Echo Show 8 vs 15
Elisabeth Christ
Updated September 2024
The world of smart displays has evolved significantly, and Amazon continues to lead the charge with its Echo Show lineup. Two standout models, the Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 15, cater to distinct needs with their varied form factors, functionalities, and technical prowess. While the Echo Show 8 targets users seeking a more compact, budget-friendly smart display with ample features, the Echo Show 15 expands the horizons with its large screen and enhanced smart home capabilities. Let's explore how these two models differ and which might suit your needs best.
Key Takeaways
The Echo Show 8 is an affordable, compact device perfect for daily tasks and small-space interaction, equipped with solid smart home integration and decent audio performance. The Echo Show 15, however, dominates in larger spaces with its expansive display, customizable widgets, and enhanced smart home control, making it a better choice for users looking for a central hub with Fire TV integration and a highly interactive smart display.
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
Amazon Echo Show 15
Smart Display with Large Screen and Customization
✓ New AZ2 Neural Edge processor
✓ Built-in 5MP camera
✓ 1920 x 1080 resolution
✓ 15.6-inch display
#1 Design & Price
Echo Show 8 vs 15
When it comes to design, the Echo Show 8 offers a more compact and traditional smart display aesthetic. Its 8-inch 1280 x 800 resolution screen is encased in edge-to-edge glass, giving it a sleek, modern finish. At just 7.9 x 5.5 x 4.2 inches and weighing 36.6 oz, the Echo Show 8 easily fits on a bedside table or kitchen counter, blending into smaller spaces with ease. Its rear speaker and pause button, coupled with a physical camera shutter for privacy, offer practical usability without cluttering the design. At a retail price of $149.99, the Show 8 strikes an excellent balance between size, style, and affordability.
On the other hand, the Echo Show 15 makes a bold statement with its picture frame-like appearance, boasting a massive 15.6-inch display. Measuring 15.8 x 9.9 x 1.4 inches and weighing nearly 5 pounds, this model is designed for users who want a large, wall-mounted smart display to centralize smart home controls or act as a digital hub. While it does have the option of a separate stand, its primary intention is to be a wall fixture, emphasizing its versatility as a functional yet elegant part of home decor. Priced at $249.99, the Echo Show 15 clearly appeals to those willing to invest in a high-end, larger smart display experience.
#2 Features
Amazon Echo Show 15
The Echo Show 8 shines with its robust set of features tailored for daily tasks and personal interaction. Powered by Amazon’s AZ2 Neural Network Engine, the device offers snappy response times, making voice commands and touchscreen interactions fluid and fast. Its 13-megapixel camera delivers sharp visuals for video calls, while features like Visual ID, which builds personalized profiles for each user, add a layer of customization. The device integrates well with Amazon's ecosystem, providing access to a wide range of Alexa-powered functions such as smart home controls, shopping lists, and media playback. Notably, the Show 8 also serves as a digital photo frame when idle, making it both functional and visually pleasing.
Amazon Echo Show 8
However, the Echo Show 15 takes the feature set to the next level. Equipped with the same AZ2 Neural Edge processor, the Show 15 handles more complex tasks with greater efficiency. It offers facial recognition with Visual ID, tailoring content like personalized calendars, reminders, and news to individual users. The expansive 15.6-inch screen allows for larger, resizable widgets, offering flexibility in how users organize their display. While limited to a maximum of five widgets at a time, these provide at-a-glance information on everything from weather to shopping lists. The Fire TV integration, while present on both devices, is arguably better utilized on the larger screen, providing a more immersive viewing experience.
#3 Performance
• Display & Widgets
Amazon Echo Show 15
The Echo Show 8’s 1280 x 800 display offers clear visuals and a good balance of size for media consumption, smart home control, and general display purposes. While not the highest resolution, it’s perfectly suited for streaming content from services like Prime Video or Netflix, and the Adaptive Content feature ensures the screen adjusts to your proximity, providing more detailed information as you approach. Its compact size makes the Show 8 ideal for spaces like kitchens or bedrooms, where a larger display may feel overwhelming.
In contrast, the Echo Show 15’s 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080 display dwarfs the Show 8. The full HD resolution means sharper visuals, making it perfect for displaying high-quality images, video content, and an array of widgets simultaneously. However, the lack of HDR support means colors won’t be as vibrant or saturated as on some competing displays. The large screen real estate allows the Show 15 to excel as a central hub, with multiple widgets or home screens in view, giving users control over everything from calendars to smart device management.
• Audio Quality
Amazon Echo Show 8
Audio performance varies significantly between these two models. The Echo Show 8 is equipped with dual 2-inch neodymium stereo speakers with a passive bass radiator. Its upward-firing speakers produce crisp, clear sound, though bass response tends to feel a bit muted, especially at lower volumes. The Show 8 handles everyday tasks like Alexa commands and video calls well but falls short in terms of providing an immersive, room-filling audio experience when it comes to music playback.
The Echo Show 15, despite its larger size, features a more modest audio setup with dual 1.6-inch full-range speakers on the device’s sides. While serviceable for voice commands, video calls, and basic tasks, the audio quality feels like a step down from the Show 8, particularly when listening to music. The Show 15 is better suited as a visual hub rather than an audio powerhouse, with the sound focused on functionality over richness.
• Smart Home Integration
Amazon Echo Show 15
Both the Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 15 excel when it comes to smart home integration, acting as command centers for managing connected devices. The Echo Show 8 benefits from its compact form factor and Zigbee hub, which ensures seamless control over compatible smart home gadgets. It works well as a personal assistant in smaller spaces, providing voice-activated control and even monitoring for sounds like smoke alarms when users are away.
The Echo Show 15, however, takes smart home control to a more centralized level. Its larger screen makes it the ideal choice for managing numerous devices at once, with custom dashboards displaying real-time information on lights, cameras, and thermostats. With the capability to display the "most-used devices" on the homescreen, the Show 15 enhances accessibility and control. Both devices support Alexa and share similar connectivity options, but the larger screen of the Show 15 offers a superior interface for more complex smart home setups.
• Additional Unique Features
Amazon Echo Show 8
The Echo Show 8 includes several features tailored to individual users, with its Visual ID recognizing different members of the household and providing customized content like reminders and playlists. Its ability to support Alexa calling and drop-ins makes it a versatile tool for communication, especially in smaller households. The device also includes Alexa's ability to listen for glass breaking or smoke alarms, adding an extra layer of security when no one is home.
Meanwhile, the Echo Show 15 extends this individualization further with more robust customization options through its resizable widgets. Its larger size makes it ideal for use in high-traffic areas like kitchens or living rooms, where multiple users may interact with the device throughout the day. The addition of Fire TV integration on both devices allows for media consumption, but on the Echo Show 15, it truly shines, offering a more immersive viewing experience thanks to the larger screen.
Echo Show 5 vs 10
Final Thoughts
Echo Show 8 vs 15
Choosing between the Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 15 comes down to personal needs. The Show 8 offers a more budget-friendly, compact option without compromising too much on features or performance. The Echo Show 15, however, excels as a comprehensive smart display, providing superior customization and acting as a smart home hub for larger spaces or households looking to centralize their smart ecosystem. Both are solid choices, but the Show 15's added screen real estate and widget customization may give it the edge for users seeking a more immersive, all-in-one device.
If you like to read more about Alexa Echo devices, check out our other relevant guides here:
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Author
Elisabeth Christ
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