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The Echo Show 15 (2024) can’t decide if it’s a Fire TV or a smart home hub, and it fails to excel at either
11:01 pm | February 25, 2025
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Smart Home Smart Home Hubs | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Two-minute review

The Echo Show 15 is back, with some moderate hardware upgrades and quality-of-life improvements that make for a slightly more rounded offering. The original Echo Show 15 sat a little on the periphery of Amazon’s smart display range, with the more popular Echo Show 8, Echo Show 5 and the more snazzy Echo Show 10 taking center stage. So, does the new Echo Show 15 (2024) earn a place alongside its siblings on our list of the best smart displays you can buy today?

The first Echo Show 15 found itself on the sidelines following a slightly lackluster launch and early performance – at least that was the case until Amazon released a Fire TV update. Despite its weak sound and underwhelming display, that upgrade made the Echo Show 15 a far more interesting proposition as a smart display for kitchens, offices and other rooms where even a small TV might be too obtrusive.

The 15-inch smart display has always suffered from a bit of an identity crisis, having been designed to cater to the relatively small niche market of “small TV-shaped smart hubs” by offering app support for various streaming services in addition to the standard array of music streaming platforms supported by the best smart speakers, as well as some basic smart home controls.

Amazon Echo Show on a counter displaying the home screen, with sports news alongside the widgets panel.

(Image credit: Future)

However, following the release of the Echo Hub in early 2024, which arrived rocking a new user interface and features specifically designed for smart-home control, I had high hopes that some improved smart-home… well, smarts, from the Echo Hub’s user interface would make an appearance in the second-generation Echo Show 15 as well as the all-new Echo Show 21.

Sadly, that’s not the case. Instead, the Echo Show 15 once again serves the dual purpose of being an entertainment and smart-home hub, this time made complete with built-in Fire TV at launch, widgets, and an Alexa Voice remote and a few added hardware upgrades. It also totes an improved camera, display and audio, as well as connectivity supporting Matter, Thread and Zigbee, all in response to customer feedback from the first generation and to ensure that the hardware meets current smart home and entertainment needs.

By and large, Amazon has addressed the bare minimum upgrades needed to make the Echo Show 15 a more attractive option; unfortunately, not enough has changed for me to recommend the device as a must-have smart display. Especially with the release of the all-new Echo Show 21, the Echo Show 15 doesn't even have "being the biggest Amazon Echo Show" going for it anymore. It is, however, a nice-to-have screen that might fill a relatively small gap in your smart-home ecosystem, and is plenty capable for what it is.

Amazon Echo Show on a counter displaying the widgets library

(Image credit: Future)

Echo Show 15 (2024): Design

  • Simple picture frame design
  • Super easy setup
  • Includes Fire TV remote
Echo Show 15 (2024): Specs

Screen size: 15.6 inches

Dimensions: 15.8 x 9.9 x 1.4 inches / 40 x 25 x 3.5cm

Resolution: 1080p resolution

Connecivity: Matter, Wi-Fi, Thread, Zigbee, Bluetooth

Voice assistant: Alexa

Camera: 13MP

Weight: 4.85lbs / 2.2kg

The design of the Echo Show 15 (2024) is suitably unassuming for a device that’s intended to be functional rather than being a centerpiece, retaining the simple, picture frame-esque form of the original model. The main frame is black, with a white matte surrounding the 15.6-inch screen.

It’s wall-mountable out of the box, with a super easy sub-five-minute setup – or, if you owned the original model, you can switch it straight out as it uses the exact same frame – and it’s also compatible with standardized VESA mounts, which are widely available. It can be set up in either a horizontal or vertical orientation, but you’d need to re-fit the included bracket to do change the orientation. It’s a nice option, though I’d imagine most users would opt for horizontal to use its screen for TV and film, and you can opt to buy a third-party rotating wall mount if you regularly want to switch between the two.

A variety of stands are also available, including the official stand made by Sanus (sold separately for $33 / £34; it’s not yet sold in Australia) which allows you to use the Echo Show 15 in tabletop mode. Whichever way you set it up, the main thing to consider other than visibility is the camera field of view – this has seen a significant upgrade in the newer model, but if you want to make use of Vision ID and video calls you’ll need to make sure the camera is unobstructed and has a good view of the room.

Amazon Echo Show on a counter, with focus on its front-facing camera.

(Image credit: Future)

Along the top edge are the manual controls: a physical switch for the camera’s privacy shutter, as well as volume and mute buttons. At 15.8 x 9.9 x 1.4 inches / 40 x 25 x 3.5cm, its footprint is considerable, and that only increases if you opt to use the tilt stand, which adds a further 7.5 inches / 19cm to its depth. Along the top edge (in horizontal orientation), the camera is seated centrally in the white matte instead of in the top-left corner per its predecessor.

Also included is the Alexa Voice Remote, which can be used to control the new Fire TV interface – this is just a standard Alexa remote, which you’ll be familiar with if you own one of Amazon’s Fire TV sticks.

Amazon Echo Show on a counter displaying the widgets menu.

(Image credit: Future)

Echo Show 15 (2024): Performance

  • Bright and vivid screen
  • Improved audio and camera specs...
  • ... however audio quality is still lacking

Thanks to some moderate hardware upgrades, performance is the area where the Echo Show 15 (2024) stands above the first-generation device, although unfortunately not by enough to make it a meaningful upgrade if you already have the original Show 15.

Let’s start with the display. It’s bright and clear, and the 1080p resolution is perfectly passable for a screen of this size, and is well-suited to streaming, web browsing and reading from any distance. However, the lack of HDR is something we had a complaint about in the original model, and, unfortunately, Amazon didn’t deign to upgrade the display specs for the second generation to boost contrast and color saturation. Still, black levels are plenty good enough, and given that this isn’t the kind of screen I’d expect users to have their eyes glued to, it’s a forgivable omission.

