You may be in the process of setting up a smart home, or already have one, and are focusing on getting products and devices that fit into the same ecosystem. Having compatible devices makes your life a lot easier, as those devices can potentially work together to provide you with a better smart home experience. Whether you choose Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, or other options on the market, you have plenty of devices that you can choose from.
If you use Amazon’s lineup of products or have done research on them, you likely know about Amazon Echo speakers and Ring products like video doorbells and security cameras. While most people want their devices to connect to one another, you probably aren’t too concerned with just how they actually do so. Most people likely think it’s via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth and don’t question it otherwise. Amazon uses something called Sidewalk that you may not realize you’ve been using for years.
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What is Amazon Sidewalk?
It helps devices reach farther
Amazon Sidewalk is how many of your Amazon devices connect to each other. It’s a low-power, low-bandwidth network that connects select Amazon devices. Those devices, called Sidewalk Bridges, are connected to your Wi-Fi. But they take a small portion of the bandwidth and create their own network. This might congest your network, but it also creates a safe way for your devices to connect with each other.
This network is free and encrypted with multiple layers of security. It can share data up to a half-mile away, reaching farther than Wi-Fi. The Sidewalk Bridge devices send data to the cloud, allowing it to be shared widely.
This includes updates on air quality, water leaks, potential storms, and how you receive motion alerts from your cameras. As someone with Ring cameras and Amazon Echo speakers in my home, I have multiple Sidewalk Bridges that are working together to provide me with the most up-to-date information about what’s happening in and around my home.
I live in a shore town, so getting updates on low and high tide, wind advisories, and the weather in general is incredibly helpful. I also utilize Ring for camera notifications and alerts for what’s happening in front of the cameras.
Sidewalk Bridges and Sidewalk-enabled devices are two different things. Sidewalk Bridges create a network to connect with one another and share data. Sidewalk-enabled devices connect to the Sidewalk Bridges to connect to the network.
Over 90% of people in the United States live in areas with Amazon Sidewalk coverage.
What devices are Sidewalk Bridges?
There are many, some of which you may have
Credit: Jonathon Jachura / MUO
The list of Sidewalk Bridges is long, so it’s very possible that you have one if you’ve upgraded your smart home devices without realizing it. Sidewalk Bridges won’t lose connectivity in areas where Sidewalk coverage exists.
The included devices are:
- Echo Studio (Gen 6)
- Echo Dot Max (Gen 6)
- Echo Show 8 (Gen 4)
- Echo Show 11 (Gen 2)
- Echo Dot (5th Gen)
- Echo Dot with clock (5th Gen)
- Amazon Echo Spot (2024 release)
- Echo Pop
- Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen)
- Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen Kids)
- Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen)
- Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen)
- Echo Show 21
- Echo Hub
- Ring Bridge (2nd Gen)
- Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Pro
- Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Plus
- Ring Wired Doorbell Pro (Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2)
- Ring Wired Doorbell Plus (Video Doorbell Pro)
- Ring Alarm Pro Base Station
- Ring Outdoor Cam Pro
- Ring Floodlight Cam
- Ring Spotlight Cam Wired
- Echo (4th Gen)
- Echo Dot (4th Gen)
- Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen)
- Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen)
- Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen)
- Echo Show 15
- Echo Dot with Clock (4th Gen)
- Echo Show 5
- Echo Show 8
- Echo Flex
- Echo Studio
- Echo (3rd Gen)
- Echo Dot (3rd Gen)
- Echo Dot with Clock (3rd Gen)
- Echo Input
- Echo Spot
- Echo Dot (2nd Gen)
- Echo Plus (2nd Gen)
- Echo Show (2nd Gen)
- Echo Plus (1st Gen)
At my home, I have a Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2, a Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Pro, an Echo Spot, an Echo Show 8, and an Echo Show 5. I unknowingly put together five Amazon Spotlight Bridges.
What’s new with Amazon Sidewalk?
It’s expanding globally
Credit: Jonathon Jachura / MUO
At CES 2026, Amazon announced a new device lineup called Ring Sensors. Ring Sensors are built on Amazon Sidewalk, and all connect to provide reliable service. These will include devices like glass-break sensors, which use AI to detect the sound of breaking glass; a panic button that instantly calls for help; and door and window sensors that alert you when your doors and windows open.
Amazon also announced that Sidewalk will expand globally. It will be launching in Canada and Mexico in the upcoming months, with regions like the EU, UK, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand to follow.
The reach of Amazon Sidewalk will continue to grow in the upcoming months, which is better for you and your devices.
Amazon Sidewalk could be in your home already
Ring Sensors are connecting with Amazon Sidewalk, a shared network created by Amazon devices that serve as Sidewalk Bridges. These create a low-bandwidth network that allows them to share data over a large distance, more so than a Wi-Fi network. Many devices that you might have in your home, including many Echo Shows and Ring devices, utilize Sidewalk.
