Want Alexa to control a light, what do I need?

[AlbusPercival]

I want to buy an echo dot for the bedroom to play audible books for me during night feeds and low level Spotify stuff at night.

Ideally it would also turn the main room light on for me so I can hunt for dummies etc.

Can anyone tell me exactly what I need?

[olderthanyouthink]

Theres a few options (well more than a few but these are the ones that come to mind)

You could use a LIFX bulb (probably the cheapest), you don't need a hub for this.
<a class="break-all" href="//www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B016KB5OZI/ref=s9_acsd_bw_wf_a_samsung_cdl_16?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-12&pf_rd_r=XN1Y5GW3E20WMA65Y0K8&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=a5f0fa8c-b373-4205-ab78-2af1ce7df114&pf_rd_i=12093783031&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">White shades
<a class="break-all" href="//www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B018NNBJ4G/ref=s9_acsd_bw_wf_a_samsung_cdl_14?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-12&pf_rd_r=XN1Y5GW3E20WMA65Y0K8&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=a5f0fa8c-b373-4205-ab78-2af1ce7df114&pf_rd_i=12093783031&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">Colours

Philips Hue, you'll need a bulb and the bridge (hub)
<a class="break-all" href="//www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=lp_11385940031_nr_n_1?fst=as%3Aoff&rh=n%3A79903031%2Cn%3A%21425574031%2Cn%3A%21425575031%2Cn%3A11385940031%2Cn%3A11385942031&bbn=11385940031&ie=UTF8&qid=1485600989&rnid=11385940031&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">Hub and bulbs

Theres also SmartThings. You buy a hub and then bulbs, sensors, switches, cameras etc and then Alexa can control this stuff
Alexa & SmartThings
<a class="break-all" href="//www.amazon.co.uk/b/ref=s9_acss_bw_cg_ASHBan_3b1?node=12093783031&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-1&pf_rd_r=AJ4193P124K892JMEJXT&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=b4c43d93-7101-4cc4-b513-969485bd1718&pf_rd_i=11385940031&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">Selection of devices

If you just want the light the first option should do, you can always have the Home of the Future later.

Tip: remember if you turn the light off at the switch Alexa can't turn it back on, because you cut the power.

[rslsys]

If you just want on/off control of an existing bedside lamp (or any other 'plugged in' device) then www.maplin.co.uk/p/tp-link-hs100-wi-fi-smart-plug-a01wy?cmpid=ppc&gclid=CjwKEAiAn7HEBRDHwNqitoWqsQcSJAADWmI2S4Rz1iKfJKt5i3UGZC_WUdyDNnnNnKQEj_XUQGV7FRoCLNLw_wcB

Will give you it via Alexa and cheaper too!