It seems like every week, Amazon announces a new device or devices “with Alexa”. I’ve always found these devices planted all over the house to be a little invading. However, one day realized there isn’t much that Alexa would pick up that my phone or watch wasn’t already paying attention to. This is what lead my down the path into researching and testing different devices and realizing their worth.
In having a fair amount of time to look into these devices, the current best device is the Echo Plus. This device is going to be a great starter device for your home. The cylindrical speaker can fill a large centralized room with full sound, and clear quality. It comes equipped with Alexa like all of the devices we’re going to look at today, and seconds as a smart home hub. If you want to learn more, read below and see if one of the other Top 5 Amazon devices better fits your needs.
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5. Echo Auto
This is definitely the most niche device on the list. The Echo Auto is the first device that has actually brought Amazon out of the home, and into your car. Although this list is aimed at Amazon devices in the home, the Echo Auto is a great bridge device.
Install of this device is easy. Included is a vent clip, which fits most vehicle air vents for mounting. For power, your Echo Auto will use your vehicles USB cable or cigarette lighter port. Audio is transmitted over your cars audio via an auxilliary port or bluetooth. Once it’s connected, you’re ready to go.
The Echo Auto uses your phones cellular connection to give you access to Amazon’s music selection, Spotify, XM, or any other compatible audio service. You will also have access to Amazon’s Audible Service, the news, weather, and of course hands free calling via Alexa. Amazon designed this with the in-car experience in mind. The Echo Auto has 8 microphones and far-field technology. What this means is, the Echo Auto will be able to hear over the sound of the air vents, road noise or radio.
The Echo Auto can take a handsfree experience to another level without the needs of a premium car. This is why we think it makes the cut to be on the top 5. This will definitely be the first of many mobile Amazon devices.
4. Echo Show 8
Next on the list is the Echo Show 8. This is the one that closely resembles one of those digital picture frames, but is so much more. This device is equipped with an 8-inch touch screen display, and stereo sound. The Echo Show 8 measures 7.9″ side to side and 3.9″ front to back, with a height of 5.4″.
This Amazon device is a great go to device for a visual weather monitor, package status checker, or social media recap device. Because of it’s onboard camera, it can also be used for video conferencing. No proprietary software is required, you can easily use something free like skype.
At the back of the Echo Show 8 are dual 10watt speakers in stereo mode. These will provide clear audio from Alexa to your responses. Of course it will also be the source of all audio from all other interactions on the device as well.
My favorite function of this device is using it with the Ring doorbell. You can ask Alexa to show you who’s at the door. The screen on the Echo show will quickly show you who’s at the door, or just give you a visual on what’s going on outside. Additionally, this device is a great option for an alarm clock. If you like to wake up and see what’s on the list of things to do for the day, this is a great option.
There are also bigger and smaller options in the Show format of device. Be sure to check out the Echo Show 5 if you’re looking for something slightly smaller, and the Echo Show if you’re begging for more pixels and need something bigger.
3. Amazon Fire TV Cube
The fire tv cube is on this list because of it’s dual functionality. Not only does the Fire TV Cube work as a smart tv streaming device, but it has built in Alexa functionality.
The hardware itself is equipped with double the processing cores as other variants of Fire TV from Amazon (Fire TV Stick, and Fire TV Stick 4K). For connectivity, you just need to connect to an HDMI port on your TV, or Home theater receiver, and plug the device into wall power. Once you connect via wifi, or using a USB ethernet adapter, you’re able to stream.
The Fire TV Cube communicates will provide you the ability to adjust volume and change inputs on other devices in your Home theater. Of course, because it’s an Amazon device, it will also allow you connectivity to other Smart Home devices. What this means is you can pull up a movie, adjust the volume up, and dim the lights without even leaving your seat.
2. Echo Dot with the clock
In second place we have the original Amazon device with a slight modification. The Echo dot with clock (3rd gen) is exactly what it sounds like – the Echo Dot with a clock in the side. Not only is this a great budget option, but being a budget option, it’s a great device to start with.
There isn’t much to the Echo Dot, which is what makes it the entry level device. On the top there is a volume up/down button, an action button to summon Alexa, and a mute button for privacy. At the rear, you’ll find a power connector, and a 3.5mm output. This is an option if the sound from your Echo Dot isn’t sufficient.
The Echo Dot comes equipped with a 1.6″ speaker, and a small LED screen behind the mesh that surrounds the device. This device makes a great alarm clock if you’re looking to save space. It also allows the ability to roll over and ask Alexa what’s on the agenda for the day.
This device probably has the least to offer on the list, but for it’s full price of $60 is has everything you need. Esepcially if you can find it on sale as it has been in the past for roughly $35-40.
5. Amazon Echo Plus
At the top of the list we have the Echo Plus (gen 2). The looks of this device remind me of some bluetooth speakers. It has a cylindrical design, with buttons on a flat top. Of course, it’s so much more. The speaker measures in with a height of 5.8″ and a diameter of 3.9″. At the top of the device, just like the Dot, is volume adjustments, an action button, and a mute button.
If the premium sound from the 0.8″ tweeter and 3″ woofer aren’t enough, you can also use the 3.5mm connection on the back to connect to external speakers. The sound from this speaker by itself is plenty for playing some background music at a small get together, or just for listening when you’re lounging at home.
Now if you’re wondering how the Echo Plus differs from it’s little brother the Echo (gen 3), there are two main differences. The Echo plus is a smart home hub, and does include temperature sensors. What this means is you don’t need a smart home hub for other zigbee devices. Additionally, a temperature sensor will allow temperature triggers to be sent from this device. It will allow you to cut back on the amount of hardware for your smart home.
The reason this device is at the top of our list is because it provides the most functionality for someone with no other Alexa compatible devices. It also provides specific functionality for someone with all of the amazon devices. This speaker can be placed anywhere in the home, and will fill the room with an experience accordingly.
Which Amazon Devices do you own? Which do you have your eyes on? Let us know in the comments section below.
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