As a long-time user of many Echos and Echo Dots, and a long-time user of Insteon Smarthome lighting stuff from within the Alexa ecosystem, I was anxious to get my hands on the new Echo Plus with built-in Zigbee hub. Here is my review so far after checking it out for a few days. I bought the kit with the single Philips Hue White bulb, so that's all I was testing it with.
This is mostly a review of both the Echo Plus *and* the bulb, since most everyone knows how awesome a basic Echo is by now...
Some good stuff:
-- there is no 3rd party smartphone app needed for the light. All the initial config, and subsequent management, takes place through the Alexa app on your phone.
-- Initial config was mind-blowingly simple. I screwed in the light so it was powered up, and told the Alexa app to discover devices. It came back and said "Found New Bulb 1" and that was that. After that, I could rename it, adjust it, turn it off and on, etc. via the Alexa app.
-- Voice control was a no-brainer. On/off, set to X%, etc. Brighten/Dim also worked but seemed to jump by pretty large steps, like 50% to 75% as far as I could tell.
-- You can definitely create "groups" of lights.
-- You can definitely create lighting schedules through the "Routines" in the Alexa app (which, by the way, could also be programmed to start/stop music at certain times?! Did not know that.)
-- You can definitely use the Alexa app to check status & control the lights even when away from home.
-- Because it's Zigbee, and unlike setting up Wifi bulbs such as the TP-Link bulbs, initial config doesn't require "breaking" the current wifi connection. That makes it easier for me to remote-control or remotely view the smartphone screens of my friends and family to help troubleshoot their lighting setups remotely.
-- The affordable white Philips Hue "60 watt" bulb that came with my purchase is a great bulb, with virtual 360 degree light shine and a pleasant, warm-type of glow. I mean it really looks white, not amber or anything, don't get me wrong, but it is very pleasant, smooth white light.
Now for a few caveats...
-- The "Routines" in the Alexa app only recognize time of day as a trigger -- not, say, sunrise or sunset. Hopefully they will enhance this in the near future because OBVIOUSLY we'd like to set lighting schedules by sunrise/sunset (as well as sunset minus X minutes, etc).
-- The light bulb, being dimmable, doesn't work quite so well if it's also attached to a dimmer. I put mine in a torchiere light that has a dimmer (all the way up, of course) and the bulb looks fine & normal at full or near-full intensity, but had a slight, annoying flicker at lower intensities. This is to be expected, I guess, since most dimmers screw with the power transmission "downstream" a bit, even when on 100%. NOTE: If the bulb is in a NORMAL on/off lamp with NO dimmer, there is NO flickering problem at all.
--The light bulb remembers its last intensity when you turn it back on. Although this is generally a good thing, there is a downside: If the last intensity was 100%, and you say "Alexa, set Bulb 1 to 20%", the bulb will (very briefly) come on at 100% before quickly readjusting to the requested 20%. Slightly annoying but by no means a showstopper.
-- The bulb is not infinitely dimmable; it bottoms out at about 2-3%, for a level that I would say is a bright nightlight. So, there's no going down to pure candlelight levels.
-- White bulbs are quite affordable. However Philips Hue full-color bulbs are crazy expensive; hope they will drop in price soon. Didn't have a full-color bulb to play with so I can't confirm how well the Alexa app controls the hue changes.
And now for some NON-SMARTHOME observations:
-- Although sound quality is supposed to be better on the Echo Plus than the Echo, to my ears they sound very similar so don't expect to hear too much improvement, if any. I could maybe tell a bit better treble presence. I'm not a heavy bass guy so I don't know if it handles deep bass better. On the music I normally listen to, I did an A/B test and really couldn't discern an improvement worth noting. Of much greater importance to the sound is where you place it -- I have an Echo next to a hollow drywall wall, and it sounds WAY huger (due to the sympathetic vibrations/resonance) than another Echo that is next to a cement block wall.
-- Major disappointment, which is why I'm giving it four stars instead of five: The new AUX port is pretty stupid, in that when you plug something into it, it disables the internal speaker. To me, whether we wanted the internal speaker disabled should've been controllable via an app setting. I looked, and could find no such app setting. What I was hoping to do was plug it into my stereo, but still use the internal speaker when the stereo was off. WELL TOO BAD, NO DICE. In addition to turning the stereo on & off manually, I would also have to plug & unplug the AUX cable manually. That's just dumb. Essentially, using the AUX port turns this pricey device into a glorified "Dot"... what's the point? I'd be better off using a separate Dot connected to my stereo. Perhaps this is fixable in a firmware upgrade?
That's it. Short version: Absolutely DO get the Echo Plus if you want to get started with Zigbee-style smarthome stuff and don't want to mess with a separate hub and separate smartphone app -- it should work great!!!
First let me state I received the kit with bulb and plug for Christmas and the price was great, BEFORE the new year. I thought about purchasing or asking for this for some time. Now that I have it, I really like it. And it will take time to find out everything it can do. I feel it works far better than SIRI and I love my apple products.
