These are the best devices for Amazon Alexa that you can buy - Android

We've researched, tested, and reviewed dozens, if not hundreds of devices and have come up with the following list of what we consider the best Alexa devices. If you don't already have an Echo smart speaker, we recommend you pick up the Amazon Echo (4th Gen) to get started. It sounds great and comes in at a reasonable starting price. Of course, if you already have an Echo and want to see what else is available, well, we've got you covered there too.

Best Amazon Alexa Smart Speaker: Amazon Echo (4th Gen)

The original Amazon Echo that debuted in late 2014 gave us our first introduction to Alexa, and we've been hooked ever since. What started as a stark, black tube has evolved over three generations to a softer, gentler-looking Alexa vessel and has spawned an entire line of other Echo devices.

This "regular" Echo (4th Gen) is the best of the series yet. It boasts an improved sound architecture over the first three generations, one that it borrowed from the more expensive Echo Studio, as well as the same Zigbee home hub integration of its larger cousin. As with several other Echo devices, you can connect two of these to create a stereo pairing, or you can connect it with your Fire TV for enhanced audio to go with your visual content.

We think the Echo (4th Gen) is the best Alexa speaker to buy if you want great sound but don't want to spend an arm and a leg. If you don't care as much about the sound and want to save a few bucks, you could get one of the Echo Dot varieties, or if you really care about sound, go for the aforementioned Echo Studio. The Echo does not have a camera or screen, which is great for those concerned with privacy, but it does diminish its overall utility just a bit. Even still, this is our pick for the everyday Echo for most.

Pros:

• New spherical design
• Better sound architecture and Zigbee home hub
• Can pair with another Echo or Fire TV for stereo sound
• Amazon brought back our favorite Twilight Blue color!

Cons:

• No screen or video calling
• Expensive compared to its smaller siblings

Best Amazon Alexa Smart Speaker

Amazon Echo (4th Gen)

• $100 at Amazon
• $100 at Best Buy
• $100 at B&H

The best place to start with Alexa

The Echo (4th Gen) speaker has been redesigned with better sound, Zigbee home hub integration, and a striking new look!

Best Amazon Alexa Smart Screen: Amazon Echo Show 8

The Amazon Echo Show 8 is one of our favorite smart home devices of the past year and is our current pick as the best Alexa device with a screen. It continued with the design cues of the earlier Echo Show (2nd Gen) and Echo Show 5 and borrowed some of the best features from each of those devices. Plus, it is much more affordable and easier to store than the Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen).

On its 8-inch screen, this Show boasts the same 800p resolution as the larger Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen). It also features the privacy-focused controls that debuted on the Echo Show 5, including a physical camera shutter and mute switch. The Echo Show devices are still only available in Charcoal or Sandstone and not in the fun Twilight Blue or Product Red colors seen in the recent Echo and Dot speakers, but we think the design still looks nice. Plus, if you get an optional stand, you can change the angle/position of your Echo Show 8 as you wish.

While the Echo Show 8 is a great device for managing your smart home devices, watching videos, or even Amazon Prime content, it isn't the best speaker Amazon makes. There is no Dolby processing built-in, and the speaker sort of fires backward. While it's a nice device for video chatting, the camera only clocks in at a very low 1-megapixel. All-in-all though, we love this device for managing our smart home life with Alexa!

Pros:

• Great size for screen
• Same screen resolution as larger Echo Show (2nd Gen)
• Sleek design
• Privacy-focused camera shutter and mute switch

Cons:

• Weak speaker without Dolby processing
• Weaker camera than the larger Echo Show
• Only two color options

Best Amazon Alexa Smart Screen

Amazon Echo Show 8

• $105 at Amazon
• $105 at Best Buy
• $120 at B&H

The Goldilocks zone

The Echo Show 8 comes in a more natural size that's easier to place than the larger Echo Show (2nd Gen).

Best Amazon Alexa Streaming Stick Device: Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite

Amazon offers several different paths to its Fire TV experience, from the best Fire TV Edition TVs made by Insignia and Toshiba to the set-top Fire TV Cube. But none of those options are as popular nor as affordable as the best Fire TV Sticks. And the new Fire TV Stick Lite might be the most appealing yet.

All three Fire TV sticks are great options at $50 or less, but the $30 Fire TV Stick Lite gives you 90% of what the other sticks do at a fraction of the price. You still get access to full HD video and even Dolby Atmos Audio (via HDMI pass-through), and you get a handy Alexa Voice Remote to control your viewing experience and smart home. The only downside to this device is that the remote cannot control your TV like the remote for the other Fire TV Sticks can.

