The best Alexa compatible devices in 2023
The best Alexa compatible devices will raise your home’s IQ with the help of Amazon’s voice assistant. When you pair connect certain models of smart lights, locks, speakers, TVs, and more to Alexa, you can control them all using your voice.
Once you get any of the best Alexa compatible devices online, you can command them without having to say anything at all, too. Within the Alexa app you can create ‘routines,’ which automatically trigger various smart home gadgets based on certain conditions. This will help you make your home intuitive, safer and more efficient.
When you know how to use Alexa to create routines, you can make the assistant turn on your smart lights if it hears your smoke detector, or change the temperature on your thermostat when you leave or return home. Or maybe you just want to Netflix and chill; you can use an Alexa-compatible device to find your favorite show.
There are hundreds, if not thousands, of smart home devices that work with Alexa, and advertise as such on Amazon. And while all purport that they’re the best, most don’t live up to that claim. So we’ve done the testing for you to come up with this list of the best Alexa compatible devices.
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The best Alexa compatible devices you can buy today
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Amazon Fire TV Cube
(Image credit: Henry T. Casey / Tom’s Guide)
Amazon’s Fire TV Cube is the best Alexa compatible device for streaming. In fact, it features a new octa-core processor that makes it one of the best streaming devices on the market. In our testing, that improved speed has it neck and neck with the Roku Ultra (2020) and Apple TV 4K (2021). But this streaming device is more about its voice commands, as it’s also an Alexa speaker. Not only does it let you control a cable box (or a live TV service if you cut the cord), but it’s also able to control your TV volume and inputs.
This model also offers an HDMI-IN port for those of us juggling all the devices, and puts a USB-A port and Ethernet inside as well, so no adapters are necessary for webcam connections or more stable streaming. That said, don’t expect Amazon’s new Super Resolution Upscaling feature to remaster your content, as it’s more about proving smaller upgrades to non-4K content.
Read our full Amazon Fire TV Cube (2022) review.
Philips Hue White LED Starter Kit
(Image credit: Philips)
There are a lot of smart lights that work with Alexa, but we think the best Alexa compatible devices in this category are the Philips Hue smart lights. That’s because Philips has the widest range of bulb types, and the Hue app lets you do far more with those lights than ones from other companies.
Philips sells several different types of smart lights, but the company’s basic Hue White Starter kit includes two bulbs as well as a small hub that links the lights to your Wi-Fi. From there, you can command Alexa to dim the lights, and the bulbs will respond. The bulbs in this kit don’t change color, though; for that, you’ll want the Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 bulb starter kit. In fact, Philips makes a wide range of smart LEDs and light fixtures; check out our guide to Philips Hue lights to see what each does.
Read our full Philips Hue White LED Starter Kit review.
LIFX Mini
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
3. Lifx Mini
Best Alexa compatible Wi-Fi smart lights
Our expert review:
Average Amazon review:
(opens in new tab)
Specifications
Light bulbs included:
One
Wi-Fi bridge required?:
No
Works with:
Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, IFTTT
Check Amazon
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Reasons to buy
+
No hub required
+
Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit and more
+
Includes many smart features
+
Fits in small lamps
Reasons to avoid
–
Expensive
When it comes to the best Alexa compatible devices, Philips Hue lights are tops, but they require you to also install a bridge for you to control them. By comparison, the Lifx Mini smart bulb can connect directly to your Wi-Fi network, which can make setup much easier. At just 2.2 inches long, the Lifx Mini bulbs will fit in a variety of desk lamps and small light fixtures.
Using Alexa, you can turn the Lifx lights on and off, and set their brightness, color and schedule. You can also produce a number of cool lighting effects, too: The bulbs can flicker like a candle, flicker out for a spooky effect, strobe, and even change color with the beat of your music. In addition to Alexa, Lifx’s bulbs are some of the best HomeKit devices.
Read our full Lifx Mini review.
(Image credit: Wemo)
The Wemo WiFi Smart Plug is one of the best Alexa compatible devices under $30 and our top choice among the best smart plugs. It’s more compact than competing options out there, even its predecessor the Wemo Mini. And while it doesn’t have energy monitoring like some other smart plugs, the Wemo WiFi Smart Plug does work with all the major smart assistants.
This smart plug has a physical switch, so if you don’t want to ask Alexa to turn your appliance on or off, you can click the switch on the Wemo. It also has a clever Away mode. which can make it seem like you’re home even when you’re not by turning a lamp on intermittently.
Read our full Wemo WiFi Smart Plug review.
(Image credit: August)
Ever lie awake at night trying to remember if you locked the front door? As one of the best Alexa compatible device, the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock can bring ease to your anxiety. Just ask Alexa if your door is locked, and it’ll tell you — and you can lock or unlock it using your voice. There wasn’t much to improve on in our August Smart Lock Pro review, but the company went ahead and tweaked its original to make it smaller and easier to use.
As our new top pick among the best smart locks, the the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is 45 percent more compact than its predecessor, so it looks less obvious on your door. It also has Wi-Fi built in, so you can skip the August Connect bridge for linking your lock to your home network.
Read our full August Wi-Fi Smart Lock review.
