Smart Display
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What’s the best smart home display for 2025?
Imagine a device that combines the intuitive voice control of a smart speaker with the versatility of a touchscreen. Best…
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Imagine a device that combines the intuitive voice control of a smart speaker with the versatility of a touchscreen. Best smart home displays revolutionize your home experience by allowing you to control smart devices, play music, and stream videos with ease.
Since Amazon pioneered the touchscreen Echo in 2017, we’ve thoroughly tested each major release, evaluating their design, sound quality, and functionality. Our top pick is the Amazon Echo Show 15 smart home, but we also offer alternatives for every budget and need, Dive into our comprehensive reviews to discover the perfect smart display for you!
Echo Show 8 (Newest gen) | HD smart touchscreen with spatial audio, smart home hub and Alexa | Charcoal
Specification | Technical Details |
Display | 8-inch, 1280 x 800 resolution smart display |
Speakers | 2x 2-inch neodymium stereo speakers with passive bass radiator |
Camera | 13MP centered camera with built-in shutter |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Voice Assistant | Alexa |
Hub Functionality | Yes (Zigbee + Matter + Thread Border Router) |
Dimensions | 7.9 x 5.5 x 4.2 inches (200 x 139 x 106 mm) |
Weight | 36.6 oz (1.04 kg) |
Material | Made with 29% recycled materials |
Advantages | ● Added Thread and Zigbee support
● Fast and responsive performance ● Excellent audio quality ● Adaptive Content and Visual ID personalization ● Reflective screen (though brightness helps offset this) ● Sharp, bright and responsive smart home touch display ● Improved sound quality ● Edge-to-edge glass display |
Disadvantages | ● Same camera and display resolution as previous generation
● Display bezels are still thick ● Slightly more expensive than predecessor |
The Amazon Echo Show 8 (newest gen) combines a crisp 8-inch smart home touch screen with powerful audio capabilities, making it a versatile hub for controlling your smart home display device, enjoying entertainment, and staying connected.
With its faster octa-core processor featuring Amazon’s AZ2 Neural Network Engine, the Echo Show 8 delivers responses that are 40% faster than its predecessor, whether you’re asking Alexa to translate phrases, control smart lights, or initiate video calls.
The centered 13MP camera with auto-framing capability follows you during video calls, while personalization options like Visual ID adjust content based on who’s using the device. With robust support for Zigbee, Matter, and Thread protocols, this device serves as a comprehensive home control display that can fill a one-bedroom apartment with impressive sound while maintaining responsive touch controls.
Buy it if you | Don’t buy it if you |
Want an all-in-one solution for smart home display control and entertainment | Already have the 2nd gen model and don’t need the speed improvements |
Enjoy watching content or making video calls while doing other activities | Need only basic smart speaker functionality |
Want a smart display for home that’s enjoyable to use as your main household hub | Are on a really tight budget |
Need a comprehensive smart home hub to manage all your devices | Don’t want to get on the smart home bandwagon |
Echo Show 5 (Newest gen) | Smart display and alarm clock with clearer sound | Charcoal
Specification Details | |
Display | 5.5-inch touchscreen, 960 x 480 resolution smart home lcd |
Audio | 1.6-inch speaker |
Camera | 2-megapixel front-facing camera with privacy shutter |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, micro USB port |
Voice assistant | Amazon Alexa |
Dimensions | 5.8 x 3.4 x 2.9 inches (14.8 x 8.6 x 7.3 cm) |
Color | Charcoal, Glacier White, Deep Sea Blue |
Material | Made from post-consumer recycled fabric |
Advantages | ● Visual Alexa responses with additional on-screen information
● Can double as a home smart display security camera ● Improved camera for sharper video calls ● Affordable smart display ● Environmentally friendly materials ● Compact size fits anywhere |
Disadvantages | ● No 3.5mm headphone socket for private listening
● No YouTube app (only accessible via browser) ● Low-resolution video quality ● Audio lacks powerful bass ● Cannot act as a Zigbee smart home hub |
The Amazon Echo Show 5 (newest generation) represents Amazon’s most compact and affordable smart home screen, delivering a perfect blend of functionality and convenience in a sleek, compact design. This versatile 5.5-inch Echo Show 5 smart home brings Alexa to life visually.
With an upgraded 2-megapixel camera that delivers sharper video calls and can double as a home security camera, the Echo Show 5 provides an immersive way to stay connected, follow recipes, check weather forecasts with detailed hourly breakdowns, control smart home devices with screen, and enjoy entertainment content from services like Prime Video and Netflix.
