Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cars
  3. Guides

How to install Alexa in your car

By

Talking to your oven, your air conditioning system, and your fridge is easy with Amazon’s A.I.-powered Alexa virtual assistant, so putting this technology in a car is a no-brainer. The list of new cars that come equipped with Amazon Alexa compatibility grows annually, and several aftermarket companies make devices that let you add this feature to your vehicle regardless of when it was built. Here are the best ones available in 2020.

Muse

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Speak Music’s Muse was one of the first Alexa car accessories to hit the market, and it’s now in its second generation. All you do is connect the small device to your iPhone or Android-powered phone using Bluetooth. From there, you can use all of Alexa’s regular functions. You can also control your car’s audio functions, like skipping songs and boosting volume, by connecting to the car’s display through Bluetooth, USB, or auxiliary inputs.

Recommended Videos

Roav Viva Pro

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Roav Viva Pro gives you Alexa, remote calling, and a charging station for your phone, all in one. It also has a convenient mute button that turns off the device’s mic. To get started, you plug Viva Pro into your car’s cigarette lighter, then connect it to your phone using Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple Carplay, AUX-Out, or FM transmission.

Related

Echo Auto

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Amazon has come out with its own answer to Alexa auto accessories with the Echo Auto. The boxy device plugs into your car’s USB port or lighter, then you use the Alexa app to set it up. The device allows you to use all of Alexa’s regular functions, including hands-free calling, and it has a mute button for the mic. It has eight microphones to hear commands over road noise, so you won’t need to shout “play Blink 182!” four times before “Aliens Exist” comes on.

Garmin Speak

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Garmin Speak stands out among other Alexa car devices for two reasons. First, it has a display that shows turn-by-turn navigation directions, which is super handy for the directionally stunted. Second, it mounts to your car’s windshield, so it doesn’t clutter up your air vents and it won’t leave glue marks on your dashboard. It connects to your phone through Bluetooth and its own app, and gives you access to all of Alexa’s features.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Ronan Glon
Ronan Glon
Contributor
Ronan Glon is an American automotive and tech journalist based in southern France. As a long-time contributor to Digital…
The best dash cams for every contingency and every budget
best dash cams

Like a good co-pilot, a dash cam sees what you might miss. The best dash cams also never sleep, so they'll keep an eye on your car even when you're nowhere near it, and record everything that happens, with a memory that's much better than yours. Don't feel bad, human memory is a fickle thing. Really, you shouldn't be driving without a dash cam active these days, even just a quick trip to the grocery store. Many come with dual cameras that capture both what's happening inside the vehicle and outside at the same time. The footage captured serves as evidence when you need it. It can also be a deterrent for potential events, like insurance fraud attempts. And it may help frame what happened in a fender bender, proving who was -- or wasn't -- at fault.

But as you might expect, not all dash cams are created equal. We here at Digital Trends took the time to explore some of the best out there and share our thoughts, particularly on our top picks. Let's dive in.
Our top pick: Vantrue E360 Panoramic

Read more
The best cars for teens
2019 Mazda Mazda3 AWD review

Teens and their parents have trouble agreeing on most things these days. Finding the best car for a teen driver is often a contentious subject, needing to find the balance of safety, affordability, and features. When it comes down to it, it's the Mazda 3.

Digital Trends had nearly 90 hands-on reviews of new cars in 2019 and can attest to other great options for teens, too. From sporty to spacious, all with an eye on safety, these are our picks for the best rides for teens. 
The best car for teens: Mazda 3

Read more
The best cars for camping

A night under the brilliant, undiluted stars is one of the best ways to escape the stresses of daily life, but to do it right, you’ll need supplies. Firewood, graham crackers, and chocolate are obvious choices, but the right vehicle can be the gooey marshmallow that brings it all together.

A lot goes into choosing the ideal camping car. It has to get you there, for starters, so it must be adventurous and at least somewhat tough. It should also be reliable, with lots of cargo room and seating for all your friends and gear. We’ve already done a list of our favorite trucks and the best 4x4s, so when we set out to choose the best cars for camping, we focused on fun. That’s the point of camping, right?

Read more