Thanks to the recognition of Amazon’s Echo good speaker and Alexa digital assistant, a cottage business of add-ons and equipment has sprung as much as make the Echo, Echo Dot, and Echo Tap even higher. Make your Echo/Alexa machine transportable. Improve the Echo’s sound high quality. Hang your Echo machine on the wall and even mount it inside your ceiling. A cornucopia of after-market devices can accomplish these methods and extra.The entry level
We’ve put our palms on 16 of the very best Echo equipment available on the market in order that we cannot solely inform you of their existence however let you know how they carry out and allow you to know of any potential drawbacks. Updated March 25, 2019 so as to add our overview of the Ninety7 Sky Tote Battery Base, an adjunct that permits an Amazon Echo (2nd Generation) function off battery energy for as much as eight hours at a time, so you’ll be able to take the good speaker with you wherever.All-device equipmentEchogear Outlet shelfIf you have got an outlet that’s in the midst of your wall and unobstructed by design components corresponding to a countertop backsplash, Echogear’s Outlet Shelf ($15 on Amazon) can accommodate not simply any Echo machine but in addition bigger gadgets corresponding to a Sonos One speaker (there’s a weight restrict of 10 kilos). Michael BrownThis plastic shelf replaces your outlet cowl (extra-long screws and steel plates for each types of shops are supplied to safe it to the receptacle). The shelf is above the outlet, and the ability cable passes by a gap within the again. The “legs” of the shelf are extensive sufficient to accommodate even massive wall warts, however it may be difficult to cover the surplus cable for smaller objects like an Echo Dot (you may need to change the usual cable with a stub cable in such conditions).Amazon Echo (2nd era) accessoriesNinety7 Sky Tote Portable Battery BaseDock your second-generation Amazon Echo into this battery and you’ll take Amazon’s newest good speaker with you wherever. While it is controversial whether or not it is a higher resolution for listening to music in comparison with a devoted Bluetooth speaker, it is without doubt one of the greatest methods to take the ability of Alexa on the highway with you. Michael Brown / IDGAmazon Echo Dot (2nd era) equipmentThe Spot, for the Echo DotThe Echo Dot is brief, however its footprint is simply as massive because the full-size Echo. If the counter or tabletop house in your house is already overcrowded, Mount Genie’s The Spot ($8 every or $11 for a two-pack on Amazon) helps you to grasp the Dot from {an electrical} outlet, successfully lowering its footprint to zero. Michael BrownThe Spot is a plastic cradle that holds an Echo Dot. It comes with a USB cable stub that plugs into the ability adapter that got here with the Echo Dot. The adapter matches inside a collar that the cradle hangs from. Flanges on the again of the mount prolong to the wall, in order that urgent the buttons on the Dot gained’t pull the AC adapter out of the plug. The Spot can be utilized with vertical or horizontal shops, however it’s going to forestall you from plugging a three-pronged plug into the adjoining outlet in a duplex. Must-have for music
Most shops are put in about 12 inches above the ground, which isn’t a super location for both a speaker or a microphone. That goes double if the outlet you need to use is blocked by furnishings. The Spot works nice with shops which might be positioned above counter tops (kitchens, loos, moist bars, and so on.) or in workspaces such because the storage. The Spot is obtainable in black, white, grey, and aqua.This Dottie, for the Echo DotNothing Like This affords the same cradle for the 2nd-gen Echo Dot known as This Dottie ($20 on Amazon). Unlike The Spot, it has an AC adapter constructed proper into the machine. A USB cable stub can be included. This Dottie gained’t block the decrease outlet in a duplex when you plug it into the higher outlet, as proven on the set up pamphlet, however the buttons on the docked Dot will likely be the wrong way up. Also, the burden of the Dot may pull the AC adapter out of the outlet over time. Michael BrownI’d advocate plugging This Dottie into the decrease outlet as a substitute. You gained’t have the ability to use a three-pronged plug within the higher outlet, however the Dot’s buttons will likely be oriented appropriately. This placement, nonetheless, will likely be an issue if there’s a thick backsplash beneath the outlet. The one in my kitchen, as an illustration, is about 1/2-inch thick. The Dot didn’t look all that enticing protruding at an angle, however the Dot was in a position to attract energy and not using a drawback. This Dottie is obtainable in black or white and prices $9 and alter greater than the same The Spot, however do not forget that it comes with an AC adapter.Flush Mount for Round Puck SpeakersI didn’t have time to put in this Flush Mount ($20 on Amazon), however I intend to—in all probability in multiples. It’s an excellent