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The small speaker on my bedroom dresser, a basic Amazon Echo Dot, gets used multiple times each day without fail. In the morning, I know how to dress without looking out the window or setting foot outside by asking “Alexa, what’s the weather today?” When my imagination is running wild at nighttime, I ask this virtual assistant for soothing rain sounds to hide any unexplained creaks in my old house.
It’s not just me who has become a convert to this convenient everyday tech. Over the years, many of my friends and family members have added these smart devices to their homes because they simplify so many of life’s mundane tasks, whether you need to set a timer, add groceries to your shopping list, or turn off smart bulbs from the comfort of your bed. Echo speakers and Echo displays are the two main devices for bringing the power of Alexa into your home, with prices typically starting at around $50 for the base models. If you want the best bargain for your buck, there’s no better time to check out Amazon’s full line-up of Alexa devices.
Why is now the best time to invest in an Amazon smart device?
Amazon’s annual sales event, Prime Day, is just around the corner, happening Tuesday, June 23, and running until Friday, June 26. However, Amazon is getting the party started ahead of schedule with early Prime Day deals on Amazon devices. These discounts on Amazon’s line of smart home products rival the savings of Black Friday. Included in these markdowns are the most popular Echo smart speakers, Echo smart displays, and all kinds of smart home tech compatible with these devices, with savings of up to 70% off their original price.
If you’re new to this technology and just want to start with something basic before going all in, the least expensive option is the Amazon Echo Dot, which is just $35 with 30% off. According to CamelCamelCamel, this is the smart speaker’s lowest price so far this year. This is also the case for the Amazon Echo Show 5 while it’s on sale for $60. An Echo Show does everything the Echo Dot can do, but it has also been upgraded with a video display.
Amazon Echo Dot
Amazon Echo Show 5
Echo Dot vs. Echo Show: How to pick the right device for your home
There are a variety of Echo Dot and Echo Show models available at Amazon. Simply put, the Echo Dot is a smart speaker, while the Echo Show is a smart display.
If your primary goal for the virtual assistant is to play music in the background or ask it occasional questions, a smart speaker will suffice. The downside to a basic Echo Dot is that it doesn’t have any sort of screen, so if you use it as an alarm clock on your bedside table, you can’t glance at the speaker when you’re curious about the time — you’d have to ask Alexa out loud. In these cases, an Amazon Echo Spot is the favored option for your bedroom nightstand, as it has a small display that shows the time and weather.
I find the regular Echo Dot plenty loud for my bedroom, but the audiophiles or those who really want to fill a room will prefer the Amazon Echo Studio, Amazon’s most impressive and expensive speaker. It has nearly three times the bass of the standard option and has immersive Dolby Atmos spatial audio technology. If you just want a little more audio power, there’s also the Amazon Echo Dot Max, which upgrades the sound but keeps the price point at $100 or less, depending on the sale.
Amazon Echo Spot
Amazon Echo Studio
Amazon Echo Dot Max
Smart displays will be more expensive, but they offer quite a bit more in terms of performance. I loved having the Echo Show in my kitchen, because it kept recipes on the screen and wouldn’t fade to black like my smartphone or tablet when it’s open too long. They also make a great smart home hub. If you have compatible video doorbells or security cameras, you can view them directly on the screen. It also allows you to turn off smart plugs, control the smart thermostat, and more.
The Amazon Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 11 look nearly identical, but have different screen sizes. They offer superior sound compared to the Echo Show 5 and come with a built-in camera so you can have video conversations with friends. There’s also the Amazon Echo Show 15, which does everything the previous versions can, while also having smart TV capabilities, so you can watch your favorite shows and movies on the device.
Amazon Echo Show 8 or 11
Amazon Echo Show 15
What can Alexa+ do?
Alexa has upgraded to Alexa+, which uses advanced AI technology to tailor its smart home, shopping, and entertainment settings to your preferences. The virtual assistant is great for starting your day, and will talk naturally while updating you on your daily schedule, upcoming appointments, and important reminders. Alexa’s a big helper around the home, and can control key systems, like locks and lights, through voice commands. When it’s time to start dinner, Alexa can even plan meals based on the ingredients you have on hand.
These advanced services come free with a Prime Membership, so it won’t cost any extra money out of your pocket to use them with your device. You can also get a free Alexa+ without a plan, but there will be limits on daily usage.
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