In my article where I looked at the Amazon Echo, I was very impressed. Almost all of Amazon’s selling points came true, and the device is truly incredible for its sound quality, vocal detection accuracy, design, and the consistent updates that continue to improve it.

However, while the Echo by itself is quite good–the Echo is another thing entirely when connected to smart home devices and peripherals. Nothing beats controlling my lamp with my voice. It’s as simple as saying “Alexa turn lamp off or on.” I’m going to show you the best Amazon Echo devices that you need to buy to make your Amazon Echo even more useful.

Now I’m going to show you the best Amazon Echo devices that you need to buy to make your Amazon Echo even more useful.

Best Plugs for Amazon Echo

Using a smart switch like the Wemo Switch Smart Plug is incredibly easy and awesome. With this plug, you can not only command it to turn on or off with Amazon Echo, but you can also automate the switch with the free app. You can even turn the light on from anywhere in the world, and you can create automated schedules as well as random intervals to keep your house safe in “away” mode.

I love this switch since it turns my lights off at night every night at 11, and it turns them on at 7. It reminds me when I should be going to bed. But not before I finish watching these Netflix shows…

The TP-Link Smart plug is very similar to the Wemo switch, making it another good choice, but it has a different app and some small differences. With this switch, you can monitor energy usage, use away-mode, automate events, and also control your electronics from around the world.

Best Thermostats for Amazon Echo

The Ecobee3 is a great smart thermostat compatible with the Amazon Echo that learns your schedule to adjust your cooling and heating equipment perfectly. It knows whether you’re outside and how to lower your energy bills. The Ecobee3 is perhaps the best smart thermostat since it has remote sensors which can tell the individual temperatures within rooms and if people are in them.

#2 Nest Learning Thermostat (Warning Negative Reviews)

If you want to automate your thermostat, the Nest Learning Thermostat is the device to get if you want that buttery smooth Amazon Echo compatibility. Alexa can control the Nest with your voice so you can change the temperature from your couch!

We’ve noted some concerns from the Amazon review community with this one, but we are also impressed with how responsive Nest has been with the community to improve the device into 2016. Almost every negative review has a detailed response.

As of now, with continuous improvements, the device works great and has a sleek design with a high-resolution color screen and stainless steel construction. You can set heating or cooling in various states, automate programs to save energy, control it from your phone (and voice) and even let Nest learn your schedule to program itself.

Best Fan for Amazon Echo

Who knew that you could control your fan with your voice one day? With this sleek fan, that day has come! This fan comes with a free app and compatible Alexa voice commands. It’s energy star certified and can provide coverage for a 15 x 15 space.

This fan comes with a free app and compatible Alexa voice commands. It’s energy star certified and can provide coverage for a 15 x 15 space. It also is factory-balanced and sound tested, so it never makes an annoying clackety sound!

I love the look of this fan. It reminds me of some kind of stealth airplane or drone. Perfect for a modern look in the kitchen or living room.

Best Remote Control for TV for Amazon Echo

Picking up your remote is so old school. With Anymote Home, you can now control your TV with your voice. See ya Kinect! Anymote Home is compatible with more than 1,000,000 devices and works with Android and iOS controlled with voice commands by Amazon Echo. With Echo and Anymote home, you can turn your TV on with your voice, switch to your favorite channel, change volume, or even command DVR.