Best Alexa Devices for 2021: How to Control Your Whole Home With Your Voice

Alexa still dominates smart home control. Thanks to recent developments, Amazon's voice assistant offers even more impressive integration, from smart thermostats to smart light bulbs. 

In 2020, Amazon released dozens of new products and Alexa features, including the Amazon Echo smart speaker, which many people love. The list of the best Alexa devices can be updated constantly, but we will cover the most popular gadgets available today. 

Amazon Echo (4th Generation)

The spherical speaker costs $100, twice the price of the 4th-generation Echo Dot, but better sound quality and some intriguing smart home features justify the extra cost. First, the new speaker stands out from the rest with its shape. 

The spherical 4th-generation version has noticeably better audio output, including respectable bass for a speaker in this price range. As for the smart home, the 4th-generation Echo also has a built-in Zigbee receiver, inherited from the now-discontinued Amazon Echo Plus. 

The Zigbee receiver allows the speaker to work as a smart home hub for compatible bulbs, outlets and other accessories. This means the Echo can be used as a hub without needing additional equipment to connect these devices to the network. 

Wyze Cam

The third-generation camera costs just $20, yet this smart home device is one of the most loved cameras among many users. It comes with a waterproof housing, sharper night vision, a wide field of view, a loud siren and many other advantages, including 14-day video storage and a built-in microSD memory card slot. 

If you have an Echo Show smart display, you can show the Wyze Cam feed on the screen with a simple voice command. 

Ring Peephole Cam

The $150 camera is a unique Amazon product. Instead of mounting to the door frame or somewhere beside the door, the Peephole Cam replaces the traditional peephole. This Amazon Alexa-compatible device is ideal for apartment dwellers who want a smart doorbell but do not want to deal with wiring or otherwise damage the door frame during installation. 

None of Ring's main competitors offers this kind of seamless solution for apartment residents, which makes this doorbell especially innovative among others. In addition, the Peephole Cam is very easy to install and has advanced Alexa integration. 

Live video can be activated on an Amazon smart display. You can also talk to whoever is at your door through the built-in speaker on the smart display using the command "Alexa, answer the front door." This two-way talk feature is unique to the Ring device. 

Ecobee Smart Thermostat

This $250 smart thermostat is compatible with Alexa. The model replaced the Ecobee4 smart thermostat but offers many of the same great features. 

Control the smart thermostat through the Ecobee app and use voice commands from Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri to adjust the temperature. However, voice control with Alexa works better. You won't need a separate Echo device: just connect the thermostat, turn on the speaker and start asking Alexa questions. 

Amazon Echo Show 8

Amazon's newest smart display costs $110. You get an 8-inch screen with the best resolution of all Echo Show models, a camera shutter and all the smart capabilities of the company's previous smart displays. 

The Echo Show 8 has a built-in Alexa speaker, so you can use it to ask Alexa to play music, give the weather or simply tell a joke. The display offers expanded compatibility with Alexa-enabled surveillance cameras. 

August Wi-Fi Smart Lock

An excellent smart lock that fits most standard doors, so you won't have to deal with complicated installation. Built-in Wi-Fi lets you remotely access and control the lock through an Android or iOS app without using the August Connect module.

The device features an open/close sensor called DoorSense, which attaches to the door with the smart lock. Using the app, you can see not only whether the door is locked, but also whether it is open or closed. The device is compatible with Alexa, so you can lock and unlock the door with your voice through the smart speaker. 

SimpliSafe

A reliable DIY home security system with many accessories, so it can be scaled as needed. The $160 starter kit includes a hub, a keypad remote, entry sensors and a motion sensor. 

SimpliSafe also works with Alexa, so you can arm the system and check its status with simple voice commands. The monthly fee starts at $15 for app access and rises to $25 if you want professional monitoring. 

Philips Hue White LED

The latest version of the smart bulb works with ZigBee and Bluetooth. Adding Bluetooth matters a lot for Philips Hue, because it means you don't need the company's hub for the smart bulbs to work. Instead, they connect directly to your phone and work with Alexa voice commands. Ask the voice assistant to turn off the living room light or dim the dining room light to 70%. 

TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini

This small $12 smart plug connects via Wi-Fi directly to an outlet and turns lamps, fans and other gadgets into smart devices. Use the TP-Link app to connect and control devices, or connect Alexa and use your voice. You can say "Alexa, turn on the reading lamp" so the Plug Mini smart plug easily controls the devices connected to it. 

Amazon Echo Flex

This tiny $25 smart speaker plugs directly into an outlet. It offers all the smart features, plus a USB port for additional modules such as a motion detector and a night light. Flex can perform many functions, helping to improve home security and extend the audible range of Alexa. 

Adding a motion sensor also means Alexa can create automations based on your movement, such as turning on the light when you enter a room or reading the morning news when you sit down to breakfast. 

Amazon's voice assistant makes it easier to control devices in your home, set timers and find out how long your trip to the office will take. Although privacy is becoming an increasingly serious concern as the popularity of smart speakers and displays grows.