CAR’s guide to Alexa for your car

What would we all do without our phones? They have everything that you need for modern living, and this even extends to our cars now. We can choose what music we want to listen to, make and take calls and even place orders for our favourite coffee on the move.

Obviously, it's illegal to use your phone when you're driving, so that's where a voice-activated assistant comes in handy. Amazon's Alexa, in particular, is great and can be easily installed in any car. Read our guide and pretty soon you'll wonder how you ever coped without one.

Alexa for your car

Believe it or not, buying an Echo device is not essential to have Alexa in your car, but it is probably the best place to start. This model is specifically designed to be used in a vehicle (paired to your mobile) and can even clip onto the air vents of certain cars, so it's out of the way.

Pros
• Designed for car use
• Compact design

Cons
• You'll probably need an additional mount

This car stereo has Alexa built-in, so you won't need to buy the Echo Auto. You'll be able to request your favourite songs using nothing more than your voice, making an aux cable a thing of the past. The Bluetooth feature also enables you to take and receive phone calls.

Pros
• Great for audiophiles
• Bluetooth is a welcome addition

Cons
• Expensive option

Although the Echo Auto fits some air vents, you'll need to buy a mount to place it where you want. This magnetic one is excellent quality and will allow you to mount your Echo Auto wherever you want in your car.

Pros
• Limitless places to put your Echo

Cons
• You'll still need to buy an Echo

If your smartphone has an Alexa function, this mount is a great way to use it while driving legally. This mount allows you to use the voice functions of your phone safely and legally. Just remember that it won't charge your phone.

Pros
• You don't need an Echo

Cons
• Expensive for a phone mount
• Will not charge your phone

This excellent budget stereo from Kenwood offers complete Alexa voice control. It lacks a built-in microphone like more expensive models so you won't be making any phone calls with it, but for such good value, that doesn't matter much.

Pros
• Great value for Alexa integration
• Good sound quality

Cons
• Cannot take phone calls

If having Alexa in your car is good, introducing it to your home can be life-changing. As well as checking the time and news and choosing music, you can wire up your entire house to be voice-activated. Imagine being able to switch on the lights without standing up; perfect.

Pros
• All the benefits of Alexa in your home
• Good built-in speaker

Cons
• For smart-home features, you'll need to spend more cash

This Bluetooth speaker is an excellent option if you're on a tight budget but still want voice-activated tech. It supports Siri and Google Assistant and can do the same things an Alexan do, but it is a cheaper alternative.

Pros
• Get voice-activated tech for less.

Cons
• The speaker could be more powerful

What you need to know about Alexa:

What does an Alexa do?

Almost anything you could want. There are the obvious things like checking the time, requesting music and taking phone calls that'll undoubtedly be used often. Yet, an Alexa system can also make lists, set reminders and even allow you to order products through Amazon.

In short, there are so many things one of these devices can do that you're sure to find some use for it. What's the Best covers some of the more unusual things that an Echo system can do, so head on over there if you'd like a full rundown.

What are the alternatives?

There are a number of voice-activated systems just like Alexa; Apple has Siri and Google offers Google Assistant. Both of these are available on various smartphones and can be used when driving using a phone mount. Amazon's Echo Auto, however, is specifically designed to be used in cars - a big bonus over the other two.

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