thought that may make an Echo Dot just about disappear into your structure. An Echo Dot matches contained in the mount, which has a flange that leaves the Dot sitting flush along with your wall or ceiling. The fringe of the angled USB plug and stub cable that Mount Genie supplies holds the Dot in place. Mount Genie additionally supplies a strip of two-sided tape to additional safe the Dot, which I like to recommend utilizing. Michael BrownYou’ll additionally get an angled 3.5mm female-to-male adapter for connecting exterior audio system, and a 10-foot braided USB cable. Mount Genie suggests utilizing power-over-ethernet (PoE) to provide electrical energy to the Echo Dot. No energy provide is included, and also you’ll must buy both an influence injector or a PoE change plus a PoE splitter that you simply’ll set up on the Dot finish of the ethernet cable (Mount Genie recommends a WiFi Texas mannequin, which Amazon sells for about $21) when you resolve to go that route.Least-expensive with a show
A paper template for reducing a gap in your wall or ceiling is included, which it’s best to use with a gap noticed or a keyhole noticed (a drill mounted gap noticed could be simpler and extra exact). You don’t want to put in a junction field within the gap, the mount will wedge itself into the drywall.Sanus Speaker MountSanus focuses on TV speaker stands and mounts, however in addition they have a few cool and cheap equipment for the Amazon Echo. The Sanus Speaker Mount ($20 on Sanus)—out there in black or white—is a plastic mount with a silicone rim that securely cradles an Echo Dot. It’s designed to be screwed into the wall; alternatively, Sanus additionally supplies two 3M Command Picture Hanging Strips that may do the job with out damaging the wall. Michael BrownThe Dot’s buttons will likely be the wrong way up when you organize it within the cradle so the Dot’s energy enter and aux output are on the backside. The various is to place the Dot in order that the cable energy comes out the highest and wraps across the Speaker Mount. You might additionally mount it to the aspect of the outlet. However you handle it, it is a barely less-attractive resolution than the outlet-mounts we’ve seen and also you’ll need to wrap up the surplus cable and safe it with a cable tie. Other than that, it’s each bit as efficient at getting your Echo Dot off your counter or desktop.Wasserstein Battery for Echo DotThis little gadget is a combo dock and battery for a 2nd-generation Echo Dot ($19 to $28, relying on shade, from Wasserstein). I prefer it higher than the Fremo Evo (see under) for a few causes: First, it doesn’t require you to completely alter the Echo by gluing a steel plate to its backside. Second, there’s a push button on its entrance that may flip the battery on and off. If you understand you gained’t want the Echo for an prolonged time, you’ll be able to shut it down and save the battery for the instances you do want it. Four LEDs point out battery degree. Michael BrownThe 7000mAh battery is rated to final 10 to 12 hours, relying on how a lot you employ it. The dock itself, which is roofed in your alternative of 4 woven-nylon materials (brown, pink, darkish blue, or gentle blue), will shield the Dot. Unfortunately, it additionally blocks the Dot’s 3.5mm analog auxiliary audio output. As with the Evo, you’ll want to make use of the Dot’s AC adapter and cable to cost the battery.Fremo EvoThe Fremo Evo ($35 on Amazon)—out there in black or white—is one in every of a number of battery choices that render an Echo Dot cellular. Not solely do you not want to fret concerning the distance from an AC outlet, you’ll be able to take your Echo Dot with you and join it to any Wi-Fi hotspot. Fremo’s battery is barely bigger in diameter than the Echo Dot itself, and it comes with a steel disc with adhesive on each side so that you could mount the battery to the Dot completely. Michael BrownIt makes use of an L-shaped connector with a Micro-USB port for the Dot on one aspect and pin-type connector on the opposite for the battery. Fremo guarantees six hours of battery life from its 5200mAh battery, however it will clearly fluctuate relying on how a lot you employ the Dot. You’ll want to make use of the Dot’s authentic AC adapter to recharge the battery, because the Evo doesn’t include one in every of its personal. Four small LEDs on the entrance of the Evo point out remaining battery life.Ninety7 Vaux speaker dock for the Echo DotGood, however not groundbreaking
