Amazon’s smart assistant, Alexa, continues to expand its reach. The personal assistant was first launched in late 2014 and has come a long way from its humble beginnings with the original Amazon Echo smart speaker.
Alexa now powers a whole host of devices, and a simple voice command can accomplish some pretty surprising tasks with the right hardware.
Here are the best Alexa-compatible devices available today.
If sound quality is your top priority when looking for a smart speaker with Alexa built-in, take a look at the Bose Home Speaker 500. The company is well-known for delivering top-quality audio, and the Home Speaker 500 brings Alexa into the mix.
You can accomplish almost everything possible with an Echo device, including playing music, controlling smart home devices, and interacting with skills. You even get a choice between a black or silver version to match your home decor.
The Home Speaker 500 isn’t cheap, but it lives up to its price tag. It can fill up any room with crystal clear highs and rich, thumping bass that will make you love listening to music again. Add in touch and app controls, as well as an innovative design with an LED display and outstanding voice pickup, and you’ve got one of the best, if not the best, Alexa speakers on the market.
- Alexa built-in
- Voice, touch, and app controls
- Apple AirPlay 2
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi pairing
- Brand: Bose
- Display: LCD
- Dimensions: 4.31 x 6.68 x 8.01 inches
- Weight: 4.65lbs
- Alarm Clock: Yes
- Integrations: Alexa, Google Assistant
- Powerful, room-filling sound
- High-quality voice pick-up
- Premium and stylish design
The Ring Video Doorbell is an excellent video doorbell that works with Alexa. It’s the most affordable and bestselling product in Ring’s video doorbell product range.
Released in 2020 for its second generation, this device provides convenience to most homeowners with crystal-clear video recording, motion detection, and real-time alerts.
You can control the Ring Video Doorbell using the Ring app or hands-freely via a device with built-in Alexa like the Echo Dot and Echo Show. Just say, “Alexa, show me my front door,” and you can see everything happening at your front door and even respond to visitors with two-way audio.
The app lets you see a real-time video of your door and talk to your visitors from anywhere. It can also send quick notifications when someone presses the doorbell or when there is motion detected. It’s a nice little device that can add an extra layer of security to your house.
- Works with Alexa
- Real-time notification with Ring app
- Two-way audio
- Motion detection
- Video Resolution: 1080p
- Field of View: 155° horizontal, 90° vertical
- Power Source: Built-in Rechargeable Battery or Wired
- Brand: Ring
- Hub Required: No
- Integrations: Amazon Alexa
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi
- Voice Compatibility: Devices with Alexa built-in
- App Compatibility: iOS, Android
- It’s simple to set up
- Crystal-clear audio and HD video
- Controlled via app or hands-free with Alexa
- Detects people and packages
- Motion detection is hit or miss
Smart plugs are a great way to get started with smart home technology. The Amazon Smart Plug is an excellent option that works exclusively with Alexa, allowing you to voice control virtually any appliance, including fans, lights, coffee makers, and more.
You can control the outlet with Alexa or using the companion Alexa app while on the go. The app also lets you set up routines and schedules to turn connected appliances on and off automatically. Thanks to a minimal design, the device won’t block another wall outlet, allowing you to place two plugs into one outlet.
- Alexa integration
- Scheduling and remote control with Alexa app
- Space-saving design
- Brand: Amazon
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi (2.4GHz)
- Integrations: Amazon Alexa
- Schedules: Yes
- Electrical rating: 120VAC, 60Hz 15A
- Dimensions: 3.2 x 1.5 x 2.2 inches
- Weight: 3.1 ounces
- Hub Reqired: No
- Adds voice control to any outlet and appliance
- Control from anywhere
- Simple to set up
- Does not work with Google Assistant
All you need is a free electrical outlet to bring Alexa into more places in your home with the Echo Flex. The small, plug-in mini smart speaker allows you to interact with the voice assistant to activate skills and features. It has Alexa built-in, so you can use it to control other Alexa-enabled devices like the Amazon Smart Plug.
There is also a built-in USB port that can be used to juice up a smartphone or other device. You can also add an optional smart motion sensor or smart night light. A built-in 3.5mm AUX port allows you to plug in a larger speaker for better sound quality.
