The Ultimate Guide to Setting Up Your Smart Home - WIRED
We put together this smart-home guide to highlight your options, explain the jargon, and help you understand the consequences of the choices you make.
wide choice of Skills
Amazon Alexa: With a head start in the smart-home arena, Amazon’s Alexa boasts the widest range of compatible products. You can ask it anything, though its answers aren't always as accurate as Google's. Alexa supports a <anchor>wide choice of Skills</anchor> (like smartphone apps) that have been developed by third parties, and its speakers and smart displays are the most affordable, especially if you wait for big sale events like Prime Day. If you want to control Alexa from your phone, you need to install the Alexa app, and it must be open before you can issue a voice command.
Alexa Skills That Are Actually Fun and Useful | WIRED
Alexa Skills That Are Actually Fun and Useful \| WIRED

[Skip to main content](#main-content)

Open Navigation Menu
Menu

Story Saved

To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then [View saved stories](/account/saved).

Close Alert

[![WIRED](/verso/static/wired/assets/logo-header.svg)](/)

[Search\
Search](/search/)

- [Security](/category/security/)
- [Politics](https://www.wired.com/category/politics/)
- [Gear](/category/gear/)
- [The Big Story](/category/big-story/)
- [Business](/category/business/)
- [Science](/category/science/)
- [Culture](/category/culture/)
- [Ideas](/category/ideas/)
- [Merch](https://shop.wired.com/)

- [Podcasts](/podcasts/)
- [Video](/video/)
- [Newsletters](https://www.wired.com/newsletter?sourceCode=navbar)
- [Magazine](https://www.wired.com/magazine)
- [Travel](http://wired.com/travel)
- [Steven Levy's Plaintext Column](https://www.wired.com/tag/plaintext/)
- [WIRED Classics from the Archive](https://www.wired.com/tag/wired-classic/)
- [Events](https://www.wired.com/tag/wired-events/)
- [WIRED Insider](/category/wiredinsider/)
- [WIRED Consulting](/tag/wired-consulting/ )
- [Jobs](https://jobs.wired.com/?source=navbar)
- [Coupons](https://www.wired.com/coupons)

![illustration of the word "featured"](https://media.wired.com/photos/5fdd013882a20d9fbe75eab2/master/h_120%2Cc_limit/featured-final.jpg)

- [AI Around Your Neck](/story/friend-ai-pendant/)
- [Drinks with a kick](/story/best-energy-drinks/)
- [Apocalypse-Proof Truck](/story/dominator-3-tornado-chaser/)
- [White-Noise winners](/gallery/best-sound-machines/)
- [Deals delivered](https://www.wired.com/newsletter/deals?sourceCode=ArticleBannerGear/)

[Eric Ravenscraft](/author/eric-ravenscraft/)

[Gear](/category/gear)

Feb 27, 2021 7:00 AM

# Alexa Skills That Are Actually Fun and Useful

Sure, you can add items to your shopping list, check the weather, and get random trivia. Now let's take your Echo to the next level.

![amazon echo with clock shown](https://media.wired.com/photos/60399811040af4d50d8ff86c/master/w_2560%2Cc_limit/Gear-Alexa-Skills-1226031771.jpg)

Photograph: Phil Barker/Getty Images

Save this storySave

Save this storySave

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. [Learn more](https://www.wired.com/2015/11/affiliate-link-policy/). Please also consider [subscribing to WIRED](https://subscribe.wired.com/subscribe/splits/wired/WIR_SELF?source=HCL_WIR_EDIT_HARDCODED_0_COMMERCE_AFFILIATE_ZZ)

Amazon’s Echo devices can do a lot of cool things out of the box, but if you want to add extra features, you can turn to [the Alexa Skills library](https://www.amazon.com/alexa-skills/b?ie=UTF8&node=13727921011). These mini-apps let you add new voice commands, connect to third-party apps, and even play games. There’s just one problem: A lot of them aren’t great. To cut through the chaff, we’ve got a list of the best skills that are actually worth enabling on your Echo.

