Alexa Skills are apps that you can download to your Echo speaker. They allow Amazon’s voice assistant, Alexa, to perform tasks such as playing games, getting specific information and connecting smart home devices.

The Alexa Store is a bustling store of skills, just like the app store on your smartphone, with recipes, music, news and kids’ activities.

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Skills allow your Amazon Echo do almost anything. Whether you want to turn on your Nest thermostat, control your Philips Hue lighting, or Sonos speakers.

Skills are available across all devices. The same skills work on all devices, whether you own the Amazon Echo or the Echo show 10.

You can find a complete list of skills in the Alexa Skills Store, but we’ve listed our favorites below.

• Best Alexa compatible smart home devices

Download Alexa Skills to Start

• Spotify Now you can access podcasts via Alexa and request music.
• Amazon Story Time — For those with children, Alexa can read a story to them before bedtime.
• Ambient Sound – Fall asleep to the sounds of the ocean, forest or New York City streets.
• Todoist — Quickly add tasks to your list, and see a summary of your daily schedule.
• Xbox– Turn on/off the power, start games and record a minute.
• Allrecipes – Receive recipes and instructions via your Echo Show smart speaker with screen.
• Twenty Questions – Not all Alexa’s games are enjoyable, but Twenty Questions is a great game. You can have as much fun with an AI assistant.

 

Alexa smart home skills

It’s likely that your Echo is not the only connected device in your home. The most chatty device is the Echo, which uses this chatty personality to start conversations with other connected devices.

This results in a smarter, more connected home that you can control with your voice. Here are the best Amazon Echo Skills to create a truly connected house.

Ring

You want to know who is at your door, but you don’t have time to grab your phone. Ring’s Echo Show skill will show you who is at your front door, if you have Ring installed.

To enable : Install Alexa Skills Store or Visit the Alexa Skills Store.

Top Command: “Alexa, show me my doorbell”

Nest Thermostat/Camera

Have a Nest product to sell? These skills are essential. Nest Thermostat is a skill that allows you to use Alexa to adjust your thermostat.

It’s possible to be very specific about where you want to change the temperature by simply saying, “Alexa” and “change the hallway to 20 degrees”. Or, “Alexa” and “raise the bedroom by 4 degrees”. All without touching anything. You can also use the Cam skill if you have a Nest Cam to view your footage directly from your Echo Show if you own one.

To enable , install via Alexa and link accounts.

Try : “Alexa what is the temperature?” Visit the Alexa Skills Store .

Lifx

The Lifx line of smart bulbs is one of the most affordable and nicest. It doesn’t require a hub, just the skill, and your voice.

To enable , install via Alexa and link accounts.

You can try by saying “Alexa, dim the kitchen lights by 10%”, or you can visit Alexa Skills Store.

Philips Hue

Now you can control your lighting with voice commands. Philips Hue works well with Alexa. You can ask Alexa to dim your living room lights by 20% from the comfort of a favorite chair.

Install the Alexa App and link accounts to enable .

You can try by saying “Alexa, turn the bedroom lights red” or by visiting the Alexa Skills Store.

August Smart Home

You can download August Home from the Alexa skills menu if you already have August Lock and Connect installed. Once you’ve linked up your accounts, you can control your locks using your voice. Magic.

Check out this article: The Best Smart Locks – Tested

To enable, install via the Alexa App, link accounts or visit Alexa Skills Store.

Try : “Alexa is the front gate locked?”

Logitech Harmony

Logitech Harmony is another hub system which gives Alexa the power to control all devices in your home. It also allows you to control your TV connected via Echo. The next time your remote is missing, you can use “Alexa tell Harmony” to turn on the television. You can also ask it to “…turn the volume up” or “…pause the movie.

To enable, install via the Alexa App, link accounts or visit Alexa Skills Store.

Try: “Alexa, pause Netflix.”

iRobot Home

Alexa’s skill makes it even easier to use a Roomba. You can tell Alexa to make your Roomba clean, stop cleaning or dock. If you see something strange, just say “Alexa, Ask Roomba What It’s Doing.”

To enable, install via the Alexa App, link accounts or visit the Alexa Skills Store.

 

Try : “Alexa ask Roomba for a cleaning.”