Audio specs saw a significant upgrade in the second-generation Echo Show 15, with the newer model housing dual 2-inch woofers in addition to two 0.6-inch tweeters, versus the original model’s two 1.6-inch full drivers.

Does this change have a noticeable impact? Absolutely – the new Echo Show 15 is certainly louder than the first-generation model, and the bass is more pronounced. However, it suffers from issues that seem common to many of Amazon’s speakers: a lack of detail in the highs, muddy bass that’s lacking in dynamics, and boosted mid frequencies which mostly serve to create considerable distortion at high volumes.

Amazon Echo Show on a counter displaying the Spotify app.

(Image credit: Future)

Listening to Fleetwood Mac’s The Chain, there’s a whole lot of bass – enough to overpower the already-subdued vocals – but the audio lacks the drive and meat needed to compliment the track. Complex and textured tracks like Radiohead’s 15 Step are all too easily muddied, with the Echo Show 15 lacking the fidelity and stereo separation to handle the mix. The scratchy electric guitar strums and bass sit right up front alongside Thom Yorke’s mournful vocals for much of the track, which would be fine were it not for the fact that the rest of the track feels muddy and directionless, with dull highs and flat percussion letting down the Echo Show 15.

While its handling of music might not be the most balanced, I will say that the Echo Show 15 is well suited to the spoken word, and in this regard it’s again leaning into its role as a small smart TV rather than a smart display. Still, I’d have hoped to see a little more improvement and bang for your buck in this second-generation model, and a little more range.

Also upgraded in this new model is the now-13MP wide-angle camera, which is primed for improved Alexa video calls, using Amazon’s Drop In feature, as well as for calls using Zoom or Skype. It’s a notable step up from the previous model’s 5MP camera, especially thanks to the new auto framing and 3.3x zoom, and as with all camera-equipped Echo devices the Echo Show 15 doubles as an in-home security camera that you can check in on when you’re away.

Amazon Echo Show on a counter displaying the smart light brightness widget.

(Image credit: Future)

Echo Show 15 (2024): Software

  • Quick and clear Alexa responses
  • Fire TV support out-of-the-box
  • Customizable widgets make smart home control quicker

Alexa’s responses are zippy, offering all the usual Alexa Skills and commands we’ve come to expect from Amazon’s smart speaker and displays thanks to its Octa-core AZ2 system-on-chip. Much like other available Echo Show devices, by default the Echo Show 15 displays a customizable widget control center, framed by a rotation of content from default images to your own photos, news, and content suggestions.

In a similar vein, the screen UI is pretty clean and runs smoothly, benefitting from years of Echo Show software development despite using the same hardware as the original Echo Show 15. By comparison, the Echo Hub’s newer, smart home-first interface was a little on the buggy side, but I would still have much preferred to have the option to switch to a more smart home-device-oriented alternative.

The included Alexa Voice Remote is a nice touch that serves to drive home the fact that this screen is well suited for streaming, but a slight niggle I have is that it can only control the Fire TV interface and music. Especially during the evening, when I don’t want to quarrel loudly with Alexa, I prize manual control features that don’t involve me standing; I’d love if the remote was configured to control the entire UI, inclusive of smart-home devices to this end.

Amazon Echo Show on a counter playing Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away

Any excuse to re-re-re-watch Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away... (Image credit: Future)

However, the remote is handy for Fire TV navigation, especially given that the display doesn’t always play ball with touch controls. The Echo Show 15 comes pre-loaded with many of the best streaming services and support for a wide range of platforms, but Amazon again misses a trick hereby not leaning further into its smart TV functionality and incorporating Miracast/WiDi support for screen mirroring.

Widgets are great, but once again they’re underutilized in Amazon’s smart display interface. With woefully few customization options to reshape, resize, configure or create your own widgets, this feature still feels half-baked. Amazon’s first-party widgets are naturally the most useful, and there are a decent amount to choose from, but it’s not the magic bullet the Echo Show 15 very much needs for its smart-home offering.

However, I really appreciate the option to customize widgets and interfaces based on user profiles, meaning whole families and households alike can benefit from the assistive tech on board the Echo Show 15. During my testing, I switched out with my partner several times in an hour, and Vision ID correctly identified each time who had just walked in, showing them their personalized content suggestions.

Echo Show 15 (2024) setting up Visual ID

(Image credit: Future)

Echo Show 15 (2024): Price and availability

  • Release date: December 2024
  • Price: $299 / £299 / AU$549

The Echo Show 15 is available from Amazon in the US, UK and Australia for $299 / £299 / AU$549 respectively. That’s a small price increase over the original model, and while you do now get an included remote and slightly better specs, I’m very much ‘whelmed’ by Amazon’s efforts here, in terms of value for money.

That’s especially true of the stand situation; it would have been perfectly reasonable, given the volume of customers who don’t have the option or desire to wall-mount their screens, to include a small, stable kickstand. Instead, you have to opt for either the official Sanus stand (sold separately for $33 / £34. It’s not yet sold in Australia) or for one of the many alternative – and often pricey - VESA mounts.

Amazon Echo Show displaying home screen with shopping lists next to widgets menu.

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Echo Show 15?

Buy it if...

You want a small, smart TV

If you fit into the relatively small niche of people who want a smart entertainment hub that also houses Alexa, this is the screen for you.

You mostly want to stream video

Between its moderate audio and display specs and the included Fire TV remote, the Echo Show is well suited to streaming TV shows and movies.

Don't buy it if...

You want to upgrade your original Echo Show 15

Unless you’re really desperate, not enough has changed nor improved from the original model to justify this upgrade.

You want a smart-home-first display

The Echo Show 15 leans more towards entertainment than it does granular, accessible smart-home control.

