Alexa

[KeepYourCup]

Which is the best one to get? My 10yo loves music but doesn't have anything to play his own stuff on currently. I thought an Alexa with a subscription for music seemed quite a good idea as I know they have other fun quirks as well.

I considered getting one for the household from Santa, but it doesn't really appeal to me personally and it would piss me off with everyone barking questions at it constantly, any advice?

I've seen the newer ones with a screen, is it worth paying extra for them?

I take it waiting for Black Friday is the best time to buy?

My two (11 & 9 then) got one each last year and they've been brilliant. Excellent for playing music and no need for an extra subscription if you already have prime. They do annoying stuff on it sometimes (she does a huge variety of different types of fart noises if prompted ) but mainly she's used for music.

I paid £25 each last Black Friday and would feel they'd been worth it if I'd paid twice that as they're in constant use.

Thanks duchess... I'm sure DS would appreciate the fart noises I'll definitely hold off for Black Friday for a good deal.

He had an expensive borthday present in September so this seems like a cool gift without bring too expensive.

Ours are in constant use (by me!) around the house for listening to music and audiobooks and we're getting DS one for Christmas. We just have the Echo Dots. I have no idea if the ones with screens are worth it but since he's permanently attached to his iPad I figured probably not.

Also ours are linked to our heating and our lights by Hive, which is a great feature! Alexa, switch the heating on! Alexa, goodnight (all lights and plugs switch off).

Should add that I don't have prime.... I dont buy alot from Amazon, is there much diffrrence between Spotify and Amazon Music?

I have a few, I was given an echo spot as a gift last year and while it looks nice I don't think it's much more use than the dots. I have amazon prime but don't use it with Alexa in case I order a bunch of things. I use Spotify and radio stations mostly. I can also control my smart bulbs and heating which is good.

I have one and use Spotify. No difference at all just to start you need to remind Alexa to "play xxx on Spotify" rather than just "play xxx". We have the little one, can't remember what it's called, as it's mainly used for music and it's ideal. Don't know if the bigger ones are better if you want to link your whole house up to Alexa (light switches etc) but the little one sounds fine for what you are after

I was thinking he might enjoy one of the fancy lights as well... but theyre a ridiculous price!

Thanks all for your advice, sounds like the basic Dot will do the job.

If you are getting it primarily for music the speaker on the Echo is far far superior to the dot (we have main one then dots scattered around the house) so it would be worth paying the extra

My son has the newest Echo Dot in his bedroom, and in all honesty it is fine for his use, which is mainly music, relaxing sounds, and asking daft questions.

DS is also 10 and his echo dot is perfectly good enough for him. He has one of the cheaper smart bulbs which are ok but sometimes don’t respond how they should!

Following this for my 9 year old who desperately wants one
I saw the dot and the light bulb is £75
Could I just link it to the Wi-Fi and have it in his bedroom?
Does he need a tablet or anything to connect it too?
I have prime so he can have the music.
I saw one with a clock on for an extra £10.

He won't need a tablet for it, I have the app on my phone to set it up, stop voice purchases, and generally keep an eye on what he is doing. We just have basic ones and he asks Alexa what the time is.

I am debating getting a dot for myself as old Bluetooth speaker (which was just a cheapy from Argos) has died.

But - my tablet (fire kindle 3 years old) is also starting to go on me so was thinking of replacing that too and don't know if it will be with another fire tablet or a different android tablet.

Do I need an amazon tablet for dot to work?

Also I think I read dot only works when plugged in it's not a rechargeable battery deal?

That seems a bit annoying and restrictive if so and certainly not clear on the advertising.

I don't need it to be very loud but the speaker on the tablet is honestly crap and even the cheap Argos speaker was louder!

@Graphista nope, we're an apple household and we're fine, I have the app on my phone. I find the speaker on the new gen dot to be pretty decent, the older one I have is a bit tinny.
They do only work when plugged in, no battery option at the moment and you need some kind of WiFi/hotspot connection so not as mobile as a Bluetooth speaker depending on what you want to use it for.

Me again, just to say I switched from Spotify to Amazon Music and am really happy with it. With Spotify it annoyed me cos you have to say "Alexa, play hello by Adele from spotify" whereas with amazon music you just say "Alexa, play hello by Adele"

Alexa compatible smart plugs are around a tenner on amazon, great for things like lamps. DS loves to say "Alexa, goodnight" and the lights in his room and his computer switch off.

Thanks for the reply.

I have stupidly placed sockets in my place (rented) which is why rechargeable battery would be better. But I could manage with mains powered.

I have fire tablet and iPhone at the moment.

Think I need to replace tablet too but not sure whether to get another fire tablet or a different android one, can't afford iPad though it would be nice to get one.

I’m not sure if they’re still doing it but I recently got an Eco Dot for 99p if I signed up to Amazon Unlimited music for £7.99pcm but you can (and I have) cancel after a month so ours cost £8.98. I was planning on getting one for DD’s room as a joint Christmas present anyway so that was a good saving.

Ooh I'll look into that, Thankyou Maxine.

Echo dot is down to £22 today, I'm going to buy it. Thought I'd post incase you hadn't yet!

The Echo is also a great deal today.

I think if you set up Spotify as your primary music service, you don’t have to specify ‘on Spotify’

When is that offer on til do we know?

Amazons Black Friday deals are until 29th.

Do keep an eye though I bought something yesterday from Amazons Black Friday deals it was originally £119.99 I paid £49.99 and today it’s £79.99. It wasn’t an amazon product though and I’m unsure if their own products fluctuate.