Alexa Guard Plus has launched in the United States, following its announcement in September 2020. This subscription service adds a variety of security tools to an Amazon Echo or Echo Show smart speaker, making it a potentially inexpensive alternative to the best DIY home security systems.

While not as fully featured as a dedicated hub or sensor kit, Alexa Guard Plus offers a fairly diverse set of security features. In particular, it makes extensive use of the smart speaker's microphone to detect the sound of an accident or intrusion and can sound a siren to scare off intruders. It can also make Alexa bark like a dog to deter would-be thieves.

When you tell the voice assistant that you are leaving the house, Alexa goes into stay-away mode and begins listening for audible signs of trouble, such as a smoke detector going off, glass breaking, or unexpected footsteps. It can then send an alert to the smartphone detailing what was detected and by which speaker.

If Alexa suspects that an intruder is already inside the house, a siren will sound and other smart home devices, such as light bulbs or security cameras, can be connected to the Alexa Guard Plus. Thus, if an outdoor camera detects movement while you are away, Alexa can turn on a light to make it look like someone is home or bark to scare off criminals.

Alexa Guard Plus, however, only barks and does not bite. If you are in a dangerous situation at home and it is not safe or timely to pick up the phone, you can also call emergency services via Echo.

Subscriptions are $4.99 per month or $50 per year, much cheaper than our current top pick for home security, the Abode Essentials Starter Kit. Just keep in mind that Alexa Guard Plus is not a complete security kit and does not have useful tools like a keypad or security fob. That said, it may be a good complement to an existing home security setup with its handy smart alerts and hands-free emergency call feature.

In addition to being less expensive, it is also easier to set up than a dedicated system, and if you already have an Echo speaker, most of the work is done for you. As such, Alexa Guard Plus has the potential to be a popular upgrade for existing Alexa users.