Amazon's rolling out Alexa+ in early access, and it's finally the virtual assistant people imagined when these devices first appeared. Unlike the original Alexa that repeats predetermined responses, this upgraded version uses generative AI to have actual conversations.
The difference is substantial. Alexa+ remembers what you said earlier in a conversation and maintains context throughout, so you don't need to say "Alexa" before every follow-up question. It recalls your preferences from previous chats and generates responses on the fly rather than pulling from a script.
While Alexa+ isn't widely available yet, Amazon's offering free early access through two routes: joining the waitlist or buying a compatible Echo device. Here's how to started.
Sign up for Alexa+ early access
Head to Amazon's Alexa+ early access page and submit your information to join the waitlist. You'll get notified when Alexa+ becomes available on your compatible Echo devices.
Don't expect instant access, though. Amazon's expanding early access gradually, rolling out invitations in waves to manage the testing phase. This lets them refine the AI before opening it up to everyone.
Watch for notification through email or the Alexa app once your early access comes through. The message will include setup instructions to enable Alexa+ on your compatible devices.
Get instant access by buying a new Echo
If you buy any compatible 2025 Echo device, you'll receive Alexa+ early access automatically during setup. The newest Echo Show 8, Echo Show 11, Echo Dot Max, and Echo Studio all include immediate access without waiting for approval. However, these devices don't go on sale until the end of October.
Just complete the standard device setup and Alexa+ activates on your new Echo. No separate waitlist, no approval process — it just works from the start.
Once you've got Alexa+ running on one device, it spreads across your entire ecosystem. That includes other compatible Echo speakers, the Alexa app, Fire TVs, and Fire tablets. Access through Alexa.com is coming soon, too.
Echo devices compatible with Alexa+
All four 2025 Echo models support Alexa+ right out of the box: Echo Show 8, Echo Show 11, Echo Dot Max, and Echo Studio. If you're buying new hardware, any of these guarantees immediate access.
Plenty of existing devices work with Alexa+ too. The compatible list includes Echo Show 5, Echo Show 8 (2023), Echo Show 10, Echo Show 15, Echo Show 21, Echo Hub, Echo Spot, Echo Dot (2023), and Echo Pop.
Kids versions of all compatible devices also support the upgraded assistant, so if you've got any device on this list, you can access Alexa+ through the early access program.
What this means for your smart home
While my colleague Amanda Caswell has tested Alexa+ in her home, I'm curious to see how Alexa+ performs in real-world use and whether it truly delivers on the promise of natural conversation. As AI becomes standard across the best smart home devices, features like contextual memory and generated responses could be what separates leading assistants from the rest.
If you're building a smart home ecosystem, consider how Alexa+ works across Amazon's product line. Check out our guides to the best smart speakers and best smart displays to find compatible devices that will give you access to these new AI capabilities.
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