Science

Black Friday 2018: 6 Best Amazon Smart Home Deals for Alexa Die-Hards

Make your house work for you.

The ideal smart home would adjust the thermostat just how you like it, know which episode you’re on in the the Netflix series you’ve been binging, and preheat the oven all while you’re still in bed. This is almost possible today, with the caveat being that early adopters usually need multiple devices and apps to control their lights, the temperature of their room, and their speaker. But ahead of this Black Friday Amazon is offering a cohesive smart home experience that won’t drain your bank account.

At the heart of every internet-connected home is a smart speaker or display that intertwines everything together. Amazon’s Echo speakers are currently dominating the competition, boxing out 61.9 percent of the market share according to a VoiceBot.ai Consumer Adoption and Attitudes report.

One explanation for why the Echo became what is arguably Amazon’s first major hardware win since the Kindle? The main reason is that Amazon’s ecosystem does a good job of tying a pretty broad array of IoT gadgets together under one app. If you’re looking to fill the gaps in your smart home’s connectivity, these are some of the best devices to look for.

6. Black Friday 2018: Echo Plus (2nd Gen) for $109.99

The best sound quality Amazon has to offer.

Amazon

The new Echo Plus will double as your smart home’s hub and your next house party’s boombox. It’s compatible with various smart bulbs, plugs, and sensors so you can ask Alexa to operate them for you.

The Echo Plus is the best sounding smart speaker Amazon has to offer. It comes with a 3-inch neodymium woofer and a 0.8-inch tweeter for crisp beats and booming bass.

5. Black Friday 2018: Echo Show (2nd Gen) for $179.99

Amazon's upgraded Echo Show looks like a picture frame that doubles as a touch screen.

amazon

If you’re more of a visual person, then consider picking up the all-new Echo Show. Smart displays have picked up steam lately with a multitude of new offerings that serve as a TV, video chat, and futuristic picture frame simultaneously.

The second-generation Echo Show packs a 10.1-inch display, eight microphones, and much like the Echo Plus acts like the mast of a smart home system.

4. Black Friday 2018: Amazon Smart Plug for $5 with any Echo device

Control  any appliance with Amazon's smart plug.

Amazon

If you end up purchasing the Echo Show or Plus, Amazon will throw in a smart plug for an additional $5. This deal is valid with the purchase of any Echo device, so that means the Dot, Spot, and Kids Edition can also get you this bargain.

That’s 80 percent off its original $25 asking price and it’ll immediately get put to use once you connect it to your speaker or display. Use it to schedule when turn on lights, fans, and other appliances without lifting a finger.

3. Black Friday 2018: 4K Fire TV Cube for $59.99

Amazon's Fire TV Cube that supports 4K video.

Flickr / ekosunaryo

This is the best deal Amazon is offering on any of its Fire TV devices and it’s perfect for movie buffs and 4K TV owners.

This cubical gadget imbues your TV with Alexa skills and gives it access to over 500,000 movies and series episodes from Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, HBO, and more. At 50 percent off, it’s could be worth considering if you already have a 4K TV.

2. Black Friday 2018: Ring Video Doorbell 2 and Echo Dot for $139

The Ring Video Doorbell 2 works in sync with Echo Show devices.

Amazon

The Ring Video Doorbell will keep you from having to drop what you’re doing when someone is at the door. When active, it broadcasts video from your front door straight to your phone or Echo Show and it’s getting a $60 discount.

Plus Amazon will throw in a free Echo Dot speaker with every purchase of this smart doorbell.

1. Black Friday 2018: Philips Hue Smart Lighting 40 Percent Off

Finally, what is a smart home without internet-connected lights? Pick up a few of these for the low and hook them up to your Echo device so you can begin forgetting about your light switch.

Clap-activated lights are so last decade. Now all you have to do is open your front door and let Alexa know you’re home.