The best smart display with Alexa for most homes is the Amazon Echo Show 11, which balances a sharp Full HD screen, room-filling audio, and a size that works on a nightstand or kitchen counter alike. If budget leads your decision, the Echo Show 5 covers timers, weather, and voice control for a fraction of the cost of larger models. At the other end, the Echo Show 21 doubles as a wall-mounted family command center and Fire TV streaming hub. The main tradeoff in this category is screen size versus placement flexibility: bigger displays are easier to read across a room but demand wall space or a dedicated spot, while compact units fit anywhere yet strain as video-call or streaming devices. Camera quality, speaker performance, and whether you want built-in Fire TV also separate these models more than the Alexa experience itself, which is fairly consistent across the lineup. Keep reading for the full breakdown of all twelve picks.
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Key Takeaways
- Screen size is the single biggest differentiator: the Echo Show 5 models are bedside and desk devices, the Show 8 and Show 11 are all-arounders, and the Show 15 and Show 21 are wall-first family hubs.
- Color options (Glacier White, Graphite, Charcoal, Cloud Blue) exist purely for aesthetics — the hardware inside is identical, so buy the finish that matches your room and ignore any urge to pay differently for it.
- The like-new Echo Show 5 units deliver the same third-generation hardware as the new models, making them the smartest value play in the entire lineup if cosmetic condition is not a dealbreaker.
- Fire TV integration on the Show 15 and Show 21 turns a smart display into a genuine secondary TV, which the Show 8 and Show 11 cannot match despite their better portability.
- The Echo Hub is not a conventional smart display at all — it is a dedicated wall control panel, and it only makes sense if deep whole-home automation matters more than video calls or entertainment.
| Amazon Echo Show 11 Smart Display, Glacier White |  | Best Overall | Display: 10.95-inch Full HD touchscreen, 1920 x 1200 | Camera: 13 MP with auto framing | Audio: 2.8-inch woofer and two full-range drivers | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Amazon Echo Show 21 Smart Display with Fire TV |  | Best Premium / Best for Whole-Home Command Center | Display: 21-inch, 1920 × 1080 Full HD | Dimensions: 21.4 × 13.2 × 1.5 inches | Weight: 10.7 lb | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Amazon Echo Show 5 Smart Display, Glacier White |  | Best Budget Pick | Display: 5.5 inches | Camera: 2 MP | Smart home control: Compatible lights, thermostats, cameras, and video doorbells | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Amazon Echo Show 8 (New Model), 8.7-Inch HD Smart Display with Spatial Audio, Glacier White |  | Best Mid-Size Value | Display: 8.7-inch HD touchscreen | Audio: Spatial audio | Processor: AZ3 Pro chip | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Amazon Echo Show 11 Smart Display, Full HD, Graphite |  | Best Overall, Dark Finish | Display: 11-inch Full HD touchscreen | Audio: Spatial audio | Processor: AZ3 Pro | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen, Like-New), Glacier White | | Best Budget Entry Point | Condition: Refurbished, tested, and certified to look and work like new | Display: 5.5-inch touchscreen | Camera: 2 MP with built-in shutter | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Amazon Echo Hub Smart Home Control Panel |  | Best Dedicated Smart Home Command Center | Display size: 8 inches | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Matter, Sidewalk, and Thread | Mounting: Wall mount; tabletop stand sold separately | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Amazon Echo Show 8 (Newest Model), 8.7-Inch HD Smart Display with Spatial Audio, Graphite |  | Best Overall | Display: 8.7-inch HD touchscreen, 800 x 1340 resolution | Camera: 13 MP with auto framing | Audio: 1 x 2.8-inch woofer and 2 full-range drivers with spatial audio | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Amazon Echo Show 15 (Newest Model), 15.6-Inch Full HD Smart Display with Fire TV and Alexa |  | Best Premium Family Hub | Display: 15.6-inch Full HD (1080p) | Streaming: Built-in Fire TV | Camera: Auto-framing, wide field of view, 3.3x zoom, noise reduction | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen, Like-New) Smart Display, Charcoal |  | Best for Bedrooms and Small Spaces | Condition: Refurbished, tested, and certified to look and work like