The five best Alexa devices of 2022 range from an updated Echo to new technology you can use in your car. Let’s dive in. Pictured above: Amazon Echo (4th Gen) courtesy of Amazon
If you’ve followed VoiceBrew for a while, then we’re stating the obvious when we say Alexa is both an incredible personal and professional tool. It’s one capable of completing an array of tasks and better integrating our lives with technology than ever before. Since its debut in 2014, Alexa has continued to expand its usefulness and capabilities. Today, it can recognize over 90,000 requests, and that number seems to increase every day.
Here’s the thing: Alexa is not just one device. Instead, it’s part of an integrated technology suite that continues to roll out a variety of new devices every year. This year — 2022 — is no exception, and a variety of fantastic new Alexa-integrated devices will be both unveiled and updated. Here’s a look at the five best Alexa devices of 2022.
1. Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
The Amazon Echo is Amazon’s smart speaker. It has a series of functions, but it primarily serves as the main interpreter for Alexa, allowing users to issue commands and hear the results. The Echo is connected to the internet and is thus able to retrieve almost any sort of information instantaneously. It can also easily integrate with a variety of services, including Spotify, AccuWeather, radio, and more.
The 4th generation of Amazon Echo came out in late 2021 and has been well received by customers and reviewers alike. It contains a variety of new features, including a brand-new shape. It improves audio quality, gives users additional controls over the various Zigbee hubs in the system, and allows for additional commands with Alexa. It is also made from 100% recycled materials. Its new setup is designed to make it easier for users to create a solid home network and ensure that all devices in the home connect more easily.
2. Echo Auto
The Echo Auto is a new device that allows you to automatically access Alexa — and all its capabilities — from within your car. It easily mounts to your vehicle with a built-in hood and contains eight different microphones, thus ensuring you can be heard over road noise. From there, you can access all of Alexa’s features. This includes the ability to play music and news, make phone calls, and more.
This is a car-friendly device, so you can customize the display so that it’s not distracting but still enhances your overall trip. It also easily integrates with your phone, connecting with pre-existing Bluetooth technology.
Going on a road trip? Echo Auto integrates with many of the apps that are built-in with Alexa. This means that you can download apps and games for kids to play while you’re on the road.
3. Amazon Echo Frames (2nd Gen)
Amazon Echo Frames are Amazon’s attempt to enter the eyewear world. They are smart glasses that can be customized with your prescription and ordered right on Amazon’s website.
They have microphones, which means they work just like an Echo speaker: You issue a command, and the glasses will respond. This enables you to make calls, listen to music, or control other Alexa-enabled devices. They also support access to a wide array of other apps, including Google Assistant or Siri, making them fully integrate with any other personal assistant device.
The 2nd generation of these glasses has some design-related improvements that make them easier to use. They also come with different lenses, including blue-light filtering glasses and two types of sunglasses. The design has also been improved.
Finally, the glasses have a neat “auto volume” feature. You set the volume, and the volume of the glasses will then rise and fall based on the outside noise. This can make the device much easier to hear.
4. Ring Video Doorbell
The newest version of the Ring is the Ring Video Doorbell 3, and this version contains an array of features that represent a nice upgrade on the last version.
The Ring Video Doorbell has a variety of motion-controlled features. When someone rings the bell, users with the app are notified and can communicate with whoever is at the door.
This new version also addresses some of the potential security flaws found in previous versions, thus enhancing the privacy of end-users. New versions also come with Alexa integration.
If you connect your Ring to your Alexa speaker, you can enable it so that Alexa notifies you whenever someone is at the door. You can then command Alexa to allow you to speak through the Ring.
5. Wired Echo Sub
The Wired Echo Sub is a subwoofer for your Echo. It enables deep, loud bass sounds. For people who are true audiophiles, this is a must-have. As you would expect, the Wired Echo Sub can be connected to any of your Alexa or Echo devices: All you have to do is set it up through your Alexa app. As such, you can get a better, richer music experience.
The device is relatively small, so you can move it with ease. This allows you to essentially set up your own home studio or theater. At the moment, the Wired Echo Sub only works with other Echo speakers and doesn’t work on its own. This means that you have to have other Echos in order to get a fully integrated musical experience. Furthermore, the Echo can’t work on its own, so it won’t work as a smart speaker like the Echo. Fortunately, it is compatible with almost every version of the Echo.
There You Have It
So there you have it, the five best Alexa devices of 2022. These are just a few devices, and Amazon will unquestionably be coming out with even more innovative products. We’ll have more updates soon, but if you’re looking for a way to dip your toes into the voice assistant space, these are must-have devices for novices and enthusiasts alike.
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