We have researched, tested, and reviewed hundreds of devices and compiled a list of the best ones. It can be difficult to sort through all of the options, starting with the little Echo Dot up to the huge Echo Show 15. If you already own an Echo smart speaker, we recommend you pick up the Amazon Echo (4th Gen) to get started. It comes in at a reasonable price. If you already own an Echo, we can show you what else is available.
The first time we saw the original Amazon Echo was in late 2014, and we have been hooked ever since. Over the course of three generations, the black tube has evolved into a softer, softer-looking vessel and has spawned an entire line of other Echo devices.
This is the best of the series so far. During our testing of the product, we found that it has an improved sound architecture over the first three generations, one that is borrowed from the more expensive Echo Studio, and the same Zigbee home hub integration of its larger cousin. You can connect two of these to create a stereo pair, or you can connect it with your Fire TV for enhanced audio to go with your visual content.
We were convinced that the best way to listen to music is with the Echo (4th Gen), even though we didn't want to spend an arm and a leg. If you really care about sound and want to save a few bucks, you can get one of the Echo Dot varieties, or if you don't, you can go for the Echo Studio. It's great for those with privacy concerns that the Echo doesn't have a camera or screen, but it does diminish its overall utility a bit. This is our pick for the daily Echo.
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The Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) is one of our favorite smart home devices of the past few years and is our current pick as the best device with a screen. It is similar to the design of the Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) and has some of the best features from the Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) like a 13MP front-facing camera.
The larger Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) has a resolution of 800p on its 8-inch screen. The privacy-focused controls were introduced on the first Echo Show 5. The design of the Echo Show devices is still nice, but they are only available in Charcoal or Sandstone, not the fun colors seen in the recent Echo and Dot speakers. If you get an optional stand, you can change the angle of your show as you please.
The best speaker Amazon makes is not the best device for managing your smart home devices, watching videos, or even Amazon Prime content. It sounds pretty good, but there is no built-in audio processing, and the speaker fires backwards. We love this device for managing our smart home life.
One area that still lacks is the low-end audio spectrum, despite the fact that the Amazon Echo speakers have improved overall sound throughout the years. Even though the size of the speaker makes it sound good, the bass is still not a big deal. The Echo Sub comes into play here.
A 6-inch speaker produces 100W of bass. Though the Echo Sub cannot be used as a stand-alone speaker, it can be used with up to two of the same devices. It is easy to add a sub to your speakers.
You can get a great 2.1 channel audio configuration by connecting the Echo Sub with two other Echo speakers. If you already own some of the other Echo devices, you can pick up the Sub on its own. Imagine how good the audio from your speakers will sound once you fill out more of the soundstage with some bass.
The best Fire TV Edition TVs made by Insignia and Toshiba are some of the paths that Amazon offers to its Fire TV experience. The best Fire TV Sticks are the most popular and affordable. The new Fire TV Stick lite is appealing.
The three Fire TV sticks are great options at $50 or less, but we liked the Fire TV Stick lite the most because it gives you less of what the other sticks do at a fraction of the price. You still get access to full HD video, and you can use your voice to control your smart home. The remote cannot control the TV the same way as the other Fire TV Sticks can.
We can not say enough good things about the Amazon Fire HD 8. The media consumption device continues to hit that sweet spot of affordability, durability, and family friendly-ness. During our review of the device, we noted that you get a hands-free digital voice assistant, an HD screen, front and rear-facing cameras, and an easy onramp to all of the great content in the Amazon ecosystem at a great price.
The battery life and flexible storage options of this device areunderappreciated. It will last you 12 hours on a single charge, which is amazing for long flights or drives. If you purchase the base model with only 32GB of storage, you can get additional microSD cards on the cheap and expand storage up to 1TB.
Even the least savvy can follow the relatively simple instructions to add these after purchase, even though this device doesn't run straight out of the box. While the Fire HD 8 remains our top pick for most buyers, those who want to be on the cutting edge of technology may want to consider the Fire HD 8 Plus, which comes with a wireless charging dock and more RAM for faster performance.
Every technology company has its own version of wireless earbuds. There is only one option if you want a pair of buds that give you hands-free access to the internet.