7-Minute Workout

Finding time to work out during the day is one of those tasks that can feel more overwhelming than it really is. [7-Minute Workout](https://www.amazon.com/Pargee-7-Minute-Workout/dp/B018WUNBE6/) helps fix this problem by starting a short, guided workout with a single voice command. Tell Alexa “Start a 7-minute workout” and it will walk you through a few simple workouts that will take no time to finish.

Headspace: Guided Meditation

Meditation can have a [profound impact on your health](https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-set-up-a-home-meditation-space/), but it’s not easy for most people to do on their own. That’s where guided meditation apps like [Headspace](https://www.amazon.com/Headspace-Guided-Meditation-for-Everybody/dp/B078J9G3DV/) come in handy. Tell Alexa you’re ready to meditate, and the service will start walking you through how to relax, focus, and center yourself. You’ll need to have a Headspace account in the usual app, but once it’s all set up, you can start a meditation session without touching your phone.

AllRecipes

Smart speakers and displays are excellent cooking companions, since they can walk you through cooking a recipe. Which makes [AllRecipes](https://www.amazon.com/Allrecipes/dp/B01N3MS7AV/) one of the most useful skills you can enable. This skill will walk you through recipes it finds online or ones you have saved in your personal cookbook.

OurGroceries

A useful companion app to AllRecipes, the [OurGroceries](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01D4F1J0M) skill lets you keep track of the groceries you currently have in your pantry, add items to your shopping list, and remove things as you use them. If you’re already using Alexa to help you keep track of your recipes and cooking, it’s not too far out of your way to also track your groceries, and then you’ll never need to wonder if you have milk in the fridge.

Mixologist

If you want to put together a cocktail, but you’re not sure what you can make with what you have in stock, [Mixologist](https://www.amazon.com/Luis-Sala-Mixologist/dp/B01DJOK2DI/) can help. It can find cocktails by name, search for drinks that use a specific ingredient you have (like rum or tequila), or find a random drink you might not have tried before. It’s a handy way to branch out with your drink menu without too much effort.

Uber/Lyft

When you’re getting ready to leave the house and need to call a ride, Alexa can get you an [Uber](https://www.amazon.com/Uber-Technologies-Inc/dp/B01AYJQ9QK/) or [Lyft](https://www.amazon.com/Lyft/dp/B01FV34BGE/) with a single command. Both apps allow users to ask for different types of rides (including budget or premium rides) or check your ride status. Lyft even lets you rate your driver after they drop you off. Just make sure Alexa [hears that five-star rating](https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/carolineodonovan/the-fault-in-five-stars) correctly.

Ask My Buddy

Alexa is equipped with commands that let you message or call people, but they can be finicky. That’s fine for day-to-day communication, but [Ask My Buddy](https://www.amazon.com/Beach-Dev-Ask-My-Buddy/dp/B017YAF22Y/) is designed to simplify things for one simple purpose: emergency messages. You can set up this skill to text or call a specific person when you say, “Alexa, ask my buddy to send help.” This is useful if you have someone who has trouble getting around in the home and might only be able to call out for help but not reach a phone.

Hue/LIFX

One of the most convenient use cases for a smart speaker is being able to control your lights with your voice. With smart light skills like those for [Philips Hue](https://www.amazon.com/Philips-Hue/dp/B01LWAGUG7/) or [LIFX](https://www.amazon.com/LIFX-Optimized-for-Smart-Home/dp/B01EIQSPOY/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=lifx&qid=1613692100&s=digital-skills&sr=1-2), you can set light brightness levels, change colors, and turn lights on and off with voice commands. Once you turn your bedroom lights off from comfy-under-the-covers, it’s hard to go back to anything else.

Sleep and Relaxation Sounds

If you have a Spotify or Amazon Music account, you might already have access to a library of white noise sounds that you can play in the background or as you try to sleep. However, you don’t need to pay for a separate service. [Sleep & Relaxation Sounds](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XBXR97N) comes with a library of ambient noises like rainfall, cicadas, train rides, or a variety of other soundscapes you can put on with a command.

Jeopardy!

One of the most popular game shows in the history of television, _Jeopardy_ has [its own Alexa skill](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019G0M2WS) that you can use to play along with the episode that’s currently airing. Every weekday, the skill offers companion questions that go along with the categories on the episode, so you can play along.

