When it comes to Amazon’s Alexa, most of us know it as the trusty smart home assistant—capable of turning on lights, giving us weather updates, setting timers, and of course, playing music. But how well does Alexa work purely as a Bluetooth speaker?
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I was curious to find out, so I decided to start using Alexa as a Bluetooth speaker for a full week to see how it would perform. Spoiler alert: the results were far better than I anticipated.
Using Alexa as a Bluetooth Speaker
After using Alexa as a Bluetooth speaker for a full week to see how it would perform. The results were surprisingly better than expected, and here’s why:
Day 1: Getting Connected
The first task was to set up Alexa as a Bluetooth speaker by pairing it with my phone. If you’ve never done this before, don’t worry—it’s a straightforward process.
- First, I opened the Alexa app on my phone and went to the “Devices” tab.
- From there, I selected my Echo device, tapped “Bluetooth Devices,” and clicked “Pair a New Device.”
- In no time, my phone and Alexa were connected, and I was ready to begin testing.
Right off the bat, I was impressed with how seamless the connection process was. Some Bluetooth speakers can be finicky, but Alexa paired smoothly and instantly remembered the connection after that initial setup.
Day 2: Music Playback Quality
Day two was all about testing Alexa’s sound quality with various genres of music. I started with some smooth jazz, shifted to classic rock, and finished the day with bass-heavy electronic tracks.
While I didn’t expect Alexa to deliver mind-blowing sound, it definitely performed better than expected. The mid-range and treble were clear, and while the bass wasn’t particularly deep, it was still respectable for a compact device like the Echo.
For casual listening, Alexa performed admirably. Even at higher volumes, there was minimal distortion, and the sound filled the room nicely. The balance of the audio made it enjoyable for a variety of genres, from soft instrumental tracks to more dynamic pop songs.
Day 3: Testing with Videos and Podcasts
On the third day, I used Alexa as a Bluetooth speaker for podcasts and video content. I wanted to see how it handled spoken-word audio and streaming videos from YouTube and Netflix.
To my surprise, it did really well. There was no noticeable audio lag, which can sometimes happen with Bluetooth devices. Podcasts came through crystal clear, with voices sounding natural and easy to understand. Even while watching videos on Netflix or YouTube, the sound remained in sync with the visuals, making the experience pleasant.
Day 4: Taking Phone Calls
By day four, I was curious to see if Alexa could double as a Bluetooth speaker for phone calls. Could this little device handle a phone conversation?
The answer: yes and no. The sound quality on my end was decent—I could hear the person on the other line without any trouble. However, when it came to the other person hearing me, that’s where things got a bit tricky.
Alexa’s microphone isn’t optimized for phone calls, so I had to be relatively close to the device for the other person to hear me clearly. So, while you can take calls via Alexa, it’s not ideal for long or important conversations.
Day 5: Gaming Sound Experience
Day five was gaming day. I connected Alexa to my phone and played a few mobile games that rely on sound, such as racing games and first-person shooters. While I didn’t expect a top-tier gaming experience, the results were pretty good.
There was no noticeable lag, and the sound was immersive enough to keep me engaged. Alexa provided decent audio feedback that enhanced my gameplay, though I wouldn’t use it in place of a specialized gaming speaker or headset. Still, it was a pleasant surprise, considering its size and purpose.
Day 6: Using Alexa with Multiple Devices
One of the things I wanted to test was how well Alexa handles switching between multiple devices throughout the day. I connected both my tablet and laptop, as well as my phone, to see how it managed different devices.
Switching between devices was incredibly smooth. Whether I was playing music from my phone or streaming a podcast from my laptop, Alexa handled the transitions with ease. The Bluetooth range was also impressive—I could move around my apartment with my phone in my pocket without any drop in connection.
Day 7: Final Verdict
After a full week of testing, I can confidently say that Alexa makes for a surprisingly good Bluetooth speaker. While it won’t replace high-end speakers in terms of sound depth or bass power, it’s more than capable of serving as an all-around audio solution for everyday tasks.
Pros of Using Alexa as a Bluetooth Speaker
- Easy Setup and Connectivity: Pairing Alexa with devices was quick and seamless, without any connectivity issues throughout the week.
- Impressive Sound Quality for its Size: While not the most bass-heavy speaker, Alexa’s sound quality was consistent and well-balanced, making it ideal for casual listening.
- Lag-Free Video and Gaming Audio: Alexa managed video playback and gaming audio without any noticeable lag, making it a solid choice for streaming and gaming sessions.
- Handles Multiple Devices Well: Switching between my phone, tablet, and laptop was a breeze, with Alexa handling the transitions smoothly.
Cons of Using Alexa as a Bluetooth Speaker
- Limited Bass: If you’re someone who loves bass-heavy music, you might find Alexa a bit lacking in that department.
- Phone Call Limitations: While it’s possible to take phone calls through Alexa, the microphone doesn’t pick up your voice as clearly as it does other audio, so the experience can be frustrating for longer conversations.
Is Alexa the Right Bluetooth Speaker for You?
If you’re already using Alexa as part of your smart home setup, adding Bluetooth speaker functionality is a great way to expand its usefulness. Whether you want to stream music, listen to podcasts, or even enhance your mobile gaming experience, Alexa handles these tasks with ease.
For someone who isn’t an audiophile but enjoys a good all-purpose speaker, Alexa is a solid choice. It won’t blow you away with deep bass, but its overall sound performance is more than adequate for day-to-day use.
In the end, my week-long experiment with Alexa as a Bluetooth speaker was a pleasant surprise. It’s an excellent all-in-one device that makes life just a little bit easier, proving that sometimes, simple is all you need.
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