Echo Show 5 vs 8
Elisabeth Christ
Updated September 2024
In the smart display market, Amazon’s Echo Show lineup has garnered widespread attention for combining intelligent features with interactive visuals. The Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) and the Echo Show 8 offer two distinct experiences, balancing convenience, display quality, and performance at different price points. In this comparison, we’ll explore their design, features, and performance to help you determine which device best suits your smart home setup.
Key Takeaways
The Echo Show 5 excels as a budget-friendly option for smaller spaces, offering simple smart home control and decent sound quality. However, the Echo Show 8 stands out with its larger, more vibrant display, superior audio, and greater smart home compatibility through its built-in Zigbee hub. In terms of performance and features, the Show 8 is the more capable and versatile of the two.
Amazon Echo Show 5
Minimalist Smart Display with Adequate Functionality
✓ 5.5-inch touchscreen display with 960 x 480 resolution
✓ Ambient light sensor
✓ 3-mic array
✓ 2MP camera
Amazon Echo Show 8
Feature-Rich Smart Display with Adaptive Content Feature
✓ User distance-based display content adjustment
✓ 13-megapixel camera
✓ Amazon AZ2 Neural Network
✓ Made of 29% recycled materials
#1 Design & Price
Echo Show 5 vs 8
The Echo Show 5, with its compact 5.5-inch touchscreen and a resolution of 960 x 480, is the more portable and budget-friendly option of the two, priced at $89. Its toblerone-shaped body gives it a sturdy, functional appearance, while the color choices of Charcoal, Glacier White, and Deep Sea Blue add a dash of personalization to your home setup. The inclusion of a physical camera shutter and volume buttons on top ensures easy control while maintaining privacy. Though small, the design’s simplicity works well for those seeking a basic yet aesthetically pleasing addition to their smart home environment.
On the other hand, the Echo Show 8, priced at $149.99, brings a more premium look with its sleek 8-inch edge-to-edge display and a resolution of 1280 x 800, offering more screen real estate. Its design is more immersive, perfect for a living room or kitchen counter where visibility from a distance is key. The slider for camera privacy and rear speakers maintain the clean design while offering practical control. Weighing in at 36.6 oz, it feels robust yet refined, with a design that hints at more advanced functionality without sacrificing elegance.
#2 Features
Amazon Echo Show 5
Despite its smaller frame, the Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) packs a punch with its MediaTek 8169 chip and 2MP camera, delivering reliable performance for daily smart home tasks. It doubles as a handy control hub for various devices and supports hands-free Alexa voice commands. Its video calling capability, though limited to a 2MP lens, delivers sharp enough quality for quick calls, and the camera can be accessed remotely through the Alexa app. The Show 5 may not boast the high-end features of its larger sibling, but it still holds its ground with strong voice command recognition and useful integration for smart homes.
Amazon Echo Show 8
Meanwhile, the Echo Show 8 elevates the experience with its 13MP camera, which significantly enhances video calls with clearer visuals. Built on the Amazon AZ2 Neural Engine, this device is snappier when navigating its touchscreen interface, making interactions with the display more fluid and responsive. It offers more robust features like Adaptive Content, automatically adjusting its layout depending on the user’s proximity to the device, and visual IDs for personalized responses based on who’s using it. Additionally, its ability to serve as a digital photo frame, combined with 400 live TV channels through Fire TV integration, gives it an extra edge in versatility.
#3 Performance
• Display & Widgets
Amazon Echo Show 5
The Echo Show 5’s 5.5-inch display might seem underwhelming in terms of size, but for small spaces like bedrooms or work-from-home desks, its responsive touchscreen and bright, colorful output make it a practical choice. However, some minor lag when navigating apps and widgets can be noticeable. The device's widgets are limited in size, but they serve their purpose well for those who use it for quick weather checks, reminders, or controlling smart home gadgets without needing expansive customization.
The Echo Show 8 takes the display experience up a notch with its larger 8-inch screen and a crisp 1280 x 800 resolution. The screen is significantly more vibrant, making it a better choice for those who enjoy consuming video content or use the device for visual-heavy tasks. Widgets on the Show 8 are more interactive and allow for more flexibility in organizing information, though the number of widgets is still capped at four, leaving room for improvement in customization. Nevertheless, its larger, brighter screen makes it more adaptable for multitasking.
• Audio Quality
Amazon Echo Show 8
When it comes to audio, the Echo Show 5 delivers serviceable sound with its single 1.75-inch speaker. For smaller spaces, the sound is decent, with clear vocals and sufficient volume for voice commands and music playback. However, at higher volumes, the bass becomes subdued, leaving the audio slightly lacking in richness. It performs well for basic listening needs but falls short of immersive audio experiences.
The Echo Show 8, however, shines in this area. Equipped with two 2-inch neodymium stereo speakers and a passive bass radiator, it produces fuller sound with a better balance of highs and lows. The audio is not only louder but also richer, making it ideal for a more immersive experience, whether listening to music or watching videos. While some might find the bass a bit heavy at high volumes, it undeniably outperforms the Show 5 in terms of audio depth and clarity.
• Smart Home Integration
Amazon Echo Show 5
Both devices function well as smart home hubs, enabling control of connected devices via voice commands. The Echo Show 5 is more suited for light usage, such as adjusting lights or checking security cameras, and integrates smoothly with most popular smart home systems. With built-in Alexa and the ability to serve as a hub for smart devices, it offers seamless integration despite its size.
The Echo Show 8, however, takes smart home control to a more advanced level. It not only supports standard Alexa routines but also includes a Zigbee hub, which allows for a wider range of device compatibility, including those that require more advanced home automation setups. Its ability to listen for sounds like smoke alarms and send notifications adds another layer of security. The Show 8, with its more robust smart home capabilities, offers greater utility for larger or more complex setups.
• Additional Unique Features
Amazon Echo Show 8
The Echo Show 5’s unique features are more aligned with simplicity and practicality, such as the ability to view its camera’s live feed remotely and its function as a reliable alarm clock. The physical camera shutter and mic mute button provide added privacy controls, a feature many users appreciate in today’s connected home.
Conversely, the Echo Show 8’s AZ2 Neural Engine sets it apart, enabling features like facial recognition for personalized responses and faster interaction speeds. Its 13MP camera, Adaptive Content, and the new Fire TV integration with 400 live channels make it far more versatile. These features cater to users who desire more from their smart display beyond basic functionality.
Echo Show 5 vs 8
Final Thoughts
Echo Show 5 vs 8
Both the Echo Show 5 and 8 offer excellent value within their respective categories. The Show 5 is an ideal choice for those looking for a compact, affordable smart display that doesn’t compromise on essential features. The Echo Show 8, however, delivers more power, screen space, and functionality, making it the smarter choice for users who want a richer multimedia experience and more robust smart home integration.
If you like to read more about Alexa Echo devices, check out our other relevant guides here:
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Echo Spot vs Echo Show 5
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Echo Spot vs Echo Dot
Author
Elisabeth Christ
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