If you’ve been thinking about getting the Amazon Echo Plus with built-in hub, you’re probably wondering if it’s still worth buying today. After using mine daily for over a year, I can confidently say this smart speaker is one of the most useful gadgets in our home — and it still holds up remarkably well.
In this post, I’ll share my full Echo Plus review, including what I love, what I don’t, and how my family uses it every single day. Whether you’re new to Alexa devices or just comparing it to other smart speakers, this guide will help you decide if the Echo Plus is right for you.
What Is the Amazon Echo Plus?
The Amazon Echo Plus is a voice-activated smart speaker that includes Alexa — Amazon’s AI assistant — and a built-in smart home hub. That means you can use it to:
- Play music
- Set timers and reminders
- Control smart lights, plugs, and other devices
- Ask questions
- Get weather forecasts and news updates
- Manage household routines hands-free
The “built-in hub” makes the Echo Plus stand out because it allows you to connect compatible smart devices directly, without needing a separate Zigbee hub or bridge.
Why I Bought the Echo Plus
I originally purchased the Echo Plus in December 2017 for my wife and kids. I wanted a device that could make our daily routines easier — from checking the weather before school to setting kitchen timers when cooking.
At first, I wasn’t sure we’d actually use it. But within weeks, it became one of our most-used gadgets in the house.
We use it for:
- Weather updates every morning before leaving home.
- Timers while cooking or grilling.
- Playing music and dance parties with our twin toddlers.
- Answering questions (“What sound does a cow make?” is a daily favorite).
Over time, it’s become more than just a smart speaker — it’s a family assistant.
What I Love About the Echo Plus
1. Ease of Use
The setup process is simple and quick. Whether you’re using iOS or Android, the Alexa app walks you through each step. Within minutes, you can connect your Echo Plus to Wi-Fi and start giving voice commands.
2. Smart Home Integration
Because it has a built-in hub, the Echo Plus connects seamlessly to smart lights, plugs, and sensors. I use it to control our smart lights, and it’s incredibly convenient to say, “Alexa, turn off the kitchen lights,” instead of pulling out my phone.
You can easily expand your smart home system over time — adding devices from brands like Philips Hue, TP-Link, or Ring — all managed through Alexa.
3. Great Sound Quality
The Echo Plus produces clear, rich audio that’s perfect for music, podcasts, and audiobooks. It’s not a high-end home theater speaker, but for everyday use, the sound is impressive.
Even at higher volumes, the bass stays balanced and the vocals crisp. Whether I’m listening to Spotify, Amazon Music, or Audible, the playback quality is consistently strong.
4. Excellent Microphone Sensitivity
This is both a blessing and a curse (more on that later). The Echo Plus can hear you from across the room — even when there’s background noise or music playing.
That means you don’t have to raise your voice or stand directly in front of it to give commands.
5. Family-Friendly Features
Alexa is surprisingly good at keeping kids entertained and informed. My kids love asking it questions about animals, listening to music, and even setting their own timers (“Alexa, set a timer for one minute!”).
It’s educational, interactive, and fun — which makes it perfect for families.
The Downsides (Minor Annoyances)
While I love the Echo Plus overall, it’s not perfect. Here are a few things that might frustrate you:
1. Overly Sensitive Microphone
The Echo occasionally responds when it hears “Alexa” or “Amazon” from the TV or YouTube videos. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it can be slightly annoying when you’re watching a show and it suddenly chimes in with, “I don’t know that one.”
2. Name Confusion
One of our kids has a name that sounds similar to “Alexa,” which caused constant accidental activations. Luckily, you can change the wake word in the settings (we switched ours to “Echo”). Problem solved — but it’s something to keep in mind for families.
3. Over-Eager Kids
Our toddlers quickly learned how to talk to Alexa — and they use it all the time. Whether they’re asking for “Down by the Bay” or random nursery songs, it can get repetitive. The fix? A simple unplug when you need quiet time.
💡 Quick Tip:
If you’re setting up an Echo device for the first time, consider placing it in a central area like the kitchen or living room. That way, everyone can access it easily without crowding one spot.
How the Echo Plus Performs After One Year
After a full year of use, the Echo Plus still performs like new. The hardware feels solid, the microphones remain sensitive, and the software keeps improving with updates.
Even without connecting it to all our smart home devices (we don’t use it with our TVs or doorbell), we still rely on it multiple times a day.
The Alexa app makes managing devices, creating routines, and adjusting settings incredibly intuitive. I’ve found that Alexa’s accuracy has improved over time as it learns our speech patterns and preferences.
How It Compares to Google Home and Other Smart Speakers
If you’re deciding between the Amazon Echo Plus and Google Home, it really comes down to preference.
- Amazon Echo Plus Pros:
- Built-in hub for smart devices (no extra purchase required).
- More compatible devices via Alexa ecosystem.
- Seamless Amazon integration for shopping, media, and services.
- Google Home Pros:
- Smarter natural-language processing.
- Stronger Google search integration for questions.
- More natural responses.
If you’re already invested in Amazon services — or want easier smart home setup — the Echo Plus wins easily.
Real-Life Use Cases
Here’s how the Echo Plus fits into daily life:
- Morning Routine: “Alexa, what’s the weather?”
- Cooking: “Alexa, set a timer for 10 minutes.”
- Entertainment: “Alexa, play jazz music.”
- Parenting Help: “Alexa, what sound does a cow make?”
- Home Automation: “Alexa, turn on the living room light.”
It’s these simple, frictionless commands that make it so addictive.
💡 Want Smart Home Without the Setup Stress?
👉 The Echo Plus simplifies everything with its built-in hub — no extra bridges, no tech headaches. Check out the current price on Amazon or compare it to other Alexa devices before you buy.
The Verdict: Should You Buy the Amazon Echo Plus?
If you want a reliable, high-quality smart speaker that doubles as a smart home controller, the Echo Plus is an easy recommendation.
Even after years of use, it still feels modern thanks to consistent software updates and Alexa’s expanding capabilities.
✅ Buy it if:
- You want an easy entry into smart home automation.
- You like hands-free convenience for music, news, and timers.
- You’re already using Amazon services like Prime Music or Audible.
❌ Skip it if:
- You already have a smart home hub and only need a speaker.
- You prefer Google Assistant’s voice search features.
Final Thoughts
The Amazon Echo Plus with built-in hub has proven to be a reliable and versatile device that integrates seamlessly into everyday life. From setting reminders to keeping kids entertained, it’s more than just a speaker — it’s a digital helper that genuinely makes your day easier.
Whether you’re new to smart devices or looking to upgrade your setup, this Echo model still delivers excellent value for the price.
👉 Check the latest deals on the Echo Plus here.
Or, if you’re exploring alternatives, compare it with other Alexa-enabled speakers to see which fits your lifestyle best.