Ecobee 5th generation smart thermostat
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
Ecobee’s 5th-generation smart thermostat makes our list of the best Alexa compatible devices because among other things, it has Alexa built in. So, if you want to interact with Amazon’s assistant, but don’t want to install a separate smart speaker, you can simply use this thermostat.
With the Ecobee 5th generation smart thermostat, you get all of Alexa’s features, including calling, messaging, and Drop-In. The new Ecobee also has a much better speaker and Spotify support, so it’s now ok—but not great—for playing tunes if you’re looking for a device to provide some background music. Most importantly, the new Ecobee has redesigned remote sensors that have much better range and battery life.
Read our full Ecobee 5 smart thermostat review
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
8. LG C2 OLED TV
The best Alexa compatible smart 4K TV
Our expert review:
Specifications
Screen Size:
65 Inches
Resolution:
3,840 x 2,160
HDR:
Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
Refresh Rate:
120 Hz
Ports:
4 HDMI 2.1, 3 USB
Smart TV Software:
webOS 22
Reasons to buy
+
Impeccable OLED display
+
Great sound
+
Solid smart-TV features
+
Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa built in
The LG C2 OLED TV is the best Alexa compatible TV. Not only is it the best OLED TV thanks to an impressive display panel, but a premium design, maximum versatility and great smart TV platform hit all the high marks, too.
What’s more, this C series lineup is LG’s largest in terms of size options — the configurations span from 42- to 83-inches, all of which sport full arrays of HDMI 2.1 ports. Most also feature LG’s evo OLED panel, which was first introduced on the LG G1 OLED TV and now looks to upgrade the C2’s performance. That gives you flexibility if you want this TV to be the center of your Alexa-enabled smart home.
We can’t say our test results for this LG C2 OLED TV review showed significant improvement, but to be fair, there wasn’t much room to improve. Instead, what makes this one of the best TVs of the year is that it offers fantastic picture quality for the price — exactly what you’d expect from LG’s best-selling OLED TV series.
Read our full LG C2 OLED review.
(Image credit: Future)
An upgrade to one of the best soundbars with Alexa built-in available, the second-gen Sonos Beam brings a new CPU, tweaked profiles, more audio formats, and HDMI eArc support into the mix. The drivers have been re-tuned, resulting in a crisper central channel that emphasizes vocal clarity and dialog. Dolby Atmos and other home-theater sound formats grant you numerous ways to experience wide 3D sound in your living room.
Other unique features like NFC for seamless setup, as well as TruePlay to curate sound to your space and optimal couch position, bring more value to this small speaker system. It also pairs perfectly with 55-inch (or smaller) HDTVs.
You should know that Sonos products don’t come cheap and the price tag on this beauty might be a bit steep for the average consumer. Those who can afford it will find this to be a welcome addition to their ecosystem of Sonos products.
Read our full Sonos Beam (Gen 2) review.
Simplisafe Essentials
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
10. Simplisafe Essentials
The best Alexa compatible DIY home security kit
Our expert review:
Specifications
Professional Monitoring / Monthly Price:
$14.99-$49.99
Number of Sensors Included:
4
Cellular Backup:
Yes
Battery Backup:
Yes
Smart Home Compatibility:
Alexa, Nest, IFTTT
Check Amazon
(opens in new tab)
Reasons to buy
+
Easy to install
+
Keypad remote is familiar
+
Alarm is very loud
Reasons to avoid
–
Limited third-party device support
–
Remote access available only with professional monitoring
SimpliSafe is one of the best DIY home security systems because it’s a cinch to set up, has a ton of options when it comes to sensors and accessories—it even has its own smart lock—and offers optional professional monitoring for a reasonable price. But it’s also one of the best Alexa compatible devices because you can use Amazon’s assistant to arm your Simplisafe system as you walk out the door.
Simplisafe Essentials costs around $200, and comes with a base station, a keypad, three door/window sensors, and a motion detector; you can purchase additional sensors if you so choose. Simplisafe’s professional monitoring fees start at $15/month, but if you want features such as smart home connectivity with Alexa, August, and Google Assistant, the fee increases to $25 per month.
Read our full Simplisafe Essentials review.
How to pick the best Alexa compatible devices for you
Just about every smart home product works with Alexa, so knowing which are the best can be tricky. Things you’ll want to consider include the following:
Design: Is this a well-made product? In the case of a smart plug, for instance, is it slim enough so that it doesn’t block your other outlet?
Functionality: What features does the smart home device have? If it’s a smart plug or a smart light, does it have a Home/Away feature, and can you schedule it to turn on at sunset?
Price: Often, the cheapest smart home device is not the best. You may be tempted by a cheaper gadget, but make sure it meets your needs before buying it.
How we test the best Alexa compatible smart home devices
When reviewing any smart home device, we look at a few things before assigning it a rating:
- Ease of setup: How simple is the device to install?
- Features: What features does the device have relative to others in its price range?
- Performance: Does it actually work as advertised? Is its app easy to use, with a sensible layout?
- Price: How expensive is it when compared to similar devices? While this isn’t the most critical criteria, it is a factor in its final rating.
If you’re loyal to a single smart assistant platform, here are the best Google Home compatible devices, best HomeKit devices, and best smart displays.
