Whether you’re in the market for a smart speaker or a pair of wireless earbuds, the best Alexa devices that money can buy are below. We’ve researched, tested, and reviewed dozens of Amazon devices over the years, so you can trust that we know what we’re talking about no matter what you’re looking for.
For example, if you don’t already have an Echo smart speaker, we recommend you pick up the Amazon Echo (4th Gen) to get started. It sounds great and comes in at a reasonable price.
But if you already have a smart speaker and want to see what else is available, this list has everything from thermostats to tablets and mesh routers, so keep on scrolling to see how you can complete your smart home ecosystem.
At a glance
Best smart speaker
Boasting a sleek spherical design, outstanding sound quality, and seamless smart home integration, the Amazon Echo (4th Gen) is the perfect first Alexa device.
Read more below.
2. Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen)
Best smart screen
Thanks to a minimalist design, 13MP camera, and some reliable privacy controls, if you’re looking for a smart screen, you can’t do much better than the Echo Show 8.
Read more below.
Best add-on speaker
Bring the low-end into your smart home with the Amazon Echo Sub, a wireless subwoofer that can be easily paired with other Echo devices.
Read more below.
4. Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max
Best streaming stick
It’s not the most affordable model in the line, but it’s just as easy to use, providing instant access to full HD, even 4K, streaming and Dolby Atmos Audio. And Ambient Experience displays art and photos when you aren’t watching.
Read more below.
5. Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022)
Best tablet
The Fire HD 8 tablet comes with a vibrant HD display, expandable storage up to 1TB, and up to 12 hours of battery life on a single charge.
Read more below.
Best wireless earbuds
If you need a new pair of wireless earbuds, the 3rd Gen Echo Buds come with multi-point connection, offer long battery life and fast charging, and, of course, Alexa on the go.
Read more below.
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Best car device
Perfect for noisy cars, the Echo Auto uses a 5-microphone system to receive and follow voice commands, while the compact design fits discreetly on your dashboard.
Read more below.
8. Amazon Luna Controller
Best gaming device
The Amazon Luna controller lets you access Alexa with the press of a button, even during the most intense gaming sessions, as long as you have a Fire TV.
Read more below
9. Philips Hue Smart Light Starter Kit
Best smart light
The Philips Hue smart light starter kit is easy to set up and connect to Alexa, plus it can be used with a vast array of Philips Hue products.
Read more below.
Best security camera
Whether you want a video doorbell or a security camera for your home, the Ring Stick Up camera is an affordable option with loads of controls and features like night vision.
Read more below.
11. ecobee Smart Thermostat
Best smart thermostat
The perfect addition to your Alexa home, the ecobee smart thermostat lets you fine-tune the climate of your home and save some money on your energy bill.
Read more below.
Best mesh router
This Eero 6 mesh router system gives you up to 5,000 square feet of Wi-Fi coverage, plus network reports, threat scans, and easy Alexa integration.
Read more below.
Best smart speaker
The original Amazon Echo that debuted in late 2014 gave us our first introduction to Alexa, and we’ve been hooked ever since. What started as a stark, black tube has evolved over three generations to a softer, gentler-looking Alexa vessel and has spawned an entire line of other Echo devices.
This “regular” Echo (4th Gen) is the best of the series yet. During our testing of the product, we found that it boasts an improved sound architecture over the first three generations, one that is borrowed from the more expensive Echo Studio, as well as the same Zigbee home hub integration of its larger cousin. As with several other Echo devices, you can connect two of these to create a stereo pairing or connect it with your Fire TV for enhanced audio to go with your visual content.
After our time with the Echo (4th Gen), we were convinced that it’s the best Alexa speaker to buy if you want great sound but don’t want to spend an arm and a leg, or if you really care about sound, go for the aforementioned Echo Studio. The Echo Dot and Echo Studio got some upgrades that Amazon announced at its Fall 2022 event. During our review of the new Echo Dot with Clock (5th gen), the changes were very welcomed and made the speaker a lower-cost alternative to the full-sized Echo.
Best smart screen
We reviewed the Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) and loved it — it is now one of our favorite smart home devices of the past few years and is our current pick as the best Alexa device with a screen. And the new 3rd Gen model only improved upon the experience. It shares the design cues of the Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) and borrows some of the best features from the Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen), like an all-new 13MP front-facing camera that can zoom and pan to keep you in the frame.