This compact smart display for home fits comfortably in any room, making it an ideal bedside companion or kitchen assistant for users seeking Alexa’s capabilities enhanced with visual feedback.
Buy it if you | Don’t buy it if you |
Need a compact device for bedside or kitchen | Watch a lot of YouTube videos (consider Google displays) |
Are on a budget but want a smart screen for home | Don’t need a screen (consider Echo Dot instead) |
Want to see and hear Alexa show home screen responses | Need a device for personal listening with headphones |
Opt for a secondary Echo with a screen for smaller space | Already have the previous generation |
Want to make video calls and check home security | Want powerful audio quality |
All-new Amazon Echo Show 15 | Full HD 15.6″ smart display with Alexa, built-in Fire TV and Alexa Voice Remote
Feature | Specification |
Display | 15.6-inch Full HD display smart home |
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 |
Processor | Amazon AZ2 Neural Edge |
Camera | Built-in camera with physical shutter |
Audio | Stereo speakers |
Controls | Touch interface and Alexa Voice Remote included |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Mounting | Wall-mountable or stand (sold separately) |
Smart Home Compatibility | Works with Alexa-compatible devices |
Streaming | Built-in Fire TV |
Advantages | ● Can display multiple widgets simultaneously
● Built-in Fire TV functionality ● Included Alexa Voice Remote ● Smart home wall display design saves counter space ● Large 15.6-inch Full HD display |
Disadvantages | ● May be too large for smaller spaces
● Higher price point than smaller Echo models ● Doesn’t excel at either primary function ● Struggles with dual identity as Fire TV and smart home status display |
The All-new Amazon Echo Show 15 smart home combines the functionality of a smart home hub display with a Fire TV in a sleek, wall-mountable 15.6-inch Full HD display.
This 2024 model attempts to serve as both a central command center for your smart home and an entertainment device with its built-in Fire TV capabilities and included Alexa Voice Remote. While the large screen provides ample space for widgets, video calling, and streaming content, the device appears to struggle with its dual identity.
Buy it if you | Don’t buy it if you |
Like the idea of a digital bulletin board for family organization | Are on a tight budget |
Desire an all-in-one solution for smart home display screen control and entertainment | Have limited wall space or prefer a smaller display |
Need a wall-mountable device that saves counter space | Primarily want a dedicated streaming device |
Want a large-screen smart display for home | Need a device that excels specifically as a smart home hub |
All-new Amazon Echo Show 15 | Full HD
Echo Show 10 (Newest gen) | HD smart display with motion and Alexa | Charcoal Fabric
Feature | Specification |
Display | 10.1-inch HD (1280 x 800) with auto-brightness |
Camera | 13MP wide-angle with auto-pan and zoom |
Audio | Dual front-firing tweeters and 3-inch woofer |
Smart Home | Zigbee hub functionality |
Colors | Charcoal or White mesh fabric |
Dimensions | 9.9 x 9 x 6.7 inches (25.1 x 23 x 17.2cm) |
Motion | Silent brushless motor with 360° rotation |
Advantages | ● Responsive Alexa hub screen
● Adapts screen position for multiple people ● Doubles as security camera with remote viewing ● Screen automatically follows your movements ● Camera provides crisp, smooth video calls |
Disadvantages | ● Audio may be too bass-heavy for some
● No dedicated YouTube app ● Higher price point ● Screen quality adequate but not exceptional ● Requires Alexa app for setting up routines |
The Amazon Echo Show 10 (newest gen) represents Amazon’s most advanced smart display featuring a revolutionary rotating 10.1-inch HD screen that follows you around the room. The cylindrical base houses powerful speakers while the 13MP camera automatically pans and zooms during video calls to keep you centered in frame.
Beyond video calling, it functions as a home security camera, streams content from Netflix and Prime Video, and serves as a Zigbee hub for smart home control. With its adaptive brightness, silent motor technology, and both voice and touch controls, it delivers a seamless user experience for everyday tasks.
Buy it if you | Don’t buy it if you |
Are invested in Amazon’s ecosystem | Don’t need visual output from your smart speaker |
Cook frequently and follow digital recipes | Are looking for a budget-friendly option |
Enjoy having media playing while multitasking | Prefer a static display that doesn’t move |
Looking for a combination of smart home display devices and camera for more security | Find motion tracking uncomfortable |
Need an excellent video calling device | Watch a lot of YouTube content |