new | Display: 5.5-inch touchscreen | Camera: 2 MP with built-in shutter | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Amazon Echo Show 5 Smart Display, Cloud Blue |  | Best Budget Nightstand Pick | Display: 5.5 inches | Camera: 2 MP | Smart assistant: Alexa | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Amazon Echo Show 5 Smart Display (Newest Model), Charcoal | | Best Compact Value | Display: 5.5-inch touchscreen | Camera: 2 MP with built-in shutter | Speaker: 1.75-inch full-range speaker | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| smart displays with Alexa | Display | Camera | Color | Processor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Echo Show 11 Smart Disp | 10.95-inch Full HD touchscreen, 1920 x 1200 | 13 MP with auto framing | Glacier White | AZ3 Pro with AI Accelerator |
| Amazon Echo Show 21 Smart Disp | 21-inch, 1920 × 1080 Full HD | 13 MP with privacy shutter | — | — |
| Amazon Echo Show 5 Smart Displ | 5.5 inches | 2 MP | Glacier White | — |
| Amazon Echo Show 8 | 8.7-inch HD touchscreen | Centered auto-framing camera with 3.3x zoom | Glacier White | AZ3 Pro chip |
| Amazon Echo Show 11 Smart Disp | 11-inch Full HD touchscreen | Centered auto-framing camera with 3.3x zoom | Graphite | AZ3 Pro |
| Amazon Echo Show 5 | 5.5-inch touchscreen | 2 MP with built-in shutter | Glacier White | — |
| Amazon Echo Hub Smart Home Con | — | — | — | — |
| Amazon Echo Show 8 | 8.7-inch HD touchscreen, 800 x 1340 resolution | 13 MP with auto framing | — | AZ3 Pro with AI Accelerator |
| Amazon Echo Show 15 | 15.6-inch Full HD (1080p) | Auto-framing, wide field of view, 3.3x zoom, noise reduction | — | — |
| Amazon Echo Show 5 | 5.5-inch touchscreen | 2 MP with built-in shutter | Charcoal | MediaTek MT 8169 |
| Amazon Echo Show 5 Smart Displ | 5.5 inches | 2 MP | Cloud Blue | — |
| Amazon Echo Show 5 Smart Displ | 5.5-inch touchscreen | 2 MP with built-in shutter | Charcoal | MediaTek MT 8169 |
More Details on Our Top Picks
Amazon Echo Show 11 Smart Display, Glacier White
The Echo Show 11 hits the sweet spot between size, sound, and smart home capability. Its 10.95-inch Full HD screen is large enough for recipes, video calls, and photo slideshows without demanding the wall space the Echo Show 21 requires. Compared with the Echo Show 8, the bigger panel and the 2.8-inch woofer make it feel like a genuine entertainment device rather than a bedside assistant. The built-in hub covering Zigbee, Matter, and Thread means buyers can skip separate bridges for many devices. The tradeoff: Sidewalk is on by default, so anyone privacy-conscious should disable it during setup, and PIN-protected Bluetooth speakers won’t pair.
Pros:- 10.95-inch Full HD touchscreen is sharp and readable from across a room
- Spatial audio with a dedicated woofer and two full-range drivers
- Built-in hub supports Zigbee, Matter, and Thread without extra bridges
- 13 MP auto-framing camera with on-device privacy controls
Cons:- Amazon Sidewalk is enabled by default unless previously turned off
- Won’t pair with Bluetooth speakers that require PIN codes
Best for: Households that want one do-everything Alexa display for kitchen or living room — entertainment, video calls, and smart home control in a single device
Not ideal for: Nightstand buyers — at nearly three pounds with room-filling audio, it overshadows a small space where the Echo Show 5 fits better
- Display:10.95-inch Full HD touchscreen, 1920 x 1200
- Camera:13 MP with auto framing
- Audio:2.8-inch woofer and two full-range drivers
- Smart home hub:Zigbee, Matter, Thread Border Router
- Processor:AZ3 Pro with AI Accelerator
- Wi-Fi:Wi-Fi 6E (IEEE 802.11ax)
- Bluetooth:Version 5.4
- Color:Glacier White
Our verdict“If you’re buying one Alexa smart display for a shared living space and don’t want compromises on screen, sound, or smart home range, this is the pick.”
Amazon Echo Show 21 Smart Display with Fire TV
The Echo Show 21 is the flagship of this lineup, doubling the screen real estate of the Echo Show 11 and folding in built-in Fire TV so it doubles as a television. The customizable widgets — calendars, lists, camera feeds — turn it into a genuine family command center, and the flexible landscape or portrait mounting gives installation options no smaller model offers. Audio steps up too, with two woofers and two tweeters versus the Show 11’s single woofer. The honest tradeoff is size and cost: you need substantial wall or counter space, and some streaming apps and services carry their own subscription fees on top of the hardware investment.