- Built-in Alexa
- Mic off button for privacy
- Built-in USB port
- Brand: Amazon
- Dimensions: 5.8 x 3.4 x 2.9 inches
- Weight: 5.3 ounces
- Integrations: Amazon Alexa
- Audio: Built-in speaker
- Adds Alexa to any room
- Can be used to voice control other Alexa-compatible devices
- Can charge your smartphone
- Reliable privacy features
The Ring Indoor Camera is a breeze to set up. Just plug it into an outlet and then connect your Wi-Fi. You can see the camera feed from any Echo Show device or the Ring app. You can hear what’s happening and even talk to anyone with the camera’s built-in microphone.
The camera has an outstanding field of view, which results in broader coverage of your room. It records in high-quality 1080p resolution and has noise cancellation, so you can see and hear people clearly.
With Alexa compatibility, live view, and real-time, motion-activated notifications, the Ring Indoor Camera gives you peace of mind when away from your house.
- 1080p video and two-way audio
- Motion-activated notifications
- Live streaming from anywhere
- Brand: Ring
- Resolution: 1080p
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi
- App Compatibility: Ring
- Night Vision: Yes
- Internal or External: Internal
- Power Source: Corded electric
- Axis Control: Yes
- Integrations: Amazon Alexa
- Field of view: 140-degrees diagonal, 115-degrees horizontal, 60-degrees vertical
- Excellent coverage and clarity
- Smaller profile
- Easy installation
- Needs subscription to save videos and photos
The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is one of the best Alexa devices for homeowners. It fits into an existing deadbolt and upgrades your standard lock to a smart lock that you can lock and unlock with your voice. It’s the latest generation smart lock from August, and this time around, it comes with Wi-Fi capabilities, meaning it doesn’t require any additional bridge or hub to work.
In addition to Alexa, this smart device can lock or unlock the door automatically for you, so you don’t have to fumble around in your bag or pocket for keys. You can also easily check if the door is locked or unlocked in the app for added peace of mind.
With other advanced features such as guest access, smart alerts, activity tracking, and biometric access, the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is easily the best smart lock around.
- Auto-lock and unlock
- Remote access with August app
- Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri
- Smart alerts
- Brand: August
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi
- Integrations: Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
- Battery: 2x CR123A
- Keypad: No
- Hub Required: No
- Excellent smart features
- Easy to install
- Works with existing deadbolt
Good things come in small packages with the Echo Show 5. The smallest device in the Echo Show lineup features a 5.5-inch touchscreen and is perfect for a nightstand or another small spot in your home.
Even with the small screen, you can still take advantage of all the skills and functions of its larger cousins, like video calling, watching movies, and viewing photos. With an eye on privacy, you can cover the camera lens with a built-in shutter and also turn the microphone off.
The Echo Show 5 can also control other Alexa-enabled devices in your smart home. Just say Alexa, show me the front door, and it will display the feed of your video doorbell.
- Amazon Alexa built-in
- Built-in camera with privacy shutter
- Video calls
- Chipset: MediaTek MT 8163
- Display: 5.5-inch, Touchscreen
- Sound: 1.65-inch built-in speaker
- Colors: Charcoal, Deep Sea Blue, Glacier White
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Weight: 14.5oz
- Camera: 2MP
- Affordable
- Wide range of features
- Controls other smart home devices
Smart sprinkler controllers can save homeowners both water and money. Taking the place of a standard irrigation system controller, the smart version can provide better insight into when your lawn needs water and exactly how much.
One of the best choices on the market is the Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller. While you can set an automatic schedule, Alexa can also help out. With a voice command, you can start and stop watering, turn on a rain delay, and more.
The Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller is the third generation of the best-selling smart sprinkler controller, bringing better and more precise weather-based irrigation control. It’s also compatible with the Rachio Wireless Flow Meter, giving you a better understanding of your outdoor water usage and making it easier to detect leaks and blockages.
- 4-zone, 8-zone, and 16-zone models
- Precise weather-based watering
- Automated smart schedules
- Control from anywhere with app
- Brand: Rachio
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi
- Integrations: Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, Nest, IFTTT, Wink, Control4, Nexia
- Weight: 1.05 pounds
- Mount: Installs to an existing sprinkler systems
- Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.5 x 1.4 inches
- Power Supply: AC power adapter
- Automatic adjustment for location, weather, and season
- Great water saving
- Control individual zones
- Hassle-free installation
Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller
The Hamilton Beach Smart 12 Cup Coffee Maker can make your mornings just a bit easier with Alexa. Using an Alexa device or the companion Alexa app, you can turn the coffee maker on or off and even change the brew strength.
