The Hidden Costs Of Alexa! Read Before Getting An Alexa

There are hidden costs of Alexa that you might not realize as you invest in this popular smart voice assistant. Smart homes have grown in popularity over the years, and Alexa has become one of the top ecosystems people are interested in. My name is Erfan Askari, and I am a smart home enthusiast with over six years of experience in this industry. In this article, I’ll discuss the investments you may or may not need to make when choosing Alexa as the central hub of your smart setup.

What are the Hidden Costs of Alexa? The Key Takeaway

Hidden costs of Alexa include:

Although it’s not so hidden, it’s good to know that the initial cost of purchasing Alexa devices (Ranging from $50 (the Echo dot) to over $200 (the Echo Show)
Ongoing subscription fees for music platforms and other streaming services (For example, Amazon Music is $8/month)
In app purchases using voice commands, which doesn’t obey the human’s normal shopping pattern (price comparison, among other things)
Increased Internet and connectivity usage (High-definition streaming consumes about 3GB per hour)
Device Maintenance (You may need occasional replacements or repairs that potentially cost $30 to $100 depending on the device and the issue)
Security & Privacy Enhancements (A VPN costs about $2 to $12 per month, and advanced router security or specialized network monitoring tools cost between $100 to $300)

Initial costs, although not so hidden, but are important to consider

Hidden Costs of Alexa: Initial Purchase and Costs for Setup

Obviously, the first thing that affects your budget for Alexa is your Alexa device; I don’t mean the other gadgets that come into play to create your setup. What I’m implying is the device that acts as your hub; this could be a budget-friendly Echo Dot (around $50) or a more feature-rich device like the Echo Show (around $300). Although this initial cost may seem straightforward, there are considerations to make that I’ve mentioned below.

Variety of the Devices

There are numerous devices you can choose from, but more advanced ones such as the Echo Studio, which is well-known for its superior sound quality, are a bit pricier.

Starter Kits and Bundles

Most retailers, such as Amazon, offer bundles that include other devices like smart lights and security cameras. These packages can be a smart choice economically, but it’s crystal clear that they add to your initial cost.

Installation Costs

If you aren’t one of those tech-savvy owners who prefer to do all of the hard work themselves, you should be considering some budget for the setup. The process includes setting up Alexa along with connecting it to your other smart devices such as cameras, the thermostat, the smart TV, and so on.

These are all one-time costs and may not appear that important, but they are clearly important to think about buying your Alexa device.

With that said, let’s learn about more hidden costs of Alexa!

Hidden Costs of Alexa: The Common Trap of Subscription Services and Premium Features

As you wander through the captivating expanse of Alexa’s domain, you’ll encounter a wealth of intriguing features and functionalities, each subtly exacting its own price

As you delve into the convenient world of Alexa, you may find yourself occupied by many interesting features and functionalities that Alexa-based apps have to offer, and they come with prices.

Music & Media Subscription

Amazon Music, Spotify, and Apple music: All of these popular music platforms are accessible through Alexa; however, to reach their full capacity and offer you their complete music library, they require a premium plan. Amazon Music’s premium plan is $8 per month and Spotify is $9.99 per month.
Audiobooks & Podcasts: These platforms also necessitate memberships to provide you with their vast array of audiobooks and exclusive podcasts.

Smart Home Integration

Home Automation: As you already know, Alexa can be a robust manager for your smart home devices. It can control lights, thermostats, and security systems; although this is true, there’s usually a need for additional compatible devices you must buy, and these even usually have their own subscription plans for gaining access to their full functionality. For instance, if you want to control your smart lights, sensors, and switches, you need the Philips Hue System. Don’t worry, there’s a free app that offers the basic functionalities, but for accessing advanced features such as out-of-home control or advanced routines, you need the Hue Bridge (around $60).
Enhancements for the Skills: There are many skills in your Alexa app that are designed to make your experience truly convenient, such as food ordering or taxi services; but these also hinge on subscriptions or entail hidden fees. For example, Uber Eats is a common food ordering service; it doesn’t inherently cost extra, but over time, there will be higher fees for convenience, typically a percentage of the order cost and it varies based on your location and order size.

In-app purchases can also be known as hidden costs associated with Alexa

Hidden Costs of Alexa: Purchases Inside the App

Purchases inside the app is another While buying different stuff through voice commands is such a convenient experience gifted by Alexa, it isn’t without drawbacks. Let me clear this with a scenario:

Imagine you are lying on your couch watching a movie, but you suddenly realize that there’s no popcorn to have during movie time. But then there’s your convenience pal, Alexa! To buy your popcorn, you simply command: “Alexa, order some popcorn kernels.” Then Alexa starts the buying process, but the way Alexa buys stuff isn’t the way a human does. She doesn’t compare prices, she isn’t aware if you have some popcorn stashed away somewhere! She simply buys from the most available place she finds. This can mean you’re going to have some unnecessary purchases and this definitely impacts your budget.

Streaming through Alexa can consume your internet, that's why it can be a hidden cost of Alexa

Hidden Costs of Alexa: Data Usage & Internet Connectivity

Data Consumption

Alexa’s routine tasks such as responding to commands or controlling smart home gadgets don’t consume much of your data; however, performing tasks such as streaming music, video, games, or podcasts can lead to a significant amount of data usage, which isn’t good for your pocket at all!

Wi-Fi Dependency

As I mentioned above, Alexa devices don’t consume a lot of your internet, but they do require robust internet speed to operate smoothly. This means you need to invest in high-speed internet if you don’t already have one, which can be an additional cost for some people.

Energy consumption could be considered one of the hidden costs of alexa

Electricity and Ongoing Operational Costs

Besides data consumption, Alexa can also use some of your electricity. Here’s what to know about the costs of electricity consumption.

Energy Usage of Devices

Individually, Alexa devices like the Echo Dot don’t consume a considerable amount of energy; however, the cumulative effect of multiple devices can be notable. Energy usage increases when many devices, like an Echo Show that is always on, and its display, along with gadgets that control power-intensive devices like smart heaters or air conditioners, come together.

Smart Home Enhancements

As you use Alexa to control different smart devices in your setup, like your cameras or your lighting gadgets, you are more likely to increase energy consumption. Although some devices, such as smart thermostats, can optimize energy use, the overall increase in electronic devices leads to higher utility bills.

other than hidden costs, privacy concerns are also essential to consider

Privacy and Security Concerns

The hidden costs of Alexa aren’t always related to money; using this smart assistant can bring up some potential security and privacy concerns that are worth keeping an eye on.

As you already know, Alexa is always listening and waiting for the “wake word.” This could potentially mean that there’s a risk for private data collection that you have no intention of sharing. Some users utilize VPNs or services that provide better encryption and privacy features to deal with such issues. These services aren’t free, so they’re one of the hidden costs of Alexa.

There is also a risk of unintended purchases or actions; it may happen by yourself or your children, but it is possible. Voice purchase confirmation or a PIN for purchase are two measures to take to overcome this problem.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I can say that there are some hidden costs of Alexa you must consider before buying. The convenience Alexa provides is unimaginable, and there’s no denying that. I neither suggest it nor stand against it; each individual has their own requirements and tastes, so you need to dive into the world of smart home hubs and figure out what’s best for your budget and needs.

FAQs

What are the most common hidden costs of Alexa?

The most common one is what I call the subscription trap. As you install various skills on your Alexa, to reach their full potential they ask you to buy the premium plan.