What Will Work With Alexa? All Compatible Devices
When it comes to voice assistants, Amazon’s Alexa has taken a top position, making the online retailer a huge player in the smart home scene.
Since Alexa is so popular, many smart home devices coming onto the scene are designed to be Alexa-compatible.
So, when you’re looking for devices that play nice with this virtual smarty-pants, you’ll have plenty of options for automating your pad.
From lighting systems to kitchen appliances, Alexa’s got your back. You can control your smart lights, like Philips Hue or LIFX bulbs, just by flexing those vocal chords.
And when it comes to jamming out to your favorite tunes, popular speakers, like the Sonos One or Echo devices, respond to your voice cues too.
With Alexa, you can stay cozy by adjusting your Nest thermostat or keep an eye on your home with compatible security systems, like Ring. The list goes on and on.
Ready to discover all the cool gadgets that can team up with Alexa to make your life a whole lot easier? Let’s do it.
Amazon Alexa Basics
Alexa is Amazon’s artificial intelligence-driven voice assistant. It works by turning your voice commands into actions or answers. For example, you can say “Alexa, what’s the weather?” and Alexa will respond with the current weather in your location. Or, in an Alexa-compatible and connected smart home, you can say “Alexa, turn off the kitchen light,” and your Alexa-compatible lighting system will do it.
At its core, Alexa works with a bunch of “Skills.” You can think of these like mini apps that give your AI assistant the know-how to perform certain tasks. You’ve got skills for everything from controlling your smart home devices to telling you the name of a song, and you can enable or disable them as you please in the Alexa app.
So, now you know how Alexa works, but when you’re building a smart home ecosystem, you also need to know what kinds of things work with Alexa. The list is pretty long, a boon for you if you have an Alexa-based smart home, but let’s just talk about a few of the most popular lighting systems, thermostats, locks, and cameras that you can control with Alexa.
Alexa Devices and Compatible Smart Home Devices
When it comes to creating the ultimate smart home experience with Alexa-enabled devices, a good place to start is with the Amazon Echo family.
This line includes Echo, Echo Dot, and Echo Show, which all serve as Bluetooth speakers and hubs for your smart home.
This speaker is what “hears” and responds to your voice commands, and how you can turn your spoken directives into smart home magic.
Now, for some compatible devices.
Lighting Systems
As far as smart home lighting, you’ve got a couple of really popular Alexa-compatible options.
Philips Hue bulbs (and Bridge) and TP-Link Kasa switches are both compatible with Alexa, letting you control your home’s lighting with your voice or the Alexa app.
Last update on 2024-11-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Last update on 2024-11-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Smart Plugs
Next up, smart plugs. Devices like the Amazon Smart Plug and Wemo Mini Smart Plug turn any regular appliance into a smart one.
Connect them to your lamps, fans, or space heaters, and you’ll have the power to control them through voice commands or scheduling.
Last update on 2024-11-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Last update on 2024-11-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Security Systems
When it comes to home security, some notable Alexa-compatible names include Ring Indoor Security Camera and Arlo Pro 2 Smart Camera.
Pair these with your Echo devices to easily access the live feed, communicate through two-way talk, or arm/disarm your security system with Alexa.
Last update on 2024-11-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Last update on 2024-11-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Smart Hubs
Of course, your smart home experience won’t be complete, or fully integrated, without a reliable hub to manage all these gadgets.
Samsung SmartThings hub is one top choice for its compatibility with a wide range of devices.
Connect your Alexa-enabled gear and other smart home devices to the hub to control them all in one place.
Last update on 2024-11-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Works With Alexa Program
For finding smart home devices that work with Alexa, you’ve got an official source. The Works With Alexa (WWA) program verifies the compatibility of a product with Alexa. When a product receives certification, it can rock the WWA badge on its product packaging, Amazon product detail pages, and even have a personalized WWA badge on display.
Certification and Benefits
The WWA program is designed to highlight products that play nicely with Alexa, which can give you assurance the smart home device you’re buying will work with your Alexa system. To get certified, manufacturers must meet specific WWA program guidelines
The WWA program covers a wide range of products, like lighting systems, thermostats, plugs, and more. Some well-known compatible names include Philips Hue, Ecobee, and TP-Link.
The Alexa App
Once you have your Alexa-compatible devices, you can enable them and control them using the Alexa app. The Alexa app can help you manage music playback, track shopping lists, set reminders, and much more.
So, what can you hook up and control with the Alexa app? The possibilities are huge. Just a few examples of compatible products include:
- Lighting systems, like Philips Hue and LIFX
- Thermostats from Nest or ecobee
- Security systems, such as Ring or Blink
- Smart plugs, like those offered by TP-Link or Wemo
- Speakers from brands like Sonos or Bose
But these are just the tip of the iceberg. You can find a vast range of smart home devices that work with Alexa (especially on Amazon). Just look for the “Works with Alexa” badge on the page.
Technical Aspects of Alexa
When it comes to choosing Alexa-compatible smart devices, it can be helpful to know a little bit about how Alexa operates. So, let’s get to the nitty-gritty of how Alexa works with various devices and systems.
Wi-Fi
Alexa connects to your internet via Wi-Fi and can control a wide range of smart devices through its integration with various APIs. This connection to leading smart device ecosystems allows you to control your home lighting systems, thermostats, and even security cameras.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth plays a crucial role too. Alexa can easily pair with and control Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as speakers, headphones or even your smartphone. This feature is essential for streaming audio, making calls, or controlling your devices without the need for additional equipment.
ASINs
When it comes to different smart home devices, one major way Alexa recognizes them is through their ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number). ASIN is unique to Amazon and is used to track and manage products in their catalog. Alexa uses ASIN to identify and access compatible devices or services, making it a piece of cake to add those cool new gadgets to your smart home.
APIs
Integration with different APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) is essential for Alexa’s compatibility. APIs allow Alexa to interact with third-party software and services, such as your favorite music streaming app or smart home devices from various manufacturers.
Just because Alexa is Amazon’s brainchild doesn’t mean it’s limited to their ecosystem. Devices from other tech giants, like Google, can also work with Alexa.
Alexa’s Popularity
When it comes down to it, Alexa’s tech-savviness comes from its ability to integrate with a diverse range of systems and devices, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, APIs, ASIN, and various smart device ecosystems. This diverse compatibility ensures that you can make the most of your Alexa-powered smart home.