The best Amazon Alexa accessories: lights, plugs, and more

When it comes to smart home ecosystems, Amazon Alexa is at the top of its class. Not only can you create amazing routines and automate hundreds of tasks, but the number of gadgets that are compatible with Alexa seems to be growing by the day. Even better, Amazon is working to make many of its hubs (including nearly the entire Echo lineup) work seamlessly with the Matter standard, which should make things even more exciting throughout 2023.

In this guide, we review some of the best interactive Alexa hardware, including speakers, displays, lights, wall outlets, thermostats, smart locks, cameras, home appliances, and more. You can make your life easier with an Alexa-powered home. We'll show you where to start.

The best Alexa smart speakers and displays

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If you're going all-in on your smart home, you'll need a good speaker or smart display. The best Echo device for you depends on your situation. What budget are you working with? Do you need a smart speaker or smart display? Do you need an Echo device with a built-in hub? Do you want a great-sounding Echo, or are you planning to connect external speakers for music playback?

If you're simply looking for basic Alexa functionality and the ability to control smart devices with your voice, the latest Echo Dot is an ideal choice with its cost-effective and small profile. You can also choose Echo Dot with Clock to see the time, weather, and countdown timer on the front of your device.

Echo Pop is also a great option. It's the least expensive smart speaker in the Echo family, but it does give you access to the Alexa voice assistant. It also sounds surprisingly great, although the audio gets a little muddy when you turn up the volume. But when it comes to cheap smart speakers, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better choice.

If you're more serious about buying a smart speaker that can fill your room with sound, consider the regular Amazon Echo speaker (4th generation), which is designed to project sound 360 degrees around your room. All while controlling smart devices around your home using Alexa (also compatible with Zigbee).

Or maybe you're looking for a smart display that adds a handy touchscreen to view updates, internet searches, or videos while you work. These displays can also connect to compatible security cameras and provide a live feed if you receive an alert. While the Echo Show 8 is a small model that fits comfortably on your kitchen counter or desk, the Echo Show 10 is a bold update with a rotating base.

There's also the Echo Show 15, which lets you keep tabs on your family through digital sticky notes and a shared calendar. This bad boy can be displayed horizontally or vertically and can also be mounted on a wall.

best alexa compatible lights

philips

LEDs are taking the world by storm and are one of the easiest ways to start making your home smarter. Some smart lights require an external bridge to connect to Alexa, while others simply screw in like a regular light bulb. When purchasing smart light bulbs, manufacturers usually specify whether a separate bridge is required. Typically, most smart lights can be scheduled to turn off at a specific time each night. But with Alexa integration, you can easily ask the speaker to switch back on if you need to watch one more Netflix episode before leaving.

Philips Hue has one of the most versatile lighting systems and makes some of our favorite LEDs. Whether you choose white bulbs, colors, or light strips, Hue has a variety of options. We love this combo starter kit. The company also sells individual bulbs with options that don't necessarily require a Philips hub.

If you would like to consider other brands, we also highly recommend Kasa smart light bulbs as a reliable and affordable alternative. Sengled bulbs are also a great bridgeless option, and you can often find a single bulb for less than $20.

The Roku Smart Bulb SE is another great option, and you can usually buy a 4-pack for just $24, making it one of the most affordable options on the market.

Although it takes a little more effort, the Lutron Caséta in-wall dimmer is a reliable way to turn your lights on or off and get varying brightness levels. You can do all of this with voice commands through Alexa, and the commands can be grouped together so you don't have to turn off individual switches in succession. For these bulbs to work, you must install the included smart bridge.

best alexa compatible smart plug

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Smart plugs are great for turning unplugged devices into ones you can control remotely. Whether your lamp switch is broken or hard to reach, or you tend to leave your coffee maker on, you can simply plug it in and turn it on and off. Compatibility with Alexa is especially great, allowing you to turn on your reading light without getting up from your chair.

