The Amazon Echo is a great device to have. The voice recognition works really well, and thanks to it’s high quality microphones, it can hear you from across the room. The features built in to the Alexa powered speaker are many, and its usability is augmented by the (more than 3000) third party Skills that are available through the app. For times when you just need to have some fun, the Echo also comes packed with a ton of easter eggs. However, that’s not all that the Amazon Echo can do. The smart speaker can connect to a plethora of smart devices to make your home a truly connected, smart home. So, if you have an Amazon Echo, Tap, or Echo Dot device, you should definitely consider these 20 Amazon Echo compatible smart devices to make your home a smart home, with the Echo at its centre.
Kits
1. Samsung SmartThings Hub and Outlet Kit
The Samsung SmartThings Hub and Outlet Kit comes with a SmartThings Hub, and one outlet. The hub connects to the router, and uses your internet and WiFi connection to communicate with all your SmartThings enabled devices, including, obviously, the outlet that comes with it. The outlet is basically like any other outlet in your house, except that it can be controlled using Alexa on your Amazon Echo.
The outlet can then be configured to turn appliances, fans, and lights on or off by time, or to send alerts to the user if the appliance connected to the outlet has been left on for too long. The hub is compatible with other SmartThings enabled devices from Samsung, including their motion sensor, water-leak sensor, as well as a multi-purpose sensor.
Buy for $151.02 on Amazon.com
2. Philips Hue Starter Kit (Color)
The Philips Hue Starter Kit comes with their second generation Hue bulbs that have been upgraded from the 600 lumens of the first generation, to 800 lumens. The Kit contains three Philips Hue LED bulbs, and a bridge that connects to the WiFi and can be connected with up to 50 Philips Hue bulbs.
The bridge works with Alexa, and HomeKit as well, so you can control the lights with your Amazon Echo, or with Siri on your iPhone. The bulbs support 16 million colors, that you can choose from, as well as over a thousand shades of white, to get the perfect lighting for any condition. The set up is easy, and the lights themselves are a breeze to control.
Buy for $176.29 on Amazon.com
3. Insteon Starter Kit
The Insteon Starter Kit consists of an Insteon Hub, and two dimmer modules. The hub can be controlled with Alexa on your Amazon Echo, and can control the dimmer modules. If needed, the hub can even be controlled from a smartphone, tablet or even an Apple Watch.
The dimmer modules that come in the kit can set a custom “on-level”, so the lights’ intensity can be adjusted on a per-room basis. It can also be used to set a custom ramp rate (0.1 second to 8 minutes), which controls the time a bulb will take to reach maximum brightness. The hub can integrate with other Insteon devices, such as on/off modules, sensors etc, which can then work together to make sure that the lights turn on as soon as a trigger event occurs (say, you reaching back home).
Buy for $99.97 on Amazon.com
Lighting and Fans
4. Philips Hue Starter Kit (White)
The Philips Hue Starter Kit also comes in a white variant. The kit includes a bridge, and two white LED bulbs. The second generation LED bulbs from Philips have been upgraded from the 600 lumens rating of the first generation, to 800 lumens. The bridge works with Alexa, so you can control the lights connected to the bridge using your voice. Using the app, you can create custom lighting scenes, that you can then switch to, in just a tap.
The Starter Kit with white bulbs is more affordable than the color version, and should you want to upgrade to colored bulbs later, you can simply buy the colored LED bulbs, as they are compatible with the bridge included in this kit.
Buy for $69.99 on Amazon.com
5. LIFX Color 1000
The LIFX Color 1000 is a bulb that is directly controllable through Alexa, and doesn’t require any hub to interface with it. The bulb supports 16 million colors, and over a 1000 shades of white. All that, and the bulb glows as bright as a standard 75W bulb. It also works with Nest, SmartThings, etc. The set up is easy, and no additional hardware is required. LIFX also offers a 2 year warranty on the LIFX Color 1000, so you can rest easy, and not worry if something goes wrong.
Buy for $59.99 on Amazon.com
6. Belkin WiFi Enabled Wemo Light Switch
The Belkin WiFi Enabled Wemo Light Switch is meant for people who don’t want to invest into an entire eco-system of smart devices connected to a hub in their home. The light switch works in a very simple manner. The user simply needs to replace the existing switches in their house with the Wemo Light Switch and start using it.
