Table of Contents
The Amazon Echo Flex is the least expensive way to get Alexa into your home. The small device plugs into a wall outlet and takes up about the same amount of space as some of the smallest smart plugs. Let’s get this straight right away. It’s not a very good smart speaker because it’s too small.
The Echo Flex’s low price and cleverly compact and convenient design make it possible for more people than ever to use Amazon’s Alexa voice-control technology. There are no cables, so it’s great if you want to set it up quickly in a bedroom, kitchen, or bathroom where you don’t want cables getting in the way.
Amazon Echo Flex specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Voice Assistant | Alexa |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| Audio | Built-in speaker |
| Size | 72mm x 67mm x 72mm |
| Price | $24.99 |
Amazon Echo Sub review: Design
The Echo Flex is only 72mm tall and 67mm wide, and when it’s plugged in, it sticks out from the wall only 40mm. Even though the Echo Flex is inexpensive, it has dual-band Wi-Fi, which means it can connect to your home router on either the 2.4GHz or 5GHz frequencies. At the top of the front panel, there is a small pair of microphones with a blue LED between them.
When you say “Alexa,” the blue LED lights up to let you know that it is listening. Right below the LED are two buttons. One turns off the microphones when you want some privacy, and the other lets you use Alexa without saying her name. However, you still have to talk to the Echo Flex for it to do anything. You can buy this speaker from its official website.
Amazon Echo Sub review: Setup
We had no problems with the setup process, and the Flex connected to the Wi-Fi network about a minute after we plugged it in. Even if the Flex is your first Echo device and you don’t have any other Echo speakers at home, you can set it up using the Alexa app just like you would any other Echo speaker.
Amazon Echo Sub review: Connectivity
The plug-and-play design is nice for how simple it is, and there are a lot of useful ways to connect it, like being able to hook it up to a good external speaker if you want to. Some people might not like how Amazon invades people’s privacy, but if you don’t mind Alexa listening in on your daily life, the Echo Flex is a great way to get started with voice-controlled devices.
Amazon Echo Sub review: Performance
We plugged the Echo Flex into a power outlet in my kitchen that was at counter height so we could test it. After we set it up, it worked exactly as it was supposed to and let me use all of Alexa’s voice command features. It let me use my voice to control my TP-Link Kasa smart lights and AmazonBasics microwave, including routines for dimming and brightening the lights. We asked Alexa about the weather and got a quick answer.
Amazon Echo Sub review: Sound quality
When you get past the Echo Flex’s boring design and bad sound quality (we’ll talk more about the Flex’s sound soon), you’ll see that it can do almost everything an Echo Dot can. For example, you can ask Alexa to do the usual things, like check the weather and tell you the scores of your favorite sports teams, turn on your lights, and turn on “Guard” mode (which makes Alexa keep an ear out for such suspicious sounds as breaking glass and wailing fire alarms).
Amazon Echo Sub review: Price
This small, flexible Alexa device first sold for $25, and even though it often goes on sale for $20 or less, it is still a great deal at its full price. Especially when you buy it with one of the attachments we’ll talk about in the next section of this review.
Final Words
If you have lights and plugs that you can control with Alexa in locations where even an Echo Dot could be an excessive amount of money to spend, the Echo Flex is an excellent addition to the Echo range, and it is ideal for you if you have these things. The fact that it isn’t a smart plug itself is unfortunate, but the attachments can make it even more useful than it already is.
Amazon Echo Flex Ratings
Amazon Echo Flex review: tHE GOOD and tHe BAD
The Good
- Compact and easy to use
- Affordable price point
- Voice assistant technology makes it convenient to use hands-free
- Multiple connectivity options with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
The BAD
- The built-in speaker may not be as powerful as some other smart speaker options
- Limited functionality compared to larger smart speakers like the Amazon Echo or Google Home.
FAQS
Is Echo Flex useful?
The Echo Flex is one of the Echo devices that is the easiest to use. It’s a small smart speaker that can be plugged into any outlet and also has a USB port. Not only that. It also works as a motion sensor and a night light.
What does Echo Flex do?
Echo Flex is mostly made to connect your smart home, so you can ask Alexa to do things like turn on the lights. Unlike other Echo devices, the Flex is not meant to be used as a speaker to listen to music, podcasts, and other audio.
Is an Amazon Echo Flex?
So, the Echo Flex comes into play. The Flex is a smart speaker that costs $24.99. It plugs directly into an electrical outlet and lets you use Alexa almost anywhere, like in the bathroom, laundry room, or garage.