Amazon Echo Show 15: also consider

If you're not sure the Amazon Echo Show 15 is the right smart hub for you, here are further options to consider:

Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen)

The latest generation model boasts better audio, faster performance and added support for Matter, Thread and Zigbee. The only big thing that holds it back is its uptick in price.

Read our full Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) review

Amazon Echo Show 21

The new 21-inch Amazon Echo Show offers much the same as the new Echo Show 15, but in a bigger frame.

Read our full Echo Show 21 review

Echo Show 15 (2024)

(Image credit: Future)

How I tested the Echo Show 15 (2024)

  • I used the Echo Show 15 as my primary smart home hub for one month
  • I tested its display, audio, and camera specs with real-world testing
  • I used all of its various smart-home control features

To put the Echo Show 15 through its paces I tested all of its significant feature and hardware upgrades against the first-generation model, other Echo displays and speakers in my home, and Google Nest devices.

I watched and listened to a variety of media to test the range and performance of the smart display, as well as trying out all of the various features and unique selling points. I incorporated the Echo Show 15 into my wider smart home ecosystem, which is also populated with smart security cameras, lights and appliances, and used it to control my home.

I’ve been testing smart-home devices for three years and using them personally for even longer, during which time I’ve learned everything there is to know about what makes a good smart display or speaker. I use Alexa and other smart assistants every day to run my home.

The Amazon Echo Show 21 is big and beautiful, and it’s changed how I control my smart home
7:05 pm |
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Smart Home Smart Home Hubs | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

Amazon Echo Show 21: two-minute review

The idea of combining a smart speaker with a flat screen is certainly not a new one for Amazon. Amazingly, it’s over seven years since the first-generation Echo Shows launched, and three since the original Echo Show 15 first arrived in homes. At that time, its 15-inch display made it the largest Echo device inside Amazon’s stable. But not anymore. That accolade now goes to the newly-launched Echo Show 21.

Essentially, the Echo Show 21 is a larger version of the latest Echo Show 15, complete with Alexa, built-in Fire TV, and an Alexa voice remote. It even features the same mounting bracket as the Echo Show 15, which is handy if you have multiple devices you want to swap over. Capable of being installed in portrait or landscape orientation, it’s best to think of the Echo Show as a rather large web tablet (albeit one with much better speakers). So, in the same way you might use an iPad to display a recipe in the kitchen or control your home’s heating, so you might use an Echo Show to do these things.

It’s much more than that, though. Once you’ve gone through the setup process, pairing the Echo Show with your home’s Wi-Fi and the Alexa voice remote, there’s the option of customizing it all. Usefully, because the Echo Show 21 has Fire TV built in, you can use it much like you would a smart TV. Buttons are provided on the Alexa voice remote for accessing Prime Video, as well as Netflix. Alternatively, you can press the app button to access other apps you have downloaded to your device such as Apple TV, Disney+, and YouTube. You also have the option to display images from your Amazon photo library when the device is not use.

However, the Echo Show really comes into its own with all the other widgets you can add. Just swipe down from the top of the display and hit ‘widget gallery’. There you will find everything you need to help you organize your life, from sticky notes to shopping lists and from calendars to daily reminders. It can also display local weather, so you're fully prepared when you leave the house.

Amazon Echo Show 21 running Spotify app

The Amazon Echo Show 21 is a good-looking device with an attractive wooden frame (Image credit: Chris Price)

Once you’ve made your choice, each of the widgets is then displayed on the home screen. And if you want more details, you only have to touch the screen to bring up more information. For example, while the weather widget shows the temperature for the next four hours, you can find out more information (such as the likelihood of rain and whether you need an umbrella) by pressing the weather option on the home screen to bring info up across the entire display.

Want to control connected devices within your home, such as your smart thermostat, lights, and home security cameras? There’s a ‘smart home favorites’ widget for that. Not only will this allow you to control options such as the temperature of your property, it will also do things like display footage from a connected video doorbell if someone comes to the door. Support is provided for Matter and Thread, which means you can use the Echo Show 21 as a Zigbee Hub.

Finally, also on board is the Echo Show 21 is a 13MP selfie camera (complete with privacy shutter) for video calls. This includes Alexa Drop Ins, which lets you get in touch via video or voice using other connected devices in the household. It’s particularly handy if you want to tell the kids that dinner is ready and they’re not responding to yells from the kitchen because they are on their devices.

Amazon Echo Show 21: price and availability

  • $399/£399.99 without stand, $100/£100 extra with stand
  • Available now
  • Available in the US and UK

Released in November 2024, the Amazon Echo Show 21 costs £399 or $399 direct from Amazon for the standard wall-mount installation (at the time of writing it's not available in Australia). However, if you want a desktop/counter stand you will have to pay an additional $100/£100 on top of that. That makes the Echo Show 21 the most expensive device in Amazon’s line-up, at $100/£100 more than the smaller Amazon Echo Show 15.

It’s not an excessive amount of money for what it is, but it's not an absolute bargain either. A decent 43-inch smart TV will now set you back less money, so it does seem a little pricey.

That said, the Amazon Echo Show 21 is much more than a smart TV. It offers much greater functionality and interactivity for starters, including the ability to control your smart home, music and calendars, as well as being able to stream content from video services.

Importantly, it also feels very solid and well made, with an attractive wooden frame around the outside. It certainly makes a nice addition to the kitchen, living room or office, especially if you are looking for all of the features of an Echo Show device, but with a bigger screen.

  • Value score: 3.5 / 5

Amazon Echo Show 21: specs

Amazon Echo Show 21: design and installation

  • Mounting bracket for portrait/landscape orientation
  • Solid design with black wooden frame around 21.5-inch screen
  • Alexa voice remote

Designed to be mounted on the wall, the hefty Amazon Echo Show 21 comes with a metal bracket in the box (alternatively, you can buy a desktop stand but our review sample didn’t include one). This means you will need a drill, a level, and hammer for installation. Four screws and four wall plugs are provided in the pack, as well as paper wall-mount template that helps you drill holes into the right places.

