The name Alexa has become ubiquitous over the years since Amazon first released its virtual assistant in 2014. We now live in a world with an expansive ecosystem of smart home products thanks to Amazon, and that list of devices is growing every year with Alexa-compatible smart speakers, smart displays and much more. And that’s not to mention the countless Alexa-compatible devices made by companies other than Amazon on the market right now. To put it simply, Alexa dominates in terms of smart home integration.
And with recent developments, Amazon’s voice assistant allows even more impressive integration, from smart TVs to smart thermostats to smart bulbs to home security systems and cameras. It’s a lot to navigate if you’re trying to put together an Alexa-powered smart home of your own. To that end, we’ve broken down the best of the best Alexa-compatible devices available right now.
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What is the best overall Amazon Alexa smart device?
We have spent years testing smart displays, smart speakers, home security cameras and systems, smart thermostats, smart plugs and smart locks. All of this diligent testing has gone into building out this list of the best Amazon Alexa and Alexa-compatible devices. After years of hands-on testing, we have determined the Amazon Echo (fourth-gen) is the very best Amazon Alexa device overall.
The fourth-gen Amazon Echo is the freshest smart speaker in years, adding real home smarts and premium sound quality. The best changes to this Echo are indeed the sound quality and home smarts, but the most obvious change is its cool spherical design. With a sleek design and improved functionality, this smart speaker can, and maybe should, be a stable in every household.
Best Amazon Alexa devices of 2023
Best Alexa device overall
Amazon’s fourth-gen Echo Dot with Clock was our previous favorite Alexa speaker, but since the 2020 product line, the flagship fifth-generation Echo speaker has got the nod in 2023 Q4. At Rs.4449, the spheroidal speaker is more expensive than the Rs.3249 fourth-generation Amazon Echo Dot, though the improvements in sound quality and some intriguing smart home features justify the additional cost.
This smart device’s shape sets Amazon’s newer Echo speaker apart. Where the fourth-gen Echo offered a barely noticeable sound quality improvement over its predecessor, the ball-shaped fifth-gen version has noticeably better audio output, including respectable bass for a speaker in its price range. On the smart home front, the fifth-gen Echo also gets a built-in Zigbee receiver, carrying over a feature from the now-defunct Amazon Echo Plus. The Zigbee receiver lets the new Echo function as a smart home connectivity point for compatible smart lights, plugs, and other Zigbee-based accessories. That means you can use the Echo itself as a hub to play music among other things, without the need for an additional piece of hardware to get those devices online.
The Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen also has new motion detection feature for more comfortable smart home actions. Use motion detection feature to automatically turn on smart lights when you enter a room or turn them off when the room is vacant. It also boasts a temperature sensor automating your room temperature. Sleep comfortably without the room getting too cold or walk-in to a cooled room on a hot day. Senses the room temperature and turns on or turns off the AC. The added tap controls help you to pause/resume music.
Echo Dot (5th Gen, 2023 release) | Smart speaker with Bigger sound, Motion Detection, Temperature Sensor, Alexa and Bluetooth
Rs. 4,449
-Improved audio experience with clearer vocals, deeper bass, and vibrant sound.
-Temperature sensor to keep your room comfortable. e.g. set routine to automatically turn on AC when room temperature exceeds 30 degrees.
-Added tap controls to pause/resume music.
-Echo dot (5th gen) does not have a clock display.
-Motion detection best perceives “major” motion e.g. when you walk into a room; and might not register “minor” motion, e.g. when you are working on a computer.
-Motion detection is designed to trigger routines only once in 30 mins.
Best Alexa-compatible home security camera
Wyze Cam v3 (2020)
The third-gen Wyze Cam, like its earlier iterations, only costs around Rs.4999, but this smart home device is one of our favorite cameras overall, in part because of the low price.
It comes with weatherproof housing, sharper night vision than its predecessor, a wider field of view, a loud siren and more — including 14-day video clip storage and a built-in microSD card slot for local storage. If you have an Echo Show smart display, you can also throw the Wyze Cam’s feed onto the screen with a simple voice command.
WYZE Cam v3 Indoor/Outdoor Smart Security Camera 1080p Plug-in, Color Night Vision, Two-Way Audio, Motion Detection for Baby Pet Monitor, Compatible with Alexa
Rs. 4,999
-Motion & Sound Detection: Wyze Cam sends an alert to your phone when baby is crying. 24/7 Continuous video recording with a 32GB MicroSD card (sold separately) lets you monitor your home security throughout the night easily.