Pros:- 21-inch Full HD display with landscape or portrait orientation
- Built-in Fire TV supports popular streaming apps
- Zigbee, Matter, and Thread hub connectivity in one unit
- Camera with auto-framing, zoom, and a physical privacy shutter
Cons:- Some apps, skills, and services require separate subscriptions or fees
- Large footprint demands substantial wall or counter space
Best for: Busy families who want a wall-mounted household hub for schedules, camera feeds, video calls, and streaming in a kitchen or mudroom
Not ideal for: Dorm rooms, offices, or small apartments — its 21-inch footprint overwhelms tight spaces where the Echo Show 8 is the smarter fit
- Display:21-inch, 1920 × 1080 Full HD
- Dimensions:21.4 × 13.2 × 1.5 inches
- Weight:10.7 lb
- Camera:13 MP with privacy shutter
- Audio:Two 2-inch woofers and two 0.6-inch tweeters
- Wi-Fi:Wi-Fi 6E, tri-band
- Smart home connectivity:Zigbee, Matter, Thread Border Router
- Orientation:Landscape or portrait
Our verdict“For buyers who want a single wall-mounted screen that runs the household and the evening’s streaming, nothing else in this lineup competes.”
Amazon Echo Show 5 Smart Display, Glacier White
The Echo Show 5 is the entry point of the Alexa display family, and it earns its place by doing the basics well: weather at a glance, timers, music, and voice control of lights and thermostats. Unlike the Echo Show 11, there’s no built-in hub, so it relies on your other devices being Wi-Fi connected or having their own bridges — a real limitation for smart home builders. The 2 MP camera handles video calls adequately but is a clear step down from the 13 MP sensors on larger models. Where it shines is small spaces and secondary rooms, with physical privacy controls — a shutter plus a mic/camera off button — that many buyers prefer on a nightstand.
Pros:- Compact footprint suits nightstands, desks, and counters
- Built-in camera for video calls and drop-in home check-ins
- Controls compatible lights, thermostats, cameras, and doorbells
- Physical camera shutter and mic/camera off button for privacy
Cons:- 5.5-inch display is cramped for video and shows
- Lacks a built-in smart home hub, so Zigbee/Thread devices need their own bridges
Best for: First-time smart display buyers or anyone adding an Alexa screen to a bedroom, bathroom, or desk without spending much
Not ideal for: Anyone planning to watch shows or follow detailed recipes — the 5.5-inch screen is simply too small for sustained viewing
- Display:5.5 inches
- Camera:2 MP
- Smart home control:Compatible lights, thermostats, cameras, and video doorbells
- Privacy features:Mic/camera off button and built-in camera shutter
- Recycled materials:Fabric yarn and aluminum from 100% recycled sources
- Packaging:100% recyclable
- Color:Glacier White
Our verdict“A sensible, low-commitment way to put Alexa on a screen — as long as your expectations stay at glanceable information rather than entertainment.”
Amazon Echo Show 8 (New Model), 8.7-Inch HD Smart Display with Spatial Audio, Glacier White
The Echo Show 8 splits the difference between the cramped Echo Show 5 and the room-dominating Show 11, and for many buyers that middle ground is exactly right. It carries the same AZ3 Pro chip and built-in smart home hub as its larger sibling, so you give up screen inches, not capability — a meaningful advantage over the hub-less Show 5. The centered auto-framing camera with 3.3x zoom keeps you in frame during calls, and spatial audio fills a bedroom or office easily. The compromises are predictable: some features gate behind compatible devices or subscription services, and like every Alexa display it’s tethered to internet access for nearly everything it does.
Pros:- Built-in smart home hub matches the larger Show 11’s capability
- Spatial audio delivers room-filling sound from a compact body
- Centered auto-framing camera with 3.3x zoom for video calls
- Physical microphone and camera privacy controls
Cons:- HD rather than Full HD resolution on the 8.7-inch panel
- Some features require compatible devices or paid services
Best for: Buyers who want the flagship feature set — hub, spatial audio, strong camera — in a size and price that suit a bedroom, office, or kitchen corner
Not ideal for: Home theater hopefuls — the 8.7-inch HD panel can’t match the Full HD clarity of the Echo Show 11 for movies and detailed content
- Display:8.7-inch HD touchscreen
- Audio:Spatial audio
- Processor:AZ3 Pro chip
- Smart home hub:Built in
- Camera:Centered auto-framing camera with 3.3x zoom
- Privacy:Microphone and camera controls
- Color:Glacier White
Our verdict“The most balanced pick in the lineup — near-flagship features in a footprint that fits almost anywhere.”
Amazon Echo Show 11 Smart Display, Full HD, Graphite
This is the same hardware as the Glacier White Echo Show 11 — 11-inch Full HD panel, spatial audio, AZ3 Pro processor, built-in hub — in a Graphite finish that reads more like decor in kitchens with dark stone, black appliances, or wood cabinetry. Against the Echo Show 15, it trades wall-mounted family-organization widgets for richer sound and a countertop-friendly form, which matters if music and calls are priorities. The centered auto-framing camera with 3.3x zoom handles calls well, and privacy controls exist both on-device and in the app. Know what you’re signing up for: several features depend on compatible devices and Alexa services, and some personalization leans on camera, mic, or presence sensing.