The sound of the Echo Buds is good, in addition to easy access. They feature active noise cancellation and a Passthrough mode that allows you to let noise in from the outside world instead of taking the buds out of your ears. We found that both features are great and that changing the state is very easy. You can change the way it sounds in the app. When it comes to smart assistants on the go, Amazon built in a way for you to easily invoke them with just a tap, so you have the best of both worlds. The new update brought run workout tracking to the Echo Buds.
The second-generation buds improved on the minor flaws of the first generation in almost every way. The buds are lighter, more comfortable, and sound better than ever, and they come with a wireless charging case, which can charge via theusb-c cable.
Apple has a feature that allows you to use your phone in your car, but Amazon hasn't had a good strategy to get it into your car yet. Yes, it has partnerships with some car manufacturers, but that hasn't seen much adoption compared to its competitors. How can you get her in your car? The answer from Amazon was slow. After being announced a year ago, the Echo Auto received alukewarm reception. Other third parties like iOttie have stepped in to fill the gap.
The iOttie Aivo Connect is an ingenious accessory for your phone. It is a phone mount that sticks to your car with a sticky pad, and it has an auto sense mounting system that uses an IR sensor to open and close your device. If your phone is capable of wireless charging, the Aivo Connect can power it. Once you install the iOttie app and connect it to your Amazon account, you will be able to ask the virtual assistant for directions, set reminders, or play music and games while driving, all hands-free. It is more straightforward to use than Android Auto, but it is not as robust.
The best Amazon device.
From modest beginnings in Amazon's Day 1 Editions program, the Echo Frames (2nd Gen) graduated from a niche enthusiast product to a device that will bring Alexa to the mass market. If you've been waiting for a device to takeAlexa out of the house and into the broader world, these might be the glasses for you.
During our review of the second generation of the Echo Frames, we found that Amazon had improved battery life and software enhancements. The frames come in three stylish colors and are the same design as the first generation. Amazon added the option to purchase the Echo Frames with built-in UV sunglass or blue-light filters after their release.
Our reviewer found the experience of open-air audio to be better for hours of listening than in- ear buds because they allow for a better perception of the outside world. The smart glasses lack wireless charging and a proprietary charger.
Luna is Amazon's new cloud gaming service, which has had a relatively quiet initial launch, but is already gaining steam with gaming fans. It can be played on a variety of devices, from PCs and Macs to the best phones and Fire TV devices.
At first glance, the Luna controller looks like many of the more popular gaming console controllers. It is one of the more comfortable controllers that we have reviewed.
This controller is special because it can be used with the Luna service, and also because it can be used with the Fire TV. You can ask the voice assistant to launch your favorite game, control smart home devices, or answer questions.
A smart light is one of the first things people will buy when setting up a smart home. These are easy to assemble and have an immediate and noticeable impact. Adding lights to an appliance is easy. There are a lot of options when it comes to choosing a smart lighting solution, but we think the best one is the Philips A21 1,600 Lumen bulb.
The smart light bulbs are compatible with the entire range ofPhilipsHue products and can be controlled byAlexa if you set them up with a bridge hub. We recommend picking up a good collection of smart lights for different rooms and using theAlexa app to create lighting groups and smart lighting routines. You can set up a set of routines that will turn on or off your lights when you leave the house.
These bulbs bring the lighting experience to your home for a reasonable price, but they only work in shades of white. If you want more color in your setup, you should check out some of the other best lights. The need for a dedicated hub to connect the lights is required, but we have found that it helps in maintaining a solid connection to the bulbs.
The Ring video doorbells, cameras, and lights worked well before Amazon bought them. While reviewing the camera, we found that the integration is better now that the company is a part of the Amazon platform. If you want to protect and monitor your property, the Ring Stick Up cam is a great choice.
The Stick Up cam had several different configurations to choose from. You can get either a wired or battery-powered version, and either option can be converted to the other after the fact. It is easy to install the cam indoors or outdoors. It is available in a standard white and striking black.
Ring is similar to most home security cameras in that it offers a subscription plan to access and store video recordings. One of the more reasonably priced plans in the home security market, it is still an additional expense that you will need to consider. Ring has a version of the camera that only works inside, but it is almost half the price of the Stick Up cam. One of the best wireless security cameras you can get is one of the versions that you choose, and you can easily ask Amazon to show you your camera feed on your device, so that you will always be connected to your smart home.