The switch enables users to schedule lights to turn on or off by time, and even schedule devices to turn on or off based on sensor data, like the temperature outside. The switch works with Alexa, and even with Nest Thermostat. The switch also functions as a regular switch, so you can actually just push it to turn the lights on or off, if you want.
Buy for $46.46 on Amazon.com
7. LIFX White 800
The LIFX White 800 is another LED bulb from LIFX. It works with Alexa, as well, and unlike the LIFX Color 1000, it only supports shades of white (and almost a 1000 shades of white, to be accurate). The bulb is compatible with Nest, and SmartThings devices, and has a brightness equivalent to a regular 60W bulb. Users don’t require any additional hardware to begin using the bulb, and the set up is easy. Just like with the LIFX Color 1000, LIFX offers a 2 year warranty on these bulbs as well.
Buy for $27.65 on Amazon.com
8. TP-Link Smart Switch
The TP-Link Smart Switch is a smart switch from TP-Link that works with Alexa, and allows users to create schedules for their lights, and set timers. Used with the companion app, the switch allows users to control their lights from anywhere, and check on devices remotely.
The switch also supports an AwayMode that allows users to set their lights to turn on and off at random times, giving outsiders the impression that they are at home, even when they aren’t. This works as a deterrent for potential breaking and entering cases. The switch works directly with the router, instead of relying on a hub or a bridge.
Buy for $39.99 on Amazon.com
9. Haiku Home L Series WiFi Enabled Fan
The Haiku Home L Series WiFi Enabled Fan is an Energy Star certified connected fan, that comes with a built-in LED light with 16 different brightness settings. The fan works with Alexa, as well its own smartphone app, that users can use to control the fan even when they are not home. They can create schedules to make the fan turn on before they get home, as well.
Buy for $463.28 on Amazon.com
Other Lighting Devices That Work With Alexa
Insteon SwitchLinc ($54.99 on Amazon.com)
Syvania Lightify ($24.99 on Amazon.com)
Insteon LED Bulb ($29.99 on Amazon.com)
Outlets
10. Wemo Smart Plug
The Wemo Smart Plug is a smart, connected plug that works with Alexa on the Amazon Echo. The set up is incredibly easy, as all the users have to do, is plug it in to a socket, and then they can control any device that is plugged in to the Wemo Smart Plug. Users can set up custom on/off times for their devices, and can even sync the lights with the sunrise and sunset times.
The plug also supports AwayMode, so that they lights and fans turn on at random times, giving the appearance that someone is at home, even if no one is. The plug comes with a companion app that can be used on any smartphone running Android 4.1 and above, or iOS 8 and above.
Buy for $39.98 on Amazon.com
11. TP-Link Smart Plug
The TP-Link Smart Plug is a connected plug that works with Alexa, and allows users to monitor the energy used by the devices connected to the plug. The set up is easy, and all the user has to do is plug it in to a socket, and they can begin controlling their devices. The plug allows users to turn their devices on or off from anywhere. Users can even create schedules to automatically turn devices on or off. The plug works directly with the WiFi, and does not require any hub, or bridge.
Buy for $39.99 on Amazon.com
12. Samsung SmartThings Outlet
The Samsung SmartThings Outlet is another outlet that works with Amazon Echo, and allows users to control their lights, electronics and small appliances. Users can set timers to turn devices on or off automatically, and the outlet helps users save energy by restricting power to appliances, or get alerts if devices get left switched on by mistake. The outlet works with other SmartThings products.
Buy for $54.99 on Amazon.com
Other Outlets That Work With Alexa
Schlage Z-Wave ($54 on Amazon.com)
Leviton FR Plug ($32 on Amazon.com)
iHome WiFi Smart Plug ($29.88 on Amazon.com)
Thermostats
13. Nest Learning Thermostat
The Nest Learning Thermostat is one of the most widely known smart, connected thermostat in the world. The thermostat works with Alexa, and comes with a 24 bit color LCD screen, with a resolution of 480×480. The thermostat works with 95% of 24V heating and cooling systems, including gas, electric, forced air, etc.
The thermostat can detect users approaching it, and it automatically lights up when it detects a user approaching it, so they can see the temperature from across the room, without having to walk all the way over to it. The thermostat automatically learns the user’s schedule and programs itself accordingly. Used with Alexa, users can control the thermostat with their voice, asking it to make it warmer, cooler, or setting a temperature value themselves.