Pros:- 11-inch Full HD display for content, recipes, and household info
- Spatial audio with crisper vocals and a wider sound stage
- Built-in smart home hub controls thousands of Alexa-compatible devices
- Auto-framing camera with 3.3x zoom for video calls
Cons:- Some features require compatible devices and Alexa services
- Personalized experiences rely on camera, microphone, or presence sensing
Best for: Buyers sold on the Show 11’s capabilities who want a finish that blends with darker interiors rather than standing out in white
Not ideal for: Households that want a family wall dashboard — the Echo Show 15 or 21’s larger widget-driven screens serve that job better
- Display:11-inch Full HD touchscreen
- Audio:Spatial audio
- Processor:AZ3 Pro
- Smart home hub:Built in
- Camera:Centered auto-framing camera with 3.3x zoom
- Connectivity:Controls thousands of Alexa-compatible devices
- Privacy controls:Mic/camera disable button; controls on device and in app
- Color:Graphite
Our verdict“The best all-around Alexa display in the roundup for anyone whose space calls for a dark finish instead of white.”
Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen, Like-New), Glacier White
This certified-refurbished Echo Show 5 is the cheapest legitimate way into Alexa with a screen, and the Glacier White finish suits lighter decor where the Charcoal model (its twin) would look heavy. Compared with the Echo Show 8, the 5.5-inch display is fine for timers, weather, and glanceable widgets, but video looks cramped and the 1.75-inch speaker won’t fill a living room. The tradeoff is honest: you give up room-filling sound and a sharper camera in exchange for a bedside-or-desk footprint that disappears into a nightstand. Privacy basics are intact — a physical camera shutter and mic/camera-off button — which is rare at any entry price. Just know some Alexa skills gate features behind subscriptions, and it won’t join ad-hoc Wi-Fi networks.
Pros:- Compact footprint fits nightstands, desks, and counters
- Physical camera shutter plus mic/camera-off button for privacy
- Handles smart home control, video calls, and media streaming
- Recycled fabric and aluminum construction with recyclable packaging
Cons:- 5.5-inch screen and 2 MP camera feel limiting for regular video calls
- Some skills and services require subscriptions or extra fees
- No support for ad-hoc Wi-Fi networks
Best for: First-time Alexa buyers or students who want a screen-equipped voice assistant for a nightstand, desk, or dorm without spending much
Not ideal for: Anyone wanting a primary living-room display — the small screen and modest speaker can’t carry music or video for a household
- Condition:Refurbished, tested, and certified to look and work like new
- Display:5.5-inch touchscreen
- Camera:2 MP with built-in shutter
- Speaker:1.75-inch full-range built-in speaker
- Dimensions:5.8 × 3.6 × 3.2 inches (147 × 91 × 82 mm)
- Weight:16.1 oz (456 g)
- Wireless:Dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi; A2DP/AVRCP Bluetooth
- Color:Glacier White
Our verdict“Buy this if you want the lowest-cost way to put Alexa on a screen in a small space; skip it if this will be your main household display.”
Amazon Echo Hub Smart Home Control Panel
The Echo Hub isn’t really competing with the Echo Show 8 — it’s a wall-mounted control panel first, an entertainment device second. Where the Show 8 balances video calls and streaming with smart home features, the Hub goes all-in: a customizable dashboard with resizable tiles, plus built-in radios for Zigbee, Matter, Thread, and Sidewalk, so it can replace several separate bridges. That makes it the strongest pick here for households running cameras, locks, and thermostats across mixed brands. The catch is that the accessory ecosystem adds up fast — the tabletop stand and power-over-Ethernet adapter are sold separately — and Ring event summaries sit behind Alexa+ and a compatible Ring subscription. If you mainly want Netflix and video calls, the Show 8 is the smarter buy.
Pros:- Built-in hub supports Zigbee, Matter, Thread, Sidewalk, and Bluetooth
- Customizable dashboard with resizable sections for devices and routines
- Controls cameras, security systems, routines, and media from one panel
- Wall-mountable design replaces multiple separate hubs and bridges
Cons:- Tabletop stand, PoE adapter, and cable pass-throughs sold separately
- Ring event summaries require Alexa+ and a compatible Ring subscription
- 8-inch screen is undersized for serious streaming compared with the Echo Show 15
Best for: Smart home enthusiasts with multi-protocol devices (Zigbee, Matter, Thread) who want a wall-mounted central dashboard
Not ideal for: Buyers seeking a general-purpose display for streaming and video calls — the 8-inch screen and accessory costs make it a poor entertainment value
- Display size:8 inches
- Connectivity:Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Matter, Sidewalk, and Thread
- Mounting:Wall mount; tabletop stand sold separately
- Smart home compatibility:Thousands of Alexa-compatible devices
- Recycled materials:27%
- Dashboard:Customizable with resizable sections
Our verdict“This makes sense only if smart home control is the primary mission — it’s a command center, not a media device.”