Alexa’s TV and music skills

Spotify

Spotify is the most popular music skill on Amazon Alexa devices. It has a prominent place in Echo speakers. Spotify is one of the very few services you can set as your default in the Alexa App. This means that all music that you request will be streamed from Spotify.

To enable, say “Alexa play [choice] on Spotify” or go to the Alexa Skills Store.

Try : “Alexa play what’s Hot in [country]”

Apple Music

Apple Music is currently the second largest music streaming service. However, you couldn’t pair it with your smart speaker. Apple Music can still be linked to an Echo speaker. Beats 1 Radio is also available. First, you need to link your account and enable the Alexa skill.

To enable, say: “Alexa play [choice] Apple Music” Visit the Alexa Skills Store

Try this: “Alexa play today’s hits on Apple Music”

Sonos

There needs to be an Alexa-enabled smart speaker for Sonos. The Sonos skill will let you do this. Want to listen to jazz music in the kitchen? Want to turn down the volume of the music in the living room or kitchen? Alexa will do whatever you ask.

To enable, say “Alexa enable Sonos”, or go to the Alexa Skills Store.

Try : “Alexa play jazz music in the kitchen.”

Xfinity

There needs to be an Alexa-enabled smart speaker for Sonos. The Sonos skill will let you do this. Want to listen to jazz music in the kitchen? Want to turn down the volume of the music in the living room or kitchen? Alexa will do whatever you ask.

To enable, say “Alexa enable Sonos”, or go to the Alexa Skills Store.

Try : “Alexa play jazz music in the kitchen.”

Top Music Chart

You can’t keep up? This clever Skill lets Alexa run down the most popular music in the United States. You might get some inspiration or realize that you are way past it.

To enable, say “Alexa open Top Music Chart”, or go to the Alexa Skills Store.

Try : “Alexa what are the top albums?”

Ted Talks

Ted Talks are the best way to force information into your mind and get that warm, fuzzy feeling from spending 20 minutes on something intellectually superior. Alexa will play Ted’s short lectures and you might learn something.

Open Ted Talks with Alexa or Visit the Alexa Skills Store to enable.

Try : “Alexa ask Ted Talks for talks on nature.”

Radio Mystery Theater

You can use your smart speaker to bring back the good old days of family gatherings around the radio for entertainment. It’s like a crackly Netflix. Radio Mystery Theatre is a compilation of radio programs from the 1970s. It’s guaranteed to make you nostalgic.

Open Radio Mystery Theater with Alexa or Visit the Alexa Skills Store to enable.

Try. Just say “Alexa next” to skip a show. It’s a common complaint that a skill isn’t able to resume where you left off.

Star Wars Quotes

Love Star Wars? You can use this skill to quote famous lines from movies. We’re certain that the quotes will be delivered with the same panache as Luke Skywalker or the other boys. May the Force be yours (other quotes available).

To enable: “Alexa, open Star Wars quotes” Alexa Skills Store.

“Alexa, please give me Star Wars Quotes.”

Kids Alexa Skills

The digital assistant, in addition to the great range of content for kids with Amazon’s Kids+ platform on Alexa can help you entertain your children by providing some kid-friendly skills.

This set of skills will keep you entertained at all times.

Amazon Story Time

A parent’s essential skill is to ask Alexa to read a short story. These are suitable for children aged between 5 and 12.

To enable, say “Alexa open Amazon Storytime”, or go to the Alexa Skills Store.

Science Buddy

This quiz is designed for children and covers earth science, biology and physics. You will receive ten questions with three choices. Your brain will be working overtime.

Open Science Buddy by saying “Alexa” or Visit the Alexa Skills Store.

Try : “Repeat your question”

Draw It

You’re tired of kids asking what to draw? Draw It does more than just give them ideas. It also explains how to draw it, and the kids have to guess as fast as they can what it is. It’s great for both groups of kids and for those who are on their own.

To enable, say “Alexa open Draw It”, or go to the Alexa Skills Store.

Try : “Alexa, tell Draw It that you want to play a game”.

Spelling Bee

Spelling Bee is a game that tests children’s spelling skills. It can be played alone or with friends. You can also ask for the word’s meaning, an example sentence and its origin or language.

Open Spelling Bee by saying “Alexa” or Visit the Alexa Skills Store.

