What Alexa is, the difference between Alexa speakers and Alexa-compatible devices, and how to use them together.
Alexa is the voice assistant made by Amazon. You talk to it, and it answers questions, plays music, sets timers and controls the smart devices in your home.
Alexa works in Lebanon. It needs Wi-Fi with a working internet connection, and it speaks English.
When customers ask us about Alexa, they usually mean one of two different things: a speaker that you talk to, or a device that Alexa can switch on and off. This page explains both, so you know which one you need.
The two kinds of Alexa products
1. Alexa speakers
An Alexa speaker has microphones and a speaker inside. It is the part that hears you and answers you. Amazon’s Echo speakers, such as the Echo Pop and the Echo Dot, are Alexa speakers.
On its own, an Echo speaker plays music, answers questions, reads the weather and sets timers and alarms. To switch your lights, a fan or the water heater, it needs the second kind of product.
These are smart devices from other brands that Alexa can control: lights, lamps, LED strips, smart plugs, wall switches, curtain controllers and sensors. They do not have Alexa inside, and they do not hear you. They follow the instruction that Alexa sends them.
Many of the Govee, Sonoff and Shelly devices we sell work with Alexa. You can see them together on one page.
Set up the device in its own app. A Govee lamp uses the Govee Home app, a Sonoff switch uses the eWeLink app, and a Shelly relay uses the Shelly app. Make sure the device works from that app first.
Link that brand in the Alexa app. Open the Alexa app, find the brand and sign in with the same account you used in step 1. Amazon calls this enabling a skill. Your devices then appear in the Alexa app.
Speak. For example: “Alexa, turn off the living room lights” or “Alexa, set the bedroom lamp to 30 percent”.
You only do steps 1 and 2 once for each brand. New devices from the same brand appear in the Alexa app after you add them in the brand’s own app.
Some newer devices support Matter. With an Echo speaker that supports Matter, such as the Echo Dot, you can add these devices to the Alexa app directly by scanning the code on the device.
In the Alexa app you can also make routines. For example, “Alexa, good night” can turn off the lights in several rooms at once.
Do I need an Echo speaker?
Not always. The Alexa app on your phone can control Alexa-compatible devices without a speaker. An Echo speaker is what lets you control them by voice from across the room, without picking up your phone.
Alexa-compatible devices also work from their own app, with or without Alexa.
Good to know in Lebanon
Language. Alexa works in English. If you need help with the setup in Arabic, message us on WhatsApp.
The Alexa app. You need the Alexa app on your iPhone or Android phone, and an Amazon account. If you cannot find the app in your app store, message us and we will help you install it.
Internet. Voice control needs a working internet connection.
Power cuts. When the power goes off, your Echo speaker and your smart devices turn off too. When EDL or the generator comes back, they reconnect to your Wi-Fi by themselves.
Brand apps. Each brand keeps its own app for setup and settings. Alexa adds voice control on top.
Which one do I need?
You want to control your home by voice: an Alexa speaker, plus the Alexa-compatible devices you want to control.
You already have an Echo speaker: add Alexa-compatible devices.
You only want music, timers and answers: an Alexa speaker is enough.
You only want to control devices from your phone: an Alexa-compatible device is enough.