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Top 4 worst locations you can put an Amazon Echo in your home

You’ll want to avoid these locations for the best Amazon Echo experience.

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Quick Answer: The obvious answers here are don’t put your Amazon Echo near noisy places, multimedia that can accidentally hijack it, or anywhere that you’re worried about privacy.

So, you’ve got your hands on a slick Amazon smart speaker, but there’s one pressing question you must answer: where do you put the damn thing?

Naturally, some locations are better than others, and several are complete no-go zones unless you take adequate precautions.

Newer Echo devices can extend your Wi-Fi, and all can help you listen to podcasts or call your contacts.

When it comes to ideal smart speaker positioning, don’t be left guessing. Let’s discuss the worst—and then the best—locations for your Amazon Echo.

Where (not) to situate your Amazon Echo or Dot

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The Echo Dot (5th Gen, 2022 release) is a compact smart speaker that combines improved audio performance with a sleek design. It offers enhanced Alexa functionality and energy-efficient operations, providing a balanced blend of entertainment and utility.

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Cons:
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11/09/2024 03:20 pm GMT

Near water, including kitchens and bathrooms

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Image: Joe Rice-Jones / KnowTechie

At this stage, none of the Echo devices are waterproof, so you should avoid placing them in any areas where they might get wet.

For instance, kitchens and bathrooms are generally locations where water gets flung around willy-nilly.

Even if your Echo isn’t sitting right by the sink or bathtub, it may still be in the splash zone. Therefore, you should avoid placing it and any other water-vulnerable electronics in these areas.

If you must have your Echo in a location where there’s a water risk, you should place it in the safest position possible, preferably somewhere up high, where it can’t get splashed or knocked into a sink, bathtub, or toilet.

Within range of your TV or other devices that play audio

samsung m8 smart tv feature
Image: Kevin Raposo / KnowTechie

If you place your Echo near a TV or another product that plays audio, you run the risk of your smart speaker accidentally activating via the wake command. Ideally, only you and authorized individuals should be saying the magic word within range.

However, a TV show, a movie, a podcast, or an ad could drop an “Alexa” without warning and summon your Echo into action.

If you can’t avoid placing your Amazon device near another audio source and are experiencing accidental activations, you may want to change Alexa’s wake word to something more obscure.

Currently, the available Alexa wake words are Alexa, Amazon, Echo, Computer, and Ziggy.

Yeah, most of those are actually obscure, but if Alexa is a common word in your household or in the audio content you consume, changing the wake command to something else may be the better choice.

Plus, it’s pretty common for Echo speakers to trigger on similar-sounding words.

Near open windows or other unsecured locations

Really, your Echo is a private device for you and your household, and random passersby or sneaky stalkers shouldn’t have easy access to the speaker.

Ideally, you should avoid placing the device anywhere unauthorized people might be able to activate it, including in insecure outdoor locations and by open windows.  

If you can’t avoid sketchy individuals getting close to your Echo, changing the wake word may be enough to thwart their attempts to hijack your smart speaker. For a temporary solution, muting the microphone may also be an option.

Areas where private conversations take place

By default, your Amazon Echo device records all of your conversations. Are you really surprised?

Because Alexa is always listening—and remembering—you should avoid placing her in any locations where you’re discussing secrets, such as what you did last summer. You know what we’re talking about.

Granted, most Echo devices are going to pick up private conversations no matter where you place them. So, you may want to stop Amazon from gathering recordings altogether, which you can do through the privacy settings in the Alexa app.

Best locations for your Amazon Echo

amazon dot fourth generation on a wooden table
Image: Joe Rice-Jones / KnowTechie

Now that we’ve covered the worst possible places to put your Amazon Echo let’s discuss the best locations for a smart speaker:

  • Living room, away from open windows and outside of TV audio range
  • Bedroom, but muted when having private conversations or partaking in private activities (unless you prefer a potential audience of Amazon employees)
  • Home office
  • Home gym
  • Kitchen, when placed outside of the splash zone
  • Away from any humans named Alexa to avoid confusion and accidental activation
  • Anywhere else your Echo is safe from moisture and unauthorized access

With potential hazards in mind, you should be able to find several great locations for your Echo device.

No Echo location is perfect

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11/09/2024 08:48 am GMT

Look, no location is going to be perfect for a smart speaker. Water, unauthorized access, and accidental activation are difficult to avoid completely.

However, the solutions we’ve mentioned should help minimize any difficulties and help you get the most out of your Amazon Echo device.

Ultimately, the ideal location for your smart speaker is wherever it best serves you and your needs.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Matt is an Australian writer with a degree in creative and critical writing. Prior to commencing his studies, he worked in tech support and gained valuable insights into technology and its users. He is also an editor and author coach at Dean Publishing.

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