Try “Alexa ask Spelling Bee if they want to play a Spelling Bee game.”

Animal Sounds

Animal Sounds is a favorite of The ambient’s children. It plays the calls of 30 different animals, ranging from cats, dogs, and bears to sea lions, leopards, and boring old dogs.

Open Animal Sounds by saying “Alexa” or Visit the Alexa Skills Store.

Try : “Alexa ask Animal Sounds to visit an elephant.”

 

Panda Rescue

Your children will be placed in charge of a panda that has been rescued, similar to an Alexa-powered Tamagotchi. Make sure to check in every few days so that you can make the right choices and take care of your panda.

Open Panda Rescue by saying “Alexa” or Visit the Alexa Skills Store.

 

 

Alexa sports, weather and news skills

The best thing about Amazon Echo is that you can ask Alexa to give you your daily briefing when it’s time to leave for the day. All of these are available in your daily Flash Briefing. You can always stay up to date with Flash Briefings by going to the Alexa App and clicking Settings, then Flash briefing. From here, you can toggle items on or off. You can skip the Flash Briefings by saying , “Alexa, Next” when you get them.

BBC News

The BBC skill will let you hear all the major stories from around the globe. The BBC World Service will add the most recent headlines to your Flash Briefing.

To enable, ask Alexa: “Alexa what is my Flash Briefing?” Visit the Alexa Skills Store

The Daily from The New York Times

Every morning, for 15 minute, The New York Times provides you with the essential news that you should know. This is a great way to start your day with a cup of coffee. It’s a thorough and in-depth audio briefing.

To enable, ask Alexa: “Alexa what is my Flash Briefing?” Visit the Alexa Skills Store

Reuters TV

You’ll be hard-pressed not to find Reuters TV a good option if you want a quick update on the latest news. Every morning, you’ll receive a selection of news clips that are straight to the point. You’ll receive a video version if you have a Show.

To activate: Ask Alexa “Alexa, What’s My Flash Briefing?” Visit the Alexa Skills Store to download or.

ESPN

It’s difficult to keep up with all the goals, touchdowns and home runs that are produced by sports. This ESPN skill gives you daily sports news delivered by the same people who run SportsCenter.

To activate, ask Alexa: “Alexa what is my Flash Briefing?” or visit the Alexa Skills Store.

This Day

You can gain some perspective by learning about historic events that took place on a certain date. This ability will help you add historical context to the morning briefings by reminding of past events.

To activate: Ask Alexa “Alexa, What’s My Flash Briefing?” Visit the Alexa Skills Store

The Daily Show

The news is often depressing, so let Comedy Central’s The Daily Show put a humorous spin on it. You’ll hear a brief recap of last night’s episode every morning in your daily briefing.

To enable, ask Alexa: “Alexa what is my Flash Briefing?” Visit the Alexa Skills Store

Golf Channel

You can ask Alexa to get the PGA Tour leaderboards and European Tour winners. You can ask Alexa to ask for things like “Alexa, what is the PGA Tour Leaderboard” or “Alexa, who is the European Tour winner?”, for a quick update on the current state of play.

To enable, say “Alexa – enable Golf Channel”, or go to the Alexa Skills Store.

Big Sky

You can ask “Alexa, please ask Big Sky about the weather in 3 hours”, or “Alexa, give me some weather facts”, to get into your weather geek mode.

To enable, say “Alexa start Big Sky”, or go to the Alexa Skills Store.

Space Weather

If you have Amazon Weather (which works by saying “Alexa, what’s today’s weather”) and Big Sky above you are well prepared to know if you need an umbrella. But try Space Weather if you want something different. You can get current solar wind speeds, the likelihood of a solarstorm, and solar flux by saying “Alexa start Space Weather”. This is out of this world.

To enable, say “Alexa start space weather”, or go to the Alexa Skills Store.

Alexa skills for bedtime/sleep

Would you like to drift off to the sounds of the ocean? Alexa offers some relaxing sounds. You can also ask to turn them off after 10 minutes (or another time period).

Ambient Sounds

Ambient Sounds offers every sleep sound you could imagine, as well as a few that you wouldn’t have thought of. You can start by saying “Alexa, play [enter sound]”. We’ve provided some suggestions below. You can ask to “Alexa, play Ambient Sounds” and will provide you with a list of all the options.

