Amazon’s Echo Flex is a smart speaker for very specific needs
1Reported today on The Verge
For the full article visit: https://www.theverge.com/2019/12/9/21001146/amazon-echo-flex-alexa-smart-speaker-review-price-specs-features
Reported today in The Verge.
Amazon's Echo Flex is a smart speaker for very specific needs
For the past couple of years, I've had a smart speaker installed in my bathroom, which I use to play music and podcasts in the shower and get the day's weather report while I brush my teeth. Since my bathroom is tiny, there isn't a great spot to put the speaker, so I've used one of the many plastic mounts available to install it directly on the wall outlet.
Amazon's Echo Flex seems specifically designed for my needs: it's a smaller Echo speaker that plugs directly into a wall outlet so you can install it in a bathroom, kitchen, hallway, or anywhere else where you don't have a shelf to put a speaker, but where you still want a voice-controlled assistant. In addition, the $24.99 (though frequently on sale for under $20) Flex has a USB port to charge a phone, and it can accept add-on modules to expand its functionality. Currently, there are two add-ons available: a motion detector and a night light, which sell for $14.99 each (or about $12 when on sale).
But after testing the Echo Flex in my home for the past week or so, I've found it doesn't quite replace the smart speaker in my bathroom. Instead, it fills a very specific niche of smart speaker needs.
Compact size
Plugs right into a wall outlet
Low price
Ability to accept add-on modules
Sound quality is terrible
Volume doesn't get very loud
Add-on modules are limited to just two right now
It's not much less expensive than an Echo Dot on sale
Like all other Echo speakers, the Flex has always-listening microphones, which let you access Alexa's vast capabilities with just a simple voice command. There are two on the Flex - fewer than the seven you'll find on an Echo Dot - but they were able to hear my commands well up to about 10 fee