_Skyrim Very Special Edition_

In a similar category of fun Alexa skills, [_Skyrim Very Special Edition_](https://www.amazon.com/Bethesda-Game-Studios-Special-Edition/dp/B07D6STSX8/) is a version of the popular fantasy RPG game that [everyone thought was a joke](https://venturebeat.com/2018/06/10/skyrim-very-special-edition-joke-alexa-rpg/), until it wasn’t. You can activate the skill and follow quests, do battle, and explore the land of Skyrim, all using voice commands and verbal descriptions. It has a feel of one of those [old-school text adventure games](http://www.hrwiki.org/wiki/Peasant%27s_Quest), with a modern twist.

* * *

More Great WIRED Stories

- 📩 The latest on tech, science, and more: [Get our newsletters](https://www.wired.com/newsletter?sourceCode=BottomStories)!
- Your body, your self, [your surgeon, his Instagram](https://www.wired.com/story/dr6ix-cosmetic-surgeon-influencer-privacy/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_5&itm_content=footer-recirc)
- The untold history of [America’s zero-day market](https://www.wired.com/story/untold-history-americas-zero-day-market/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_5&itm_content=footer-recirc)
- How to have a meaningful [video chat … with your dog](https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-have-a-meaningful-video-chat-with-your-dog/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_5&itm_content=footer-recirc)
- All these mutant virus strains [need new code names](https://www.wired.com/story/all-these-mutant-virus-strains-need-new-code-names/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_5&itm_content=footer-recirc)
- Two paths for [the extremely online novel](https://www.wired.com/story/extremely-online-novels/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_5&itm_content=footer-recirc)
- 🎮 WIRED Games: Get the latest [tips, reviews, and more](https://www.wired.com/tag/video-games/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_5&itm_content=footer-recirc)
- 🎧 Things not sounding right? Check out our favorite [wireless headphones](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-wireless-headphones/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories&itm_content=footer-recirc), [soundbars](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-soundbars/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories&itm_content=footer-recirc), and [Bluetooth speakers](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-bluetooth-speakers/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories&itm_content=footer-recirc)

Most Popular

- Gear



[How Do You Solve a Problem Like Polestar?](https://www.wired.com/story/how-do-you-solve-a-problem-like-polestar/#intcid=_wired-gear-right-rail_81abeddf-409d-4124-acc5-f7b194b76acc_popular4-1-reranked-by-vidi)







By Carlton Reid

- Gear



[Everything Apple Announced Today](https://www.wired.com/story/everything-apple-announced-iphone-16-apple-watch-series-10-new-airpods/#intcid=_wired-gear-right-rail_81abeddf-409d-4124-acc5-f7b194b76acc_popular4-1-reranked-by-vidi)







By Boone Ashworth

- Gear



[The Best Hearing Aids We’ve Personally Tested and Vetted With an Expert](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-hearing-aids/#intcid=_wired-gear-right-rail_81abeddf-409d-4124-acc5-f7b194b76acc_popular4-1-reranked-by-vidi)







By Christopher Null

- Gear



[The Best Fitness Trackers and Watches for Everyone](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-fitness-tracker/#intcid=_wired-gear-right-rail_81abeddf-409d-4124-acc5-f7b194b76acc_popular4-1-reranked-by-vidi)







By Adrienne So


[Eric Ravenscraft](/author/eric-ravenscraft/) is a product writer and reviewer at WIRED, based in Austin, Texas. He's guided readers on how to use technology for nearly a decade for publications including Lifehacker, OneZero, and _The New York Times_. He also streams on Twitch for WIRED occasionally and can be found on YouTube... [Read more](/author/eric-ravenscraft/)

Product Writer and Reviewer

- [X](https://www.twitter.com/lordravenscraft)

Topics [Apps](/tag/apps/) [Alexa](/tag/alexa/) [how-to](/tag/how-to/) [tips](/tag/tips/) [smart home](/tag/smart-home/)

Read More

[I Screwed Up My 5K Time by Training With the Pixel Watch 3’s AI Running Coach](https://www.wired.com/story/google-pixel-watch-3-running-coach-features/#intcid=recommendations_wired-bottom-recirc-v4_4a38816f-6475-496f-95cf-a413158e69d9_entity-topic-similarity-v2)

Fitbit’s new fitness features on Google’s latest smartwatch are a great starting point, but training to be a better runner still requires a human touch.