Amazon Echo Show 8 (Newest Model), 8.7-Inch HD Smart Display with Spatial Audio, Graphite
If one device has to do everything well, this is it. The Echo Show 8 sits at the sweet spot in Amazon’s lineup: big enough that recipes, camera feeds, and video calls are genuinely usable, small enough to live on a kitchen counter — something the Echo Show 15 can’t claim. The newest model brings spatial audio with roughly twice the bass of its 2023 predecessor, plus Wi-Fi 6E and a dedicated AI accelerator that keeps responses quick. Unlike the Echo Hub, it includes a real smart home hub (Zigbee, Matter, Thread) without sacrificing entertainment, and the 13 MP auto-framing camera embarrasses the 2 MP sensor on any Echo Show 5. Tradeoffs exist: Sidewalk ships enabled by default unless you’ve previously disabled it, and Bluetooth speakers needing PIN pairing won’t connect.
Pros:- 8.7-inch HD touchscreen with noticeably more viewing area than the 2023 model
- Spatial audio and up to 2x the bass of the previous generation
- Built-in smart home hub with Zigbee, Matter, and Thread Border Router
- 13 MP auto-framing camera with presence and ambient-light sensors
Cons:- Amazon Sidewalk is enabled by default unless previously turned off
- Bluetooth speakers requiring PIN codes are not supported
- Wi-Fi 6E benefits require a compatible router
Best for: Most households wanting a single do-everything Alexa display for the kitchen or living area
Not ideal for: Large families who want a shared wall organizer — the 8.7-inch screen is too small for at-a-glance calendars; the Echo Show 15 fits that job better
- Display:8.7-inch HD touchscreen, 800 x 1340 resolution
- Camera:13 MP with auto framing
- Audio:1 x 2.8-inch woofer and 2 full-range drivers with spatial audio
- Smart home hub:Zigbee, Matter, and Thread Border Router
- Wi-Fi:Wi-Fi 6E (IEEE 802.11ax)
- Bluetooth:Version 5.4
- Processor:AZ3 Pro with AI Accelerator
- Dimensions:8.2 x 5 x 5.9 inches (208 x 127 x 150 mm)
- Weight:37 oz (1049 g)
Our verdict“The best balance of screen, sound, camera, and smart home hub for the money — buy it unless you need a budget model or a wall-sized organizer.”
Amazon Echo Show 15 (Newest Model), 15.6-Inch Full HD Smart Display with Fire TV and Alexa
The Echo Show 15 is the household’s shared brain: a 15.6-inch Full HD panel built to hang on a wall where everyone can see shared calendars, to-do lists, and camera feeds via customizable widgets. Two things separate it from the Echo Show 8. First, built-in Fire TV — this doubles as an actual television, remote included, which no smaller Show can claim. Second, the camera: auto-framing with 3.3x zoom means you can step back and still stay centered during video calls from across a room. Privacy hardware is solid, with both a mic/camera-off button and a physical shutter. The drawback is inherent to the format: at this size it demands wall space or a dedicated spot, and some streaming apps still require their own subscriptions to be useful.
Pros:- 15.6-inch Full HD display large enough for family-wide widgets
- Built-in Fire TV with included remote for full streaming apps
- Auto-framing camera with 3.3x zoom and noise reduction
- Physical camera shutter and mic/camera-off button
Cons:- Large footprint requires wall mounting or substantial counter space
- Some streaming services require separate subscriptions
- Fixed-size screen is overkill for simple tasks like timers and weather
Best for: Busy families who want a wall-mounted command center for schedules, reminders, and shared TV viewing in a kitchen or mudroom
Not ideal for: Anyone without free wall or counter space, or buyers who just want a bedside assistant — the Echo Show 5 does that job at a fraction of the footprint
- Display:15.6-inch Full HD (1080p)
- Streaming:Built-in Fire TV
- Camera:Auto-framing, wide field of view, 3.3x zoom, noise reduction
- Included accessories:Fire TV remote
- Privacy features:Microphone and camera-off button; built-in camera shutter
- Widgets:Customizable for calendars, to-do lists, and weather
Our verdict“Worth it only for households that will actually use the big screen for organization and TV; otherwise the Echo Show 8 covers the essentials for less.”
Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen, Like-New) Smart Display, Charcoal
Functionally identical to the Glacier White refurbished Show 5, this Charcoal version earns its own slot for one reason: it’s the right aesthetic and behavior for a bedside table. Dark fabric blends into a nightstand, the small footprint (under 4 inches deep) leaves room for a lamp and a phone, and the speaker delivers clearer vocals and deeper bass than you’d expect at this size — good enough for sleep sounds and podcasts, if not parties. Compared with the Echo Hub, it lacks any hub radios, so it controls smart devices through Alexa rather than connecting directly. Home monitoring through the 2 MP camera works in a pinch, though the shutter should stay closed in a bedroom. Subscriptions gate some skills, and ad-hoc Wi-Fi is a no-go.
