The best Alexa devices 2022

Amazon’s third-generation Echo Dot was our previous favorite Alexa speaker, but with the 2020 product line, the leading fourth-generation Echo speaker received recognition. At $ 100, the spheroid speaker is more expensive than the $ 50 fourth-generation Amazon Echo Dot, but improvements in sound quality and some intriguing features of the smart home justify the extra cost.

The shape of this smart device is distinguished by Amazon’s newer Echo speaker. Where the third-generation Echo offered a barely noticeable improvement in sound quality over its predecessor, the fourth-generation ball-shaped version has noticeably better audio output, including respectable speaker bass in its price range.

As for the smart home, the fourth-generation Echo also got a built-in Zigbee receiver, which transfers the function of the now non-functional Amazon Echo Plus. The Zigbee receiver allows the new Echo to function as a smart home connection point for compatible smart lights, plugs and other Zigbee accessories. This means that you can use Echo itself as a hub, without the need for an additional piece of hardware to connect these devices to the network.

The latest Echo Dot has the same shape as the new Echo speaker, but the improvement over the third-generation Echo Dot is not very obvious. It also costs $ 50, and you can regularly find third-generation Echo Dot for $ 30 or less.

Read our review of Amazon Echo (2020).

The third-generation Wyze Cam, like its earlier iterations, costs just $ 36, but this smart home device is one of our favorite cameras in general, in part because of its low price. It comes with a weatherproof case, sharper night vision than its predecessor, a wider field of view, a loud siren and more – including 14-day video storage and a built-in microSD card slot for local storage.

If you have a smart Echo Show screen, you can throw a feed from Wyze Cam to the screen with a simple voice command.

Read our review of Wyze Cam (2020).

The $ 150 Peephole Ring camera is the only product for the company owned by Amazon. Instead of mounting on a door frame or somewhere else on the side of your door, the Peephole Cam replaces the traditional peephole.

This means that this Amazon Alexa compatible device is perfect for people who live in apartments who want a smart doorbell, but do not want to deal with a wired device – or otherwise mess up the door frame for installation. None of Ring’s main competitors offer this kind of flawless solution for tenants, which makes this doorbell particularly innovative among other devices available today.

And not only that, the Peephole Cam has the easiest installation of all the doorbells I’ve tested so far. It also has advanced Alexa integration. Yes, you can pull live streaming on the Amazon smart screen, but you can also talk to whoever is at your door via the built-in speaker on the smart screen with the command, “Alexa, open the front door.“

This two-way conversation feature via the Alexa smart screen is unique to Ring devices.

Editor’s note, December 14: Ring was called because of its partnership with local police departments in the U.S., which led to privacy advocates expressing concern about the data Ring shares with law enforcement and how they use that information. In December 2019, thousands of personal data of Ring users were disclosed, which is why we stopped recommending Ring products.

Ring has since updated its security policies, from offering Control Center dashboard users easier access to privacy and security settings to two-factor authentication requirements. We have continued to recommend Ring products with this warning: If you are concerned about Ring’s privacy policies, be sure to read its privacy statement. You can read more about how we include Ring’s privacy policy in our recommendations here …

Read our review of Ring Peephole Cam.

Amazon Echo Show 8 is Amazon’s latest smart screen. For $ 110, you get an 8-inch screen with the best resolution of all Echo Shows so far, a camera shutter and all the smart features of previous Amazon smart screens.

Echo Show 8 has a built-in Alexa speaker. This means that you can use this smart screen to ask your Alexa digital assistant to execute your offers, whether it’s asking him to play music, broadcast the weather forecast or just tell you a joke. And since it’s a smart screen, it also offers advanced compatibility with security cameras that support Alexa.

Ask Alex to “answer the front door” when someone rings your Peephole Ring camera and you can see the live broadcast on his Show 8 – and actually talk to the person, directly from the smart screen.

Read our review of Amazon Echo Show 8.

August’s Wi-Fi Smart Lock is a great smart lock. It is upgraded to most standard wedges, so you don’t have to deal with complicated installation. Built-in Wi-Fi allows remote access and smart lock control via Android or iOS app without the need for an August Connect module.

This product also comes with an open / close sensor – called DoorSense – that attaches to the door where your Wi-Fi Smart Lock is installed. In this way, the application can not only tell you whether the door is locked or unlocked, but also whether the door is open or closed.

August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is a device compatible with Alexa, so you can lock and unlock your doors with your voice via a smart speaker that supports Alexa.

Read our Wi-Fi Smart Lock review in August.

Amazon’s $ 60 smart thermostat is hard to beat in terms of value. It works well with Alex, so if you have an Echo speaker or Echo Show screen, you should be in good shape to get the best value out of the device. Even for those who don’t, the thermostat offers a simple, straightforward design that looks great on the wall and is great to use – plus it will save you about $ 50 a year with its energy-saving settings.

Read CNET’s review of the Amazon Smart Thermostat.

Wyze is known for its super cheap prices, and its smart light bulb connected to Wi-Fi is no different. For $ 15 you can get 2 packs of light bulbs that connect directly to your internet and can be controlled using Alexa. Screw it in, connect it via the Wyze app and you’re ready to go.

The bulb has a wide range of white light, from candle-like light to daylight. In addition, despite the low price, it produces better brightness than many light bulbs that are sold much more expensive.

Read CNET’s review of Wyze Bulb.

While other DIY home security systems work well with Alexa, Ring Alarm Pro offers great performance with unique built-in Alexa integrations. In fact, with a higher-end Ring Protect Plus subscription, you even get the Alexa security feature – Guard Plus – packed for free. This means that Alexa will listen for broken glass or footsteps while you are away and will warn you if she hears anything suspicious.

In addition to its Alexa integrations, Ring Alarm Plus offers fantastic features such as a built-in Wi-Fi 6 gateway, backup internet, local processing and storage (first for the Ring), mobile backup, professional surveillance and more. The eight-model system costs $ 300, and subscriptions range from $ 3 a month to $ 20 a month – the most expensive of which still undermines some of the best competitors. In short, this system is a fantastic value.

Read CNET’s review of Ring Alarm Pro.

The TP-Link Cash Register Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini is a big name for a small smart port that costs around $ 18. A smart plug like this connects via your Wi-Fi connection directly to a wall outlet and turns your non-smart lamps, fans and other devices into smart devices.

Use the TP-Link app to connect and control devices – or turn on Amazon Alexa and use voice control. Say “Alexa, turn on the reading lamp” so that the smart Plug Mini plug can easily control the devices connected to it.

Read our review of the TP-Link Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini Cash Register.