The original Ring Video Doorbell was a hit. The Ring Video Doorbell 4 is the fourth generation of the device. color pre-roll, which allows the Ring Video Doorbell 4 to record up to six seconds of video before an actual event is detected, is one of our favorite features. Automatic quick replies are also available in this version. This feature works even without a subscription plan.
The Ring Video Doorbell 4 lets you ask your personal assistant to show you who is at the door, which is perfect for when you are not at home. No matter where you are, you can still have a conversation with your guests.
If you want to keep or access old video footage, you will need to subscribe to Ring's service, so keep that in mind when considering this doorbell. With this device, you get added security, peace of mind, and a way to monitor your home.
The best smart thermostat list is not as extensive as other smart products, but there are some heavy hitters in this space. The ecobee Smart Thermostat with Voice Control is one of our favorites. Not only do you get smart features like a touch display and the ability to create schedules and routines with ease, but you get built-in. You can see the blue LEDs light up on the black circle on your wall whenever you make a request. It reminds us of 2001: A Space Odyssey.
It helps control the ecobee, but it is also useful in managing your smart home. If your thermostat is in a place where you can't put an echo in, you may not want one in an office or dining room. This device has you covered.
You can purchase additional sensors to put around your home, and this ecobee comes with a smart sensor to help you better manage the temperature in rooms that may not have the same exposure as the base unit. 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 it is pricey, it is cost-effective.
The thermostat is pricey compared to other smart thermostats on the market. We think that it is worthy of your consideration because it is a wall-mounted Echo and smart appliance.
Eero is a mesh network that can be used to setup big homes. If your TV is on the other side of the house from your routers or if you share your bandwidth with other family members, mesh routers can help spread out your wi-fi signal to the parts of the home that need it most.
The latest offerings from Eero feature welcome enhancements to make them faster and more secure and are among the best. They have a built-in smart home hub to help connect your disparate smart home devices. If you need even faster coverage, the Pro version of Eero's wi-fi 6 mesh system is a good option, but the standard setup should suffice.
I bought the Eero mesh three-pack because I experienced dead or low-bandwidth spots in my 2,300 square foot home. It was easy to connect the Eero base unit to my fiber box, and I had the other units set up in minutes. I have no issues or complaints from family members who are working or watching streaming services, as I am getting better wi-fi speeds than I ever did before.
You can monitor and control device usage, test your network, and share your password with Eero devices. If you're interested, you can subscribe to Eero Secure or Eero Secure+. Additional security and network monitoring features can be found in these plans.
Eero owners can control different aspects of their home network, including opening and closing guest networks, threat scans, and ad-blocking with the integration with Amazon's voice assistant. Individual or multi-packs of the Eero units are available.
With the popularity of devices like the Apple Watch, and fitness-focused products like the Fitbits, talking about the best Android watches is all the rage. Not everyone can afford a big, fancy smartwatch, and some prefer something lighter, like one of the best fitness trackers. The Wyze Band is for those people.
Wyze is a relatively young company that makes cheap yet excellent smart home devices. The company has three of our absolute favorites, the Wyze cam, the Cam Pan, and the Cam outdoor, and the smart bulb is one of the best you can buy for the price.
It was initially a bit of a shock that Wyze dropped this smart fitness band on us, but after our review, it turned out to be a great surprise! For less than $35, you can get a very comfortable and stylish Wearable with a full color display. You can control other Wyze smart home gadgets with a tap of the wrist with the app included. You can summon and ask for information or perform tasks just like you would from a more expensive device, like the Fitbit Versa 2.
Thousands of devices work with the smart voice assistant thanks to the built-in features. We combed through all of the options to give you the best choice when it comes to setting up your smart home with a smart speaker, whether that is a small and mighty one like the Echo Dot or the big-screen one like the Amazon Fire TV.
We recommend starting with the Echo (4th Gen) as it offers an outstanding balance of sound, function, 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.
Pick up some of our favorite gadgets for your household now that you know about them.
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