Pros:

• Super affordable
• Comes with Alexa Voice Remote
• Full HD quality screen
• Access to Dolby Atmos Audio

Cons:

• Alexa Voice Remote cannot control TV
• Dolby Atmos Audio through HDMI pass-through
• No 4K UHD video

Best Amazon Alexa Streaming Stick Device

Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite

• $25 at Amazon
• $25 at Best Buy
• $25 at B&H

Streaming saver

The Fire TV Stick Lite is the cheapest Amazon streaming stick and is one of the most affordable ways to access Alexa.

Best Amazon Alexa Tablet: Amazon Fire HD 8

We can't say enough good things about the latest Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet. Now on its 10th version, this media consumption device continues to hit that sweet spot of affordability, durability, and family friendly-ness. At a great price, you get a hands-free digital voice assistant (Alexa), an HD screen, front and rear-facing cameras, expandable storage, and an easy onramp to all of the great content in the Amazon ecosystem.

We think the most underrated features of this device are its battery life and flexible storage options. This tablet will last you 12 hours on a single charge, which is amazing for long flights or drives. You can also feel confident purchasing the base model with only 32GB of storage because then you can pick up additional microSD cards on the cheap and expand storage up to 1TB.

While it is true that this device doesn't run Google Apps straight out of the box, even the least savvy can follow the relatively simple instructions to add these after purchase. While the Fire HD 8 remains our top pick for most buyers, those who want to be on the bleeding edge of technology may want to opt for the Fire HD 8 Plus along with its wireless charging dock, which will get you wireless charging and more RAM for faster performance.

Pros:

• Sweet spot of screen size and portability
• Full HD screen
• Best-in-class family controls
• Great battery life
• Multi-user support
• Expandable storage up to 1TB

Cons:

• Doesn't ship with Google apps
• Doesn't have all the features of HD 8 Plus

Best Amazon Alexa Tablet

Amazon Fire HD 8

• From $90 at Amazon
• From $90 at Best Buy

One of the best media consumption devices you can buy

With its rugged build, low price, and multi-user support, the Fire HD 8 is a great family tablet.

Best Amazon Alexa Wireless Earbuds: Amazon Echo Buds

It seems like every technology company has its own version of wireless earbuds these days. However, if you want a pair of buds that give you hands-free access to Alexa, there is really only one option — the Amazon Echo Buds.

In addition to easy Alexa access (which works well, by the way), the Echo Buds just sound good. They feature active noise reduction (ANR) and a customizable Passthrough mode that allows you to let in noises from the outside world instead of taking the buds out of your ears. Both features are great, and changing the state is as easy as double-tapping the buds. You can also adjust the way it sounds in the app. Amazon also built in a way for you to easily invoke Google Assistant or Siri with just a tap, so you have the best of both worlds when it comes to smart assistants on the go. A new update in late 2020 also brought run workout tracking to the Echo Buds.

As we mentioned in our Echo Buds review, the Echo Buds have about 4-5 hours of battery life on a charge, plus 20 with the case. That case charges only via micro-USB cable and does not feature the ability to charge wirelessly. It's also a little cheap feeling for a case. But none of that matters when you're getting great-sounding earbuds with Alexa for less than competitors are charging for their versions.

Pros:

• Affordable truly wireless earbuds
• Great hands-free Alexa support
• ANR and Passthrough modes
• Can map Google Assistant or Siri to touch controls

Cons:

• Charges via outdated Micro-USB
• Battery on buds could be better
• No wireless charging for the case
• Case feels cheap

Best Amazon Alexa Wireless Earbuds

Amazon Echo Buds

• $130 at Amazon

Is there an Echo in-ear?

These wireless earbuds feel great and sound great, and you'll love having Alexa in your ears and available hands-free.

Best Amazon Alexa Car Device: Roav Viva by Anker

Apple has CarPlay, and Google has Android Auto, but Amazon hasn't had a successful strategy to get Alexa into your car yet. Yes, it has Alexa Auto partnerships with some car manufacturers like Audi and Ford, but that hasn't seen as much adoption compared to its competition. So how can you get Alexa in your car? Amazon's answer was slow in coming and resulted in the Echo Auto, which received a lukewarm reception when it finally rolled out a year after being announced. Thankfully, other third-parties like Garmin and Anker/Roav have stepped in to fill the gap.

