Alexa+: what it costs and what it can actually do
Where it stands
As of Oct 22, 2026: available to everyone in the US since Feb 2026.
Alexa+ is the AI version of Amazon's assistant. The questions people ask: do I have to pay, will it work on my old Echo, and is it actually better?
How much does it cost?
It's included with Amazon Prime. Without Prime it costs $19.99 a month, or you can use a free tier on Alexa.com and in the Alexa app, limited by how much you use it.
Sources: [1] Tom's Guide
Will it work on my Echo?
Probably. It runs on Echo devices up to eight generations old, Fire TV and Fire tablets; only first-generation Echo speakers are left out. Upgrading is voluntary.
Sources: [1] Tom's Guide
Is it better at controlling the smart home?
Yes, in Consumer Reports' testing. You can say "turn on the light over the sink" instead of an exact device name, and "it's really damp in the bathroom" turns on the exhaust fan.
Sources: [2] Consumer Reports
What does it still get wrong?
Consumer Reports caught it stating the wrong day for a snowstorm, and getting both addresses wrong when ordering an Uber. The Alexa app is still buggy, and Echo Show screens still show ads.
Sources: [2] Consumer Reports
What we’ll update next
- Independent tests of the free tier's limits
- Fewer errors on bookings and facts
- How it compares with Apple's Siri AI on HomeView
How we know (2 sources)
Alexa+ left early access and opened to everyone in the US: included with Prime, $19.99/month otherwise, plus a usage-limited free tier on Alexa.com and in the app. Works on Echo devices up to eight generations old, Fire TV and Fire tablets; upgrading is voluntary.
Read the sourceReview of Alexa+: smart home voice control understands natural phrasing ("turn on the light over the sink") and context, and it understands children far better than the old Alexa. It sometimes gave wrong facts and got addresses wrong when booking an Uber. The Alexa app is still buggy, and Echo Show screens still show ads.
Read the source