Pros:- Compact 5.5-inch screen suits nightstands and small desks
- Speaker tuned for clear vocals and deeper bass than its size suggests
- Camera shutter and mic/camera-off button for bedroom privacy
- Handles video calls, music, photo slideshows, and smart home voice control
Cons:- No built-in smart home hub radios (Zigbee/Matter/Thread)
- Some skills and services require subscriptions or additional fees
- Does not support ad-hoc Wi-Fi networks
Best for: Shoppers adding a second Alexa screen to a bedroom or office, especially those who prefer dark finishes and want a sleep-friendly compact device
Not ideal for: Smart home power users — no Zigbee, Matter, or Thread hub means the Echo Hub or Echo Show 8 serve that role far better
- Condition:Refurbished, tested, and certified to look and work like new
- Display:5.5-inch touchscreen
- Camera:2 MP with built-in shutter
- Speaker:1.75-inch full-range built-in speaker
- Processor:MediaTek MT 8169
- Dimensions:5.8 × 3.6 × 3.2 in (147 × 91 × 82 mm)
- Weight:16.1 oz (456 g)
- Wireless:Dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi; A2DP/AVRCP Bluetooth
- Color:Charcoal
Our verdict“The best second-display pick for a dark-finished bedroom or office, as long as smart home hub duties live elsewhere.”
Amazon Echo Show 5 Smart Display, Cloud Blue
If you want an Alexa smart display for under $100, the Echo Show 5 in Cloud Blue earns its spot by doing the basics well without pretending to be more than it is. The 5.5-inch screen is genuinely too small for comfortable kitchen TV watching — that’s what the Echo Show 8 is for — but it’s the right size for a nightstand alarm clock, morning weather glance, or quick camera feed check. Compared with the Charcoal model in this lineup, this Cloud Blue version is functionally identical; the choice comes down purely to aesthetics, and the light fabric finish suits brighter rooms better. The recycled fabric and aluminum construction is a nice touch for buyers who care about sustainability. What you give up is screen real estate and speaker depth, so this works best as a secondary Alexa screen rather than your only one.
Pros:- Compact footprint fits nightstands and cramped desks
- Built-in 2 MP camera handles video calls and camera feed checks
- Physical camera shutter and mic/camera off button make privacy simple
- Fabric and aluminum made from 100% recycled materials
Cons:- 5.5-inch display is too small for streaming or following recipes
- Smart home and camera features depend on owning compatible devices
Best for: Shoppers adding a compact second Alexa screen to a bedroom or desk who mainly want timers, weather, and video calls
Not ideal for: Anyone shopping for a primary smart display — the 5.5-inch screen is frustrating for recipes, shows, or photo frames
- Display:5.5 inches
- Camera:2 MP
- Smart assistant:Alexa
- Color:Cloud Blue
- Privacy features:Mic/camera off button and built-in camera shutter
- Recycled materials:100% post-consumer recycled polyester fabric; 100% recycled aluminum
- Packaging:100% recyclable
Our verdict“A sensible, privacy-friendly little display for a bedside or office — just don’t expect it to replace a larger Echo Show as your main screen.”
Amazon Echo Show 5 Smart Display (Newest Model), Charcoal
The Charcoal Echo Show 5 lands here as the value play: you get the full Alexa smart display experience — video calls, smart home control, music, and streaming — at the smallest size and lowest tier of the lineup. Compared with the Echo Show 8, you sacrifice screen size and audio punch, but the 1.75-inch speaker still fills a small room with acceptable sound, and the dual-band Wi-Fi keeps responses snappy. The physical camera shutter remains my favorite privacy detail at this price point. Where this model differs from the Cloud Blue sibling in this roundup is finish only — Charcoal hides wear better and blends into darker decor. The honest tradeoff: some skills and services behind subscriptions, and no ad-hoc Wi-Fi support, so travelers using phone hotspots may hit setup friction.
Pros:- Most affordable entry into Alexa smart displays
- Physical camera shutter and mic off button for privacy
- Compact 5.8 × 3.6 × 3.2 inch size fits almost anywhere
- Dual-band Wi-Fi and solid MediaTek processor for responsive Alexa
Cons:- Some skills and streaming services require subscriptions or extra fees
- No support for ad-hoc or peer-to-peer Wi-Fi networks
- 5.5-inch screen limits streaming and photo frame usefulness
Best for: First-time Alexa display buyers or anyone wanting a no-fuss, low-cost entry point for a bedroom or small apartment
Not ideal for: Users who rely on phone hotspots or peer-to-peer networks — ad-hoc Wi-Fi isn’t supported, and the small screen limits media use
- Display:5.5-inch touchscreen
- Camera:2 MP with built-in shutter
- Speaker:1.75-inch full-range speaker
- Dimensions:5.8 × 3.6 × 3.2 inches (147 × 91 × 82 mm)
- Weight:16.1 oz (456 g)
- Wi-Fi:Dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
- Processor:MediaTek MT 8169
- Color:Charcoal
Our verdict“The cheapest credible way into Alexa with a screen — pick it for a bedroom or office, and pick a Show 8 or larger if this is your main display.”
