Amazon Echo Flex Review: Alexa Smart Speaker with Motion Sensor and Night Light
We have spent a few days with the new Amazon smart speaker and we are ready to give you our opinion and the complete Echo Flex analysis , a smart small speaker with Alexa integrated that comes at a very attractive price.
It’s not a surprise that Amazon has launched its new smart speaker right on time for Black Friday.
Throughout this last year we have talked to you about the smart speakers and analyzed the Amazon Echo, and we have also expressed our opinion about Google Assistant and Siri.
Now, it is time to welcome the most unique smart speaker we have in the market, the Echo Flex.
The smallest Echo to date ... and without cable
We started the review of the Amazon Echo Flex talking about design. Smart speakers, with exceptions, are usually cylindrical in shape and have a cable that goes to the external power supply, which is the one that we connect to the plug. Not anymore
In the front part there are practically all its elements, highlighting the status light and slots. On the right side we have a 3.5 mm jack port to output audio to external speakers.
At the bottom a USB that gives a power of 7.5 W. This USB can be used both to attach the original accessories made by Amazon or for any other USB compatible devices.
The design is elegant, weighs just 154 grams and it has two microphones. For example the Amazon Echo has fewer microphones, and its range is not too high either.
It is discreet, it does not have a hanging cable and consumes only 2 watts per hour, 3 if we connect the USB light. It is a very, very low energy consumption.
Amazon Echo Flex Cons: Short Mic Range - Sound Quality - Slow USB Charging - Alexa limitations
Amazon Echo Flex Pros: Small and versatile - USB charging devices -Without wires in between - Price
Alexa, for the good and the bad
Who is the best assistant? Many say that Google Assistant, others that Alexa ... and Siri would be in third place, since it has lagged behind Amazon and Google, but there is no clear answer in the case of the first two.
The two companies are gradually improving their assistants with new types of responses, new routines and algorithms to make them more useful, and the truth is that we have reached a point where we can hold a conversations with the speakers.
One of the advantages of Alexa is that it is customizable . Anyone can develop new apps that extend the possibilities of the system and allow us to play games, order food at home or even buy tickets, for example.
We can create response routines and actions (turn on / off the lights at a certain time or with a specific order), we can ask for data, we can consult restaurants near home, see the traffic level etc.
In addition, it has recently been updated with a new feature. For example, when we buy something from Amazon, as Alexa is set up with our Amazon account, an orange light appears that means something is on it’s way. If we ask what notification you have, it tells us the content of the package you are about to receive.
Now, Alexa has surprised me by saying that I have two packages and mentioned the dates they will arrive.
The best part is that it will not say what the content of the package is because Christmas is approaching and Amazon knows that we take advantage of Black Friday to buy gifts. Nobody will ruin your surprise!
That is pretty cool indeed, what I don't like so much is that we still need a premium Spotify account to listen to music, for example, but we'll talk about that later. Now it's time to pay attention to USB.
A USB that gives a lot of play
This USB has power to charge devices that we have at home such as wireless headphones or toothbrushes. Anything we have via USB, can be charged or powered directly by the Flex thanks to the power of 7.5 W.
Amazon allow us to expand the possibilities of Flex and we can order some extra accessories like ambient light or a motion sensor.
These devices are elegantly coupled to the Flex, and the truth is that they do not break the design at all as you can see in the images. We have done the review of the Echo Flex with the ambient light, and the truth is that we liked it.
It is an RGB LED light that allows us to change the color at our own will, although it also serves to notify us of notifications (shining in the mentioned orange color when we are going to receive something), and we do not have to configure anything.
As soon as we plug in the add-on all we have to do is say an "Alexa, turn on the light" and we are done.
The kitchen and bathroom is its natural environment
Where have I used it?
Actually, I have been walking the Flex throughout the house, and I have even replaced the Dot in the kitchen with this to see how it is.
He has accompanied me to set timers and ask for data while I cook, but in the end he ended up to the bathroom because, although it looks good on the wall, I also listen to music in the kitchen and the Flex is not worth it.
In the bathroom which is not very big in my case, if you play music, it will be heard throughout the space, and also it’s nice to have the night light and have a point of light without disturbing anyone with my night excursions . I am also able to take advantage of the USB to charge toothbrushes.
Don't buy it if you want to listen to music
If you want to listen to music, things change. If you have Amazon Prime, you have access to a lot of songs, and you can also subscribe to Prime Music. However, just as the Dot does sound great for its size, the Flex does not comply.
The 15 mm loudspeaker is excessively small and in my opinion any song sounds canned and is not the best experience.
The smart speakers are very useful and the truth is that they have entered quite well in the market. The users had some reservations at the beginning regarding privacy, but in the end they have turned to be one of the best-selling small gadgets in 2019.
Echo Flex does not have cables and this is one of its best assets, does not consume much and, in addition, it has the USB power, that allow charging the mobile or other devices without the need for an adapter.
The sound power is not his strong point, but if that does not matter to you, I think it is the best Amazon Echo to start playing with smart speakers, and a good first pillar when it comes to building a smart home.
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