The Roav Viva came out in early 2018 and is an ingenious little accessory that plugs right into the power port/cigarette lighter in most cars. It sports two USB-A charging ports so you can keep your phones or other devices charged while driving, and it provides a means for you to interact with Alexa hands-free. You have to download the Roav app and connect it to your Amazon account before you use it, and then it operates with its built-in microphones and outputs sound via Bluetooth through your car's speakers.

This device is cheaper than Amazon's own Echo Auto product and is arguably better looking and easier to mount in your car. The main downsides to the device are that it may not fit well in every vehicle, and because it's a third-party device with its own app, it takes up to 90 seconds after starting your car for Alexa to be ready to roll. Despite those drawbacks, the Roav Viva is our choice over the Echo Auto for an Alexa road trip.

Pros:

• Half the price of Echo Auto
• Plugs right into the power port, so no need for loose cord/clip
• Two USB-A chargers built-in

Cons:

• Bluetooth connection can be finicky
• May not fit well in all vehicles
• Requires separate app

Best Amazon Alexa Car Device

Roav Viva by Anker

• From $39 at Amazon
• $60 at Best Buy
• $18 at B&H

Alexa on the road

The Roav Viva is an inexpensive way to bring Alexa with you in the car and charge your phones simultaneously!

Best Amazon Alexa Wearable: Amazon Echo Frames (2nd Gen)

From modest beginnings in Amazon's Day 1 Editions program, the Echo Frames (2nd Gen) graduated from a niche, enthusiast product to a device that will bring Alexa to the masses. If you've been waiting for a device to take Alexa out of the house and into the broader world, these just might be the glasses for you!

The second-generation Echo Frames feature improved battery life and software enhancements like Auto Volume, VIP Filter, and Auto-Off. While they share the same design as the first generation frames, these come in three stylish colors, including Classic Black, Horizon Blue, and Modern Tortoise.

Our reviewer found the experience of open-air audio to be preferable for hours of listening than in-ear buds in terms of comfort, but they also allow for a better perception of the outside world. The biggest downside with these smart glasses is the proprietary charger and lack of wireless charging.

Pros:

• Easy hands-free Alexa access
• Improved battery life over Day 1 Editions
• Comes in three stylish colors
• Enhanced software features
• Also supports Google Assistant and Siri

Cons:

• One of the most expensive Echo devices
• Style may not be to everyone's taste
• No wireless charging

Best Amazon Alexa Wearable

Amazon Echo Frames (2nd Gen)

• $250 at Amazon

Alexa's looking good

The Echo Frames (2nd Gen) allow you to bring Alexa with you wherever you go.

Best Amazon Alexa Gaming Device: Amazon Luna Controller

Luna is Amazon's new cloud gaming service, which has had a relatively quiet initial launch but is already starting to gain steam with gaming fans. It can be played across a variety of devices, from PCs and Macs to the best Android phones, to Amazon's own Fire TV devices.

Naturally, Amazon was keen to introduce its own Luna controller, which at first glance looks like many of the more popular gaming console controllers out there. Aside from working seamlessly with the Luna service with particularly low latency, what makes this controller special is that you can invoke Alexa at the press of a button when playing on Fire TV, and get the voice assistant to launch your favorite game titles, control smart home devices like lighting, or answer questions or trivia.

Pros:

• Affordable
• Pushbutton Alexa access
• Low latency

Cons:

• Cannot use as a TV remote
• Ergonomics not as good as Xbox or other console controllers

Best Amazon Alexa Gaming Device

Amazon Luna Controller

• $70 at Amazon

Game on

The Luna Controller allows you fast and easy control of Amazon's cloud gaming service with Alexa access.

Best Smart Light with Amazon Alexa: Philips Hue A21, 1,600 Lumen Bulb

One of the first products most people get when setting up a smart home is a smart light. These are often affordable, easy to assemble (simply screw in a bulb), and have an immediate and obvious impact. There are tons of options available when considering a smart lighting solution, but we think that one of the best Alexa controlled light bulbs is the Philips Hue A21, 1,600 Lumen bulb.

These smart light bulbs are compatible with the entire range of Philips Hue products and can be controlled by Alexa so long as you set them up with a Hue bridge hub. The best Alexa routines include a good collection of smart lights, so we recommend picking up several of these for different rooms and creating lighting groups and smart lighting routines with the Alexa app. You can even set up Alexa Guard routines to have your lights turn on or