I had to change names using ATT WIFI even though ATT says not to in order for Echo plus to work with WIFI. Just bought an Echo dot before price increase and have it in Kitchen for mostly voice commands, since speakers are weak. BUT it can attach to a bluetooth speaker which is great.
The Echo Plus has discovered the Phillips bulb easily and works perfectly!
The Echo Plus sounds really good.
You won't see a "verified purchase" with my review because I received it as a gift.
We received our Echo Plus as a gift. I still have not found how to "register" it, cannot get it to stay connected to the internet, it won't connect to the wifi through my phone... absolute constant setup problems. I tried resetting it, unplugging it, etc. Will be looking into returning ours. Disappointed.
**Update**
1* to 4*
I later figured out it was an iPhone 5C Alexa App problem, not the actual device. I set it up through my laptop after hitting the reset button and playing with the wifi. It is now working. Disappointed that it says we can use Spotify and iHeart Radio, but it turns out it can only connect to the premium versions. But at least it connects to Pandora and the light bulb thing is pretty cool! I also experimented with the call feature and volume up down. Pretty neat now that we are getting it setup!
I really enjoy this version of Echo. I upgraded my main floor from a Dot, which is now on our bedroom floor. I'm an admitted nerd and so this is just fun. It's not going to save the world, but it's a fabulous enhancement. I use the built-in hub for light bulbs, Nest thermostat and Fire TV. I listen to music, and the audio on this is much better than the Dot. It's quite acceptable to non-audiophiles. My take is that it's an inexpensive way to add some fun and utility to one's home.
So.. I typically dont write reviews so when I do, to me it means a lot to take the time to write one. First, I just got this as a Christmas gift. Three words.. I LOVE IT!!! The speaker quality is great the volume is pretty loud for the size of the device. Set up is fairly easy however, you have to download the Amazon Alexa app for setup. The device can connect to your Pandora account which is great, it also provides a list of options for music to connect to ex: Pandora, Spotify, iheart radio, siriusxm and more. I'm still learning the features and really look forward to exploring all of its features. It has reminders and alarms. I am able to connect my light to it and ask Alexa to dim or raise the light to ex: 50% with the philips light bulb (I believe sold separately) . I asked Alexa to tell me a story she did. It was very interesting and entertaining. She knows recipes which can come in handy.
Feature Product
- To set up your free bulb, plug in and set up your Echo Plus, plug in your bulb, and ask, "Alexa, discover my devices."
- Echo Plus is a simple way to start your smart home. It has a built-in ZigBee smart home hub, which allows for simple and direct setup of compatible ZigBee lights, locks, sensors, plugs, and in-wall switches from brands like Philips Hue, GE, and Yale. No additional hub required.
- Echo Plus connects to Alexa-a cloud-based voice service-to play music, make calls, set timers and music alarms, ask questions, check traffic and weather, and more-instantly.
- Just ask for a song, artist, or genre from Amazon Music, Spotify, Pandora, and more. With multi-room music, you can play music on your Echo devices in different rooms. Echo Plus can also play Audible audiobooks, radio stations, news briefs, and more.
- Call or message almost anyone hands-free with your Echo device. Also, instantly connect to other Echo devices in your home using just your voice.
- Improved speakers with Dolby processing deliver crisp vocals and extended bass to fill the room with immersive, 360° audio. Adjust the treble, mid, and bass levels with your voice.
- With seven microphones, beamforming technology, and noise cancellation, Echo hears you from any direction-even while music is playing
- Alexa is always getting smarter and adding new features and skills. Just ask Alexa to control your TV, request an Uber, order a pizza, and more.
Description
Echo Plus is a hands-free speaker you control with your voice, with a built-in smart home hub. It connects to the Alexa Voice Service to play music, ask questions, make calls, provide information, news, sports scores, weather, and more—instantly. All you have to do is ask.
Echo Plus has 360° room-filling sound, and can hear you from across the room from any direction. It is always getting smarter as Alexa continues to add additional features. With a built-in smart home hub and simple setup for compatible connected devices, starting your smart home or integrating into your existing system is now easier than ever.
Echo Plus has a built-in hub that seamlessly connects and controls compatible smart devices such as light bulbs, door locks, switches, and plugs. Setting up new smart home devices with Alexa is easy. Just say "Alexa, discover my devices" and Echo Plus will discover and set up compatible smart home devices.
Switch on the lamp before getting out of bed or turn on the coffee maker without lifting a finger. Control multiple devices at scheduled times or with a single voice command, like locking the doors and turning off the lights when you go to bed. Simple setup works with a variety of Zigbee lights, locks, and plugs from leading brands such as Philips Hue, GE, Kwikset, and more.
Like other Echo devices, Echo Plus can connect to other Wi-Fi and Bluetooth smart home devices with the Alexa app. Control lights, outlets, TVs, thermostats, and more from WeMo, TP-Link, Sony, Insteon, ecobee, and others.