-Indoor/Outdoor: Wyze Cam is a wired video camera with an IP65 rating so you can confidently install it outside in the rain or inside in the baby room. (Only work with 2.4GHz WiFi)
-2-Way Talk: Wyze Cam now comes with simultaneous 2-way communication. Let your baby hear the sound of your voice no matter where you are.
-Color Night Vision: An all-new Starlight Sensor records night time video in full, vivid color. The Starlight Sensor can see full color in environments up to 25x darker than traditional video cameras and the new f/1.6 aperture captures 2x more light.
-Works with Alexa and Google Assistant: Use your voice to view Wyze Cam's live stream on any Alexa or Google Assistant device with a screen. You can say things like “Alexa, show me the living room” or “Ok Google, show the baby' room.”
Best Alexa-compatible smart display
Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd gen)
In Amazon’s Echo Show 8, you get an 8-inch screen with the best resolution of any Echo Show yet, a camera shutter and all the smarts of previous Amazon smart displays. The Echo Show 8 has a built-in Alexa speaker. That means you can use this smart display to ask your Alexa digital assistant to do your bidding, whether that be asking it to play music, relay the weather or just tell you a joke.
And, since it’s a smart display, it also offers advanced compatibility with Alexa-enabled security cameras. Ask Alexa to “answer the front door” when someone rings your Ring Peephole Cam and you can see the live feed on your Show 8 — and actually talk to the person, straight from the smart display.
Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen, 2021 release)- Smart speaker with 8" HD screen, stereo sound & hands-free entertainment with Alexa
Rs. 8,499
-Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) with Alexa is an upgrade of our best-selling smart speaker with screen and comes with an improved 13 MP camera which you can use to make video calls to contacts having the Alexa app or Echo Show devices. You can control Echo Show 8 using only your voice. Alexa speaks English and Hindi.
-Hands-free music control: Stream millions of songs in your favorite language from Amazon Prime Music, Spotify, JioSaavn, Gaana, and Apple Music. Enjoy singing along with on screen lyrics from Amazon Prime Music.
-Your personal entertainment corner: Watch your favourite movies and TV shows from Amazon Prime Video and Netflix.
-Monitor your home remotely: Activate the built-in camera remotely to securely monitor your home on your Alexa app or on other Echo Show devices.
-Get started with Smart home: It is simple to make your home smart with Alexa and use voice to control lights, ACs, security cameras, TVs, geysers and more.
-Stay in frame during video calls: Make video calls with the upgraded 13 MP camera that pans and zooms automatically to keep you in frame. Simply ask Alexa to call your friends and family who have the Alexa app or Echo Show devices. Use drop-in feature to check on your kids or parents – just like an intercom.
-Manage your day better: Just ask Alexa to set reminders and timers. Watch the latest news or get weather updates while you are rushing through your daily chores.
-Designed to protect your privacy: Comes with a mic off button and a built-in camera cover.
Best Alexa-compatible smart lock
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
August’s Wi-Fi Smart Lock is a great smart lock. It retrofits to most standard deadbolts, so you don’t have to deal with a complicated installation. The built-in Wi-Fi makes it possible to access and control your smart lock remotely via the Android or iOS app without needing an August Connect module. And, as its spot on this list might indicate, it’s an Alexa-compatible device, too — that means you can lock and unlock your door from an Alexa-enabled smart speaker using your voice.
The lock also comes with an open/close sensor — called DoorSense — that attaches to the door in question. That way, the app can not only tell you whether the door is locked or unlocked, but also if the door is open or closed. That’s a nice touch of functionality from such a simple-to-use smart lock.
August Home 4th Gen Alexa, Google Assistant, Home Kit, Smart Things and Airbnb Wi-Fi Lock Compatible Upgrade Your Deadbolt
Rs. 29,093
-UPGRADE YOUR EXISTING DEADBOLT: August smart locks fit on the inside of your door, making your regular deadbolt smarter, more secure and way more convenient. Keep your keys just in case (but you won’t need them).
-GRANT ACCESS WITH THE AUGUST APP: Forget key copying. Quickly and easily share permanent, scheduled or temporary access to your home with friends, family and other people you trust, and never put a key under the doormat again.
-EASY TO INSTALL ON ANY DOOR: Even if you’re not so handy, installation only takes about 10 minutes. August locks fit perfectly over most single cylinder deadbolts and aren't much bigger than your original thumbturn.