Amazon Echo Show 21 on floor with wall mount, power adaptor, and remote

The Echo Show 21 is supplied with a bracket that lets you mount it vertically or horizontally on a wall (Image credit: Chris Price)

Once the bracket is installed, you simply slide the Echo Show 21 into place in either landscape or portrait orientation. I used it extensively in both modes, but personally preferred it in portrait because I found it better for displaying the widgets. Around the actual screen is a white background and around that is a black wooden surround, giving the Echo Show the look and feel of a large photo frame. Large speakers are built into either side of the display and on top (in landscape mode) are buttons for volume up/down as well as two pinhole microphones.

For privacy, there’s also a button that switches the microphones on and off (this glows red when activated) and a privacy shutter that covers the 13MP camera. The power cable needs to be inserted into a recess on the back of the display before it’s mounted to the wall, but at 1.5m it’s not overly long, which could limit your options when it comes to positioning it. Finally, you will need to pair the display with the Alexa Voice Remote (it is the same as the one you get for Amazon Fire Sticks).

Amazon Echo Show 21 power adapter connected

The power cable plugs into the back of the Echo Show 21, but isn't very long (Image credit: Chris Price)

This can only be paired with one device at a time, and can’t control skills and services outside the Fire TV experience. Also, while some video streaming services such as Amazon Prime can be fully controlled using the touch screen display, other services such as Netflix provide only limited functionality without the remote.

In addition to the circular navigation pad and usual forward/rewind and home buttons, the remote includes an Alexa option with a pinhole microphone for use instead of the smart display’s far-field microphones. As with other Alexa devices, you can change the wake word of the Echo Show 21 – handy if you have several Amazon devices near to one another.

  • Design score: 4.5/5

Amazon Echo Show 21: performance

  • Crisp 1,920 x 1,080 display
  • Maybe a little too bright
  • Much improved sound system and onboard 13MP camera

The largest display in Amazon's Echo series, with nearly double the viewing area of the Echo Show 15, the Echo Show 21 certainly cuts an imposing figure once mounted on the wall. In fact, it seems more like a much larger smart TV than a glorified touch screen display with built-in Alexa, especially when mounted in landscape mode.

Amazon Echo Show 21 mounted on wall

With double the viewing area of the Amazon Echo Show 15, the Echo Show 21 makes a real statement when mounted on the wall (Image credit: Chris Price)

Boasting a highly reflective 1,920 x 1,080 display, the Echo Show 21's picture quality is excellent, delivering crisp, bright images. However, it’s arguably a little too bright especially when watching video content. The first thing I had to do once I switched the display on was to swipe down from the top to turn the brightness down. However, switching adaptive brightness does help a little, automatically adjusting brightness levels based on the ambient light levels in the room. Turn down the room’s lights and the screen will dim too, turn them up and the screen will brighten.

Also on board is a proximity sensor, which adjusts what’s on the screen when you aren't actively using it. When no one is nearby, it closes the control panel and rotates through a variety of screens. For example, it could display various content suggestions such as jokes or football scores or act as a large photo frame, cycling through images in your Amazon picture library. It will also support multiple users, switching between different profiles using facial recognition when the camera is active or via voice recognition instead.

Split image showing two setup screens on Amazon Echo Show 21

The Amazon Echo 21 features various widgets that let you see information at a glance, and what's displayed can change depending on your proximity (Image credit: Chris Price)

One of the criticisms of previous Echo Show devices was the poor quality of the onboard camera. Thankfully this has been addressed with the Echo Show 21. Supporting auto-framing, 3.3x zoom and noise reduction technology, the built-in 13MP camera works extremely well – whether you're using Alexa Drop In to tell the kids that the dinner is ready, or calling someone for a business meeting. However, if you are worried about privacy you can always cover up the camera using the Camera Shutter button on top of the display, as well as switch the onboard microphones off.

Some reviewers thought sound from the first Echo Show 15 was poor, Amazon has decided to improve it considerably on the new generation smart displays (both 15- and 21-inch versions). In fact, sound on the latest 21-inch model is surprisingly punchy, thanks to reasonably large side mounted speakers complete with two 2-inch woofers and two 0.6-inch tweeters (the previous Echo Show 15 only had two 1.6-inch tweeters).

Split image showing side profiles of Amazon Echo Show 21

The Echo Show 21 works well in landscape mode for entertainment, but it really shines as a smart home hub in portrait mode (Image credit: Chris Price)

Over a period of three weeks, I listened to a range of music from various streaming services, including Spotify and Amazon, and found the experience really enjoyable. However, it’s fair to say that the Echo Show 21 still only offers sound quality as good as a modest smart TV, so if it’s a high-quality home cinema system you want, you're best looking elsewhere.

In summary, when it comes to performance, the Echo Show 21 comes highly recommended. And while I think it is rather more successful in portrait mode as a touchscreen home hub, it also doubles as a pretty decent smart TV in landscape mode for sitting back and watching streaming video content.

  • Performance score: 4/5

Should you buy the Amazon Echo Show 21?

Buy it if

You want a large touchscreen display

At 21.5 inches, this is the largest of all the Echo Show devices, offering nearly double the viewing area of the Amazon Show 15. This makes it an excellent choice if you want to display lots of widgets or simply want a bigger picture for streaming video content.

You need to consult recipes while cooking

Ideal for mounting in the kitchen, the Echo Show 21 is a perfect companion for when you're cooking. It’s also great for looking up recipes on the internet or listening to music when you are preparing the ingredients for a meal.

You want to control smart home devices

Providing support for Matter and Thread, the Echo Show 21 is a really good way of controlling your home. And because it has such a big display, you can see footage from connected security cameras really clearly.