Amazon Smart Plug The slim design of the Amazon Smart Plug allows you to fit two into a single outlet. Using the Alexa app, you can also set schedules and set up the If This then That feature to make the feature more robust. When it comes to finding powerful smart plugs at affordable prices, it's hard to beat Amazon's first-party offerings.

best alexa compatible thermostats

Amazon

Some of the most popular smart thermostats in 2023 are compatible with Alexa, and Amazon also makes its own thermostats.

Simply called the Amazon Smart Thermostat, this cost-friendly device uses Alexa to automatically adjust your temperature and create a customized schedule to turn your HVAC on and off based on when you're home and when you're away. This is a great first step into the world of smart thermostats, but if you're ready to take it to the next level, consider checking out our list of the best thermostats.

best alexa compatible smart lock

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While smart locks are definitely useful for letting dog walkers in when you're not there, some people may find them unsettling. We recommend the August Smart Lock. This works with existing locks, making it ideal for renters who have a landlord who needs access to the unit. (It's also our pick for the best smart lock.) For a more traditional smart lock look that also works well with Alexa, check out the Wyze Smart Lock .

Pair with Alexa to check lock status, lock, and unlock with voice commands. You don't want to be shouting into a speaker from outside your home because you have to recite the pin audibly to unlock the door.

The powerful Yale Assure Lock 2 is also a great option. Available in a variety of formats (including keyless and touchscreen), the Assure Lock 2 is one of the best smart locks available today. Responsive, easy on the eyes, and with a powerful smartphone app, there's little you can't do with this little device. Adding Alexa support makes it easy to recommend.

best alexa compatible security cameras

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One of the big reasons people start installing smart devices in their homes is security. So you'll never run out of security cameras to monitor your property with her DIY. As mentioned above, the latest Echo Show has security camera feeds available at all times.

The Arlo Pro 4 cam is a great security product that offers access to 30 days of cloud recording, night vision, weatherproofing options, and completely wireless installation. Additionally, Arlo is one of the brands that works with the Amazon devices mentioned above, so you'll see a video feed on your screen.

You can do the same with your other favorite security cameras. The Blink Mini is a great indoor option with two-way audio, and the Zmodo outdoor security camera pack is a great option for more specialized needs. If you need a floodlight that supports Alexa, consider the new Blink Wired Floodlight Camera. It costs just $99, but you can capture HD video and illuminate your entire garden with 2,600 lumens of LED light.

The best AV devices with Alexa

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Even if you don't have a Bluetooth speaker, you might be interested in an Alexa-controlled speaker that can play music, act as part of your entertainment system, or both. If this explanation sounds daunting, we can easily recommend the Sonos brand.

If you're faster with a soundbar that works as part of a larger entertainment system and fits under your TV, check out the Sonos Beam or Sonos Arc.

Sonos One is the perfect solution for anyone looking for a speaker to be the centerpiece of their next party or other gathering. Amazon's Echo Studio is another attractive option that offers fully dynamic 3D sound that's sure to spice up the fun at your next party.

But what about streaming your favorite shows? Can Alexa help you with that too? The answer is yes. Thanks to Amazon Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Cube. Once connected, both streamers unlock hundreds of hours of entertainment content, from movies and TV shows to music and arcade-style games. Not to mention, if you're running an Echo speaker ecosystem at home, you can pair the speakers to your Amazon streaming device for enhanced surround sound. No speaker wire required.

best alexa compatible home appliances

More appliances are coming with Alexa support. Whirlpool is leading the way and has been virtually fully committed to Alexa for several years. Many of the company's refrigerators, dishwashers, wall ovens, stoves, and microwaves are equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity and voice activation. Bosch also offers a full line of Alexa-enabled appliances. You can also ask Alexa to make your morning coffee with this Hamilton Beach coffee maker.

iRobot Roomba 675 and Shark IQ 101AE Robot are Alexa-enabled vacuum cleaners. They even empty themselves after finishing cleaning the house for you.

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