Voice Assistants: How to Maximize Their Use in Everyday Life

In today’s fast-paced world, convenience is king. We’re always looking for ways to make life easier, more efficient, and, let’s be honest, just a little bit cooler. Enter voice assistants—those handy little helpers that seem to have become a part of everyday life, whether you're asking Siri to set a reminder, telling Alexa to play your favorite song, or checking the weather with Google Assistant.

If you’ve got a voice assistant on your smartphone, smart speaker, or even in your car, you already know how useful they can be. But here’s the thing: most of us are barely scratching the surface when it comes to what these voice assistants can actually do. They’re capable of so much more than just setting timers or telling you what time the nearest coffee shop closes.

This guide will show you how to make the most of voice assistants in your everyday routine.

Setting Up for Success: Customize Your Voice Assistant Experience

Before we dive into all the ways voice assistants can improve your life, let’s talk about how to set them up properly. Personalizing your assistant is key to getting the most out of it.

Pick the Right Voice Assistant

If you haven’t committed to one specific voice assistant, take a moment to choose the one that fits your lifestyle best. You’ve probably heard of the big names like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple’s Siri, and Microsoft’s Cortana. While they all perform similar tasks, each has unique strengths.

• Alexa is fantastic if you’re all-in on the Amazon ecosystem. She’s great for controlling smart home devices, shopping on Amazon, and managing lists.
• Google Assistant integrates seamlessly with Google services like Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Maps. If you’re a heavy Google user, this may be the one for you.
• Siri is your best bet if you’re loyal to Apple products. She’s perfect for people who are deeply entrenched in the Apple ecosystem, connecting across iPhones, iPads, Macs, and even Apple Watches.
• Cortana is designed for Microsoft users, so if you work within the Windows environment, she could be the best fit, though she’s less commonly used these days.

An impressive 93.7% of search queries are correctly answered by voice search assistants.

Take stock of the devices you use and how you interact with them. You might even decide to use more than one voice assistant in different areas of your life—one for your phone and another for your home.

Personalize Your Assistant’s Voice and Preferences

Most voice assistants give you the option to choose between different voices, accents, and languages. This may seem like a small thing, but picking a voice that you enjoy hearing can make the experience much more pleasant. Whether you prefer a calming British accent or a more familiar American voice, it’s easy to switch things up.

Next, dive into the settings to personalize preferences like your home address, favorite music services, and important contacts. This allows your assistant to give you better, more personalized results—whether it’s providing traffic updates based on your commute or reminding you to call Mom.

Boost Productivity with Hands-Free Tasks

One of the biggest benefits of voice assistants is how they can help you boost productivity by handling small tasks hands-free. Here are a few ways you can make the most of this feature:

Set Reminders and Alarms

Sure, you probably know that you can ask your voice assistant to set alarms or reminders, but are you using this feature to its fullest potential? You can create reminders based on time or location, making it easy to remember what you need to do exactly when you need to do it.

• Example: "Hey Google, remind me to pick up the dry cleaning when I leave the office." Google Assistant will send you a reminder based on your phone’s GPS once you’re physically leaving your office.

This can be a game-changer for people who are always on the go and need that extra nudge at the right moment instead of just relying on a calendar notification.

Send Texts and Make Calls

Your voice assistant can help you send texts or make phone calls without you ever having to touch your phone. This is especially handy when you’re driving or cooking, but it can also just save you the effort of typing things out when your hands are full.

• Example: "Alexa, send a message to John saying I’ll be five minutes late."

With voice-activated messaging, there’s no need to stop what you’re doing—your assistant takes care of it for you.

Manage Your Calendar

If you’re someone who juggles multiple tasks, meetings, and appointments, letting your voice assistant manage your calendar can be a lifesaver. You can add events, reschedule meetings, or ask what’s on the agenda for the day without opening an app or picking up your phone.

• Example: "Siri, add a meeting with Sarah at 10 a.m. next Tuesday." In just seconds, the event is on your calendar, and you don’t even need to type anything out.

Master Your Smart Home

One of the most exciting things about voice assistants is how they integrate with smart home technology. With just a simple voice command, you can control everything from your lights to your thermostat, making everyday life just a little more magical.

Control Your Lights and Thermostat

Gone are the days of having to get up to adjust the lights or fiddle with the thermostat. By connecting your voice assistant to smart light bulbs and a smart thermostat, you can control the atmosphere of your home with ease.

• Example: "Alexa, dim the living room lights to 50%," or, "Hey Siri, set the thermostat to 72 degrees."

These small adjustments may not seem like much, but over time, they create a smoother, more seamless living environment that works with you, not against you.

Create Routines

Here’s where things get really cool. Most voice assistants allow you to create routines—a series of actions that happen automatically based on a single command. For example, you can create a "Good Morning" routine where your assistant turns on the lights, reads you the weather forecast, plays your favorite news podcast, and adjusts the thermostat—all with one command.

• Example: "Alexa, start my morning routine." Then, like magic, your home is set up just how you like it as you start your day.

