Amazon · Reviewed by SmarthomeAssistent · Published 2026-05-10
Based on a review by SmarthomeAssistent (accessed 2026-05-10).
Based on this review alone: buy it if you care about more natural, continuous conversations without constant wakeword use — just accept requires a new compatible echo device for immediate early access (otherwise, a potentially long waitlist).
The reviewer's personal opinion is very positive, stating that Alexa Plus is significantly better than the previous version. They highlight that the ability to interact more naturally, reduce the need for constant wakeword usage, and control multiple smart home devices at once are major improvements, making Alexa much more useful in daily life.
This review explores the new Alexa Plus service in Germany, focusing on how users can gain early access and detailing its enhanced capabilities. The reviewer demonstrates features such as more natural conversations, restaurant reservations, smart home controls, and contextual memory.
Amazon's Alexa Plus significantly enhances Alexa's capabilities, making interactions much more natural and robust. The new conversational mode allows users to speak without repeatedly saying the wakeword, effectively chaining multiple smart home commands, and enables voice-activated routine creation directly. While the OpenTable integration for restaurant reservations and calendar entries works well, the microphone sensitivity occasionally faltered during testing. If you frequently use Alexa for smart home control or scheduling, this upgrade is a worthwhile addition, particularly if you are a Prime member. For those primarily seeking basic voice commands, the current Alexa might suffice, making the paid version less essential.
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hands_on_demopositivet=03:10–03:45
The reviewer explains that purchasing and setting up a new, compatible Echo device (like the Echo Show 11 provided by Amazon) grants immediate access to Alexa Plus Early Access. He confirms that he received immediate access with a new device, whereas resetting an older device did not work.
visual_inspectionneutralt=03:50–04:00
The reviewer displays screenshots of the Alexa app, noting that its interface has been visually redesigned after gaining Alexa Plus Early Access, indicating a significant change in the user experience.
reviewer_claimpositivet=04:20–04:45
The reviewer states that once Alexa Plus Early Access is activated on one new compatible device, its features automatically extend to all other (even older) compatible Echo devices within the same household. He verified this with an old Echo Flex at home.
hands_on_demopositivet=05:25–06:05
The reviewer demonstrates Alexa Plus engaging in a continuous conversation by asking about the Hafengeburtstag event and then a follow-up question about fireworks without repeating the wake word, to which Alexa responds contextually.
hands_on_demopositivet=06:05–06:25
During the live conversation, Alexa Plus proactively explains that it can be interrupted at any time with the wake word or by directly speaking, and it will immediately respond to the new question or topic change, enhancing natural conversation flow.
hands_on_demonegativet=06:25–06:40
The reviewer notes a temporary issue during the live demonstration where Alexa Plus did not register his attempt to interrupt the conversation, though he suggests it might be due to his microphone position.
hands_on_demopositivet=07:05–08:15
The reviewer successfully demonstrates Alexa Plus's ability to locate pizzerias, verify availability through OpenTable, book a table for a specified time, and subsequently add the reservation details to the user's calendar.
hands_on_demopositivet=08:55–09:35
The reviewer demonstrates Alexa Plus successfully identifying an upcoming restaurant reservation from the calendar and canceling it upon command, with Alexa confirming the cancellation and its removal from the calendar.
reviewer_claimpositivet=10:00–10:20
The reviewer claims that Alexa Plus can control multiple smart home devices simultaneously with a single command, eliminating the need to issue separate commands for each device.
reviewer_claimpositivet=10:20–10:55
The reviewer explains that Alexa Plus allows users to create complex smart home routines purely by voice command, simplifying the process and removing the necessity of using the app for setup.
reviewer_claimpositivet=10:55–11:40
The reviewer states that Alexa Plus can remember personal information such as age and allergies, and then use this data contextually to provide personalized responses to future requests, like recommending suitable restaurants or sports activities.
specification_claimneutralt=12:00–12:35
The reviewer mentions a reported feature, demonstrated at an event but not personally tested, where Alexa Plus can integrate with Ring cameras to search past video footage and locate specific objects.
reviewer_claimneutralt=01:45–02:15
The reviewer explains that after the free Early Access phase, Alexa Plus will be free for Prime customers but will cost approximately 22.99€ per month for non-Prime members.
To gain early access, you can either sign up on the dedicated website, but the reviewer experienced a waiting period of at least two days without receiving access. The more direct method is to purchase one of the new, compatible Echo devices (e.g., Echo Show 8, Echo Show 11, Echo Dot Max newest generation, new Echo Studio), which grants immediate access upon setup.
Yes, Alexa Plus is designed for more natural conversations. The reviewer demonstrated asking follow-up questions about an event (Hafengeburtstag) without repeating "Alexa." Alexa also explains that it can be interrupted at any time and will respond to new questions or topic changes, making interactions feel more fluid, although a temporary interruption recognition issue was observed during the demo.
Yes, Alexa Plus can effectively make and manage restaurant reservations. The reviewer demonstrated asking Alexa to find and book a table at a pizzeria via OpenTable, which it successfully did and added to the calendar. He also showed that Alexa Plus can retrieve and cancel existing reservations from the calendar.
Yes, if you activate Alexa Plus Early Access on one of the new, compatible Echo devices, its features will automatically become available across all other compatible Echo devices within your household. The reviewer personally confirmed this by testing it with an old Echo Flex, which also gained Alexa Plus capabilities.
Following the free Early Access phase, Alexa Plus will become a subscription service. It will be included free of charge for Amazon Prime customers. However, for users who are not Prime members, the service is expected to cost around 22.99€ per month.
Alexa Plus enhances smart home control by allowing users to issue a single command to control multiple devices simultaneously (e.g., 'turn on lights in the hall and kitchen'). It also simplifies smart home automation by enabling the creation of routines entirely through voice commands, removing the need to use the app for setup.
Yes, Alexa Plus has a contextual memory feature, allowing it to store personal information such as your age or dietary restrictions (e.g., lactose intolerance). It then uses this remembered information to provide more personalized and relevant answers or recommendations in subsequent interactions, like suggesting lactose-free restaurants or age-appropriate sports activities.
75/100 source quality
Alexa Plus has launched in Early Access in Germany, offering a more natural conversational AI experience akin to modern chatbots. Users can gain immediate access by purchasing a new, compatible Echo device, otherwise, there may be a waiting period after website registration. The service introduces significant UI changes, extends its features to all compatible Echo devices in a household once activated, and allows for advanced capabilities like restaurant reservations, multi-command smart home control, voice-activated routine creation, and contextual memory.
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Brand relationship disclosed as: gifted