-AUTO-LOCKS AND UNLOCKS: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is able to Auto-Unlock as you get home for totally hands-free unlocking (optional). With Auto-Lock and DoorSense, your home automatically secures once your door is closed, or after a set amount of time.
-WORKS SEAMLESSLY WITH YOUR SMART HOME: Built-in Wi-Fi allows your lock to work with your favorite voice assistant, including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings and more.
-AWARD-WINNING SMART LOCK YEAR AFTER YEAR: Voted CNET Editor's Choice two years in a row (2020/2021), Best Smart Lock by Good Housekeeping (2021), Best Smart Lock by Tom's Guide (2021).
-KEEP YOUR HOME'S CURB APPEAL: Get smart lock functionality without changing the look of the outside of your front door. August smart locks are installed only on the inside of the door, so your design for your front door doesn’t have to adapt.
-ADD A KEYPAD FOR USE WITH CODES: For phone-free moments, connect a Smart Keypad (sold separately) to unlock the door with unique codes. Great for small kids, the housekeeper, the dogwalker, or other one-time visitors.
-FACE OR FINGERPRINT ID FOR EXTRA SECURITY: Use your phone’s biometric recognition for two-factor authentication (optional).
Best Alexa-compatible smart plug
Philips WiZ Smart Wi-Fi Plug
The Philips WiZ Smart WIFI Plug is a robust smart plug in Indian market. A smart plug like this one connects via your Wi-Fi connection directly to a wall outlet and converts your non-smart lamps, fans and other gadgets into smart devices.
Use the WiZ app to connect and control devices — or enlist Amazon Alexa and use voice control. Say, “Alexa, turn on the reading lamp” to get the Plug Mini smart plug to control the devices connected to it with ease.
Best Alexa-compatible smart bulb
Philips WiZ Smart Bulb
Philips is well known for its super-reliable lighting products, and its WiZ-connected Wi-Fi smart lightbulb is no different. If you’re looking for a smart light that works with voice commands, this is the best Alexa-enabled one out there. A 9W fully color-changing bulb only cost Rs.649, which is worth it even if you’ll only break those colors out on rare holiday occasions. Either way, you’re getting an Alexa-compatible bulb that connect directly to your home internet network via Wi-Fi. Fit them in, connect via the WiZ app and you’re ready to go.
Colors aside, the WiZ bulbs have a great range of white light, from candlelight-like to daylight-white. Plus, they produce better brightness than many other smart bulbs.
Factors to consider when choosing an Alexa device
Privacy
Amazon’s voice assistant makes it easier to control the devices in your home, set timers and find out how long your commute to the office will take. But privacy has become an increasing concern as smart speakers and displays grow in popularity. Reports that Amazon keeps transcripts of your voice conversations, even after you’ve deleted the Alexa audio recordings, led to concerns over user privacy. Sen. Chris Coons, a Democrat from Delaware, wrote a letter to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos seeking answers about Amazon’s Alexa user data and how it’s stored.
Amazon has since introduced the “Alexa, delete everything I said today” feature. The tech giant says it’s also working on new ways for customers to delete their transcripts. For example, the Echo Show 8 comes with a built-in camera shutter, unlike earlier Echo Show devices.
Amazon isn’t alone in its privacy concerns. Its subsidiary Ring and other major tech companies such as Facebook and Google have faced their own privacy issues, prompting questions about data usage. However, Amazon and others appear to be working to win back consumer trust, but it is still an important factor to consider.
Type of smart home device
There are literally thousands of Alexa and Alexa-compatible devices that you can buy on the market right now, from smart speakers and home security devices to smart lighting and smart thermostats. Before you make a purchase, consider how you plan to use your Alexa device so you can be sure to find the one that best suits your needs.
Installation and set up
Amazon makes installation seamless with the help of Alexa voice commands. Plus, many of the best Alexa and Alexa-compatible devices offer a companion app to help with installation and controlling the device. Before buying an Alexa device, consider your other smart home devices, too. It wouldn’t necessarily make a ton of sense to buy an Alexa device if your smart home is already made up of an ecosystem of Google Assistant or Siri devices.
Price
Cost is always a factor. The good news is most of these Alexa devices are budget-friendly, ranging from Rs.2,000 to Rs.30,000, depending on the device.
Source: www.cnet.com
