
What’s more, is that it gives you insights into your energy usage - it recently won Best Smart Energy Product at the T3 Awards 2021. You’ll be able to use it with Alexa and through the polished Kasa app. The best smart plug you can buy is the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim KP115. It’s only recommended to be used with lights, though. Owners of Philips Hue might want to consider the Philips Hue Smart Plug, as that works with the Hue app as well as the Alexa app. But if you already have Amazon Alexa devices at home and you’re looking for a quick and easy way to control one of your other devices or appliances remotely, then this will be a good choice that will work seamlessly with the rest of your smart home. It lacks IFTTT support and there isn’t energy usage monitoring, you also won’t be able to control it using other voice assistants like Siri. The Amazon Smart Plug may not be the most feature-heavy but it certainly does what it says on the tin, and it does it well. Another downside is the lack of energy monitoring features like you get from TP-Link smart plugs, for instance. You also can’t control it using other smart assistants like Siri or Google Assistant, and it doesn’t work with Apple’s HomeKit either. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have IFTTT so won’t work with other smart devices like locks or thermostats. The Alexa app is also incredibly easy to use, and will often prompt you to make changes like customising the plug's routines. You’ll know it’s worked as you hear a little click each time it comes on or off. The plug responded almost immediately to both voice and app-based commands and had no issues sticking to the schedules and routines either. You can also set it to switch on or off with certain voice commands, like turning on when you say ‘Alexa, welcome me home.'

You can also create Routines that will power it on or off at set times of day, at sunrise or sunset, or if triggered by a motion sensor. To do so, you do get the choice of using voice commands through Alexa or through the app. You’re limited to just switching it on and off. Price: How expensive is it when compared to similar devices? While this isn't the most critical criteria, it is a factor in its final rating.You only get very basic functionality with the Amazon Smart Plug. Performance: Does it actually work as advertised? Is its app easy to use, with a sensible layout? Here are some things we look for, after spending hours testing available buying options:Įase of setup: How simple is the device to install? Can anyone, even a first time smart speaker owner, set it up themself?įeatures: What features does the device have relative to others in its price range? When reviewing any of the best Alexa speakers (or any of the best smart home devices, for that matter) we consider several different factors before assigning it a final rating.

Video calls can only be made with the Echo Show 8, second-generation Echo Show or Echo Show 5, though.Ĭheck our smart home guide for more advice on finding the right Alexa speaker for you. The Brilliant panel also works with a wide range of smart home systems, such as Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri/HomeKit, Ring, August, Ecobee, Honeywell, Sonos, Philips Hue, and Genie. You can check in on your security cameras and video doorbells, get recipe advice and make calls. If you have a large family or spend a lot of time in the kitchen or other shared space, a smart speaker with a display is a better choice. All are simple to set up and lay a foundation for getting your other gadgets connected. If this is your first smart home purchase, you’ll want to opt for the 4th-generation Echo, Echo Dot or Sonos One. The key decision you’ll have to make while shopping for one of the best Alexa speakers is whether you’re looking for a standard, grilled speaker or a speaker with a display.
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How to pick the best Alexa speaker for you

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Read our full Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) review. Not to mention, the Kids Edition is a strong sell, providing a stationary Amazon Fire tablet alternative that doesn’t need to be recharged all the time. But if you find yourself smitten with the Echo Show 5’s adorably compact design, and like the idea of being able to ring up loved ones before you go to sleep, the smart display is worth considering.
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It also isn’t much of an upgrade compared to the original. However, due to its small size, it looks and feels a bit more like a clock than a full-sized smart display.

The Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) is a small smart display you can use to make calls and video chat, browse recipes, watch videos using NBC and Prime Video visual skills, check the feeds from your security camera, dim your lights and more on its 5-inch screen.
