In the ever-expanding universe of smart home devices, Amazon’s Echo Show lineup stands out as a cornerstone of functional elegance. If you’re torn between the Echo Show 10 and Echo Show 8 newest generations, you’re not alone in this digital dilemma. When considering these two devices, you can see that they share the same DNA, yet these siblings in the smart display family offer distinctly different experiences. Let’s cut through the confusion and get down to brass tacks about which is better: Echo Show 8 or 10 for your setup.
Versatile and affordable smart display with a modern design, edge-to-edge glass, and centered camera. Offers faster performance and integrated smart home hub capabilities (Zigbee/Thread/Matter). A great balance of features and value.
Premium smart display with a unique rotating screen that follows you. Expect a large, high-res display, powerful audio, and advanced smart home hub features (Zigbee/Thread/Matter). The top-tier option with a higher price.
| Device | Pros | Cons |
| Echo Show 10 Review | Motion tracking that follows you around the roomThe supreme quality of the sound thanks to the tweeters and powerful wooferLarger 10.1-inch HD displayEnhanced security camera capabilitiesBetter for group video calls | Considerably more expensiveRequires more counterspaceMotion tracking can feel intrusive to somePotentially overkill for basic smart display needs |
| Echo Show 8 Review | More compact, space-saving designSignificantly lower price pointSame 13MP camera qualityBuilt-in Zigbee smart home hubAZ2 Neural Edge processor | Smaller screen sizeLess powerful speakersNo motion tracking capabilitiesLimited room coverage for video calls |
Design and Display: Size Matters, But So Does Space
The Echo Show 10 vs Echo Show 8 comparison starts with their design philosophies. The Show 10 is the heavyweight champion of the lineup, both literally and figuratively. Weighing in at a substantial 5.6 pounds, this motorized marvel demands significant counter real estate, especially if you want to take advantage of its full 360-degree rotation capability. Its 10.1-inch HD display offers expansive screen real estate that makes everything from recipe instructions to video calls more comfortable for the eyes.
The Echo Show 8 versus 10 debate highlights how the Show 8 hits the Goldilocks zone of smart displays. With its 8-inch screen, it strikes that perfect balance between visibility and space efficiency. The newest generation features a more refined design with rounded edges and a centered 13MP camera that gives it a more polished, intentional look. For apartments, smaller kitchens, or bedside tables, the Show 8’s more modest footprint makes it the more versatile option without significantly compromising the user experience.
Visual Impact and Placement Options
While the Show 10 commands attention as the centerpiece of any room, the Show 8 blends more seamlessly into your existing décor. Think of the difference between Echo Show 8 and 10 as the difference between a statement piece and a complementary accent; both have their place, but they serve different aesthetic purposes in your smart home.
Audio Performance: When Sound Quality Takes Center Stage
If you’re the type who enjoys belting out tunes while preparing dinner or wants crystal-clear audio during video calls, the Echo Show 8 vs 10 sound quality deserves your attention.
The newest Echo Show 10 raises the bar with a robust audio setup featuring dual 1-inch tweeters and a powerful 3-inch woofer. This configuration delivers impressively crisp highs and substantial, room-filling bass; even at higher volumes, the sound remains clear and free from distortion. It’s essentially a smart display with a premium speaker system built right in.
By comparison, when examining Amazon Echo Show 8 vs 10, the Show 8’s audio capabilities are respectable but not revolutionary. While the newest generation offers improved audio with better bass response than its predecessors, it can’t quite match the immersive sound experience of its larger counterpart.
That said, for everyday use, whether asking Alexa for the weather forecast or enjoying background music while cooking, the Show 8’s audio quality is more than sufficient for most users.
Camera and Video Calling: Face-to-Face in the Digital Age
Here’s where things get interesting and surprisingly equitable. Both the Echo Show 10 and Echo Show 5 newest generations feature identical 13MP cameras, representing a significant upgrade from the second-generation Echo Show. This parity in image quality means video calls on either device benefit from clear, detailed picture quality.
However, the Echo 8 vs 10 comparison reveals a game-changing dimension to video communication with the Show 10’s motorized tracking. During video calls, the screen automatically rotates to follow your movements, keeping you perfectly framed regardless of where you move within the room.
For busy households where you might be preparing meals, helping kids with homework, or simply moving around during conversations, this hands-free tracking creates a more natural video-calling experience. The Echo Show 8 may lack motion tracking, but its centered camera placement and auto-framing technology still ensure you remain properly positioned during calls. For stationary video chats at a desk or kitchen counter, this difference between Echo 8 and 10 becomes much less significant.
Smart Home Control: Command Central for Your Connected Life
Both devices function admirably as smart home control centers, though with some notable distinctions in their approach when considering Echo Show 8 or 10.
The newest Echo Show 8 includes a built-in Zigbee smart home hub and Amazon’s advanced AZ2 Neural Edge processor, allowing for faster response times and more efficient local processing of commands.
It also features a clever spatial awareness capability that adjusts the display information based on your distance from the screen—showing more detailed information as you approach and simplified interfaces when you’re farther away.
The Amazon Echo 8 vs 10 distinction shows that the Echo Show 10 maintains comprehensive smart home control capabilities but emphasizes its unique ability to serve as a mobile command center. As you move throughout a space, the display rotates to maintain visibility, ensuring your smart home controls remain accessible regardless of where you are in the room.
