Alexa routines are one of those features you know could be useful, but too often end up underutilised or, worse, gimmicky. But with a bit of thought, routines can become genuinely useful time-savers. If you’ve already got the basics down and you’re looking to level up, here are some Alexa routines that are actually worth setting up.
1. Morning Briefing That Cuts the Fluff
Forget the long-winded Alexa flash briefings from news sources you don’t even follow. Create a custom morning routine that gives you only what you care about:
- Time and weather
- Your calendar events
- Traffic info for your commute (or train updates if you’re commuting by rail)
- A quick news update from your preferred source
You can even throw in a smart light sequence or start your coffee machine if it’s on a smart plug. The trick is to keep it short and relevant so it becomes part of your actual routine, not just background noise.
2. Silence the House When You Leave
One of the best time-saving routines is one you never have to think about. A “Goodbye” routine triggered by saying “Alexa, I’m leaving” can do the following:
- Turn off all smart lights
- Lower the thermostat
- Switch off any smart plugs (think: hair straighteners or chargers)
- Lock smart doors if supported
If you’re running late, the last thing you want to do is double back to check whether you turned everything off.
3. Set the Scene for Focused Work
Working from home? A “Start Work” routine can help you switch from home mode to productivity mode. With one voice command or scheduled start time, you can:
- Turn on your desk light
- Play a focus playlist
- Set phone to Do Not Disturb (via Alexa app or IFTTT)
- Read out your next calendar appointment
It’s a simple but effective way to get into the zone, especially if you struggle with transitions.
4. Prep the House for Bed Automatically
Nobody likes getting up again after settling into bed just to switch something off. A bedtime routine helps with that:
- Turn off all non-essential lights
- Dim bedroom lights
- Turn on white noise or a sleep playlist
- Lower the thermostat if needed
You can trigger this by saying something like “Alexa, wind down” or have it start automatically at a set time.
5. Reminders That Actually Work
One of the more underrated uses of Alexa is location-based or time-sensitive reminders that are triggered as part of routines:
- Remind you to take the bins out the night before collection
- Nudge you 10 minutes before you need to leave the house
- Remind your kids to pack their bags at 7:30am
Combine these with announcements across Echo devices and they’re nearly impossible to ignore.
6. Smart Shopping Lists with Real-World Timing
You can set up a routine where saying “Alexa, I’m going shopping” automatically:
- Reads your shopping list aloud
- Sends the list to your phone (via app)
- Suggests common repeat purchases if your list is empty
You can also have Alexa remind you to bring your reusable bags before you leave the house, saving you from that moment of standing at the till, swearing under your breath.
7. Post-Work Unwind
At the end of the day, a “Chill Mode” routine can help signal the switch-off. With one command, Alexa can:
- Dim the lights
- Play ambient music or your favourite wind-down playlist
- Turn on a diffuser (if smart-enabled)
- Lower the room temperature slightly
This one isn’t about pure efficiency—it’s about reclaiming a bit of time for yourself and winding down deliberately.
The key to time-saving routines is that they should replace small daily tasks you do anyway. Start by identifying a few friction points in your day—lights you always forget to turn off, reminders you never set in time, or transitions you find jarring. Then build Alexa routines that smooth those out.
Keep them short, purposeful, and tweak them over time. Once you’ve nailed a few, you’ll start wondering how you ever lived without them.
