An Amazon Echo Show is a smart speaker with a screen that allows people to interact with Amazon Alexa, watch security camera feeds, see live weather forecasts, and even stream content from apps like Netflix.
Amazon now offers five different versions of the Echo Show—the Echo Show 15, the Echo Show 10, the Echo Show 8, the Echo Show 5, and the Echo Show 5 Kids.
But what is the difference between all the different Echo Show models? And more importantly, which Echo Show device is right for you? Keep reading to find out.
1. Echo Show 15
The largest Echo Show on the market is the Echo Show 15. It is the first Echo Show model that has been designed to hang on your wall or sit on a countertop.
The fact that the Echo Show 15 can hang on your wall makes it more like a TV than a smart device. However, with a screen that measures 15.6 inches, it is about the same size as a typical laptop screen. That means it's not as intrusive as a TV might be, especially in a place such as a kitchen where you might not want the temptation of a full-featured TV in a family area.
Because it is wall-mounted, the Echo Show 15 is a great option to use in the kitchen. It will be well out of the way of errant liquids and food waste, but you can still easily use it for recipe guidance and other similar tasks.
Under the hood, the Echo Show 15 is a powerful device thanks to Amazon's AZ2 processor. AZ2 processor means the Echo Show 15 can support Amazon's Visual ID (a facial recognition system) as well as on-screen widgets.
Other features include a front-facing camera (complete with a physical shutter button), an easy-to-use mic/camera off button, and a screen that boasts a 1080p resolution in portrait or landscape orientation. It also includes Fire TV support.
The Echo Show 15 is $249.99. For a bit extra, you can also add a remote, frame, or tilt stand.
2. Echo Show 10
The Echo Show 10 is now in its third generation, keeping it relatively fresh out of Amazon's design rooms.
The device sits on your countertop rather than the wall. However, it stands out from other countertop models thanks to its unique motorized base. It will spin and rotate on the base while using a built-in camera and tracking algorithm to make sure the screen is facing you at all times. The rotating feature might be useful if you want to use your Echo Show as a security camera.
The Echo Show 10's movement means that the device is an excellent option to use in an environment like a kitchen but is also a solid addition to an office if you want to use it for video calls or tracking business data in real-time while you move around.
Specs-wise, you get a three-inch woofer, two one-inch tweeters, a 10.1-inch screen, and a 13-megapixel camera with auto-framing.
Like the Echo Show 15, it retails for $249.99, meaning you'll need to decide where and how you plan to use your Amazon Echo before you hit the buy button. It's available in Charcoal or Glacier White.
3. Echo Show 8
Many people believe the mid-sized Echo Show 8 to be the best smart display device in Amazon's entire line-up.
The slightly reduced size makes it more practical (and less visually intrusive) than its bigger brothers, while the lower price point for what is essentially the same list of features means it is more appealing for people who are working with a tighter budget.
As with all the other Echo Show gadgets, the Echo Show 8 supports watching/streaming video, listening to music, getting weather reports, interacting with Alexa, making video conference calls, and controlling other smart home devices around your home. However, the price is only $129.99, almost half the price of the Echo Show 10.
You get an 8-inch screen with 1280x800 resolution, a microphone, and camera on/off button,
If you grab at least the second-generation version, you will also get a 13-megapixel camera. That's a huge upgrade on the 1-megapixel camera that shipped in the first-generation model. The improved camera makes the Echo Show 8 a much better productivity device for those who want to use it for Zoom calls.
Elsewhere, it has two 10W speakers. There is no woofer. It's also available in Charcoal or Glacier White.
If you are trying to decide which Echo Show to buy, we think it is one of the best smart displays for your home.
4. Echo Show 5
The cheapest and smallest Echo Show device in the line-up is the third-generation Echo Show 5. It's an extremely compact device that is designed to sit on a bedside table or small table. It's best to consider it as a supplementary Echo Show rather than as the primary Echo Show in your home.
The screen size is 5.5 inches, and the second generation has a two-megapixel camera (with a physical shutter). There are all the usual Alexa features such as the ability to search the web, make phone calls, stream music, access calendars and agendas, and control your other smart home gadgets. Like the Echo Show 10 and Echo Show 8, it's available in Charcoal or Glacier White and adds a third color option: Cloud Blue.
Of course, the most significant selling point of the Echo Show 5 is the price. You can get it for just $89.99.
If you already have Echo Shows around your home or are looking to test the water before buying a more expensive Show, this is the perfect gadget.
5. Echo Show 5 Kids
The last Echo Show available is the Echo Show 5 Kids. In many ways, it is almost identical to the regular Echo Show 5, but it has some key differences that make it suitable for playrooms and children's bedrooms.
The most important addition to the device is the parental controls. You can use it to set video time limits, filter content, review activity, and set bedtimes. The device also works as a more mature version of a baby monitor. It is great for parents who want to keep an eye on pre-teens during the night without subjecting them to demeaning "babyish" gadgets.
From a child's standpoint, the Galaxy color scheme will obviously appeal, as will the free year subscription to Amazon Kids+, support for Audible audiobooks, and the built-in interactive games. You can get it for $99.
Which Echo Show Is the Best?
It all depends on how you plan to use your device. If you need a central hub for all your Alexa needs, opt for the new Echo Show 15. If you don't want a wall-mounted model, we prefer the less bulky Echo Show 8 to the Echo Show 10. And for bedrooms, go for one of the two Echo Show 5 models.