Adrienne So

[The Best Nintendo Switch Games for Every Kind of Player](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-nintendo-switch-games/#intcid=recommendations_wired-bottom-recirc-v4_4a38816f-6475-496f-95cf-a413158e69d9_entity-topic-similarity-v2)

From _Animal Well_ to _The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom_, these are our absolute favorite escapes for the best portable console.

Gear Team

[The Best Crossplay Games for Consoles and PC](https://www.wired.com/story/crossplay-games-console-pc-switch-mobile/#intcid=recommendations_wired-bottom-recirc-v4_4a38816f-6475-496f-95cf-a413158e69d9_entity-topic-similarity-v2)

These titles let you play with friends on all kinds of platforms, from computers to Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and even mobile.

Eric Ravenscraft

[The Best Fitness Trackers and Watches for Everyone](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-fitness-tracker/#intcid=recommendations_wired-bottom-recirc-v4_4a38816f-6475-496f-95cf-a413158e69d9_entity-topic-similarity-v2)

Whether you’re skiing in the backcountry or trampolining in the backyard, we have an activity tracker for you.

Adrienne So

[The Best Handheld Gaming Consoles](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-gaming-handhelds/#intcid=recommendations_wired-bottom-recirc-v4_4a38816f-6475-496f-95cf-a413158e69d9_entity-topic-similarity-v2)

The second golden age of portable gaming is here! Mostly. These are the top gadgets for taking your video games on the go.

Eric Ravenscraft

[6 Best Snack Subscription Boxes to Satisfy Every Craving](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-snack-subscription-boxes/#intcid=recommendations_wired-bottom-recirc-v4_4a38816f-6475-496f-95cf-a413158e69d9_entity-topic-similarity-v2)

We did the hard work of munching, sniffing, and nibbling to help you level up your nosh game.

Louryn Strampe

[I Spent Two Months Testing Cold-Plunge Pools. I Think I’m Addicted](https://www.wired.com/story/best-cold-plunge-tubs/#intcid=recommendations_wired-bottom-recirc-v4_4a38816f-6475-496f-95cf-a413158e69d9_entity-topic-similarity-v2)

Keen to try the latest wellness trend, I dipped out of my comfort zone. These are my favorite cold-water plunge pools for any budget.

Emily Peck

[Step Away From Screens With the 32 Best Family Board Games](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-family-board-games/#intcid=recommendations_wired-bottom-recirc-v4_4a38816f-6475-496f-95cf-a413158e69d9_entity-topic-similarity-v2)

From monsters to kittens to strategy games, these sets will liven things up on nights when everyone is tired of screens.

Simon Hill

## [WIRED COUPONS](https://www.wired.com/coupons)

[![https://www.wired.com/coupons/static/shop/32697/logo/FINAL_TurboTax_logo.png](https://www.wired.com/coupons/static/shop/32697/logo/FINAL_TurboTax_logo.png)\
\
TurboTax Service Code\
\
Turbo Tax Live Assisted - 10% off](https://www.wired.com/coupons/turbotax "TurboTax Service Code") [![https://www.wired.com/coupons/static/shop/37832/logo/H_R_Block_Coupon_Code.png](https://www.wired.com/coupons/static/shop/37832/logo/H_R_Block_Coupon_Code.png)\
\
h&r block coupon\
\
H&R Block Coupons & Offers](https://www.wired.com/coupons/hr-block "h&r block coupon") [![https://www.wired.com/coupons/static/shop/37974/logo/Instacart_logo_-_22__1_.png](https://www.wired.com/coupons/static/shop/37974/logo/Instacart_logo_-_22__1_.png)\
\
Instacart promo code\
\
Enjoy $15 Off Your Orders With Instacart Coupon](https://www.wired.com/coupons/instacart "Instacart promo code") [![https://www.wired.com/coupons/static/shop/34427/logo/doordash-promo-codes-logo.png](https://www.wired.com/coupons/static/shop/34427/logo/doordash-promo-codes-logo.png)\
\
Doordash Promo Code\
\
DoorDash Promo Code: 25% off your order](https://www.wired.com/coupons/doordash "Doordash Promo Code") [![https://www.wired.com/coupons/static/shop/30161/logo/_0044_Finish-Line-coupons.png](https://www.wired.com/coupons/static/shop/30161/logo/_0044_Finish-Line-coupons.png)\
\
Finish Line Coupon\
\
2 for $40 on Select Kids' Hoodies & Joggers Finish Line Deal](https://www.wired.com/coupons/finish-line "Finish Line Coupon") [![https://www.wired.com/coupons/static/shop/30163/logo/Groupon_Logo_in_Gradient_Green_-_WIRED.png](https://www.wired.com/coupons/static/shop/30163/logo/Groupon_Logo_in_Gradient_Green_-_WIRED.png)\
\
Groupon Promo Code\
\
Save Up to 60%- Groupon Oil Change](https://www.wired.com/coupons/groupon "Groupon Promo Code")