Don't buy it if

You just want to watch TV

Put simply, there are much better and cheaper displays out there for watching TV/streaming services. Unlike the Echo Show 21 these can be connected to a TV aerial too for those who still like to watch good old fashioned TV channels.

You want a portable smart display

Designed to be mounted permanently on the wall, the Echo Show 21 is a big heavy beast requiring specialist installation, unless you pay even more for the table-top mount.

Amazon Echo Show 21: also consider

If you're not sure the Amazon Echo Show 21 is the right smart hub for you, here are a couple of other options to consider:

Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen)

The latest generation model boasts better audio, faster performance and added support for Matter, Thread and Zigbee. The only big thing that holds it back is its uptick in price.

Read our full Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) review

Amazon Echo Show 15 (2nd gen)

The new generation 15-inch Amazon Echo Show offers much better audio quality than its predecessor, putting it on a par with the new 21-inch model. Amazon has also upgraded the auto-framing camera for improved video calls.

How I tested the Amazon Echo Show 21

  • I mounted on the wall in my home office for three weeks
  • I used it in both landscape and portrait modes
  • I tested it both as a home hub and smart TV

To get a good grasp of what a product like the Echo Show 21 can do, you really need to spend as much time with it as possible. That’s because it offers so much functionality! Even after three weeks I’m still finding apps I can download and new things I can do with it.

As I installed it in my home office, I used the Echo Show 21 mostly for listening to classical music while I was working and for features such as the checking the weather before taking the dog out for a lunchtime walk. But I also used it for other things too, including watching video content, turning the heating up and down and viewing images from Amazon Photos.

Personally, I preferred it in portrait mode, although using it landscape mode might work better if you have it installed in the living room or a bedroom. However, you ideally need to use the Echo Show for its advanced smart home control features to get the most out of it. Read more about how we test.

First reviewed February 2025

Amazon Echo Hub review: Alexa finally puts smart home first
7:30 pm | February 27, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Smart Home Smart Home Hubs | Tags: | Comments: Off

Amazon Echo Hub: Two-minute review

I’m a huge Amazon fan when it comes to smart home products. 'The variety of devices, and their affordability, the way they seamlessly with one another, and their seriously impressive Alexa capabilities won me over as soon as I started getting into smart home technology, and there’s a reason why Echo devices feature prominently on our list of the best smart speakers.

Overall, Amazon’s smart home devices offer excellent performance across the board, except for one vital area: smart home control. Don’t get me wrong, Alexa is a strong contender for the best smart home ecosystem, but generally speaking, control functions are the most under-serviced aspect of Amazon’s entertainment-first smart speakers and displays – or at least it was until the release of the Amazon Echo Hub. 

It’s an interesting move from Amazon; the Echo Hub blends some great features and functionalities that are already found in other Echo devices but adds a more sophisticated and stripped-back UI and some quality-of-life adjustments that make it one of the most attractive products in Amazon’s range of smart home controllers, and certainly one of the best smart displays available now – and I think that’ll be especially true for people who aren’t already onboard with Alexa-enabled devices.

Amazon Echo Hub showing the main UI

(Image credit: Future)

In part, it’s due to the device’s design and UI, which feel distinctly more Google than Amazon. At a time when we’re potentially witnessing a slow and very quiet demise for Google’s smart home products, that’s a real boon for Amazon, and features like the soon-to-be-released Map View will also serve to delight smart home fans.

The product design sees Amazon leaning even further out of its comfort zone; it’s inoffensive but doesn’t look cheap, which is certainly more my speed compared to the Amazon Echo Pop I reviewed last year.

The whole purpose of the Echo Hub feels distinctly more techie, which will likely appeal more to smart home enthusiasts than the more entertainment-led Echo Show devices. Plus, with Matter, Thread, Zigbee, and Bluetooth support, and power-over-Ethernet possibilities, it’s got a lot to offer owners of homes with a large number of connected devices.

It’s a smart move from Amazon to create a true smart-home hub, and it’s also executed it pretty well. Despite some slightly laggy and glitchy interactions with the UI, which I hope will be resolved over time, overall I had a great experience with the Echo Hub. 

Amazon Echo Hub

(Image credit: Future)

Amazon Echo Hub: Price and availability

  • How much does it cost? $179.99 / £169.99 / AU$329.00
  • When is it available? Available now
  • Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK and Australia

The Amazon Echo Hub was released in February 2024, and costs $179.99 / £169.99 / AU$329.00. It’s available directly from Amazon; it’s not yet listed at third-party retailers.

Considering that it’s comparable to the Echo Show 8 in size and specs, I was a little surprised initially to discover that the Echo Hub is more expensive. The Show 8 comes in at $149.99 / £149.99 / AU$229, despite offering superior speakers to the Hub, a built-in camera, and great streaming chops; however, it’s just not capable of running a smart home as speedily and responsively as the Echo Hub is. 

That’s because while the Echo Hub uses the same baseline OS as the recent Show devices, it’s powered by a MediaTek MT 8169 A processor. Plus, it packs a lot of connectivity tech into its very small, wall-mountable frame, so it does make sense for the Hub to cost a bit more than the Echo Show 8. Both devices are a little overpriced for what they offer, but Amazon has the smart display market pretty much to itself, with Google having released no new Nest Hub products since 2021, so it’s unsurprising that it’s shooting for higher list prices – and generally speaking, Amazon’s own devices are very well discounted during sales events like Black Friday and Prime Day.

It’s worth noting that the Echo Hub is very much intended to be a wall-mounted screen, but if, like me, you’re a renter or otherwise don’t want to damage your walls you can also buy a separate stand from Sanus for $29.99 in the US, or Amazon’s own stand in the UK for £29.99; I’ve not been able to find an equivalent that’s available in Australia. 