On its 8-inch screen, this Echo Show boasts the same HD resolution as the larger Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen). It also features the privacy-focused controls that debuted on the first Echo Show 5, including a physical camera shutter and mute switch. Unfortunately, the Echo Show devices are still only available in Charcoal or Glacier White, not in the fun Twilight Blue or PRODUCT (RED) colors seen in the recent Echo and Dot speakers, but we think the design still looks nice.
The Echo Show 8 (3rd) is a great device for managing your smart home devices, watching videos, or even Amazon Prime content. Plus, this model adds spatial audio support for an even more immersive listening experience with compatible source content. This also helps improve the quality of audio with video calls. All-in-all, we love this device for managing our smart home life with Alexa!
Best add on speaker
While the Amazon Echo speakers have improved overall sound throughout the years, one area that still lacks is the low-end audio spectrum. That’s to be expected when using something like an Echo Dot, which sounds pretty good given the size of the speaker, but even on the larger Echo devices, the bass is still not a standout feature. This is where the Echo Sub comes into play.
This wireless subwoofer produces 100W of bass from a 6-inch downward-firing speaker. Though the Echo Sub cannot be used as a standalone speaker, it’s easily paired with up to two of the same Echo devices — nearly all options are second-generation and newer. Adding the subwoofer to your Echo speakers is easy and is done so wirelessly.
By connecting the Echo Sub with two other Echo speakers, like the standard Echo, you get a great 2.1 channel audio configuration. You can pick up the Echo Sub on its own if you already have some Echo devices to pair it with. If not, Amazon offers speaker bundles to get you started. So, if you enjoy the audio from your Echo speakers now, just imagine how good they’ll sound once you fill out more of the soundstage with some bass from the Echo Sub.
Best streaming stick
Amazon offers several paths to its Fire TV experience, from the best Fire TV Edition TVs made by Insignia and Toshiba to the set-top Fire TV Cube. But none of those options are as popular or affordable as the best Fire TV Sticks. And the new Fire TV Stick 4K Max might be the most appealing yet.
Yes, you can opt for the cheaper $19 Fire TV Stick Lite that gives you 90% of what the other sticks do at a fraction of the price. You still get access to full HD video and even Dolby Atmos Audio (via HDMI pass-through), and you get a handy Alexa Voice Remote to control your viewing experience and smart home. The only downside to this device is that the remote cannot control your TV as the other Fire TV Sticks can.
The new Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max is the most loaded model with features like the Ambient Experience, so you can turn your TV into a piece of art of display for photos when you aren’t watching. It offers smooth 4K streaming if you want the best experience possible (and to make use of the premium subscription to which you subscribe along with the fancy new 4K TV you just bought). The Enhanced Voice Remote that comes with this model has upgrades like voice control, a recent button, and dedicated channels for surfing live TV, too.
Best tablet
We can’t say enough good things about the latest Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet. Now on its 10th version, this media consumption device continues to hit that sweet spot of affordability, durability, and family friendly-ness. During our Amazon Fire HD 8 of the tablet, we noted that at a great price, you get a hands-free digital voice assistant (Alexa), an HD screen, front and rear-facing cameras, expandable storage, and an easy onramp to all of the great content in the Amazon ecosystem.
We think the most underrated features of this device are its battery life and flexible storage options. This tablet will last you 12 hours on a single charge, which is amazing for long flights or drives. You can also feel confident purchasing the base model with only 32GB of storage because then you can pick up additional microSD cards on the cheap and expand storage up to 1TB.
While it is true that this device doesn’t run Google Apps straight out of the box, even the least savvy can follow the relatively simple instructions to add these after purchase. So while the Fire HD 8 remains our top pick for most buyers, those who want to be on the bleeding edge of technology may want to opt for the Fire HD 8 Plus along with its wireless charging dock, which will get you wireless charging and more RAM for faster performance.
Best wireless earbuds
It seems like every technology company has its own version of wireless earbuds these days. However, if you want a pair of buds that give you seamless hands-free access to Alexa, the best option is the Amazon Echo Buds.
In addition to easy Alexa access (which works well, by the way), the Echo Buds just sound good. They don’t feature active noise cancellation (ANC), but they do boast a semi in-ear design that helps reduce outdoor noise. They also include the latest Bluetooth 5.2 standard, multi-point connectivity, and an up to 20-hour battery when using the included charging case. They are sweat-resistant and come in black or Glacier white.