[![WIRED](/verso/static/wired/assets/logo-reverse.svg)](/)

WIRED is where tomorrow is realized. It is the essential source of information and ideas that make sense of a world in constant transformation. The WIRED conversation illuminates how technology is changing every aspect of our lives—from culture to business, science to design. The breakthroughs and innovations that we uncover lead to new ways of thinking, new connections, and new industries.

More From WIRED

- [Subscribe](https://www.wired.com/subscribe/)
- [Newsletters](https://www.wired.com/newsletter?sourceCode=HeaderAndFooter)
- [FAQ](https://www.wired.com/about/faq/)
- [WIRED Staff](https://www.wired.com/about/wired-staff/)
- [Editorial Standards](https://www.wired.com/about/wired-on-background-policy/)
- [Archive](https://archive.wired.com/t/storefront/storefront)
- [RSS](https://www.wired.com/about/rss-feeds/)
- [Accessibility Help](https://www.wired.com/about/accessibility-help/)

Reviews and Guides

- [Reviews](https://www.wired.com/category/gear/reviews/)
- [Buying Guides](https://www.wired.com/category/gear/buying-guides/)
- [Mattresses](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-mattresses/)
- [Electric Bikes](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-electric-bikes/)
- [Soundbars](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-soundbars/)
- [Streaming Guides](https://www.wired.com/tag/culture-guides/)
- [Coupons](https://www.wired.com/coupons)
- [Submit an Offer](https://www.wired.com/coupons/submit-offer)
- [Become a Partner](https://www.wired.com/coupons/business-partners)
- [Coupons Contact](https://www.wired.com/coupons/contact)
- [Code Guarantee](https://www.wired.com/coupons/info/code-guarantee.html)

- [Advertise](https://www.condenast.com/brands/wired)
- [Contact Us](https://www.wired.com/about/feedback/)
- [Customer Care](https://subscriptions.wired.com/pubs/N3/WIR/Register.jsp?cds_page_id=175371&cds_mag_code=WIR&id=1423757547774&lsid=50431012277019467&vid=1)
- [Jobs](https://www.wired.com/about/wired-jobs/)
- [Press Center](https://www.wired.com/about/press/)
- [Condé Nast Store](https://www.condenaststore.com/)
- [User Agreement](https://www.condenast.com/user-agreement/)
- [Privacy Policy](http://www.condenast.com/privacy-policy#privacypolicy)
- [Your California Privacy Rights](http://www.condenast.com/privacy-policy#privacypolicy-california)

© 2024 Condé Nast. All rights reserved. _WIRED_ may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. [Ad Choices](http://www.aboutads.info)

###### Select international site

United StatesLargeChevron

- [Italia](https://www.wired.it/)
- [Japón](https://wired.jp/)
- [Czech Republic & Slovakia](https://www.wired.cz/)

- [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/wired/)
- [X](https://twitter.com/wired/)
- [Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/wired/)
- [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/user/wired/)
- [Instagram](https://instagram.com/wired/)
- [Tiktok](https://www.tiktok.com/@wired?lang=en)