This feature is particularly helpful for creating routines for bedtime, coming home from work, or leaving the house. Whether you want the lights to turn off, the door to lock, or a playlist to start playing when you walk in, it’s all possible with a well-crafted routine.

Manage Your Shopping List

Ever find yourself halfway through cooking dinner and realize you’re out of a key ingredient? Instead of scrambling for a pen and paper or opening your phone, just ask your assistant to add it to your shopping list.

• Example: "Hey Google, add milk to my shopping list."

The next time you’re at the store, you can pull up your list from your phone and know exactly what you need. It’s a simple but effective way to streamline your errands.

Fun, Entertainment, and Learning

Voice assistants aren’t all work and no play. They’re great for adding some fun to your everyday life, whether it’s helping you unwind after a long day or sparking creativity.

Play Music and Podcasts

Of course, one of the most popular uses for voice assistants is playing music. But did you know you can ask your assistant to play music based on your mood or activity?

• Example: "Alexa, play relaxing jazz," or "Siri, play workout music."

You can also listen to your favorite podcasts, which is perfect for staying entertained while doing household chores, exercising, or commuting.

Watch TV and Movies

Many smart TVs now come with built-in voice assistant capabilities, or you can connect your assistant to devices like Chromecast or Fire TV. This allows you to use voice commands to find and play shows, adjust the volume, and even skip episodes.

• Example: "Hey Google, play Stranger Things on Netflix."

This makes finding something to watch easier than ever, and you won’t even need to fumble with the remote.

Play Games or Take Quizzes

Feeling bored or looking for a little challenge? Many voice assistants offer games, quizzes, and trivia challenges that can add some fun to your day. Whether you’re into word games, trivia, or even interactive storytelling, there’s something for everyone.

• Example: "Alexa, play a trivia game," or "Hey Google, tell me a riddle."

These games are great for solo entertainment, or you can play them with friends and family for some added fun.

Learn Something New

You can also use your voice assistant to help you learn something new every day. Whether it’s a fun fact, a language lesson, or a random piece of trivia, there’s a wealth of information available at your fingertips—well, your vocal cords, actually.

• Example: "Hey Siri, what’s the capital of Iceland?" or "Alexa, teach me a new word."

If you’re a lifelong learner, using your assistant for quick educational tidbits or deeper learning (like learning a new language with apps like Duolingo) is an easy way to broaden your knowledge.

Stay Healthy and Active with Voice Assistants

Did you know your voice assistant can also help you stay healthy and active? Whether you’re looking to build better habits or get moving more, there are plenty of ways to use your assistant to prioritize your well-being.

Set Health Goals and Reminders

You can use your voice assistant to set goals for staying active, eating better, or practicing mindfulness. It’s like having a mini accountability coach built right in.

• Example: "Hey Google, remind me to drink water every hour," or "Alexa, how many calories are in a banana?"

There are even health-focused apps that sync with your assistant to help you track your fitness progress or meditate daily.

Start a Workout

Feeling the need to move? Ask your assistant to start a workout. Whether it’s a quick 10-minute stretch or a full-on cardio session, you can find plenty of guided workouts and fitness challenges through voice-activated apps.

• Example: "Alexa, start a seven-minute workout."

This is perfect for squeezing in some exercise when you’re pressed for time or simply need some motivation to get moving.

Voice Assistants and Security

While voice assistants are great for fun and convenience, they can also help keep your home secure. By integrating them with smart security systems, you can monitor and control your home’s security right from your voice assistant.

Lock Your Doors and Check Security Cameras

If you have a smart lock or security camera, you can use your voice assistant to lock your doors or check on your home while you’re away.

• Example: "Hey Google, is the front door locked?" or "Alexa, show me the backyard camera."

This is a great way to ensure your home is secure, especially when you’re on vacation or away for the weekend.

Voice Assistants on the Go

We’ve covered how to use voice assistants at home, but don’t forget they’re incredibly useful on the go, especially when driving. Many cars come equipped with voice assistant technology, or you can use your phone’s assistant while driving.

Get Directions and Traffic Updates

Instead of fumbling with your phone to look up directions, just ask your assistant. It can give you turn-by-turn directions, tell you the fastest route, and even provide live traffic updates.

• Example: "Siri, give me directions to the nearest gas station."

This makes driving safer and less stressful, allowing you to keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.

The Bottom Line

Voice assistants may seem like a small convenience, but they can have a huge impact on your daily routine if you know how to use them to their full potential. From productivity hacks to entertainment and home security, these smart tools can save you time, reduce stress, and make your life a whole lot easier.

The key to maximizing their use is to explore the features you might not use often—or even know about—and see how they can fit into your unique lifestyle. Whether you're setting up routines to streamline your mornings or using your assistant to stay on top of health goals, there’s no limit to how these handy helpers can improve your everyday life.

MJ Brioso, Editorial Staff

MJ Brioso is a content writer who takes pleasure in creating compelling and informative articles about health and lifestyle. During her free time, you'll likely find her indulging in shopping or passionately exploring the world of fragrances.