room is arranged.

Price and Availability

The Echo Studio with Home Camera is priced at $250, making it $30 more expensive than the standard Echo Studio.

The regular Echo Studio, introduced in 2025, remains available for $220 for buyers who want premium audio without the additional camera functionality.

For users who want a single device that combines high-quality music playback, smart-home monitoring, video calls and Alexa+ assistance, the updated Echo Studio offers a more versatile alternative to a traditional smart speaker. However, those primarily interested in sound can still choose the less expensive camera-free model.