The Alexa app also allows you to set a morning routine on the Alexa coffee maker to have the brew set and ready to pot by a certain time. You can also combine other Alexa-compatible devices, so you only need one voice command to start brewing coffee, turn off smart lights, and more in the morning.
The coffee maker is easy to set up and comes with an easily accessible design that lets you add water or coffee without having to move the entire machine. It can also remind you when it’s time to clean it and automatically shut itself off two hours after brewing for safety and added peace of mind.
- Works with Alexa certified
- Front-fill brew basket and water reservoir
- Cleaning cycle reminder
- Auto Shutoff or shut off with Alexa app and voice command
- Brand: Hamilton Beach
- Coffee Type: Ground
- Water Tank: 96 ounces
- Milk Frother: No
- Presets: Yes
- Easy app and voice controls
- Brew strength options
- Easy to use
- Needs to press a button to use Alexa voice commands
Hamilton Beach Smart 12 Cup Coffee Maker
The eufy RoboVac G30 is an Alexa-compatible robot vacuum that can take the tiresome vacuuming job off of your hands. It can clean your house in neat, efficient rows for more coverage while avoiding objects on the way. The slim, 2.85-inch footprint allows it to clean under furniture like beds and sofas.
With Alexa integration, you can use simple voice commands to control the RoboVac G30, unlike other robot vacuums that require you to press a button each time you want to clean. It can pick up dirt and debris on most surfaces and automatically increases suction power on carpets for better deep cleaning results.
To achieve a high level of autonomy, the RoboVac G30 will automatically pause and return to the charging base to recharge when running low on battery power and resume cleaning where it stopped. It also comes with a companion app that allows scheduling, spot cleaning, and manual control.
- On-demand cleaning with Alexa
- Spot cleaning and scheduling via app
- Recharge and resume
- Carpet boost
- Dimensions: 2.85 inches
- Dustbin Capacity: 0.6L
- Battery Life: 100 minutes
- Brand: eufy by Anker
- Power: Rechargeable battery
- Powerful suction for hard floors and carpets
- Smart, efficient navigation
- Small enough to fit under furniture
Smart lighting is one of the simplest ways to add technology to a home. The Sengled Smart LED Multicolor A19 Kit provides an affordable way to add smart lighting to your home. The lights are substantially more affordable than the popular Philips Hue line of products.
This starter kit comes with two dimmable A19 multi-color bulbs and a hub to enable voice commands with Alexa or Google Assistant. Using Alexa or the Sengled Home app, you can turn the bulbs on and off, as well as change the brightness level and color.
Choose from 16 million colors to suit your moods and easily change scenes with simple voice commands like “Alexa, turn kitchen lights to pink.”
- Two multi-color bulbs and a hub
- Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT
- Dimming, scheduling, and color changing via App or Alexa
- Brand: Sengled
- Integrations: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT
- Protocol: Zigbee home 1.2.1
- Hub Required: Yes (Included)
- Multicolor Capable: Yes
- Color Range: 16 million colors
- Service Life: 25000 hrs
- Wattage: 60W
- Working Temperature: -4 to 104ºF (-20 to 40ºC)
- Power Input: 100-130V, 60Hz
- Reasonable price
- Awesome color features
- Easy to install
Sengled Smart LED Multicolor A19 Kit (2-Pack)
Take Alexa anywhere with the Echo Buds. Amazon refreshed them in 2021 for their second generation, and they now have a powerful noise-canceling feature and a compact, lighter, and more comfortable design.
Alexa still comes built-in, so there’s no need to press a button to interact with your smart assistant—just say “Alexa” to get started.
The earbuds work in tandem with the Alexa app, so you can do things like taking calls, listening to music, or getting directions. The battery provides up to five hours of music playback on a single charge and up to 15 hours with the included charging case. You can get another four hours of playback time if you turn off ANC and hands-free Alexa.
- Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
- Ambient mode
- Built-in Alexa
- Brand: Amazon
- Battery Life: Up to 15 hours
- Noise Cancellation: Yes
- Bluetooth : Yes, Bluetooth 5.0
- Microphones: Yes
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- IP rating: IPX4
- Impressive ANC
- Excellent sound quality
- Super comfortable
- Works with other Voice Assistants
- Shorter battery life than previous generation
Remotes are a thing of the past when using the Fire TV Cube in your living room. You can ask Alexa to turn on your TV and soundbar while even starting a specific program.
The cube is capable of streaming 4K content at 60fps along with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos audio. It can also access popular streaming services like Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, and Amazon’s own Prime Video.
The Cube comes with a fast hexa-core processor for smooth 4K streaming and a snappy user experience. Amazon also includes an Ethernet adapter for a more reliable internet connection and the all-new Alexa Voice Remote, which lets you use Alexa voice controls from the comfort of your sofa.
- Amazon Alexa built-in
- Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support
- Dolby Atmos audio
- Brand: Amazon
- Operating System: Fire OS
- Downloadable Apps: Yes
- Resolution: 4K Ultra HD
- Ports: Micro-USB, HDMI
- Supported Audio Codecs: 14
- RAM/storage: 2GB/16GB
- High-quality 4K resolution with Dolby Vision
- Fast and snappy interface
- Content galore
- Wired Ethernet
The Amazon Smart Thermostat is currently one of the most affordable thermostats that work with Alexa. It’s not advanced like the Nest and ecobee models, but it makes up for that with an aggressive price and Alexa hunches that automatically set up your desired temperature. You can also adjust the temperatures from anywhere using the Alexa app.
Unlike other Amazon devices, this smart thermostat does not have Alexa built-in. That means you’ll need an Echo device or a smart home device with Alexa built-in to control the Amazon Smart Thermostat with voice commands. Alternately, you can use its built-in buttons to increase or decrease the temperatures manually.
- Works with Amazon Alexa
- Control from anywhere with Alexa app
- Energy Star-certified
- Brand: Amazon
- Integrations: Amazon Alexa
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi (2.4GHz only)
- Display: Touchscreen
- Weight: 3.86oz
- Dimensions: 3.56 x 3.56 x 0.84 inches
- Hub Required: No
- C-Wire or adapter required: Yes
- Affordable
- Manual and hands-free temperature adjustment
- Automatic temperature adjustment with Alexa Hunches
- C-wire required
- No speaker or microphone
The Govee DreamView T1 TV Backlight stands out from the crowd of smart lighting and TV backlights with its adjustable modes. It comes with a camera that scans what’s displayed on your TV and applies the colors to your TV background, resulting in an immersive and theatric experience. You can also sync the lights with TV audio and sound to enhance your musical experience.
The DreamView T1 TV Backlight is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can turn the lights on and off or change lighting modes using voice commands. It also comes with a companion app, which provides greater control over the colors, brightness, and lighting modes.
This model is suited for 55-65 inch TVs, but Govee also has a longer strip for larger TVs.
- Works with Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant
- Color syncs with TV images and music
- 12 dynamic scene modes
- Brand: Govee
- Integrations: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri
- Music Reactive: Yes
- Multicolor Capable: Yes
- Color Range: 16 million colors
- Voice Compatibility : Yes
- Voltage: 12V
- Wattage: 24W
- Type: TV backlight
- Excellent immersion
- Easy to setup
- Voice and app controls
- Different sets required for different sized TVs
Govee DreamView T1 TV Backlight
FAQ
Q: What Is the Difference Between Works With Alexa and Alexa Built-In?
“Works with Alexa” devices are devices that you can control with voice commands using an Alexa device.
On the other hand, “Alexa Built-in” devices are devices that provide access to the Alexa voice service and can also be used to control “Works with Alexa” devices.
Q: What Is the Difference Between Alexa and Echo?
Alexa is a voice assistant software developed by Amazon, while Echo is a device that allows you to access Alexa.
Q: Is There a Monthly Charge for Using the Amazon Echo?
There is no monthly charge for using the Amazon Echo and Alexa. Alexa is free to use for everyone.
As long as you have a compatible device and a Wi-Fi connection, you can use Alexa commands to get information and control other smart home devices for free of charge.