How Much Does Alexa Cost? A Comprehensive Cost Analysis (2023)
If you ever thought that how much Alexa cost per month, then you might be wrong. Actually, Alexa doesn’t cost any monthly fee.
However, you may need to pay extra fees for other streaming services to play on Alexa.
So, how much does Alexa cost? Alexa is free but devices you need to enhance its functionality like Amazon Echo Dot may cost you around $30.
However, if you use Amazon Echo Show as an Alexa device, it will cost you around $100-$250 as there are different devices available.
In this article, I’ll discuss different types of Alexa devices and their costs.
In addition, I will compare each product, so you can decide what is best for you.
Is There A Monthly Fee For Using Alexa?
No, there is no monthly fee for using Alexa. It is a free online app that you can install on your smartphone and start using by connecting it to your free Amazon account.
You can even use Alexa for free on smart speakers, which I have discussed next.
Following are the features that you can enjoy without spending a penny on your Amazon Alexa app.
Keep in mind that Alexa keeps on adding more free features and updating the previous ones, making it even more impressive and fun to use.
- List Organizer: Just name things you want to add to your to-do list, and Alexa will do the job.
- Notifications: This is what I enjoy the most. Alexa tracks your Amazon packages and notifies you when they are about to arrive.
- Smart Home Devices: With your voice command, you can operate all the devices in your house. So the next time you need a coffee, just tell Alexa to get it prepared.
- Weather Updates: Now, bad weather cannot spoil your day. Ask Alexa to tell you the weather forecast before heading out. This way, you can always be prepared.
- Question and Answers: Whether you need to know conversions while cooking or an answer to a mathematical question or celebrity gossip, Alexa will tell you all.
- Radio and Podcasts: You can enjoy listening to your favorite shows on Alexa.
- News Updates: Alexa will tell you all the latest news before heading out in the morning.
How Much Does Alexa Cost Per Month Including Devices?
Buying an Alexa-associated device is a one-time investment. They do not require any monthly subscriptions.
Having an Alexa device is totally optional, as you can use Alexa on your smartphone as well.
An Alexa device makes it super convenient to use the app. It becomes the control center of your smart home that turns your voice commands into actions.
Have a look at the devices that you can pair up with Alexa.
Echo speaker
Echo smart speakers by Amazon are the most popular Alexa devices. The latest version released by Amazon in October 2022 is the Echo Dot 5th, Generation.
The device has the best feature compared to all previous devices.
The cost of the Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen is around $40. But still, it has a long range of connectivity, louder and better speakers, clear understandings, and speaker better.
The Echo Dot (4th generation) is known for outstanding voice quality. It has an LED display that shows time and is perfect for your nightstand.
It is available on Amazon for about $40, making it the best budget-friendly Alexa device.
Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) is worth mentioning here. It has a 10.1 inches smart HD display.
With the 13 MP camera, you can enjoy doing video calls to your loved ones. This device will cost you around $250 and is worth every penny.
So, Echo speakers are available in every price range and have a spectrum of features.
The price range is between $25 to $250. The higher the price, the more precise the features become.
You can have an Echo Show device as the main controller in your living room.
For the bedrooms and kitchen, you can go for Echo Dot devices as they are super economical.
Amazon Echo Show
Amazon Echo Show is also used as an Alexa device. The Echo Show has an edge over the Echo Dot smart devices because, with this, you can also connect cameras , watch movies, TV shows, etc.
The Amazon Echo Show 15 is the latest model launched in 2021 and has the best features so far.
The Echo Show 15 may cost you around $190 however, some previous models are more expensive than this model.
As you can control this device with Alexa commands, it doesn’t include a remote. But you can purchase that separately, but it will cost you extra.
At the same time, Echo Show 10 3rd generation will cost you $249. While the Echo Show 8 2nd Generation (2021) will cost you only $69.
Use Amazon Firestick As Alexa
Amazon Firestick is another option to choose for Alexa jobs. The smart device has Alexa enabled feature that can be used with Fire TV and other Smart TVs at home.
The price was extremely affordable with maximum features in it. The average price of Amazon Alexa Firestick is $20-$35.
Third-party Alexa devices
For much better audio and video quality, you can opt for brands other than the Amazon Echo. My favorite one is Sonos One (Gen 2).
It has a crystal clear sound. For $555, you get two smart speakers that you can put in separate rooms or even together for a deeper stereo sound.
