Amazon’s technology isn’t as good as Google Assistant—though the Echo’s recipe feature, which displays step-by-step instructions, competes with the same feature Google created for its display. However, Amazon invented this category, and all of the Echo Shows are a promising evolution of the smart display concept. If the Echo Show 8 doesn’t seem right to you, you might like something else.
Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen, 2023) for $90: The smaller and cheaper third-generation Echo Show 5 has a 5.5-inch display that works best on a desk or bedside table. We think it’s a bit too small for a kitchen or living room, but that depends on how you plan to use it.
Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen, 2021) for $250: This smart display sits on top of a large cylindrical speaker that makes the sound great. Additionally, the display can physically rotate to follow you around the room as you use it, keep you in frame when video chatting, or keep your streamed workout video in your line of sight as you move. Because the monitor moves around a lot, you may have trouble locating it in tighter spaces—especially in the corners.
Echo Show 15 for $280: It’s the largest of them all, with a 15.6-inch display with customizable widgets, so you can always have smart home device controls and calendar reminders on hand. Its Made to be mounted on your wall like TVs (you can get a stand, but it’s sold separately) and the Show 15 also pairs with a Fire TV remote (or you can use an app) to use streaming features. Voice commands for streaming don’t work very well, so it feels like an odd difference between a smart display and a TV that doesn’t excel in either department.
