Best Amazon Echo and Echo Dot Accessories: 9 you shouldn’t miss

Connected speakers and digital assistants are slowly creeping into our households: some people are saying this AI thing could be a big deal someday. Amazon clearly believes so, having unleashed the Echo range of speakers, powered by its digital assistant, Alexa.

A competitor to Google Home, the Amazon Echo is growing in popularity thanks to frequent, headline-grabbing updates, regular sales and a push into Europe. But what are the best Amazon Echo and Echo Dot accessories? Below we’ve laid out the top products across a range of categories.

Best Amazon Echo smart light bulb

The Philips Hue A19 white: $69.99 (includes two bulbs and hub)

The Philips Hue light bulb starter kit is one of the best Amazon Echo accessories you can buy, especially if you haven’t yet purchased any other smart bulbs. It comes with a hub and a pair of bulbs for $69.99 — a great deal considering a single bulb can set you back as much as 50 bucks.

The Philips Hue low-energy bulbs can be controlled with Amazon Alexa or with the dedicated app, where you can set timers, alarms or adjust dimming settings. Better yet, the hub supports up to 50 lights, meaning you can grow your collection to control your whole house with them.

The bulbs are available in colored versions and in other packs without the hub, should you already own one.

Best Amazon Echo smart plug

TP-Link HS110: $39.95

Smart plugs are another great addition to your Amazon Echo, allowing you to remotely take control of any of your electronics devices.

The TP-Link HS110 smart plug is, essentially, a way to remotely turn your stuff on and off, but you can use them in conjunction with Amazon Echo to set up voice actions like “Alexa, turn on the TV,” or schedules with the use of a separate app (you can even monitor energy usage).

It takes a little while to link to the Amazon Echo, but it works over Wi-Fi, meaning you don’t need a separate hub. At $39.95, there are cheaper smart plugs available, but you’re paying for the Alexa integration and reliability.

WeMo also has a popular competitor to the TP-Link HS110, which might be worth a look, but there’s really not much between them.

Best Amazon Echo smart hub

Samsung SmartThings Hub: $79.99

The smart hub is the brain is your connected home operation, but it’s an investment. The Samsung’s SmartThings Hub costs $79.99 on its own, without accessories, and as we’ve already seen, you can already get Echo-compatible products sans hub.

That said, Samsung is going big on AI and smart products which will inevitably integrate with its smart hub, meaning its range of possibilities is only going to grow.

Currently, the SmartThingss hub lets you connect smart sensors, lights, locks, cameras, and more to monitor and automate your home. It features a dedicated Android app and can be used with Alexa, and it works with products from many manufacturers including Bose, Honeywell, First Alert and others.

Note that the Philips Hue bulbs mentioned earlier can also be connected to Samsung’s SmartThings hub if you want to buy them separately.

Best Amazon Echo Smart Thermostat

Nest 3rd generation learning thermostat: $249

Nest is probably the best-known provider of home thermostats — and it also provides the best. The original Nest launched in 2011 and it’s since been through a couple of iterations: the current third generation is its most advanced product yet.

One of the coolest things about Nest is its algorithms which, after a couple of weeks or so, can learn your personal preferences. Say, for example, you always turn on your heating on at 7 AM, the Nest will identify this habit to put it into practice later.

The Nest also has a proximity sensor and will light up to show you the temperature, time or even weather information when you walk by.

It’s the smartest smart thermostat currently on the market and it features seamless Amazon Echo integration. Visit the online compatibility checker to make sure it’s going to work in your household before investing.

Best Amazon Echo smart lock

August 2nd generation smart lock: $229

You can probably guess the big caveat with echo-compatible smart locks? Bingo: Alexa can’t actually lock or unlock doors.

Having a locking system that can be bypassed just by anyone within range of your Echo would be nuts, so instead the range of functionality that smart locks include for Alexa is extremely narrow.

That said, the second generation smart lock from August, a great product in its own right, has Alexa-integration — you can simply ask it if the doors are locked or unlocked. I guess it beats leaving your seat.

Best Amazon Echo case

Fintie Protective Case for Amazon Echo: $12.99

There aren’t many good cases out there for securing your Amazon Echo against falls, but if you just want to make it look a little fancier, you should check out the fantastic styles from Fintie.

These cases only add little in the way of shock absorption, but they may reduce scratches, and the open design means your Echo can still sing loud and clear. Find the Echo Dot version here.

 

Best Amazon Echo voice remote

Alexa Voice Remote: $29.99

The Alexa voice remote has an integrated microphone and connects to the Echo or Echo Dot via Bluetooth. It comes in handy when you’re too far away from the smart speaker or it’s just too noisy for it to hear you.

It’s easy to use, as all you have to do is press the dedicated voice button on the remote and give your command to the device. The remote also features buttons for volume and playback control that come in handy when listening to music on the Echo or Echo Dot.

Best Amazon Echo Dot wall mount

The Spot: $8.49

The Spot is all about saving space. It can be installed in just a few seconds and works with vertical as well as horizontal outlets. There’s no drilling required.

It hangs off an outlet and comes with a shorter cord for a cleaner look. The Spot is available in Black, White, Espresso, Grey, and Aqua to match your home decor and is designed with spacing that prevents the sound from getting muffled.

It’s a handy accessory that gets rid of that long cord and is also quite affordable. You can get it for just $8.49, while a two-pack will set you back $16.49.

Best Amazon Echo Dot battery

Fremo EVO Plus: $29.99

The biggest drawback of the Echo Dot is that it doesn’t have a built-in battery, meaning you have to have it plugged in at all times. This can be solved with the Fremo EVO Plus battery that attaches to the smart speaker with a magnet.

The battery is good for up to six hours of use, and allows you to move the Echo Dot around with ease. It features an LED indicator to let you know how much juice it has left and can be recharged with the same power cable used for the Echo Dot.

The Fremo EVO Plus is quite light at 116 grams (0.25 lbs), has a minimalistic design, and sports an anti-skid mat for added stability. The accessory makes the Echo Dot more portable, although you’ll still have to charge it every day.

 

What is your favorite addition to the Amazon Echo? Let us know in the comments.

from Android Authority http://ift.tt/2ihtrO6