The Ultimate Ears MEGABLAST is best for outdoors, like in your backyard. This is because of the rechargeable battery that gives a backup of 18 hours.
This smart speaker for Alexa is weatherproof and has fantastic sound quality.
Do You Need An Amazon Prime Account To Use Alexa?
You do not need an Amazon Prime account to use Alexa. Although having an Amazon Prime subscription multiplies the benefits of Alexa to thousands.
The subscription charges are $14.99 per month or $139 per year. Following are the benefits you would get from this subscription:
- Access to Amazon Music
- Access to Amazon Prime Videos
- Exclusive Alexa voice deals
- 2 free audiobooks from Audible
- Prime Gaming
- Prime reading
- Free next-day deliveries
- Exclusive Amazon deals
Above are just an overview of what you will be getting with the subscription. The list may go on and on.
Other Hidden Costs
This is a bit of a misnomer as these are not actually hidden costs. Instead, this is what more accessories you can add as per your desire and choice, they are not compulsory to buy at all, and Alexa works exceptionally well without them as well.
Like smart lights that are Wifi compatible so you can schedule turning your lights on and off.
Another mind-blowing device that you can add to your home is the Amazon smart thermostat.
It costs around $60, and you can regulate your home’s temperature with it by just giving a voice command.
You can also go for movie streaming services like Netflix, which costs $9.99 to $19.99 a month.
The above-mentioned are just a couple of names that can improve your Alexa experience.
There are millions of other services available. You can be as creative as you want.
Is Music Free On Alexa?
Yes, music is free on Alexa. But if you are a music lover or a music freak and are very particular about songs, you can buy subscriptions.
Amazon Music Free
Amazon free music is part of the Alexa app. You can enjoy around 2 million songs without having to pay for them.
The drawbacks are that you do not have access to individual songs. Instead, you can only choose playlists and radio stations.
This feature is also supported by ads that feel annoying between the songs.
Amazon Music Prime
For this, you would require an Amazon Prime subscription. Amazon music prime gives you access to individual songs.
You can download the music and can listen to it offline. What is even more impressive is that there would be no ads.
It comes with an Amazon Prime subscription. So for $12.99 per month, you would be enjoying 2 million-plus songs along with other benefits of Amazon Prime.
Amazon Music Unlimited
For subscription charges of $7.99, you get access to 75 million-plus songs. You can download them and enjoy them offline.
There would be no ads between the music. The music can be streamed on more than one device at a time.
Amazon Music HD
This is a perfect site for enjoying HD and ultra HD music. There are millions and millions of songs that you can download and even play offline.
The subscription charges are $9.99 per month. You can also enjoy a 30-day free trial.
Other Services
If you don’t want an Amazon subscription, then there are other music streaming sites available like Spotify and Pandora Premium.
How Much Will Alexa Cost You At Home – Let’s Estimate
Alexa Devices | Price (Approx) |
Echo Show in Bedroom (1x) | $100-$150 |
Echo Dot in the garage, 2-bedroom, kitchen (4x) | $$70-$120 |
Firestick for TV lounge (1x) | $20-$35 |
Other Compatible Services e.g. Spotify, and Prime Video (annually) | $100+$139 = $239 |
Total Cost Per House | $440-$550 |
Amazon Alexa – Complete Beginners Guide – 2023
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Amazon Alexa free?
Yes, Amazon Alexa is free. You don’t have to pay anything to use her voice commands or connected devices.
However, there are some costs associated with using Alexa to her full potential.
For example, you need an Amazon Prime account in order to use many of its features, like streaming music or controlling your smart home devices.
What features require an Amazon Prime account?
Many of Alexa’s features require an Amazon Prime account. This includes streaming music, controlling your smart home devices, and using certain third-party skills.
However, you can still use Alexa without a Prime account by using the default Amazon shopping and weather skills.
How much does an Amazon Prime account cost?
An Amazon Prime account costs $119 per year. However, there are ways to get a discount if you’re a student or have Medicaid.
Conclusion
Amazon Alexa is a free-of-cost app meant to improve your lifestyle and make your life sorted and organized.
It is perfect for making a low-budget smart home. You just need to install the app and make an Amazon account.
You can build your Alexa smart home system with time. First, you should buy an Alexa device so you can start giving commands to Alexa.
The movie subscriptions and other things come afterward.