How We Picked
I ranked these twelve smart displays around four buyer-facing criteria: screen size and placement, audio and camera performance, smart home utility, and value relative to the rest of the lineup. Because every model here runs the same Alexa assistant, differences in voice performance are minor — what actually separates them is how well each one serves a specific room and role. A display that excels as a kitchen assistant may be a poor bedside companion, so I weighed versatility alongside raw specs.
The ranking logic is straightforward: the Echo Show 11 earns best overall because its Full HD screen and stronger speakers suit the widest range of rooms, while the Show 5 family fills the value tier, the Show 15 and Show 21 cover the premium wall-mounted tier, and the Echo Hub occupies a specialist niche for whole-home control. I also considered how duplicate models — multiple colors and refurbished units — fit into the lineup, treating them as variations rather than distinct products and ranking them by practicality for different budgets.
| smart displays with Alexa | Processor | Color |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Echo Show 11 Smart Disp | AZ3 Pro with AI Accelerator | Glacier White |
| Amazon Echo Show 21 Smart Disp | — | — |
| Amazon Echo Show 5 Smart Displ | — | Glacier White |
| Amazon Echo Show 8 | AZ3 Pro chip | Glacier White |
| Amazon Echo Show 11 Smart Disp | AZ3 Pro | Graphite |
| Amazon Echo Show 5 | — | Glacier White |
| Amazon Echo Hub Smart Home Con | — | — |
| Amazon Echo Show 8 | AZ3 Pro with AI Accelerator | — |
| Amazon Echo Show 15 | — | — |
| Amazon Echo Show 5 | MediaTek MT 8169 | Charcoal |
| Amazon Echo Show 5 Smart Displ | — | Cloud Blue |
| Amazon Echo Show 5 Smart Displ | MediaTek MT 8169 | Charcoal |
Factors to Consider When Choosing Smart Displays With Alexa
Before picking a specific model, it helps to understand what actually changes as you move up and down the Echo Show range — and where buyers most often get it wrong.Match Screen Size to the Room, Not to Your Ambition
The most common mistake in this category is buying a display that is the wrong physical scale for its destination. A 5-inch screen works on a nightstand or a desk corner because you interact with it from arm’s length, but it becomes frustrating the moment you try to read a recipe from across a kitchen. The 8.7-inch and 11-inch models sit in the sweet spot for counters and shared spaces, while the 15.6-inch and 21-inch panels are designed with wall mounting in mind. A useful rule of thumb: measure the distance you will typically stand from the display, and if it is more than about six feet, nothing smaller than 11 inches will feel comfortable. Buyers who ignore this end up either squinting at tiny text or wasting counter space on a screen better suited to a wall.
Decide Whether Fire TV Actually Matters to You
Two models in this lineup — the Echo Show 15 and Show 21 — include built-in Fire TV, and this feature is more divisive than it appears. If you want a kitchen or bedroom screen that doubles as a streaming TV, it removes the need for a separate device and is genuinely useful. However, if you already own Roku, Apple TV, or a smart TV in every room, the Fire TV integration adds cost and complexity you will rarely touch. The smaller Show models can still play video from Prime Video and a handful of apps, but the experience is closer to a convenience feature than a real TV replacement. Be honest about your streaming habits before paying a premium for this capability.
Understand the Camera and Privacy Tradeoffs
Larger Echo Show models include built-in cameras for video calling, while some configurations in this lineup omit the camera entirely — and that difference matters for placement. A camera-equipped display belongs in kitchens, living rooms, and home offices where video calls actually happen; putting one in a bedroom invites privacy concerns even with the physical shutter closed. If your priority is pure smart home control or bedside assistance, a camera-free model costs less and removes the worry. Amazon includes a camera shutter on camera-equipped models, which helps, but buyers who never make video calls are simply paying for hardware they will not use. Match the camera to your habits rather than assuming more features is always better.
Consider Whether a Hub Beats a Display for Your Setup
The Echo Hub sits in this lineup as an odd one out, and understanding why can save you money. It is a wall-mounted control panel built around managing smart home devices — lights, locks, thermostats, cameras — rather than entertainment or communication. If your Alexa devices exist primarily to run an automated home, the Hub’s dedicated interface is faster and more glanceable than any Echo Show. But if you also want timers, weather, music, or video calls, a Show model does all of that plus reasonable device control. Buyers with fewer than a dozen smart devices should almost always choose a Show instead, because the Hub’s advantages only compound with scale.
