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Amazon Alexa

Order groceries, control music and smart home, get quick answers.

  • Freemium
  • Echo devices (speakers and displays), Fire tablets, iOS, Android, Web browser, Third-party smart home devices, API for developers
  • DesignImage GenerationAudio
Try Amazon Alexa free
  • Free plan available
  • No credit card
Amazon Alexa screenshot

What is Amazon Alexa?

Amazon Alexa is a voice assistant that responds to spoken commands and questions across Amazon devices and third-party hardware. You can use it to shop for groceries, play music, control smart home devices, check weather and news, set reminders, and get answers to general questions. Alexa works through always-on microphones on Echo speakers, tablets, and compatible smart devices. Developers can build custom skills to extend Alexa's abilities, whilst consumers use it for everyday convenience through voice interaction. The service operates on a freemium model where basic voice assistant features are free with device purchase, though some shopping and premium features may have additional costs.

Key features

Voice commands

Issue requests hands-free to control devices, get information, or perform tasks

Smart home control

Manage compatible lights, thermostats, locks, and other connected devices through voice

Shopping integration

Order items from Amazon or partner retailers through voice commands

Music and entertainment

Stream music from multiple services and control playback by voice

Custom skills

Developers can build third-party skills to add new functionality to Alexa

Multi-device support

Access Alexa across Echo speakers, Fire tablets, phones, and compatible smart devices

Pros & cons

Advantages

  • Wide device ecosystem means Alexa is available on numerous hardware options beyond Echo speakers
  • Integration with Amazon shopping makes ordering everyday items quick and convenient
  • Extensive smart home compatibility with most major brands and protocols
  • Open skill development platform allows third-party developers to extend functionality significantly

Limitations

  • Privacy concerns about always-on microphones and voice recording; requires trust in Amazon's data handling practices
  • Voice recognition accuracy can be inconsistent in noisy environments or with accents and speech variations
  • Requires compatible smart home devices for full functionality; ecosystem lock-in with Amazon services

Use cases

Controlling lights, temperature, and locks in a smart home setup using voice commands

Reordering frequently purchased items from grocery lists through voice shopping

Playing music and podcasts across rooms without touching a device

Getting quick answers to questions, weather updates, and news briefings whilst cooking or working

Setting reminders, timers, and alarms hands-free in kitchens or workshops

Ready to try Amazon Alexa?

Try Amazon Alexa free

Pricing

Free

Free with device purchase

Voice assistant features, basic smart home control, music streaming (some services), weather and information lookups, Alexa skills

Prime membership

£7.99/month or £79/year

Faster Amazon shipping, exclusive shopping deals, Prime Video access, improved shopping recommendations in Alexa

Get started with Amazon Alexa

Click through to Amazon Alexa and start using it now.

Try Amazon Alexa free
  • Free plan available
  • No credit card