Why You Can Trust CNET Put Alexa in your car and living room with this Echo Auto and Echo Dot bundle for $60
With this 40% off bundle, it's like buying a Dot and getting a hands-free version of Alexa in your car almost for free.
The one place you really need a hands-free voice assistant is the same place you generally only get Siri -- your car. And no offense to Siri, but I think she's pretty terrible at almost everything. Android users thankfully have access to Google Assistant, but even so, Alexa is the AI that has stolen my heart. Last year, Amazon introduced the Echo Auto, an admittedly imperfect gadget that gives you hands-free access to Alexa via your phone. Regularly priced at $50 all by itself, for a limited time you can get the Echo Auto bundled with an Echo Dot (third-gen) for $60.
The Echo Auto only comes in one version, but you can choose any color for your Dot, which is a nice touch.
I'm sure you're already familiar with the Dot (but here's CNET's review of the third-gen Echo Dot just in case), but the Echo Auto might need a little explaining. It's a small device -- really, just a platform for a slew of microphones optimized for road noise -- that you can affix to an air vent or otherwise secure somewhere in your car. You then plug it into your car's power outlet and sync it with your phone's Alexa app. From there, you can talk to Alexa via your car's Bluetooth audio system. For a thorough overview of how well the system works, read CNET's hands-on experience with Echo Auto.
If you have an older car with a terrible touchscreen interface (or no interface at all), the Echo Auto might be a handy way to simplify the way you control music, open maps and get other information. And if you need a spare Dot anyway, saving $40 in the process sounds like a good deal to me.
Read more: Best cheap Alexa devices for 2020
Read More: All the latest Amazon coupons
CNET's Cheapskate scours the web for great deals on tech products and much more. For the latest deals and updates, follow the Cheapskate on Facebook and Twitter. Find more great buys on the CNET Deals page and check out our CNET Coupons page for the latest promo codes from Best Buy, Walmart, Amazon and more. Questions about the Cheapskate blog? Find the answers on our FAQ page.