Weigh Refurbished and Like-New Options Honestly
This roundup includes like-new Echo Show 5 units alongside brand-new models, and the decision between them is mostly psychological rather than technical. Certified like-new units carry the same warranty terms and identical internal hardware; the differences are limited to packaging and minor cosmetic wear. For a device that sits on a nightstand, those differences rarely justify paying more. The one caution applies to gifts or highly visible placements, where unopened packaging carries real value for some buyers. If you are outfitting multiple rooms, choosing like-new units for secondary spaces and new units for primary ones is a sensible split.
Don’t Overpay for Color
Several models in this comparison appear in multiple finishes — Glacier White, Graphite, Charcoal, and Cloud Blue — and I treated these as the same product throughout the ranking. The hardware, screen, speakers, and Alexa features are identical across colors. What changes is how the device reads against your wall, counter, or shelf: white and blue finishes pop against dark walls, while charcoal and graphite blend into most modern interiors and show less dust. Decide the finish based on the room, then buy whichever color is easiest to obtain. Never let a color preference push you toward a different model tier entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Echo Show 11 worth choosing over the Echo Show 8?
For most buyers, yes — the Show 11’s larger Full HD screen makes a real difference for recipes, video calls, and reading information from across a room, while the Show 8 is better when counter or shelf space is tight. The Show 11 also produces fuller sound, which matters if the device doubles as a kitchen speaker. The Show 8 remains the better choice for bedrooms and small apartments where an 11-inch panel feels imposing. If you are torn between them, ask where the device will live: a shared, larger space favors the Show 11, and a personal space favors the Show 8.
Can the Echo Show 15 or Show 21 replace a TV?
They can serve as a secondary TV in a kitchen, bedroom, or home gym, thanks to the built-in Fire TV experience, but they are not a substitute for a main television. The 15.6-inch and 21-inch screens are fine at close viewing distances, and voice search through Alexa is faster than most remote-based navigation. Where they fall short is in a living room setting, where screen size, contrast, and speaker depth cannot compete with a dedicated TV. The Show 21 is the stronger TV replacement of the two simply because of its larger panel. Treat Fire TV on these devices as a bonus feature for casual viewing, not the primary reason to buy.
Is the Echo Show 5 too small to be useful?
It depends entirely on placement. On a nightstand or desk, the 5-inch screen is well matched to its jobs: alarms, timers, weather, music controls, and quick smart home toggles. It struggles the moment you ask it to display recipes, serve as a video-calling hub, or be read from across a room, because the screen and speakers were designed for close-range use. Many households pair a Show 5 in the bedroom with a larger Show in the kitchen, which plays to each model’s strengths. If you only buy one smart display for a shared space, choose a bigger model instead.
Are the like-new Echo Show 5 models a safe buy?
Certified like-new units are generally a sound choice because the internal hardware matches the new models and they carry warranty coverage. The realistic risks are minor cosmetic imperfections and plain packaging, neither of which affects daily use. For a nightstand device that few people will inspect closely, these drawbacks are easy to accept. The exception is if the device is a gift or destined for a highly visible spot, where unboxing and pristine condition carry more weight. Within this lineup, like-new Show 5 units are the most cost-effective entry into Alexa smart displays.
Should I buy the Echo Hub instead of an Echo Show?
Only if your primary goal is managing an extensive smart home rather than general assistance. The Echo Hub is a wall-mounted control panel with a dedicated interface for lights, locks, thermostats, and cameras, and it excels at that single job. It lacks the entertainment focus, camera for video calls, and speaker quality that make the Show models versatile all-purpose devices. If you have a dozen or more smart devices and want a central wall panel, the Hub earns its place. If you want one device that handles music, timers, calls, and moderate device control, an Echo Show 8 or 11 is the smarter purchase.
Conclusion
The right pick comes down to where the display will live and what you expect from it. For best overall, the Echo Show 11 hits the broadest sweet spot of screen size, sound, and Full HD clarity, and it suits kitchens, living areas, and hallways alike. The Echo Show 5 takes best value, with the like-new third-generation units offering the lowest sensible entry point into Alexa smart displays for bedrooms and desks. For best premium, the Echo Show 21 is the most capable device here — a wall-mounted hub with Fire TV that anchors a busy household. The Echo Show 8 is the natural pick for beginners, pairing approachable size with capable audio and a camera for video calls. For specific needs, the Echo Hub serves serious smart-home automators, while the Echo Show 15 suits families wanting a large shared dashboard at a step below the Show 21’s price. Whichever direction you take, buy the screen size that matches the room — that single decision shapes your satisfaction more than any other spec on the list.
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