[ad_1]
Best smart light bulbs for Alexa
The smart bulb Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 was the first smart product to join Alexa's friend list. It's our choice as the best intelligent bulb. All current Hue models work with Alexa, which allows you to turn on and off multiple lights, dim them, change the color of a light bulb and even create groups of lights for activate color combinations throughout the house. Just be aware that in addition to your Alexa device, you will also need the Hue Bridge (unless you get the Echo Plus, which includes a Zigbee radio like the Hue Bridge), a hub can handle up to 50 Hue lamps.
Similar to the Philips Hue, the LIFX A19 bulb works with Alexa, so you can verbally turn on, dim and change the colors of the lights. LIFX does not have as many partners or the same versatility as the Hue range. However, LIFX bulbs work with Wi-Fi (as opposed to Zigbee for the Hue series), so you do not need a hub or a separate gateway.
Best smart plugs for Alexa
The Wemo Mini smart plug (our favorite plug-in smart plug) is one of the many Wemo devices you can control with Alexa. It plugs into any outlet and connects to your Wi-Fi network, so you can turn on and off fans, lights, coffeemakers and virtually everything else from your smartphone or Alexa voice commands . The application also allows you to group the outlets with lights and other devices, so that you can control everything with just one voice command.
Although it is not as versatile as the Wemo, the iClever IC-BS06 is one of the few smart plugs that can be used externally. It's also the only Alexa-compatible unit that has two jacks that you can control independently using the sound of your voice.
Best Smart Switches for Alexa
Photo: Rachel Cericola
Lutron's Caseta is a powerful wireless lighting control system that we recommend to people who are looking for a good lighting system, but who do not necessarily need all the other features offered by a system like SmartThings. Alexa works with recessed light dimmers in the Caseta wall and plug-in dimmers. You can group them together to turn off the light in a room or part of the house to the sound of your voice. For example, you can install the Caseta system in your entertainment space and prepare a movie theater by saying something like: "Alexa, turn off all theater lights". You can even use your voice to set the attenuation levels. It is also convenient that Caseta switches are often associated with a separate remote control that you can mount or leave in this room; In this way, you can activate the lights when the action is still on the screen without having to call.
If you do not want or do not need another device (or at least the cost of another), the Wemo Dimmer can turn on, turn off and reach specific dimming levels using any existing Wi-Fi network and Alexa.
Best Smart Thermostats for Alexa
What is the current temperature setting on your Nest Thermostat E? Ask Alexa. The voice assistant can also raise and lower the temperature or set our top smart thermostat selection to Away mode. If you do not use the geofencing features of Nest (and many people do not use them), the ability to verbally adjust the temperature settings can be one of the preferred features. Owners of multiple thermostats can also use specific devices by naming each nest.
Ecobee4 works with Alexa in the same way as Nest and integrates the voice assistant. You do not need a separate device. You can just say, "Alexa, tell Ecobee I'm hot," and the assistant will adjust the temperature a few degrees for you. Another big difference between the two smart thermostats is that the Ecobee model includes sensors that you can place in any room, allowing you to ask Alexa about the temperature around your house. Alexa can also use the Ecobee model to control your system's fan, tell you which equipment is running, and toggle between heating, cooling, and automatic modes.
Best robot vacuums for Alexa
Few people like to vacuum. Of course, robot vacuums make the task as easy as pressing a button. However, the iRobot Roomba 690 and the iRobot Roomba 960 allow you to never have to lift that finger, thanks to Alexa integration.
Alexa allows you to execute orders to order this army of robots connected to Wi-Fi to start, stop or resume cleaning. You can even ask Alexa to locate the little fools, if they have become thugs and have gone astray in another part of the house. We detail each model in our guide to the best robotic vacuums, but the main difference is that the Roomba 960 is designed for large spaces and currently costs about twice as much as the 690.
Best home security cameras for Alexa
The addition of Alexa control to Wi-Fi security cameras allows you to arm and disarm the cameras when you enter and exit your home, as well as to call specific cameras located around the home to view live feeds via Echo Show, Echo Spot or Amazon. Fire TV.
