Home Gym Music: Amazon Alexa / Echo and Headphone Review

If you’ve never experienced a commercial gym, you’re not missing out on much when it comes to music and entertainment choices. Which is why most will simply just opt for their own headphones. But a HUGE underrated perk of having your own gym is having full control of your vibe. Whether you prefer your own music, podcasts, audiobook, following along with a YouTube workout, or your favorite show, you can really customize your space without breaking the bank. Here are some of the things I have in my gym that you can include in yours!
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Disclaimer: Listed products may contain sponsored links or affiliate codes. However, I always try to make recommendations for products I currently use, have used, or would use in my own garage gym. Links may include direct affiliate links, discount codes, or Amazon Associate links. As both an Amazon Associate and as an affiliate partner of other products, I earn a percentage from qualifying purchases.

Music

I love variety. One day I’ll be listening to Punk Rock, and the next day piano songs by Yanni. I’ll go from Eminem to Disney without breaking stride. The only way this works for me is access. Personally, I use Apple Music, but there are countless others who use Spotify or Amazon Music Unlimited, and as standalone subscriptions, they are all about equally priced, so it comes down to personal preference. If I didn’t already have an Apple Music Subscription, I would probably go with Amazon Music because of the number of Alexa/Echo devices I have for convenience, but Apple Music and Spotify still work on these devices.

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Overview

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I’m a huge fan of my Amazon Alexa and Echo Dot devices and have one in almost every room of the house, including my gym. I’ve been using the original Echo Cylinder which is no longer sold, but the newer versions are still great and keep getting more innovative. If you’re getting just the cheapest options, you’re getting a small, portable speaker so it’s not the highest quality sound, but it’s a quick and convenient way to throw on some music during a workout or around the house. The best part is that my kids can go out and put on the music they want while playing in the gym. I have numerous other automations connected via Alexa including light bulbs and smart plugs that make things quite convenient. My kids will often go out into the garage, turn on their favorite playlist, change the gym lighting color, and have a dance party! They make exercise fun!

Here are my thoughts on each device and you can decide what works best for your setup:

Top Choice: Echo (4th Gen)

Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
I do not personally own this device, but I wish I did. Of all the budget device options, this one has the best quality sound. One of the tradeoffs for the higher quality sound is no time display compared to the cheaper echo dot. So if you want a device that displays the time at a cheaper price, go with the Echo Dot. If you want a higher quality small speaker, go with the 4th Gen.

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Best All Around Choice: Echo Dot

Amazon Echo Dot
Improved sound compared to previous versions. I do own this product and it is great for bedrooms since it has a time display. But if you want better sound and a display is not important, go with the 4th Gen.

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Latest Release: Echo Spot (2024)

Amazon Echo Spot
I wish this would have dropped BEFORE I purchased the Echo Pop. This is definitely on my wish list. It has a crisp touch screen display screen that can show time, weather, music album art, calendars, routines, and more! Would be a great choice for a bedroom, or countertop. The sound is supposedly the same as the Echo Dot, and a definite upgrade from the Echo Pop. It would be great to pair with a SMART BULB for a gradual light wake-up routine. However, with all these great features, I’m surprised by the fact they did NOT include a temperature sensor that can be found in both the Echo Dot and the Echo 4th Gen, which seems to me like a no-brainer that should have been included with the Smart Clock Display. Maybe they will include this in later generations.

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Cheapest Option: Echo Pop

Amazon Echo Pop
I own this device as well. It performs all the basic functions including playing music, and voice control for my various home automations, but is significantly lacking in multiple areas including: Sound quality, volume, no display. Often, this device is included with other packages or bundles so you may not want to purchase this device alone and just wait for a package deal to drop.

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Premium Sound: Echo Studio

Amazon Echo Studio
A DEFINITE wish list item. A much higher price tag compared to the rest of the echo lineup, but with that price tag comes a significantly improved sound quality. Numerous reviews say the sound quality is EXCELLENT for both music and connected to a Fire TV for movies and shows. You can pair with other devices for a fully immersive surround-sound experience as well. And while the price tag may seem high, it is competitively priced with similar speakers of similar quality such as the SONOS MOVE , BEATS PILL , and the APPLE HOME POD

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Headphones

I would be remiss if I did a post on MUSIC without mentioning headphones. I’ll be honest, I have never owned a pair of high-quality headphones due to price, but I have found a few options that I think provide decent quality that the average person can afford. But I will never turn down a free pair of headphones to review, especially if they happen to be a pair of APPLE AIR POD MAXes

TOZO NC7 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds
I use these almost daily. I specifically purchased these for the noise cancelling capabilities and I’m surprised how well it works! It’s fantastic for mowing the lawn and decreasing the decibel level required to listen while I mow. Not to mention the sound quality is actually better than expected. Another convenient feature is the ability to have only 1 headphone in while charging the other. They pair seamlessly to my phone and also work for hands-free calling. For the price tag, I’m not disappointed one bit by these!

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Soundcore Anker Q20 Noise Cancelling Over-ear Bluetooth Headphones
These might be the most affordable, bluetooth, over-ear, noise-cancelling headphones that still provide competitive sound quality. They also include a plug-in option for even higher quality sound.

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Apple AirPods Max
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
These are EXPENSIVE! But they make the list because they are on my
“wish list of things that I will probably never own” because one day, I was waiting in the Apple Store getting my phone screen repaired, I decided just to try them on and see what they were like. Let me tell you, it was life changing! The noise cancelling was incredible; the loud Apple Store disappeared and I was immersed in a musical experience! They felt weightless on my head and over my ears. I may need to start a Go-Fund-Me campaign to get my hands on a pair of these. But with Noise Cancelling, Transparency Mode, Personalized Spatial Audio, and Dolby Atmos, these things are premium for sure. Maybe one day when I’m famous, Apple will send me a pair for free, or they’ll drop in price when the next model is released. Until then, I’ll still be just fine with all of the products listed above.

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