  • Value: 4 / 5

Amazon Echo Hub: Specs

Amazon Echo Hub: Design and features

  • Slimline, simple design optimized for wall mounting
  • Neat inbuilt cable management
  • Side-mounted physical controls 

The Amazon Echo Hub isn’t much to write home about when it comes to design – and that’s exactly what I love about it. 

Designed to be tablet-like, the Echo Hub is 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches / 202 x 137 x 15mm (w x h x d), with a 14mm bezel. The bezel is white, which can easily look a bit tacky but actually rather suits the intended purpose of the device; it’s able to seamlessly blend in with most light-colored walls, and with the white UI.

There’s no camera, but that’s okay – the Echo Hub isn’t for video calls or home surveillance; it’s simply a control interface. There are three microphones on the front of the hub for voice activation, as well as two speakers on the top, and the physical volume and privacy controls are on the right-hand side of the screen.

Amazon Echo Hub with its added Sanus stand

(Image credit: Future)

On the back of the device is a nifty cable organizer for the singular USB-C input, and the Echo Hub also offers PoE (power-over-Ethernet) charging. The cable is as discreet as a cable can be, but some still may prefer to not see wires running down their walls; still, it’s not too hard to DIY a passthrough solution.

I’d have liked to see even just a small, flimsy Nintendo Switch-style kickstand included for those who don’t want to wall-mount the device, rather than them having to shell out for a  separate and pretty pricey stand, but I can understand Amazon’s efforts to keep the Echo Hub streamlined and secure. And to be fair, the separate stand is very robust.

  • Design: 5 / 5

Amazon Echo Hub showing the active media list

(Image credit: Future)

Amazon Echo Hub: Performance

  • New UI offers great smart home control…
  • …but it’s slightly buggy and slow at times
  • Value-adding features like Adaptive Content are nice additions

Considering that I live in a pokey one-bed apartment I have a fair number of smart home devices, and trying to control them all can sometimes be a frustrating experience. Using voice control can become downright irritating – the novelty, I’m afraid, has worn off for me – while the Alexa app just doesn’t offer the granularity of control I’d expect, nor is it particularly intuitive. So I’ve spent a fair amount of time yelling at Alexa to try to get my smart home in order.

The Echo Hub, however, removes that pain point almost entirely. Yes, Alexa is in there, but this touchscreen titan pretty much reinvents the Alexa smart home experience – though you will still need to use the Alexa app, much to my chagrin. Thankfully, the Echo Hub offers Matter, Thread, Zigbee, and Bluetooth support. 

While the Echo Hub runs the same OS, supports the same features, and has a near-identical 8-inch, 1280 x 800-pixel resolution screen as its Echo Show siblings, its interface is entirely different; it’s pared back, smart home-focused, and stuffed full of useful widgets. 

These widgets form the backbone of the Echo Hub experience, allowing you to quickly control your smart home devices and routines. On the left of the screen is the navigation menu, in which you can switch between the main dashboard, your routines, and whatever rooms you have set up in your Alexa app. 

Amazon Echo Hub showing the main UI

(Image credit: Future)

If you use security cameras in and around your home, you can also use the Echo Hub to check in on your live feeds, viewing up to four at once with the Multiview feature. Ring cameras, being Amazon devices, get a little added benefit in that you can also get snapshots of your feed from the camera widget.

I also appreciate some of the quality-of-life features offered by the Echo Hub. The Adaptive Content feature, which is also in the Echo Show 8, uses infrared sensors on the top of the device to detect your proximity to it, simplifying the display when you’re further away and adding more detail when you’re closer. I also love the fact that the UI is stripped back and free from clutter; it’s not filled with Amazon’s bloatware or invasive advertising, and I really hope it stays that way. 

Sounds great, right? And that’s what makes it all the more frustrating that Amazon wasn’t able to nail it on the software side. The Echo Hub is by no means an abject failure, but the one thing it needs to be as a smart home controller is fast, but due to some slight lag issues when using widgets (and one small bug I encountered which rendered the lighting widget unusable for a few minutes) it’s a little disappointing at times.

It mainly seems to struggle if you try to swipe or use any gestures other than tapping, which is a little counterintuitive if you’re used to the touchscreens of any of the best phones or best tablets. The disappointment is only intensified when you consider that early hands-on reviews from a variety of outlets in September 2023 reported lag issues, so there’s been enough time for Amazon to tweak the software – though there’s every chance that its MediaTek MT 8169 A processor just isn’t up to the job. 

There’s also some really simple stuff that we know, at the very least, Alexa can do, but which the widgets can’t. For example, I can ask Alexa to make the lights in my living room red, and despite those lights all being from different manufacturers, the smart speaker can unify the command. However, other than setting up a routine for a specific color, there’s no way to do this using manual controls on the Echo hub. 

Amazon Echo Hub showing the color changing options on a smart light

(Image credit: Future)

Its customizability isn’t quite as good as I’d hoped for either; you can only configure the home page, but not the ordering or layout of devices in your different rooms and routines, which default to alphabetic ordering. That’s fine if you’ve only got a few devices or you use most of them daily, but I’ve got some rogue devices that I use maybe once a month that are much more easily accessible than others that I’d need more often. You also can’t customize the favorites bar, so you’re stuck with Lights, Smart Plugs, Cameras, and Active Media as well as the Other menu, which for me brought up a really random array of devices and scenes.

I do appreciate the library of widgets available, though this feature isn't really utilized as well as it could be. The widgets operate mostly as shortcuts with little-to-no programmability, which leaves the Echo Hub a little vulnerable to being overtaken in the software department if Apple does come out with its rumored smart display.

