Did you know that in the hundreds of options in the Alexa commands list, you can find essential controls for your smart home technology? Amazon’s Alexa is one of the best options for having centralized control over your smart home. Even if you have countless different brands of smart home devices, odds are that they can all be controlled by your Alexa devices.
Here’s what you need to know to use Alexa to control, and upgrade, your smart home with their own curated Alexa commands list.
What Is Alexa?
Alexa is an AI assistant that is owned and operated by Amazon.
This technology is specifically designed to give users the widest range of options possible when it comes to interacting with AI backed to technology. Alexa can be used to control smart home devices as well as answer complicated questions and even play games.
There is no service fee associated with using Alexa, but you will need one of Amazon’s Alexa devices in order to make the most out of this smart home assistant.
What Are The Different Models It Comes In?
Each year, Amazon releases new Alexa devices. Just as with other tech giants like Apple, you can expect to see updates roll out for Amazon’s Alexa devices throughout the year. Here are a few of the different models of Alexa.
Echo Dot
Amazon’s Echo Dot is more than just a smart speaker. This is a fully powered smart hub that can help you integrate your entire smart home ecosystem through one device. The Echo Dot works with Ring and Zig-Bee connectivity which allows you to weave together a wide range of smart home devices.
All of Amazon’s Echo technology can be controlled through Alexa voice commands.
Echo Show
The Echo Show is very similar to the Echo Dot. The biggest difference here is that the Echo Show features an 8in screen while the Echo Dot focuses on audio quality. The Echo Show is able to play movies as well as act like a digital picture frame.
It also functions as a central hub for your smart home and uses Alexa voice commands.
Echo Auto
Do you want all of the futures of a smart car, but don’t want to go through the hassle of buying a new vehicle?
Here’s where the Echo Auto comes in. This is one of the most interesting devices from Amazon. All you need to do is connect Echo Auto to your car using the auxiliary port or Bluetooth and you’ll have most of these smart voice commands that you would need in any regular smart car. You can make calls, change the music, and enjoy most of Alexa’s other features.
Echo Flex
This is Amazon’s smallest Alexa device.
The Echo Flex allows you to have a fine-tuned control over your smart home. You can put the Echo Flex in locations that you wouldn’t be able to fit another one of Amazon’s devices. Just simply plug it into a wall outlet and can enable any part of your home to become the new central command hub for your smart devices.
The Echo Flex might be small, but it comes packed with all of Alexa’s features.
Echo Studio
The Echo Studio is one of Amazon’s high-end Alexa devices. This is more than just a simple speaker, it’s designed to be a listening experience.
The Echo Studio makes for a great option for an Amazon Alexa enabled centerpiece. If you want to have a great listening experience in any room in your home, but don’t want to go through the hassle of installing a full speaker system, the echo studio is a great option for you.
How Much Does Alexa Cost?
There’s a few things we need to talk about when it comes to how much Alexa costs.
Getting access to the Alexa commands list means spending a little money. Alexa devices can range from a very affordable $30 all the way up to a few hundred dollars for the high-end options. Most individuals will spend around $50 on an Echo. Which is the basic model for Amazon Alexa enabled devices.
There’s some good news here though. There is no monthly fee associated with using Alexa or any of these devices. It will help you keep costs down and let you gain access to all of Alexa’s commands with just a one-time payment.
How You Can Use Alexa To Control Your Smart Home
There’s a few things that you’re going to need to know if you want to use Alexa to control your smart home.
The first thing is that Alexa will work with most smart devices. Always check with a manufacturer of your smart device before you add it to your smart home ecosystem. Alexa tends to work with pretty much everything since it’s one of the big three smart home assistants.
The next thing I need to know is how to train your voice. Don’t worry, you don’t actually have to train anything yourself. This is more about making sure that Alexa can’t understand you. Just say “Alexa, learn my voice” And this AI assistant will go through some basic exercises to better understand how you speak.
The last time saving tips for using Alexa to control your smart home is setting up some groups. Groups bring multiple smart home devices together and allow you to control several devices at once. Common groups include rooms like the bedroom and kitchen or you can group items by device such as connecting all of your lights to one group. You can add groups quickly in the Devices menu in the Alexa app.
The Full List Of Alexa Smart Home Commands
There are hundreds of things to do in the Alexa commands list. You’ll be able to do everything from play games to getting a read-out of your day’s scheduled activities. Here are the core smart home commands you’ll need to know to make the most out of a smart home ecosystem that uses Alexa.
- Turn Smart Devices On / Off – “Alexa, Turn On / Off [Device Name or Group Name]”
- Turn Scenes On / Off – “Alexa, Turn On / Off [Device or Scene Name]”
- Set the Brightness of Smart Lights – “Alexa, set [Device or Group] to ##%” or “Alexa, brighten / dim, [Device Name or Group Name]”
- Change a light’s color temperature – “Alexa, set light to light blue,” “Alexa, set light to warm white,” “Alexa, make the light warmer”
- Control a thermostat – “Alexa, set the [smart thermostat device] to ## degrees,” “Alexa, increase / decrease the [smart thermostat] temperature”
- Check your temperature – “Alexa, what is the temperature set to?”
- Control your smart microwave – “Alexa, microwave for [time],” or “Alexa, reheat 2 cups of coffee.”
- Toggle Alexa’s Guard Mode – “Alexa, I’m leaving,” or “Alexa, I’m home.”
- Control a smart fan – “Alexa, set my [smart fan device] to ##%.”
- View camera feed – “Alexa, view [smart security camera].”
- Control smart locks – “Alexa, lock / unlock my [smart lock device],” “Alexa, is my [smart lock device] locked?”
Creating Schedules With Alexa
Creating schedules is smart home 101.
With Alexa, schedules are known as routines. Here’s how you can quickly set up a routine with Alexa using either voice commands or by scheduling.
By Voice Command
Controlling your routines by voice command gives you an additional layer of utility. You can turn on and off these scheduled events simply by issuing a voice command to Alexa. Best of all, you’re able to determine the phrases that you use to get these routines started.
Here’s how to create one.
- Launch the Alexa app
- Tap “Routines”
- Tap the “+” icon
- Select the “Voice” option
- Type in your desired phrase
- Save
- Add any actions that you want this routine to include
- Save and exit
Your new voice command should start that routine whenever you ask Alexa.
By Schedule
Scheduled routines have the advantage of happening on a regular basis without needing your input. This is a great way to ensure that your doors are always locked when you leave home or your lights turn on a few minutes before you arrive. Schedules are best used to control routines that are going to be happening at the same time everyday.
Here’s how you can create a schedule routine.
- Launch the Alexa app
- Tap “Routines”
- Tap the “+” icon
- Select “When This Happens”
- Tap “Schedule”
- Set the time you want the scheduled command to go off
- Select “Repeat” to make this routine happen regularly throughout the week
- Add your actions. You can, for example, have Alexa start your favorite playlist when you get home from work each day.
- Hit Done to save and exit.
Your scheduled routine should be good to go.
Find Out What Smart Home Technology Can Do For You
There’s so much smart home technology out there today but it can be hard to choose what’s right for you. Sometimes the best way to pick smart home technology used to get it designed specifically for you. Everyone from homeowners to apartment renters are turning to smart home technology to make their lives easier and safer.
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