We’ve checked out a number of battery docks for the 2nd-generation Echo Dot. Ninety7 ups the ante with the Vaux ($50 on Amazon), which provides a small speaker to the combo. The battery is a 5000mAh mannequin that the corporate says can energy the Dot for as much as six hours, relying on how typically you summon Alexa and hearken to music. Michael BrownAn on/off button helps you to protect the battery for these instances you really need it. You’ll want to make use of the Dot’s AC adapter and USB cable to cost the battery, because the Vaux doesn’t include its personal. You can learn our in-depth overview of the Vaux for extra particulars.iHome iAVS1 Bedside Stereo Speaker System for the Echo DotOne of the Echo Dot’s shortcomings—apart from its atrocious speaker—is its lack of a show. It will let you know the time, however provided that you ask Alexa first. Plop a Dot within the heart of the iHome iAVS1 ($50 on Amazon), and it’ll not solely show the time for you, it’s going to additionally improve the Dot’s audio system (simply plug the 3.5mm aux cable into the Dot). The onboard audio system are a step up, however that’s not saying a lot. Frequency response is restricted to the midrange—there’s just about no bass—and also you’ll must hear intently to get any sense of stereo imaging. Michael BrownThe iAVS1 additionally comes with a preinstalled set of AAA batteries, however these will solely preserve the clock going within the occasion of a blackout—your Dot-based alarm gained’t go off. The digital clock show might be dimmed over eight phases, however it will be good if there was an ambient gentle sensor that did this robotically, so it was brightest throughout the day and dimmer however legible at evening whenever you’re sleeping. Lastly, there’s a USB charging port in again to your smartphone or digital media participant, but it surely places out simply 1 amp of energy. It’s out there in black now and white quickly.Wasserstein Protective Fabric Case for the Echo DotThis enticing case ($6 on Amazon) will add somewhat aptitude to your Echo Dot and supply a little bit of safety within the cut price. It’s coated in the identical woven nylon as Wasserstein’s Battery and out there in blue, brown, grey, pink, and white. Michael BrownThis and the Silicone Skin (see under) can be found solely by Amazon’s Add-on program: Their worth tags are decrease than the fee to ship them, you should buy them solely by including them to an order of greater than $25.Wasserstein Silicone Skin for Amazon Echo DotThese skins ($5 every on Amazon) allow you to change the colour of your Echo Dot whereas defending it from knocks and bumps. For the $1 distinction in worth, I believe Wassterstein’s cloth instances are the higher deal—silicone is a little bit of a mud and lint magnet—however you might need a unique opinion. Michael BrownThe silicone sleeves can be found in black, blue, gentle blue, tan, and white. Like the material protector, they’re an add-on merchandise (see description above).Amazon Echo (first era) equipment Sanus Bumper GuardsIf you personal the unique Amazon Echo, you understand how simply the too-tall machine might be knocked over. Slipping these thick bumper guards ($20 on Amazon) excessive and backside of the Echo gained’t make it any much less accident susceptible, however they’ll not less than cushion its inevitable falls. Michael BrownA notch within the backside ring will accommodate the Echo’s energy wire. Available in black or white, they can be stretched to suit over the second-generation Echo, though that mannequin is much less in want of safety.Wasserstein Acrylic Speaker Stand for Amazon EchoThe greatest Echo
Here’s one other resolution for stabilizing the unique Echo: The good speaker is just about unattainable to knock over when you drop it into this acrylic stand ($18 on Amazon). A big silicone pad isolates the speaker from the stand, and silicone ft on the bottoms of its 4 aluminum pegs will additional forestall vibration switch from the speaker to no matter floor you place it on. A cut-out permits the ability wire to go by. Michael BrownThe translucent blue stand isn’t notably enticing, but it surely will get the job finished. And itcan additionally accommodate a 2nd-generation Echo—when you really need it to. Wasserstein Wall Mount for Amazon EchoScrew this steel mount ($15 on Amazon) into the wall and you’ll slide a first-generation Amazon Echo inside as if it had been a wall sconce. It holds the Echo out and away from the wall at a slight angle, which makes its buttons and volume-control ring simpler to make use of. Michael BrownUnlike the acrylic speaker stand above, nonetheless, there’s no padding to isolate the speaker from stand or the stand from the wall. The opening just isn’t massive sufficient to accommodate a second-generation Echo.Amazon Tap EquipmentSilicone slingDon’t waste your cash
Amazon Tap
It appears like a tropical cocktail, however the Amazon Tap Sling ($20 on Amazon) for the Amazon Tap good speaker—the one Alexa-powered machine that we haven’t taken a liking to—is sort of helpful. It will shield its host from bumps and bruises, and a big loop may also allow you to grasp it from a carabiner, hook, or perhaps a nail (you’ll want to offer your personal). Michael BrownIt’s a bit dear for what it’s, and also you’ll must take away it earlier than inserting the Tap on its charging cradle, but it surely’s out there in 5 colours: blue, inexperienced, magenta, tangerine, and white.Correction: This story was up to date on November 17 to make clear the value for The Spot, for the Echo Dot.