Motion Tracking and Security: The Moving Advantage
When comparing Alexa Show 8 vs 10, the Echo Show 10’s motorized base represents its most distinctive feature and potentially its most polarizing one. Beyond video calls, this device will turn to face you whenever you interact with Alexa, whether you’re checking the weather or adding items to your shopping list. This creates a more personalized, attentive feel to interactions, though some users might find the constant movement a bit unsettling.
From a security perspective, the Echo 10 vs Echo 8 comparison shows enhanced capabilities for the larger model. When used as a security camera, you can remotely pan the room through the Alexa app, providing a more comprehensive view of our space than what’s possible with the stationary Show 8.
It’s the only Echo Show device currently recognized specifically as a security camera within the Alexa app, though this functionality may eventually extend to other models. The Show 8 vs Show 10 difference is notable here as the Echo Show 8, while stationary, still offers security functionality through the Drop In feature, allowing you to check in on your home remotely—you just can’t control the viewing angle.
Privacy Considerations
Privacy concerns often arise when comparing Alexa Echo Show 8 vs 10, particularly regarding the Show 10’s motion tracking capabilities. Both devices include physical camera shutters and microphone-off buttons, but the Show 10’s ability to follow you around the room adds an additional dimension to privacy considerations.
Some users find the Show 10’s tracking helpful and convenient, while others in Echo Show 8 vs 10 Reddit discussions express discomfort with a device that physically moves to watch them. Your personal comfort level with this feature should factor significantly into your decision between Amazon Echo 8 vs 10.
Technical Specifications: The Comparison Table
| Feature | Echo Show 10 | Echo Show 8 |
| Display | 10.1-inch HD touchscreen | 8-inch HD touchscreen |
| Camera | 13MP wide-angle with auto-framing | 13MP with auto-framing |
| Speakers | Dual 1-inch tweeters + 3-inch woofer | Improved audio system with better bass |
| Processor | Amazon AZ1 Neural Edge | Amazon AZ2 Neural Edge |
| Motion | 360-degree motorized rotation | None |
| Smart Home Hub | Yes | Yes (Zigbee) |
| Security Features | Remote pan capability, recognized as camera in the Alexa app | Drop-In feature |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
| Size | Significantly larger footprint | Compact design |
| Weight | 5.6 lbs | Lighter (approximately 2.5 lbs) |
Price and Value
Let’s face the music; price often becomes the deciding factor in the Echo Show 8 versus 10 debate. The Echo Show 10 commands a premium price of $250 and the Echo Show 8 retails at $130 (often available for even less during sales.)
The million-dollar question is whether the Echo Show 10’s bells and whistles, like motion tracking and a beefed-up speaker system, are worth breaking the bank for nearly double the cost. While the Show 8 vs Show 10 price gap is significant, value is ultimately determined by how these features align with your specific needs and usage patterns.
History suggests that while the Echo Show 10 tends to maintain its higher price point, the Echo Show 8 frequently sees substantial discounts, sometimes dropping as low as $65 during major sales events. For on-a-tight-budget shoppers trying to decide between Echo Show 8 or 10, this pricing pattern might tip the scales decisively.
Who Should Buy Which Model
| Buy the Echo Show 10 if you | Buy the Echo Show 8 if you |
| Are a tech enthusiast who appreciates cutting-edge featuresMake frequent or lengthy video callsNeed the display to be visible from different areasPrioritize audio quality for music playbackWant enhanced security monitoring capabilities | Are a budget-conscious shopper seeking the best valueHave limited counter or desk spacePrimarily need a stationary smart displayWant core smart home control without extra frillsMight find motion tracking unnecessary or intrusive |
The difference between Echo Show 8 and 10 ultimately comes down to whether you prioritize cutting-edge features or practical value. Whichever you choose, both devices represent impressive entries in Amazon’s ever-evolving smart home ecosystem, bringing Alexa’s capabilities to life with screens that enhance your connected lifestyle.
What are the main differences between the Echo Show 10 and Echo Show 8?
The Echo Show 10 features a larger 10.1-inch rotating screen that follows you around, providing a more immersive experience during video calls and media consumption. It also boasts superior audio quality with dual 1-inch tweeters and a 3-inch woofer, delivering richer and louder sound. In contrast, the Echo Show 8 has a fixed 8-inch screen and offers decent audio performance suitable for everyday tasks.
Is the rotating screen on the Echo Show 10 worth it?
The rotating screen on the Echo Show 10 enhances user interaction by keeping the display within your view as you move around the room. This feature is particularly beneficial during video calls, cooking, or following workout routines. If such use cases align with your lifestyle, the rotating screen adds significant value.
Which device offers better sound quality?
The Echo Show 10 provides superior sound quality, thanks to its dual 1-inch tweeters and a 3-inch woofer, delivering clearer and more powerful audio. This makes it ideal for music enthusiasts and those who prioritize audio performance. The Echo Show 8, while offering good sound for its size, doesn’t match the audio depth and volume of the Show 10.
Is the Echo Show 8 sufficient for smart home control and daily use?
Yes, the Echo Show 8 is well-equipped for managing smart home devices, streaming content, and handling daily tasks. It supports Matter and can act as a Thread Border Router, enhancing its smart home capabilities. Its compact size makes it suitable for various spaces like kitchens or bedrooms. However, if you desire advanced features like a rotating screen or superior audio, the Echo Show 10 would be the better choice.
