Whether you’re putting on the latest summer anthems to keep us sane in this hectic heat, asking for ice cream cake recipes, telling it to turn down the thermostat and smart lights, or just need a joke after whatever that just was, Alexa is there for us when we can’t or don’t want to stare at our phones any longer. Amazon’s Echo speakers still dominate our ranking of the best smart speakers on the market today with their wide variety and frequent discounts.
From the pint-sized Echo Pop and Dot to the Spot and the full-size Echo, you can fit Alexa into almost any size room and even into your car, but the exact placement of your speaker can have a massive impact on your experience. Placing them in the wrong spot could lead to damage, privacy concerns or even security issues. That said, it’s worth taking inventory of where you’re keeping yours.
You might know that putting your Alexa device near water isn’t safe, but did you know that intruders can access your smart home device from outside if it’s placed too close to a window? Damaging your Echo isn’t the only risk factor at play here: You could be putting your privacy at risk as well.
There’s no need to worry, though, because we have a helpful list of where you should avoid placing your Echo devices, and the best alternative spots for you to get value from your Alexa assistant. (For more Amazon Echo tips, check out which Alexa settings you should change ASAP and five useful Echo features.)
1. Keep Alexa away from your toilet
It doesn’t matter if you’re closing the lid before you flush, putting your Echo within arm’s reach of the toilet will inevitably nasty up your speaker.
Think of all the germs that linger around that area, even in super-clean bathrooms. Hordes of bacteria scatter through the room from your toilet bowl with each flush, and even though they’re invisible to your naked eye, you certainly don’t want them taking up residence in your Amazon Echo’s unwashable fabric cover.
If you must have an Echo device in your bathroom (and we can see the appeal), try placing it as far away from the toilet as possible. If you can, securely mount it on a wall, safely away from any errant spills or sprays and better able to project your shower sing-along songs.
Don’t even think about putting your Echo near the bathtub.
However, you’re likely better off opting for a waterproof Bluetooth speaker with at least an IPX5 rating that doesn’t use a fabric cover so you can wipe it down regularly. You can use the voice assistant from your phone through a Bluetooth speaker as easily as a smart speaker, and it should also minimize the electrical hazards.
2. Avoid putting Alexa near a sink or stove
If you’re trying to drown out the sounds of Alexa’s voice, by all means, place your expensive Echo by a sink. If you want to keep it intact, never place it anywhere near water. This includes the boiling water, searing oil, or bubbling blueberry jelly on your stove.
You don’t want to risk your kitchen water sprayer going haywire and soaking your Echo device, or a tall device getting tipped into the sink. Instead, place it on a different counter, like a kitchen island, or tuck it into a corner where it’s farther from splattering spaghetti sauce and water spray. It’ll stay cleaner and might sound better in the long run, too.
Read more: The 7 Spots to Never Install a Home Security Camera
3. Don’t put Alexa by your windows
Keep your Echo away from all the windows in your house. The location could potentially give anyone outside access to your Echo if they shout through the glass, which could then grant access to your other smart home devices. For example, if your car is connected to your smart speaker, someone may be able to unlock and start it, or if you use smart locks, they could open your front door and walk right in.
They actually don’t even need to shout; researchers found that just shining lasers on smart speaker microphones was enough to let them take control of the device.
If your Echo is near a window, you should move it.
4. Alexa shouldn’t go under your TV
How many commercials are out there that say, “Alexa, play…” and activate your Echo? Or if the TV says anything that sounds a lot like “Alexa,” take a guess at what’s going to activate. Not only does this interrupt the show you’re watching, but it also starts recording what’s said after the command. If you’re having a private conversation and Alexa kicks in, you’re risking your privacy. Placing it on a side table makes more sense and is more likely to keep the voice assistant quiet until you make a command.
If you really want to place your Amazon Echo device close enough to the TV that it can hear it, then you might want to consider changing the wake word for the device or manually muting the microphones when you’re not actively using it. There are five total wake word options for Echo devices other than Alexa, so you’ll have options that suit your home. There’s even a way to access fun Disney content, too!
5. Never put your Echo in front of a space heater
You should never expose your Amazon Echo to any heat sources, Amazon says. This includes space heaters, heater vents, radiators and stoves. Doing so could potentially cause a fire or cause damage to your Echo device.
Instead, make sure it’s clearly placed away from the direction the heater is pointing to avoid a potential catastrophe. For instance, if you keep a space heater in your office, place the Echo on your desk and away from the heater.
So, where should you place your Amazon Echo?
- On a mantle or shelf
- On your bedside table
- Mounted on a wall not facing a window
- In the corner of your living room (away from windows)
- On the edge of your kitchen counter far away from your sink
- A place easily visible so you can see when the light ring lights up
The best uses of an Amazon Echo in each room of your house vary, but each is helpful in its own way, but no matter which room it occupies, two things should always be true: you can easily reach the mute microphone button and the power cord, in case you need to power cycle the device.
Ready for more tips on what to do with your Amazon Echo? We’ve also discovered these surprising things you didn’t know your Amazon Echo could do and six things you haven’t tried with your Amazon Echo yet.
FAQ
What room should I avoid putting my Amazon Echo in?
If there’s one room to keep your Amazon Echo speaker out of, it’s the bathroom. Keeping it by your toilet is unsanitary and disgusting, and placing it by the sink greatly increases the chances of the smart device falling in and getting waterlogged. Whether you’re spreading germs or breaking expensive tech, it’s just not worth it to put the Echo anywhere in your bathroom.
Why should I keep the Amazon Echo away from the TV?
Putting your Echo in certain places places the device in peril. Putting it in other places puts your privacy at risk. But keeping your Amazon Echo by the TV is a plain inconvenience. The smart device might pick up on certain commands spoken by characters in a show — or worse, get activated in the middle of an Amazon commercial. Moving the device elsewhere saves you some hassle.
Can I put an Amazon Echo outdoors?
No Amazon Echo speaker is certified water or dust-resistant, nor are they recommended for outdoor use, but the answer is, “Yes, if you’re really careful.” If you mount it up under a covered and well-protected area, you could potentially use an Echo speaker outdoors. However, leaving it outside, even if it stays dry, could lead to dust and debris buildup in the pinhole microphones and speaker components, so don’t expect the speaker to last as long as it would if kept inside and safe from bugs.
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