Voice control your music
With a 2.5” downward-firing woofer and .8” tweeter, Echo Plus has crisp highs, deep bass, and 360° audio to fill your room with music. Play from Amazon Music, Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, and more. You can also listen to Audible, podcasts, radio stations, news briefs, and more.
Want to play music on an Echo in another room? Now with multi-room music, you can tell Alexa to play across your compatible Echo devices. Tell Alexa to play jazz in the office, soundtracks in the family room, or play the same song across your whole house.
With Echo Plus, you can talk to almost anyone hands-free—no tapping or searching required. Use the Drop In feature when you want to connect instantly with compatible Echo devices in your home. For example, you can ask someone for help with a chore, or remind the kids to go to sleep—without having to raise your voice. With Alexa Announcements you can also use Echo Plus to broadcast a quick, one-way message to all other Echo devices in your home.
Making calls with Alexa is easy. Your contacts will see your number when they receive the call so they know who is calling. Set up your voice profile and teach Alexa to recognize your voice. When you say, “Alexa, call Mom”, Alexa will call your mom, even if you have multiple users in your home. Additionally, you can send messages via voice or text to anyone with a supported Echo device or the Alexa App.
Far-field voice recognition
Tucked under the light ring is an array of seven microphones that use beamforming technology and enhanced noise cancellation. The 2nd generation Echo has improved wake-word performance to hear you ask a question from any direction—even in noisy environments or while playing music at loud volumes.
When you want to use Echo, simply say the wake word, “Alexa,” and Echo lights up and connects to the cloud, where the Alexa Voice Service recognizes and responds to your request instantly.
Alexa has skills
Echo Plus uses tens of thousands of skills and counting. Ask about your daily commute, control your Sony smart TV, play Jeopardy!, check your account balance with American Express, and more. To enable a new skill, just ask Alexa.
New skills are being added all the time. You can also see ratings and reviews to learn what other customers are saying about the thousands of skills available in the Alexa App.
Alexa is always getting smarter — the more you use Echo, the more Alexa adapts to your speech patterns, vocabulary, and personal preferences. And because Echo is always connected, updates are delivered automatically.
Just in the last few months we’ve added Alexa calling and messaging, multi-room music, and reminders, along with skills from third-party developers.
I work in "CyberSecurity" and to be honest I avoided products like the Echo and their kin due to privacy/security concerns. However, after discovering Amazon now has the option of enabling Two-Factor-Authentication for accounts (I opted to use my Google Authenticator App), and PIN secured purchasing for voice commands... I decided to give it a try. So I purchased it, and it came the next day (no joke, like 26 hours later it was in my hands)
My Echo Plus was EXTREMELY easy and quick to setup (I had preloaded the Alexa App on my phone, so I was ready to go once it arrived). So, here's the part where I was expecting to hate life... adding the Philips light-bulb. I figured it was going to fail several times, not discover it, just all in all be difficult... but it wasn't. I literally told alexa to discover my devices... and it found the light, added it... and that was it! BTW, Telling alexa to "dim my first light to 50%" or "brighten my first light to 100%" is pretty darn cool.
I think the product is great, my kids LOVE asking it questions (It understands my 4 year old perfectly, even when she has a stutter or changes the question mid sentence). I would recommend this product to anyone (provided you enable your 2FA and PIN'ing... which you should really be doing with every online service you use)
Amazing. I absolutely love my Echo. I never leave reviews, but I had to because Alexa is awesome. She’s much smarter than Siri and is actually useful. She understands all my commands and is super easy and intuitive to program. She gives the news, facts and plays games. The Echo connected with my Lowe’s Iris hub and my Honeywell thermostat and now controls everything. Including the lights on my Christmas tree.
One small warning: when I realized how well it worked on my three smart light switches, I ran out and immediately bought a bunch more, a wall plug and another Echo dot. It’s addictive!
I cannot atest to sound quality compared to previous versions, but i think the sound is fine, especially when compared to other blue tooth speakers. Its nowhere as good as my soundbar, but its fine for casual listening. My echo plus is linked to my SmartThings hub, and controls various lights, fans, my pet camera, and my TV. If you have no experience with smarthome features and expect this to be a space age sci-fi system like Jarvis from Ironman you will be disappointed. But if you are familiar with home automation its a nice addition. It doesnt come close to replacing a real hub, but its a start for anyone that wants to try out simple things. Alexa responds well, and rarely doesnt understand what i am trying to tell her to do. After a week of controlling things with my voice, we added an echo dot to the bedroom becuase its convenient to yell at someone else to turn off your lights, set alarms, get weather, and adjust the fan.
I don’t understand what all of the negative reviews are about. I’ve owned my Echo Plus for over a month now and I am fully satisfied. I think the sound is impressive and it controls all of my smart devices without issue. I would recommend the Echo Plus to anyone looking to control multiple smart home devices. Make sure they are Alexa-Certified!
5 for the hub!
4 for the alexa service!
It wan't really listening correctly.
I have an echo dot, show, fire tv stick, echo (1 gen) and this Echo Plus is amazing!
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