You can buy a smart plug for less all over the internet and then you can control any on/off device with your phone… Solve the problem at the root, not the end user.
Can it dim with Alexa without the hub? What functions don’t work without the hub?
I think if I go to bed now that this will still be active when I wake up tomorrow…
Pretty much nothing. You need a hub to update it, dim it, connect it to services, etc.
When they’re sold with the dimmer switches, they’re paired with that, but that’s it. You need a hub or starter kit first.
Outside of that, it functions as a normal bulb. On is on, off is off. But one of the greatest things is when it turns on or off through apps/smart-stuff, it dims on and off making a nice effect.
I thought Echo was updated to use zigby without the hub?
Quick google search shows Zigbee built into Echo Plus and Echo Show.
You would be wrong. 
I did get in a short nap. 
Yeah, that can work, if it’s the Echo PLUS. The big one.
If you bought the bulb and don’t have the hub well here ya go.