We reviewed the Echo Buds (2nd Gen) review, also a good option to consider, and they improved on the minor flaws of the first-generation in virtually every way. For example, they come with an available wireless charging case, which can charge via USB-C cable (as does the 3rd gen model), and the buds are lighter, more comfortable, and sound better than ever. The 3rd gen buds improve on all those factors as well, with a more lightweight design, bigger drivers, 2 mic with voice detection, and customizable tap controls.
Best car device
Despite an initially-lukewarm reception, the Amazon Echo Auto (2022) finally provides enough features and thoughtful design choices to make it the best choice for enabling Alexa hands-free controls from the comfort of your vehicle. The device has certainly seen some ups and downs over the years, but the 2022 model is a pure refinement of everything that past generations did well, while leaving behind the few areas where the device needed improvement.
The Echo Auto’s minimalist design fits discreetly in your car, but you’ll still enjoy the benefits of the Alexa device’s internal 5-mic system. This means that you can use simple voice commands to make calls, control the music, and adjust your smart home settings remotely, even when you’re driving on the noisy highway or setting the A/C to full blast. If you want a little privacy, the Echo Auto has a microphone off button that completely disconnects the mics, plus you can view or delete past voice recordings to your heart’s content.
Best gaming device
During our hands-on with Luna, we found that Amazon’s new cloud gaming service, which has had a relatively quiet initial launch, is something to definitely check out. It can be played across various devices, from PCs and Macs to the best Android phones, to Amazon’s own Fire TV devices. However, it cannot be used with other gaming consoles like the PS5 or Xbox, and is strange that the controller can’t act as a TV remote.
Naturally, Amazon was keen to introduce its own Luna controller, which at first glance looks like many of the more popular gaming console controllers out there. Regardless of the style, it is one of the more comfortable controllers that we’ve reviewed. Aside from working seamlessly with the Luna service with particularly low latency, what makes this controller special is that you can use Alexa at the press of a button when playing on Fire TV. You can also ask the voice assistant to launch your favorite game titles, control smart home devices like lighting, or answer questions and trivia.
Best smart light
One of the first products most people get when setting up a smart home is a smart light. These are often affordable, easy to assemble (simply screw in a bulb), and have an immediate and noticeable impact. Plus, adding lights to Alexa is a snap. There are tons of options available when considering a smart lighting solution, but we think one of the best Alexa-controlled light bulbs is the Philips Hue A21 1,600 Lumen bulb.
These smart light bulbs are compatible with the entire range of Philips Hue products and can be controlled by Alexa so long as you set them up with a Hue bridge hub. The best Alexa routines include a good collection of smart lights, so we recommend picking up several of these for different rooms and creating lighting groups and smart lighting routines with the Alexa app. You can even set up Alexa Guard routines to have your lights turn on or off automatically when you tell Alexa that you are leaving the house.
These bulbs bring the Hue lighting experience to your Alexa home for a reasonable price, but they do only operate in shades of white. If you want more color in your setup, you’ll want to check out some of the other best Philips Hue lights. While the need for a dedicated hub to connect the lights is required, we have found that it helps in maintaining a solid connection to the bulbs.
Best security camera
Before Amazon purchased Ring several years ago, the Ring video doorbells, cameras, and lights worked well with Alexa. Now that the company is a legitimate part of the Amazon ecosystem, we found while reviewing the camera that the integration is better than ever. If you’re looking to pick up a smart camera (or multiple cameras) to protect and monitor your property, you can’t go wrong with the Ring Stick Up Cam.
The Stick Up Cam was updated in late 2019 and had several configurations to choose from. You can get a wired or battery-powered version, and whichever option you pick can be converted to the other after the fact. The cam can be used indoors or outdoors and is easy to install either way. It’s also available in two colors: a standard white and a striking black.
Most home security cameras offer a subscription plan to access and store video recordings, and with Ring, this is no different. While being one of the more reasonably-priced plans in the home security market, it is still an additional expense that you’ll need to consider. Also, if all you want is an indoor camera, Ring offers a version that only works inside, but that is almost half the price of the Stick Up Cam. Whichever version you go with you will be getting one of the best wireless security cameras and you can easily ask Alexa to show you your camera feed on your Echo Show, Fire Tablet, or Fire TV device so that you’ll always be connected to your smart home.
