I have to admit that I am an Amazon customer to the point that I have their Audible, Prime and now the Whole Foods app that promises an extra 10% off sales items. So, don’t be surprised when I tell you that I also have all the different varieties of Echos from the Dot to the Tap. I also upgraded and went for the Echo 2nd gen which I am happy with. In fact, I like it better than my original Echo.
I have an exercise room that does not have one of these devices plugged in and sitting on a table or desk. Since I have the 2nd gen in my bedroom, I needed to figure out a way to make it portable. I have never liked having to unplug and re-plug my devices because it is inconvenient and depending where it’s located difficult to reach the outlet.
Imagine finding the solution to my problem while surfing the web. I found several battery base options that would allow me to be able to transport my Echo anywhere I wanted including outside while sitting on the porch or while gardening.
[azon_inpost asin=”B07BC3LCQJ” tpl=”tpl_4″]Portable Battery Base for Amazon Echo (2nd Generation) and Echo Plus, Battery Base [/azon_inpost]
Features
- Cannot be used with 1st Gen Echo
- Battery base does not turn off on its own, even when Echo is on standby
- Can leave Echo plugged in 24/7
- Battery base also can serve as a power bank that support USB output, suitable for charging smartphone, tablet, etc.
- Has small LED lights that turn from blue to red to alert user to charge base; also has power button on base
- Charge battery base with Echo’s original power adapter
- For stability inside the base, included is a black rubber ring (for Echo Plus) and a clear ring (for the Echo 2nd Gen) that goes around the bottom for a snug fit inside the battery base
- Battery Life: Echo 2nd generation – 8-12 hours; Echo plus – 7-10 hour
Note: I purchased this battery base for my Echo 2nd Gen. What drew my attention to it was that it was not big and bulky, it was versatile (meaning I could plug other devices into it using the USB port), the LED lights were small, they are noticeable, but not as much as others. I also liked the fact that I can keep it plugged in 24/7 and most importantly, the purchase doesn’t break the bank.
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[azon_inpost asin=”B078GMNFH6 ” tpl=”tpl_4″]Smatree Portable Battery Base for Echo (2nd Generation)/Echo Plus[/azon_inpost]
Features
- Large Battery Capacity: 10200mAH battery
- Battery life: Echo 2nd Gen: 6-10 hours; Echo Plus: 5-8 hours
- Battery base also can serve as a power bank that support USB output, suitable for charging smartphone, tablet, etc.
- The battery base will turn off after a period of inactivity to prevent battery drain
- Has small red LED battery indicator lights; also has power button on base
More Product Description
By design, the base will turn off after a period of inactivity to prevent battery drain. Another buyer suggested to plug a device into the USB port to keep the battery active so it won’t shutdown.
The Echo 2nd Gen will fit securely by removing the rubber insert from inside the compartment. If using the Echo Plus, leave the sleeve in for a snug fit.
Buyer noted that when unplugging the base from the power source, after a few minutes the unit will power itself off. Tech support states this prevents battery drain. User was instructed to use power button on unit and turn it back on. The unit will continue to work until the battery drains. The main issue here is having to wait for the Echo to power up and re-connect to WiFi.
Note: I did not purchase this base because of the issues stated by users. I passed, too much of a hassle to use.
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[azon_inpost asin=”B07BT3TCDB” tpl=”tpl_4″]Mission Battery Shell for Amazon Echo 2nd Generation[/azon_inpost]
Features
- No bulky attachments because battery is integrated into the outer shell of the Echo; compatible with fabric and hard shell versions of Echo 2 (the short Echo).
- Easy to use, remove outer decorative shell from Echo and slide the Battery Shell onto the device, no tools necessary to remove Echo
- If want to remove Mission Battery Sleeve from Echo, will need a screw driver to insert into a hole on the bottom of the sleeve to push the speaker out
- Hard outer shell (Real Shield) material provides rugged protection
- Has soft silicone pad (Vex Tech) on bottom of shell that offers stability and prevents incidents of sliding, falling or damaging surfaces
- 3 LED lights on front indicates battery level; blue when charging
- Provides better base response when listening to music (Mega-boost Base System)
- On/Off button on the rear of the sleeve
- Can leave battery plugged in 24/7
- Battery Capacity: 2200mAh battery
- Battery Life: over 8 hours
- This is not compatible with first gen Echo or Echo Plus.
- Colors: Black and White
Buyer Questions
Can you take the Echo out of the shell that easy? From the video it looks as if it can be popped out of its shell.
Answer: It has a pen hole to remove the Echo’s cover. You need a screw driver to remove the Echo. There’s a hole in the bottom of the battery shell and that’s where you stick the screw driver into the hole and push the Echo from it’s cover.
Does the Mission battery sleeve turn off on its own if Echo is in standby? This is a big problem with the Smatree model.
Answer: No, the Mission Battery Shell for Echo 2nd Generation stays on until the user manually shuts it off (with the on/off button) or once the battery pack is fully drained.
Note: I did not purchase this battery shell because I did not want to remove my speaker from the decorative sleeve in order to use this battery. The other issue that bothered me was that it does not have a clean look because of the cords protruding from the back.
I also thought the LED lights are significant and may become a disturbance if you’re trying to sleep. I did like the rugged features of the battery (as far as not having to worry about damage), but not enough to purchase it. It would be too much trouble and I didn’t like the tough exterior for display inside my home.
[azon_inpost asin=”B07896YRSK” tpl=”tpl_4″]All-new MegaBoot Battery for Echo 2nd Gen and Echo Plus[/azon_inpost]
Features
- Works with Echo 2nd Generation (over 24 hours) and Echo Plus (up to 18 hours)when playing music at volume 5 level
- Battery Boot attaches at bottom of Echo with a magnet for easy handling; the pulling force of the magnet is very strong
- Slim design for easy carrying
- Innovative design allows use with Echo 2nd Gen and the new Echo Plus
- No LED lights to gauge battery level
- Contains 4 lithium ion batteries
- MegaBoot comes with it’s own charger; the charger has an LED light that indicates when the battery is charged (red when charging, green when charged)
- Although you won’t use the Echo cord, it is not recommended because it is a different voltage (lower) than the charging cord that comes with the MegaBoot. This results in not getting a full charge from the battery because of the low voltage from Echo power adapter.
Buyer Issues
- No battery life indicator
- The metal disc can cause the Echo to slide around on some surface
- MegaBoot cost as much as the Echo
- After attaching Echo to battery using included magnet and metal disc, user did a drop test by knocking the Echo off a table which upon impact, the Echo separated from the metal disc, buyer was able to re-attach disc. After re-attachment was able to remove Echo from magnet without detaching the metal disc from the Echo.
- No on/off power button
- Likes supplied charger with the Megaboot because it has a charge indicator light, red when charging, green when charged
Note: I did not purchase this battery boot because of cost. I do have one for my 1st gen Echo, but refused to pay about the same price for an additional battery for the new Echo. Plus, I didn’t like the fact of having to glue the metal disc to the bottom of my speaker. I also wasn’t convinced that the magnetic would offer enough stability.