• Thunderstorm Sounds
• Ocean Sounds
• Rain Sounds
• Wind Chimes
• Fireplace Sounds

To enable, say “Alexa play Ocean Sounds”, or go to the Alexa Skills Store.

Sleep Sounds

Say “Alexa play Sleep Sounds”, and you’ll get a list that includes everything from “rain on a tin rooftop” to “pink noise”. It makes us shudder just to imagine what it could be.

Open Sleep Sounds with Alexa or Visit the Alexa Skills Store

Amazon Echo health and fitness skills

Alexa can be a personal trainer, too. Its metallic tones will whip you into shape. These health and fitness tips will help you stay fit or achieve that beach body for 2019.

The Body Coach

Joe Wicks is not slowing down. The hugely popular fitness and health personality has a contagious enthusiasm, and offers great recipes and workouts. Alexa now has access to seven different 15 minute workouts by The Body Coach. The skill will replay the last exercise you performed, or you can select from the seven available options.

To enable, say: “Alexa, launch the Body Coach” Visit the Alexa Skills Store

Top Command: “Alexa, ask Body Coach about my last workout.”

Push Up Century Club

Have you ever wanted to improve your push-ups? You’ve got to have. You should try Alexa’s Push Up Century Club. Alexa determines the number of reps to start with based on how fit you are. It will then guide you through an exercise routine with breaks of 30 seconds in between.

To enable, say “Alexa start push-ups”, or go to the Alexa Skills Store.

Top Command: Start push-ups every day on the fifth day.

ALOP Pilates

You don’t need to activate Beast Mode for every exercise; you can also be more measured. Alexa will guide you through an introductory pilates class. You’ll only need your Echo and a mat. It will then take you 20-30 minutes and you can repeat it as often as you want.

To enable, say “Alexa start pilates class”, or go to the Alexa Skills Store.

One Minute Mindfulness

Try this technique if you want to gain clarity and meditate. This is just a few relaxing sounds played for a moment, but maybe that’s enough to recharge.

To enable , say “Alexa, enable Mindfulness”, or go to the Alexa Skills Store.

Top Command: Ask Alexa to ask Mindfulness about peaceful meditation.

Zyrtec Daily AllergyCast

Allergies are often crippling. It’s difficult to predict when and where allergies will strike. Zyrtec Daily AllergyCast will provide you with an allergy forecast, including pollen counts. It will also tell you what allergens are prevalent in your area, so you can be prepared.

To enable, say “Alexa – enable Zyrtec”. Visit the Alexa Skills Store.

Top Command: Alexa, ask Zyrtec to my AllergyCast.

Amazon Echo games

After you’ve taken care of your body and home, it’s now time to enjoy yourself. Alexa is not just a stiff digital assistant. It also likes to have fun. This is evident in Alexa’s game skills.

Jeopardy!

This skill’s Echo Show version is superior to other versions in one respect: it has a screen which adds authenticity. The categories and questions are clearly visible, which makes it easier to navigate. It’s still a lot of fun to play the regular version, but those title card are a great way to bring back memories.

To enable, say “Alexa enable Jeopardy“, or go to the Alexa Skills Store.

You can also play bingo

This is a classic game with a futuristic touch. You’ll need bingo cards to play this game, if you do not already have any. Having Alexa to call out the numbers can be very useful, and it adds to an “authentic bingo hall experience”.

To enable, say “Alexa enable bingo” or go to the Alexa Skills Store.

Top Command “Alexa, dial the next number.”

Lie Swatter

Can you tell whether someone is telling the truth or not? It’s time to test your knowledge. The host of Lie Swatter will present a series of crazy facts and the rest will be asked to guess whether or not they are true. It’s simple, addictive, and with the right people can be absolutely bonkers.

To enable, say “Alexa Lie Swatter” Visit the Alexa Skills Store

6 Swords

You love Dungeons & Dragons, but you don’t know a dungeonmaster? After all, it is a fine arts, so you’d understand if you couldn’t find one. Enter 6 Swords based on the original version of the role-playing classic game. Alexa will remember your location and what you are doing. Use simple commands to play the game. Up to five people can play together.

To enable, say “Alexa enable 6 Swords“, or go to the Alexa Skills Store.

Top Command “Alexa, What am I carrying?”