Buy for $225 on Amazon.com
14. ecobee3 WiFi Thermostat
The ecobee3 WiFi Thermostat works with Alexa, and intuitively understands when to turn on heating or cooling equipment based on factors such as the temperature outside, and over a 1000 more data points. Used with the room sensor, the thermostat knows when users are home, and what rooms are occupied, so it can prioritise those rooms, and improve the efficiency of the heating/cooling system.
The thermostat even works with HomeKit, so users can even control it with Siri, if they want to. The thermostat comes with one room sensor included in the pack, and extra sensors can be purchased on Amazon.com for $79 (pack of two).
Buy for $234.99 on Amazon.com
15. Honeywell Lyric Round Thermostat
The Honeywell Lyric Round Thermostat is a device that works with Alexa, and learns how long it takes to achieve the right temperature, and is capable of automatically switching from heating to cooling. The thermostat uses the users’ phone data to know when the user has gone out of the house, and when they are returning.
The companion app sends push notifications to remind users to change filters and even to warn them about extreme temperatures inside their house.
Buy for $165.83 on Amazon.com
Other Thermostats That Work With Alexa
TRANE Nexia Home Intelligence ($97.99 on Amazon.com)
INSTEON Thermostat ($113.89 on Amazon.com)
Security and Convenience
16. Rachio Smart Sprinkler
The Rachio Smart Sprinkler is an easy to install sprinkler controller, that connects to Amazon Echo, and automatically adapts to weather forecasts, changing seasons, and optimises watering schedules accordingly. It uses yard specific details, and advanced watering algorithms to create accurate schedules customised to the yard it is installed in. The sprinkler is also capable of skipping watering the yard when it rains.
Buy for $242.98 on Amazon.com
17. August Smart Lock
The August Smart Lock is a smart lock that connects to its mobile app to grant access, create keys, allow access to others, and a lot more. The device can automatically unlock doors when the user approaches, and can also automatically lock it when they leave. Since the lock is powered by batteries, it is always on, even if there is a power cut, or the WiFi goes down.
Users can even grant access to friends and family, even while they are away. The app keeps a track of who has entered the user’s house, and at what time. To use the device with Alexa, you will need to invest in August Connect.
Buy for $229.99 on Amazon.com
18. August Connect
The August Connect is the bridge that the August Smart Lock can be connected to, in order to use it with Alexa on the Amazon Echo. The device also allows users to check the status of the August Smart Lock in real time, to check if the door is locked or not. Together with the August Smart Lock, the Connect makes a whole package that the user can use with Amazon Echo, or even with HomeKit.
Buy for $63.91 on Amazon.com
19. Garageio: Garage Door Control
Garageio is a device that connects to Alexa, and allows users to open and close their garage doors with ease. The device can manage up to 3 garage doors, and installing it is a breeze. The companion app for the device also allows users to open and close the garage doors with a simple swipe gesture, and even sends alerts to the user in case they leave their garage door open.
Users can also grant access to other people when they are out of the house, and the access can be revoked at any time by the user, if they desire to do so. The device works with IFTTT as well, so it can be easily set up to automatically unlock and lock your door by geo-fencing using your mobile’s GPS location.
Buy for $199 on Amazon.com
20. Skybell HD WiFi Doorbell Camera
The Skybell HD WiFi Doorbell Camera is a neat gadget that attaches to your front door, and allows you to see, speak and listen to a visitor directly from your phone… even if you’re not home. The device features live monitoring of your doorstep, motion sensor, night vision as well as free video storage if you choose to record using the camera.
The motion sensor ensures that you get alerts for visitors even if the visitor forgets to press the button on the doorbell. The doorbell camera works with Alexa, IFTTT, Nest, and a lot of other ecosystems.
Buy for $220 on Amazon.com
SEE ALSO: How to Set Up and Use Amazon Echo Outside US
Use These Devices and Unlock Amazon Echo’s True Potential
Those were the 20 best Amazon Echo compatible smart devices that you should buy. If you use these devices with your Amazon Echo, you will not only unlock the full potential of your Alexa powered Echo device, but you will also appreciate the convenience of using the Amazon Echo, Tap, or Echo Dot devices as the hub for your smart home. We would like to know your opinion about using the Amazon Echo as the hub to your smart home. Have you ever connected any smart devices with the Echo? And if you have, how was your experience with using them through voice commands? Also, if you know of a really good smart device that is compatible with the Echo, and is not covered in this list, feel free to let us know in the comments section below.