Amazon Echo Hub showing the widget library

(Image credit: Future)

Still, I imagine that the OS is a work in progress – we know that Map View is yet to come, for example, so we might see future improvements in the speed and reliability of the Echo Hub. I really hope Amazon gives the Echo Hub even greater control; it’s still not a full replacement for the app, and certain settings and configurations can still only be done in the app. Plus, and predictably so, it still gives preference to Amazon devices.

Outside of its use as a smart home controller, there’s not much to say about the Echo Hub’s performance. While it does have two speakers, these are mostly so that Alexa can respond to you; they’re certainly not high-quality enough for music or entertainment, but once again, that’s not what the Echo Hub is for.

While I do have the above gripes with the OS, I’m nitpicking somewhat. Broadly speaking, the Echo Hub is an excellent device that, if nothing else, shows Amazon pushing out of its comfort zone; and I’m thrilled that it’s dropped some of the more irritating things about Echo devices, like the bloatware and incessant advertising. 

  • Performance: 4.5 / 5

Should you buy the Amazon Echo Hub?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Amazon Echo Hub: Also consider

If the Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen) isn't for you, why not consider other smart displays?

How I tested Amazon Echo Hub

  • I tested it for a week
  • I used it as my main smart display at home
  • I tried all its different features and functionalities and stress tested the nw UI

I had a week to test the Amazon Echo Hub in my home, bringing it into my smart home ecosystem and using it as the main smart display to control my various smart home devices. In my home, I use everything from smart security cameras and air purifiers to smart lights and smart plugs, so there was plenty for the Echo Hub to play with. 

I opted to use the Echo Hub with a Sanus stand, however from looking at the provided installation kit I was able to assess how easy the wall-mounted installation process would be. I primarily used the device  to control my smart devices, but I also tried some of the widgets available in Amazon's fairly extensive library. 

I've been testing and reviewing smart home devices for several years, and come from a background of writing about IoT devices and network infrastructure. I'm also a massive smart home nerd outside of work, 

Read more about how we test

First reviewed February 2024

Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen) review: the near-perfect smart display for most households
7:00 pm | November 4, 2023
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Home Smart Home Smart Home Hubs | Tags: | Comments: Off

Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen): Two-minute review

If the Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen) isn’t proof-positive that smart speakers are on their way out, then I don’t know what is. Smart displays not only allow you to connect and voice-control your smart home devices but also provide many other functionalities that even the best smart speakers and best Alexa speakers just aren’t equipped for. 

This latest version of Amazon’s 8-inch model might also be the best smart display for most people – though budget-minded folks might prefer the much cheaper Echo Show 5, which has its own advantages – having a generous display and more functionalities. I’ve been using the second generation of the Echo Show 5 as my main smart display, and honestly, I’ve always found it a tad lacking. That is, it’s well suited for quick access to things but doesn't meet all my needs.

Upgrading to the Show 8 was a revelation. Suddenly, watching movies on Prime Video in my kitchen while cooking isn't a practice in the art of squinting, listening to Taylor Swift while doing the dishes is a better experience in audio, and video calls to friends and family don't feel like a game of hide and seek when you’re moving around and doing things.

The Echo Show 8 (3rd gen) is, of course, capable of much more than that, which I’ll get to in a second, but my point is that it’s a wiser choice as your home’s main gateway to your smart home devices and more. 

There are things that I do feel Amazon could have done better. The display still has those thick bezels that now look outdated. The 13MP camera it inherited from its predecessor is just sufficient. Then there's the price bump, making it a less affordable proposition – though, luckily, Amazon regularly offers discounts on its devices.

None of those things would deter me from purchasing the Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen), however, and they shouldn’t deter you either. If you’re serious about smartening your home, this is one of the best smart home devices to invest in. 

Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen): Price and availability

  • How much does it cost?  $149.99 / £149.99 (about AU$230) 
  • When is it available? Available now
  • Where can you get it? Available in the US and the UK

The Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen) has gotten a price bump, sadly. At $149.99 / £149.99 (about AU$230), it’s $20 / £30 more than its predecessor, the Echo Show 8 (2nd gen). I don’t consider it that big of a price increase, however, especially considering the improvements that come with it. And, with Black Friday deals starting to trickle in, there’s no doubt it’s going to get a discount soon.

Bear in mind that it is pretty pricey if you compare it to the Echo Show 5. The Echo Show 5 (3rd gen), the latest version of the 5-inch model, is much cheaper at $89.99 / ‎£89.99 (about AU$140). So if you’re on a tight budget, I'd say get that one or save up for the Echo Show 8 if you can wait.

While US and UK customers can get it now, Australian customers will have to wait a little longer as it’s not yet available at the time of writing.

  • Value: 4 / 5

Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen)

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen): Specs

Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen) in use by author

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen): Design and features

  • Solid build, made of recycled materials
  • Great display with unfortunately large bezels
  • Some design updates like a centered camera

Setting up the Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen) is easy, so easy, in fact, that there’s really not a lot of thought involved. This is true for all of Amazon’s devices. However, with added functionalities on the Show 8, there are some things you need to decide on, including Vision Accessibility, your choice of Photo Display, home monitoring, and more. You’ll also be asked to set up your Visual IDs. 

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Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen) in use by author

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)
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Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen) in use by author

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)
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Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen) in use by author

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)
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Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen) in use by author

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

The whole setup shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes in a single-person household. However, if you’ve got several people to set up Visual IDs for – the process requiring each person to stand in front of the camera and then follow the prompts – it’ll obviously take longer.

If you’d rather skip creating Visual IDs for every single person, you may do so, but I'd advise against that as this feature detects whenever a “registered” individual is near and personalizes content and even the displayed information on the screen based on their history, preferences and more. That essentially gives every single person in your household their own virtual Echo Show 8, which is pretty nifty.

Before finishing setup, I also suggest setting up Adaptive Content, which uses what Amazon calls "on-device computer vision technology" to adjust the screen's content based on how close or far you are from the device. 

