It’s easy to have an integrated Alexa Smart Home
What is Alexa?
Alexa is the name of Amazon’s virtual assistant, just like how Siri is synonymous with Apple devices. Alexa is built into Amazon smart home devices, like the Echo Dot, Echo Show, Amazon Firestick, and more. And while Alexa enabled devices have a wide range of capabilities, when coupled with external devices like smart home lighting or a smart home thermostat, they become powerful command centers that help you control devices across your home. So, what devices make the foundation of an Alexa smart home?
Why you should consider an Alexa smart home
If you’re a techie or just love the idea of being able to control your home by using your voice, or are looking for a way to make your daily routines a bit more efficient, an Alexa-controlled smart home may be the perfect solution for you.
A fully integrated smart home will allow you to control a number of things by voice commands, via an app, or you can automate them completely by using an Alexa routine.
For example, when you wake up in the morning, you can set your Alexa device to automatically sound an alarm and gradually turn on your Philips Hue lights at the same time. You could also have your morning routine set to turn on your coffee maker by using a smart plug, and play your favorite energizing Spotify playlist.
You can even use Alexa routines to set your Roomba vacuum to clean your home!
The Echo device: a perfect foundation for an Alexa smart home
There are a few options when it comes to Alexa-enabled speakers, and it can be really confusing if you’re navigating this space for the first time! You have the following devices to choose from:
- Classic: Echo
- A smaller variety: Echo Dot, Echo Dot Kids Edition, Echo Dot with Clock
- Visual: Echo Show
- For the audiophile: Echo Studio
- On the go: Echo Buds
- On the road: Echo Auto
But how do you know which Amazon Alexa device is right for you? I’ve written a comprehensive Alexa Guide to walk you through the selection process. This guide discusses the pros and cons of each device, which devices are VoiceBrew preferred picks, and will help you select the perfect device for your space and habits.
What types of devices are perfect for an Alexa smart home?
Ready to connect a smart home device to your Echo speaker or smart display? Here are a few places to start:
- The Ultimate Guide to Alexa Hue Lights and smart home lighting
- Connect Nest to Alexa
- Connect Ring to Alexa
- The Amazon Smart Plug
- Connect Roomba to Alexa
- Connect Alexa to an External Speaker
Looking for more inspiration? Check out VoiceBrew’s guide to the 10 best Alexa smart home devices right now.
How to connect devices to create an Alexa smart home
Every external device is different, so you should follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Below, we list how some of the more popular devices can be paired with Alexa. Here’s how:
- Open up your Alexa app
- Tap/click the hamburger icon
- Select “Devices” on the bottom navigation bar
- Click the + sign in the upper right corner
- Tap/click “Add Device”
- Here’s where you’ll be prompted to select the device you’d like to pair, and you can see some of the more popular brands and types of devices within this window.
- If you’re pairing a device, continue connecting it by selecting your device and following the on-screen instructions.
VoiceBrew: Get more out of your Alexa Device with tips delivered straight to your inbox
VoiceBrew was created to help people get more out of their Amazon Alexa devices. Whether you’re just setting up your first Alexa device, or are a seasoned pro looking for advanced tips, VoiceBrew can help.
I love Alexa but realized that most people weren’t familiar with all of the capabilities available in every device! With VoiceBrew, you’ll have access to comprehensive how-to guides that cover basic set-up all the way to more advanced routines.
Wondering what devices work with Alexa? I cover that, too in VoiceBrew’s Alexa smart home guides. Ready to get started? Sign up for the VoiceBrew newsletter today.