Best smart thermostat
While the best smart thermostat list is not as extensive as other smart products, some heavy hitters exist in this space. One of our favorite smart thermostats, and the best with Alexa, is the ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium with Voice Control. Not only do you get smart features like a touch display and the ability to create schedules and routines with ease, but you get Alexa and Siri built-in. Of course, there’s nothing cooler than seeing Alexa’s blue LEDs light up on that black circle on your wall whenever you make a request. It reminds us of HAL 9000 from 2001: A Space Odyssey (only not as creepy).
Having that built-in Alexa integration helps control the ecobee, but it’s also useful in managing your smart home in general. For example, perhaps your thermostat is in a place where you can’t put an Echo (a hallway) or where you may not want one (an office or dining room). Well, this device has you covered! Plus, with the new radar sensor, we found in our testing that the thermostat does a better job knowing when people are home and when they aren’t.
This ecobee also comes paired with a smart sensor to help you better manage the temperature in rooms that may not have the same exposure as the base unit, and you can purchase additional sensors to put around your home. The company claims that its smart sensors and intelligent thermostat can help you reduce your heating and cooling costs by up to 23% per year, so while this thermostat is pricey, it’s cost-effective.
Best mesh router
The latest offerings from Eero feature welcome enhancements to make them faster and more secure and are among the best Wi-Fi 6 mesh routers around. They also include a built-in Zigbee smart home hub to help connect your disparate smart home devices. Eero also announced a Pro version of its Wi-Fi 6 mesh system that you might want to consider if you need even faster coverage, but for most, the standard setup should be more than sufficient.
I recently purchased this Eero mesh three-pack because I experienced several dead or low-bandwidth spots in my 2,300-square-foot home, even with fiber internet. Connecting the Eero base unit to my fiber box was super easy, and in minutes I had the other units set up around the home. Now, I’m getting better Wi-Fi speeds than I ever did before (over 900 Mbps), and I have virtually no issues or complaints from family members who are working or watching Netflix.
Eero devices already allow you to monitor and control device usage, test your network, and share your Wi-Fi password. Still, you can subscribe to Eero Secure or Eero Secure+ if you are so inclined. These plans offer additional security and network monitoring features and include add-ons for 1Password, encrypt.me, and Malwarebytes (in the plus version). The integration with Alexa enables Eero owners to control different aspects of their home network, including opening and closing guest networks and providing threat scans and ad-blocking. The Eero units are available individually or in multi-packs.
How to choose
There are dozens of devices with Alexa built-in, and literally, thousands that work with the smart voice assistant. We’ve done our best to comb through all the options to share our favorites with you so that you can make the best purchase decisions when it comes to setting up your smart home with Alexa, whether that is a small and mighty smart speaker like the Echo Dot or the big-screen experience of the Echo Show 15 — there’s something for everyone.
If you don’t have an Echo already, we recommend starting with the Echo (4th Gen), as it offers an outstanding balance of sound, functionality, and affordability. You can use it to control other smart home and Alexa-compatible devices with just your voice and can pair two of them together to get a stereo sound system or connect them to your Fire TV for an even better Disney+ binging session. If you really want to save a few bucks but still want a great experience, be sure to check out the new Echo Dot (5th gen).
Now you know our favorite Alexa devices, so hop online now and pick some of these gadgets up for your household! We’ve put together an explainer breaking down how we test and evaluate smart home devices to give you a better idea of what goes into choosing devices for this list.
FAQ
What are Alexa devices?
These are devices where the brands have partnered with Amazon to put its digital voice assistant, Alexa, on their product. As part of the agreement, companies that wish to utilize Alexa must meet a specific set of standards by Amazon.
What devices are similar to Alexa?
Other popular digital voice assistants that offer similar features to Amazon Alexa are the Google Assistant from Google, and Siri from Apple. Each of these options are available on different types of products; from smartphones to speakers, and smartwatches to headphones.
How do Alexa devices work?
Alexa devices operate in different ways depending on the product type. Items like smart speakers generally allow users to interact via voice commands, and smart displays also allow for interaction through the touchscreen. Other devices could have physical buttons or remotes for control too.
Where can you buy Alexa devices?
Alexa devices are sold Globally through physical stores such as Best Buy, and online at retailers like B&H or Newegg and of course, Amazon.
How does Alexa connect to smart devices?
Alexa connects to smart devices through approved service partnerships with those brands. For example, Philips Hue smart lights can connect with your Amazon Alexa account as a shared service so you can control their lights via voice, the Alexa app, or through the Philips Hue app.