Skyrim Special Edition

It’s not a joke. Bethesda’s biggest game can now be played with Alexa. This Elder Scrolls game lends itself well to voice-based interfaces in a variety of funny and interesting ways.

To enable, say: “Alexa, enable Skyrim” or Visit the Alexa Skills Store.

Top Command: Use shout.

Akinator

If you haven’t played Akinator, this is a game in which a cartoon genie attempts to guess your thoughts by asking you a series questions. The results are often frighteningly accurate. Now it also works with Alexa. Don’t freak out if two robots read your thoughts.

To enable, say “Alexa – enable Akinator“, or go to the Alexa Skills Store.

Twenty Questions

You don’t want Alexa to figure out what you are thinking? You can try to figure out its thoughts by turning the tables. Anyone up for a round of Twenty questions? After you have initiated a game (“Alexa play twenty Questions“) you will be asked, yes, you guessed correctly, 20 questions in order to determine what animal, vegetable or mineral Alexa is. Alexa can be a tricky opponent.

To enable, say “Alexa play Twenty questions“, or go to the Alexa Skills Store.

Curiosity

This skill is perfect for those who need a bit of intellectual stimulation or if your conversation has stalled and you would like to spice it up by adding something interesting. You’re presented with two topics. Choose one, and you’ll be told an interesting fact related to art, science, history or any other topic. This is like feeding your brain with random information.

To enable, say “Alexa enable Curiosity”, or go to the Alexa Skills Store.

Amazon Echo travel skills

Your Echo can assist you in getting to your destination, no matter where you are. You just need to ask the right questions and have the right skills. These items can help you with your journey, even if they can’t solve delays.

Uber/Lyft

You can then use the ridesharing apps. Make sure you enter the correct location so that the driver can locate you. You can request arrival statuses and cancel ride requests. For Lyft you can even rate drivers. Uber’s Show app lets you see your drivers’ ratings and their location.

To enable, install from the Alexa App and link your account or Visit the Alexa Skills Store.

Top Command: Alexa, request Uber.

NYC Subway

NYC Subway is here to help you navigate the maze of the New York City Subway System. It continuously checks the status and rating of subway lines. You can see which are not rated as “Good Service”, or if there are any problems with a particular line.

To enable, say “Alexa enable Subway”, or go to the Alexa Skills Store.

Top Command: Alexa, ask subway about the status of all line.

Bay Area Transit for Caltrain

BART and Caltrain provide a two-pronged public transportation system in the San Francisco Bay Area. They serve different areas but can be used together to travel around the Bay Area. It’s hard to figure out the timings, but with this skill, you can see when they stop and how they are connected.

To enable, say “Alexa – enable Bay Area Transit”, or go to the Alexa Skills Store.

Top Command “Alexa, what is the next Caltrain?”

Amazon Echo Food Skills

Alexa can be a good sous-chef. She will set your alarms, and remind you to take the muffins out of oven. It can help you in many other ways in the kitchen. Good food!

Allrecipes

Allrecipes’ library of over 60,000 recipes will surely have something for you to cook. Alexa can even assist you by asking you how long you have to prepare the food and what type of food you prefer. The Show will give you visual instructions. You’ll only get voice instructions if you don’t own a Show. Alexa will send you the ingredients you need to the store if you don’t already have them.

To enable, say “Alexa enable Allrecipes”, or go to the Alexa Skills Store.

Top Command: Alexa, ask Allrecipes to find a recipe that includes chicken, bacon, and broccoli.

Save the Food

Sometimes you buy too much food and cannot finish it before it expires. Save the Food is the answer. Save the Food will tell you how to store your food better and keep it fresher longer. No more food waste!

To enable, say “Alexa, enable Save the Food”, or go to the Alexa Skills Store.

Top Command: Ask Save The Food about asparagus storage.

The Bartender

One of our favorites. The Bartender will help you make a cocktail by letting you know the exact ingredients and how to mix them. It would be a crime not to install this skill if your Echo is located in the kitchen or bar.

To enable, say “Alexa – enable The Bartender”, or go to the Alexa Skills Store.

Top Command: Tell Alexa to tell the Bartender that I’m surprised.