Logitech Circle 2 works with Echo Show, Echo Spot and Fire TV. You can call live streams from different devices in the house. Designed to work both indoors and outdoors, our preferred indoor security camera can also accept Alexa's prompts to turn on the camera, turn off privacy mode, and even initiate custom recordings.
If you are looking for an overview of the outdoors, Arlo Pro 2 from Netgear offers views almost everywhere, with a rechargeable battery that offers the ability to switch completely wirelessly. The Nest Cam Outdoor camera, our first choice among outdoor security cameras, is equipped with a cord, the only weather-resistant included in the purchase, as well as the ability to distinguish people from pets (with a paid Nest Aware subscription). You can view Echo Show or Fire TV shows to watch the action outdoors from the couch or under a blanket.
Best smart door locks for Alexa
The Yale Assure SL, connected in August, is unbeatable for easy keyless entry to your home via a smartphone or keyboard. With Alexa, you can use your voice to check the status of the door lock or lock the door at bedtime. Our preferred smart lock with Alexa includes a convenient keyboard, which makes it easy to use for customers. It comes with the August Connect Gateway, which connects the lock to the Internet for remote access.
Best doorbell cameras for Alexa
As we describe in our Smart Camera Guide, the Ring Video Doorbell 2 offers a quick overview of who is on the other side of the door, with the help of Echo Show, Echo Spot or Fire TV. For the moment, however, you can not use Alexa to talk to the person from the other side of the camera.
Like the Ring, Nest Hello will show you who's at the door, but will not let you talk to welcome unwanted guests. However, it offers video recording 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, motion detection with the aid of artificial intelligence and facial recognition, but only with an active Nest Aware subscription. .
Best Smart Garage Door Controllers for Alexa
The Gogogate 2 controller is our intelligent intelligent garage door controller with Alexa support. When you are carrying groceries, luggage or children, you can ask Alexa to open and close the door and have her answer accordingly. As an upgrade choice, it can even integrate cameras so you can see the status of your door since the application.
The best smart sprinkler controllers for Alexa
The intelligent Rachio 3 sprinkler controller can simplify jobsite work with a user-friendly interface and Alexa support. This means that you can ask Alexa to enable and disable the system, set specific areas to water and delay the run times. As we mention in our guide, the only drawback is that this system does not have any type of local control. As a result, if your Internet service is down, you will not be able to change any programs.
Best multimedia streaming devices for Alexa
You can find many devices allowing you to get your Netflix streaming solution, Amazon Video, Hulu or whatever, not just in our guide to the best streaming media devices. However, Amazon Fire TV Stick is currently the most compact model that also holds the power of Alexa. The voice control can save you a lot of time and you avoid the hassle of navigating in tens of thousands of streaming options. You can also use a voice command to launch Netflix, search for episodes of The iron Throne, or even compile a collection of rom-coms. In this situation, it can also be helpful for Alexa to also order a pizza with the appropriate skill enabled.
If you're having trouble navigating all TV networks, Dish Network includes Alexa support on the Hopper DVR and the Wally mobile TV receiver. Instead of changing channels, viewers can navigate programming by calling a network name, channel number, show title or actor. Voice commands also work on the features of the DVR to pause, rewind and fast forward live and recorded content, as well as to call programs stored on demand.
Best kitchen appliances for Alexa
For the most part, Alexa's cooking utility is limited to her timer setting capabilities and her basic recipe reading skills. But some devices are beginning to integrate voice commands with varying degrees of success. Web vacuum circulators are among the first users to date.
Vacuum cooking allows you to enjoy restaurant-quality dishes at home by submerging vacuum-sealed foods in a bain-marie. These stoves have been available for some time at home and have recently become very affordable, but also at the cutting edge of technology.
By placing an Echo speaker in your kitchen, you can relax while preparing a meal. Now it can also help you cook. Although our first vacuum choice is not equipped with Alexa capabilities, our second prize, ChefSteps Joule, does this, making it the perfect sub-chef. You can call to check the status of a steak, adjust temperatures and even get a little more precision.
This guide may have been updated by Wirecutter. To see the current recommendation, go here.
When readers choose the editorial choices Wirecutter selects independently, Wirecutter and Engadget can earn affiliate commissions.
[ad_2]
Source link