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Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen)

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)
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Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen)

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)
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Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen)

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)
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Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen)

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

If you own the previous generation Echo Show 8, you might notice the lack of a design overhaul here. This looks a lot like its predecessor, but it does have a few small-ish changes. For example, the back is different, in that the sides and corners of the speaker cabinet aren’t flush with the display. That’s not necessarily a bad or good change, looks-wise; it just depends on your personal preference.

Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen)'s camera and buttons

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

You’ll also notice that the camera has been moved from the right side to the center, which should be advantageous for video calls. It’s ever so slightly lighter at 1.034g instead of 1.037g. And, finally, the display now has edge-to-edge glass, which does make it sleeker looking up-front.

If you were hoping to get a camera and a display upgrade, however, you'll be disappointed. You’re getting the same 13MP camera and the same 8-inch 1,280 x 800 display as before, including those large bezels around it that make it look a little dated. The 2-inch neodymium stereo speakers with passive bass radiator are also the same, although Amazon did improve the sound quality with better sound frequency representations, which I will talk about below.

I’ve only tested the Echo Show 8 (3rd gen) for a week so I can’t speak for its build quality, but I can tell you that it feels very well-made and robust. It’s also made from 29% recycled materials. It’s not as green as Apple’s slew of devices, but at least it’s getting there.

A lot of people are uncomfortable about having security cameras inside their homes, so if you'd like to enable home monitoring but still have the option to turn it off – or not have video on when you’re on calls – the camera privacy shutter is still there within quick and easy reach. And next to it are the mic/camera on/off button and the volume buttons.

  • Design: 4.5 / 5

Amazon Echo Show 8 (2023) in use by author

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen): Performance

  • Fast and responsive
  • Great features that work well, including Adaptive Content
  • Booming audio, great display

At launch, Amazon said it’s powered with an octa-core SoC with Amazon’s AZ2 Neural Network Engine. This improved processor is supposed to be 40% faster than its predecessor when it comes to executing requests and Alexa’s responses.

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Amazon Echo Show 8 (2023) in use by author

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)
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Amazon Echo Show 8 (2023) in use by author

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

While I couldn’t make a direct performance comparison with its predecessor as I haven’t tested that myself, I can tell you that after putting up with the Echo Show 5’s (2nd gen) slow processing for at least a year, this Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen) felt like a game changer. This thing delivers fast responses, whether I’m asking Alexa to translate something to another language, turning on my smart lights, or calling a friend for a video chat. It even pulled up and started a movie on Amazon Prime Video very quickly, within a couple of seconds, when it normally takes my Echo Show 5 (2nd gen) at least a minute to do so.

Amazon Echo Show 8 (2023) in use by author

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

The touchscreen display is just as responsive. Tapping buttons and links on my Echo Show 5 (2nd gen) usually means a few seconds of waiting. Sometimes, it doesn’t even respond to my taps. But that isn’t the case here. Every tap is registered and responded to quickly.

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Amazon Echo Show 8 (2023) in use by author

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)
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Amazon Echo Show 8 (2023) in use by author

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

Speaking of the display, it may not have gotten an upgrade, but it’s not really necessary in this current version. Its visuals are crisp and clean, and the screen is incredibly bright, allowing me to enjoy movies and shows or see my security camera footage very clearly without the need to squint. I just wish it wasn't so reflective, but the brightness helps offset that.

New features like the Visual ID and Adaptive Content are fairly fast as well. It does take a second or two for the camera to process what it's seeing and react accordingly, but not so long that you’ll get impatient. I quite like these two features as they specifically cater to your visual needs, though I did find that the Adaptive Content doesn’t usually switch to Minimal (the large image and text format) until I’m a little more than five feet away. And there’s no way to change that in the settings.

Video footage of author from Echo Show 8 (3rd gen)

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

The one thing I wished Amazon had upgraded, though, is the camera. It’s the same camera that’s on the previous generation, and while it delivers decent footage, I wouldn’t consider it crisp in this day and age. Not that most people would be using this for the type of video calls that require high-res audio, like business meetings, but having that option would have been nice. 

Also, it keeps the same auto-framing feature as its predecessor, which means it’ll follow you around the room, panning and zooming as necessary, when you’re on video calls, but that also feels slightly slower than on many webcams I’ve tested. Again, it’s not too bad, in fact, it's very intuitive. I’m impressed by how appropriate its framing is based on your proximity and position. When I’m a little further away, for example, it actually not only zooms out but centers me, so there’s not a lot of space above my head. However, it’s still a tad slow to operate.

Amazon Echo Show 8 (2023) in use by author

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

The sound is impressive. The speakers can get pretty loud – one-bedroom apartment-filling, actually – but even at 50% volume, they’re powerful with great frequency representation. I wouldn’t go so far as to call it an audiophile experience, but it’s better than the massive soundbar I have in my living room. And, it’s got decent bass response as well, so you can use it as your main speaker if you’re throwing a party.

Basically, what you've got in the Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen) is an all-in-one solution for not just your smart home but also your home needs.

  • Performance: 4.5 / 5

Should you buy the Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen)?

Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen) in use by author

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen): Also consider

If the Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen) isn't for you, why not consider other smart displays?

How I tested Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen)

  • I tested it for a week
  • I used it as my main smart display at home
  • I made sure to put its features and functionalities through their paces

Testing the Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen) for a week, I used it as the main smart display (and smart speaker, for that matter) in my apartment. I used it to manage and control my smart home devices, including smart lights, cameras, and more. 

Setting it up in my kitchen, I also used it to pull up recipes, watch movies, and listen to music, as well as video-call friends. Naturally, I tested its features, paying close attention to the new ones, and performance to see how they measure up in the real world.  

I’ve been testing and reviewing vacuum cleaners, home appliances, and smart home devices for different digital publications for years. Currently, I’ve taken on the role of Interim Homes Editor for TechRadar.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed November 2023