Grubhub

Grubhub is a great option if you have a long, stressful day, are not in the mood for cooking, or can’t access Just Eat. You just have to say “Alexa tell Grubhub that I am hungry.” You can then choose to reorder from any three of your previous orders. Simple.

To enable, install from the Alexa App and link your account or Visit the Alexa Skills Store.

Top Command: Alexa, ask Grubhub for food orders.

Starbucks Reorder

The line to get your favorite Starbucks drink is insane, and you need it urgently. You can easily and quickly reorder your favorite Starbucks drink by using the Starbucks skill.

To enable, install from the Alexa App and link your account or Visit the Alexa Skills Store.

Top Command: “Alexa tell Starbucks to begin my order.”

What Beer?

Why not make the most of our love for beer by learning ‘What Beer?’ Asking What Beer to pair different food with brews can make you pretend that not all beers taste the same. This makes for an interesting conversation until the beer kicks in.

To enable, install from the Alexa App and link your account or Visit the Alexa Skills Store.

Top Command: Alexa, what beer would you like with a hamburger?

Food Network

You love to cook but you’re not so good at following written instructions. Food Network’s relaunched Echo Show skill features video recipes presented by your favorite network personalities. You can also ask “Alexa, what is on Food Network at the moment?” Watch it to get you in the mood for cooking.

To enable, say “Alexa enable Food Network”, or go to the Alexa Skills Store.

Top Command: Give me the recipes from TV now.

We love Alexa’s other skills

Todoist

One of the most popular reminders and task list apps. You can create a to-do-list and check off items from the Alexa skill. This helps you stay organized without having to use your hands. Alexa can also remind you of items on your list. This is a must-have for Todoist customers – or a good reason to give it a try if you aren’t one.

To activate, say “Alexa enable Todoist”, or go to the Alexa Skills Store. Todoist must be linked to your account.

Top Command: “Alexa add pick up the children tomorrow at 4pm on my to-do lists.”

Wiffy

What’s the WiFi password? You can ask Alexa to “ask Wiffy for Wi-Fi password”. It goes without saying that this is not a good idea if you have people you don’t want to give access to.

To enable , say “Alexa – enable Wiffy”, or go to the Alexa Skills Store.

Top Command: Ask Wiffy for the Wi-Fi password.

Xbox

With the Xbox skill for Alexa, you can control your console using your voice in a variety of ways: turn it on/off; launch a selected game; record a specific moment; change the volume. You can even start a celebration. This requires an Xbox account.

To enable, install the Alexa App and sign in to your Microsoft Account. Visit the Alexa Skills Store.

Top Command: ‘Alexa, turn Xbox on.

Guitar Tuner

This is a must-have for every guitarist. Alexa will play each note, helping you tune your guitar strings. As any musician can attest, it’s an incredibly useful skill.

To enable, say “Alexa enable Guitar Tuner”, or go to the Alexa Skills Store.

Top Command: “Alexa ask the guitar tuner for note A.”

Translation

Amazon is currently working on a real time translator for Alexa. In the meantime, you can use this skill to get by. Alexa will translate sentences into 36 languages. It can read the sentence more slowly or repeat it if the intonation is difficult for you.

To enable, say: “Alexa, enable Translated” or Visit the Alexa Skills Store.

Top command: “Alexa, translate hello to [language].”

Plex

You can use Alexa to access your Plex media aggregator. This means you don’t have to grab the remote. You can either ask Alexa to recommend a title or ask “Alexa, please ask Plex for suggestions”.

To enable Plex: “Alexa enable Plex” Visit the Alexa Skills Store

Top Command: Ask Alexa to ask Plex about what’s on the deck

TrackR Find my Phone

It’s happened to all of us, trying desperately to locate your lost phone when no one is around to call it on their handset. Set up TrackR on your phone and Alexa will find it the next time it’s lost.

To enable, install from Alexa and link your account. You will need a partner smartphone app. Or you can visit the Alexa Skills Store.

Top Command: Ask TrackR to ring your phone.

Best skills for Echo speakers with a screen

 

Alexa is a smart speaker that can also be used as a display. It doesn’t matter if it’s an Echo Show or a fire tablet with Show Mode. There are many visual features that can be used.

We’ve put together a complete guide on the best Alexa Skills for Show Speakers if you’re wondering what skills will work with your intelligent speaker with a screen.