Smart Displays and Voice Shopping: How to Shop Hands-Free

2 November 2025

Let’s face it—online shopping has taken over the world. Gone are the days of spending hours in a crowded mall, flipping through endless racks of clothes or wandering through aisles searching for a specific brand of cereal. But now, there's an even lazier (let’s call it smarter) way to shop—hands-free with smart displays and voice shopping.

Yeah, you heard that right. We’ve reached the point where you can buy groceries, electronics, and even last-minute birthday gifts just by talking to a smart device. It’s like having a personal shopper who never sleeps, never argues, and always knows where the best deals are.

In this guide, we’re diving into how this technology works, why it’s changing the game for online shopping, and how you can get started with hands-free purchases using smart displays and voice assistants. Stick with me—this is going to be good!

What Are Smart Displays?

Let’s start with the basics, shall we? A smart display is like a smart speaker, but with a screen. Imagine your Amazon Echo or Google Nest Hub got a touchscreen upgrade. Boom—smart display.

These nifty gadgets blend visual and voice interaction to create a more immersive experience. You can stream videos, check the weather, control your smart home devices, make video calls—and shop. Yes, shop. Without ever touching a keyboard or screen.

Some of the most popular smart displays out there include:
- Amazon Echo Show
- Google Nest Hub
- Lenovo Smart Display
- Facebook Portal (though it's more focused on video calling)

They sit on your kitchen counter or nightstand, listen for your voice commands, and show information right on the screen for added context. Super convenient, right?

What Is Voice Shopping?

Voice shopping is exactly what it sounds like—using your voice to make purchases online. It's like talking to a friend who’s really into online shopping and knows your favorite brands.

Thanks to artificial intelligence and natural language processing, virtual assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri can understand what you're asking and help you complete tasks like:
- Reordering household essentials ("Alexa, order more detergent.")
- Adding items to your cart ("Hey Google, add almond milk to my shopping list.")
- Checking prices or product options
- Following up with delivery status

All without you lifting a single finger. Lazy? Maybe. Efficient? Absolutely.

The Marriage of Smart Displays and Voice Shopping

Here’s where things get interesting. When you combine smart displays with voice shopping, you get the ultimate hands-free shopping assistant. The voice assistant hears your request, and the screen shows you visual options.

Say, for example, you ask, “Hey Google, show me wireless earbuds under $50.” Instead of just reading out one or two options, the display shows a list of available earbuds with pictures, prices, and reviews. Then you can say, “Buy the black ones,” and boom—you just bought yourself a new toy.

This combo is incredibly helpful for:
- People who are multitasking (cooking, cleaning, chasing after kids, etc.)
- Older adults or individuals with mobility issues
- Anyone who just can’t be bothered with a laptop or phone at the moment

Why Hands-Free Shopping Is the Future

Let’s be real—convenience wins every time. In our fast-paced world, we’re all trying to squeeze the most out of our time. Smart displays and voice shopping are like the Swiss Army knife of convenience.

1. Faster Than Typing

Ever tried typing “best gluten-free pancake mix with no sugar added and under 10 bucks” into your phone? It takes forever. But saying it out loud? Takes like five seconds.

2. Perfect for Multitaskers

Got your hands covered in flour while baking? No problem. Just shout out your next shopping need, and the smart display handles the rest.

3. No More Fat-Finger Mistakes

We’ve all been there—accidentally buying the wrong size, color, or even the wrong product entirely because our thumbs had a mind of their own on the phone screen. Voice shopping minimizes these slip-ups.

4. Accessible for Everyone

Whether you’re visually impaired or just tech-phobic, voice shopping breaks down barriers. It's inclusive, easy, and—dare I say—fun?

How to Get Started: A Step-by-Step Guide

Alright, ready to dive into hands-free shopping? Here's a simple step-by-step guide to getting started.

Step 1: Choose Your Smart Display

Pick your side—Amazon or Google. If you’re an Amazon Prime kind of shopper, the Echo Show is your best bud. More into Google Shopping and YouTube videos while you cook? Go with Google Nest Hub.

Step 2: Connect Your Accounts

After setting up the display, you’ll need to link your shopping accounts. On Amazon Echo, that’s your Amazon account. For Google, it might be Walmart or other supported retailers.

Step 3: Enable Voice Purchases

Head into device settings and turn on voice purchasing. You’ll often have options to require a voice PIN for added security (because no one wants your toddler accidentally buying a life-sized unicorn float).

Step 4: Set Up Payment and Delivery Info

Add your payment method and delivery address. This allows your smart display to complete purchases without needing you to dig out your credit card or fill out forms.

Step 5: Start Shopping!

Now, just say the magic words. For Amazon:
“Alexa, order dog food.”
For Google:
“Hey Google, buy paper towels.”

You can confirm, cancel, or ask for more options. It’s practically magic.

Pro Tips for Smarter Voice Shopping

Want to take your voice shopping game to the next level? Try these pro hacks:

✅ Use Specific Commands

Being vague won't get you far. Instead of saying “Buy cereal,” say “Buy Cheerios Family Size box.” Be clear and concise—just like giving instructions to a roommate.

✅ Check Order History

Want to reorder something fast? Just say, “Alexa, reorder batteries,” and it’ll look up your past purchases.

✅ Enable Shopping Lists

Not ready to buy yet? Say, “Add to shopping list.” You can review it later and check out when you're ready.

✅ Take Advantage of Recommendations

Your smart display learns your preferences over time. The more you shop, the better it gets at suggesting products you’ll actually like.

Drawbacks You Should Know

Okay, let’s not pretend this is a flawless system. Like everything tech-related, there are still a few hiccups.

❌ Limited Retailers

Depending on the device, you might be limited in where you can shop. For example, Alexa sticks to Amazon, while Google devices support a wider (but still limited) range of stores.

❌ Security Concerns

Voice shopping uses your saved payment methods, so if someone else has access to your device, they could potentially make purchases. Use voice recognition or PIN protection to stay safe.

❌ It’s Not Perfect with Complex Orders

Ordering something simple, like detergent or toilet paper? Easy peasy. Trying to buy a customizable computer setup? You might want to use your laptop for that.

The Future of Voice Shopping

The way things are going, we're only scratching the surface. Tech giants like Amazon and Google are pouring cash into making voice commerce smarter, faster, and more intuitive.

Soon, you might be able to:
- Get hyper-personalized product suggestions based on your mood or schedule
- Combine voice shopping with smart home automation (“Alexa, when my fridge says we’re low on milk, order more”)
- Use augmented reality via smart displays to “try on” products virtually

Honestly? We’re on the brink of a shopping revolution where talking to your home assistant will be as normal as texting a friend.

Final Thoughts

Smart displays and voice shopping aren’t just futuristic toys—they’re powerful tools that make life easier, especially when juggling work, family, or just trying to stay sane. With a smart display in your kitchen or living room, your next shopping trip is just a voice command away.

So, whether you're replenishing pantry items, finding that perfect gift, or impulse-buying yet another phone gadget (guilty!), hands-free shopping is here to stay. Give it a spin—you might never go back to traditional online shopping again.