Among Amazon’s leading devices, such as Kindles and Fire TVs, Echos are particularly notable. These multifunctional smart home gadgets carry out a variety of tasks in nearly every room. Whether you need a smart speaker, an alarm clock, or a hub for other smart devices, there’s an Echo available to help. Amazon’s range of devices is consistently growing, and we’ve evaluated them to determine the top Echo devices for your smart home.
With the introduction of Alexa+, Echo devices have been upgraded with new AI capabilities.
If you are thinking about buying an Echo, there’s no need to pay full price. With Amazon Prime Day taking place from July 8 to 11, it’s an ideal opportunity to make a purchase. The discounts leading up to the event have been remarkable. Before Prime Day officially starts, you can discover Echo devices discounted by up to $60, so you can begin shopping right away.
Changes to Echo devices in 2025
For current Echo users or those planning to join, a significant change in 2025 will impact user privacy. Amazon has notified users via email that the “Do Not Send Voice Recordings” feature will be discontinued as of March 28, 2025. What does this entail?
Previously, the “Do Not Send Voice Recordings” setting permitted devices to handle requests locally without transmitting them to Amazon servers. With this setting being phased out, all requests will now be routed through Amazon servers. Moreover, if you keep this setting active post-change, you will forfeit access to the Voice ID feature.
While Amazon reassures that all information requests are encrypted and secure, it still implies that the retailer has access to all that information.
What can an Echo smart speaker do?
All Echo devices leverage Amazon Alexa’s AI features — it’s simply a preference for which style you choose. The Echo and Echo Dot are smart speakers that cater to music, phone calls, calendar alerts, or news notifications. Amazon Echo Show devices can perform all audio tasks but also provide colorful displays for video calls, streaming media, or organizing your day. Consider Echo Shows as stationary, budget-friendly tablets.
Most Echo devices are intended to function as smart hubs in your home, yet some are also portable. Echo Auto offers hands-free Alexa functionality for your car, while Echo Buds and Echo Frames are designed to accompany you anywhere.
What can Alexa+ do?
Alexa is to Amazon what Siri is to Apple, powering every Echo. However, Alexa has recently undergone a substantial upgrade. Enter Alexa+, a new AI-powered iteration of Alexa launched on Echo devices in March 2025. For Prime members, Alexa+ is included in their subscription, while non-members will incur a fee of $19.99 per month for access to this service.
Alexa is equipped to answer nearly any query you present. By simply speaking, you can start music, modify the volume, and set an alarm or timer. On devices like the Echo Show, you can also request Alexa to display recipes or respond to questions while cooking. With Alexa+, the AI assistant doesn’t just follow commands but can engage in chit-chat.
Here’s a brief list of what Alexa+ can accomplish:
– Deliver a highlight reel of the day’s security footage
– Read stories to children
– Organize a date night
– Secure restaurant reservations
– Manage your smart home tech from a single central hub
– Access your calendars and create reminders
– Provide answers to any inquiries you might have
– Make phone calls (and video calls with an Echo Show)
– Supply the latest weather and news updates
– Follow recipes
– Shop on Amazon
– Stream music (and video on an Amazon Echo Show)
– Play games
There are over 100,000 Alexa skills available through an Echo device, and Amazon continues to enhance this collection.
Alexa grows even more powerful when integrated with additional smart home technology. If you possess a smart thermostat or smart light bulbs that are compatible with the Alexa ecosystem, you can establish routines using your Echo. This could be as straightforward as instructing Alexa to switch on the lights in a particular room or programming Alexa to lower the thermostat prior to your return home.
If you’re prepared for an Alexa-driven household, check out the 10 best Amazon Echo devices of 2025.