
If you're already getting a little overwhelmed, check out our guide to the best Alexa speakers, where we help find the perfect Echo for your wants and needs. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Echo Studio and Echo Show 10 raise the price, sound quality, and features and also include extras like a built-in Zigbee smart home hub. If you need easy Alexa access in a tight space like a washroom, hallway, or garage, the Echo Flex puts an Echo device wherever there is an outlet.

While that does help to narrow things down a bit, there's still a lot you need to consider before throwing your money down for one.Ī lot of people might be inclined to go with the regular Echo (4th Gen), but if you want to save some cash, the Echo Dot (4th Gen) or Echo Dot with Clock (4th Gen) offer a virtually identical experience in a smaller form factor and for less money. There are plenty of third-party Alexa speakers out there, but if you want the best possible experience, we recommend getting an official Amazon Echo device. Source: Android Central (Image credit: Source: Android Central)

Alexa works mostly the same on Echo speakers as it does on third-party ones, but some things like Alexa Guard only work with Echo devices. The Echo Show 5, Echo Show 8, and Echo Show 10 are three of the most recent examples of this form factor.Īmazon's Echo speakers aren't the only ones you can buy that have Alexa, but they do offer the best overall experience. The best Echo show speakers even come with screens and touch interfaces for an added dimension of usefulness. The number, size, and form factor of the best Alexa devices has exploded over the past few years, from small smart plug style gadgets like the Echo Flex on up to room-filling audiophile speakers like the Echo Studio. On the other hand, Echo is the brand Amazon uses to market and sell its smart speakers and many of its devices that are powered by Alexa. Smart speakers are the most common form factor you'll find Alexa on, but the AI has also made its way to smartphones, true wireless earbuds, smart glasses, and even some smartwatches like the Fitbit Versa 3.Īmazon updates Alexa all the time to make it smarter than the day before, meaning that it's constantly changing and evolving. Similar to something like Apple's Siri or the Google Assistant, Alexa can tell you about the local weather, check calendar appointments, control smart home devices, and so much more.

Alexa is Amazon's virtual assistant that powers the company's first-party Echo speakers and other ones from different companies.
