Echo Spot vs Echo Show 8: Key Comparison Aspects
By Naila Syifa
Updated August 2024
The newly released Echo Spot seems to bridge the gap between the audio-focused Echo Dot and the visual-focused Echo Show, offering both experiences in a compact and stylish design.
In this article, we'll compare the Echo Spot with the Echo Show 8 (3rd Generation) to see how they stack up against each other and which one might be the better choice for your needs.
Key Takeaways
Echo Spot is the 'lite' version of Echo Show 8, offering a display, basic smart home control, and Alexa features in a more compact package. Echo Show 8 is more advanced with a camera, richer Spatial Audio, video calling and streaming capability, and added support for Zigbee and Thread-enabled smart home devices.
Echo Spot
Compact Smart Alarm Clock
✓ 2.83” Display
✓ 1.73” Front-Firing Speaker
✓ Motion Detection
✓ Support Matter
Echo Show 8 (3rd Generation)
Tabletop Smart Display
✓ 8” HD Touchscreen
✓ Spatial Audio
✓ 13 MP Camera with Auto-Framing
✓ Zigbee, Matter, Thread
#1 Design & Display
Echo Show 8
When it comes to design, the Echo Spot resembles the Echo Dot more in its compact and rounded form factor, while the Echo Show 8 has a tablet-like rectangular shape.
However, unlike the screenless Echo Dot, the Echo Spot features a 2.83" screen at 320 x 240 pixels resolution, which spans half of its front face and leaves the other half for the speaker. The Echo Spot's screen is significantly smaller than the 8" touchscreen display of the Echo Show 8 with a higher 1280 x 800 pixels resolution, but it still provides a visual experience and control beyond just audio.
Considering its compact design and relatively small display, the Echo Spot is ideal for placement on bedside tables or nightstands, while the larger Echo Show 8 may be better suited for kitchen counters or living room desks where a sizable display would be more useful.
Echo Show 8 is only available in Charcoal and Glacier White, while the Echo Spot comes in 3 color options: Black, Glacier White, and Ocean Blue.
#2 Audio Performance
Echo Spot
Echo Show 8 boasts two 2.0" neodymium stereo speakers with passive bass radiator. The device supports Spatial Audio, which provides a room-filling audio experience suitable for larger living spaces. There is also an integrated room adoption technology, which automatically optimizes audio for the room's acoustics.
The audio features of the Echo Spot is less advanced. The Echo Spot features a 1.73” full-range, front-firing speaker that delivers Lossless High-Definition audio. More advanced audio features that the Echo Show 8 offers, like Spatial Audio and room adoption technology, are not supported in the Echo Spot.
#3 Smart Features
Echo Show 8
The Echo Show 8's camera is one of the key features that sets it apart from the Echo Spot. This allows the Echo Show 8 to be used for video calling, enabling you to connect face-to-face with friends and family. This 13 MP camera also offers auto-framing to keep you centered during calls.
With the Live View feature, the Echo Show 8's camera can also be used for monitoring your home, allowing you to check in on pets when you're away. In contrast, the Echo Spot lacks a camera, limiting its functionality for video-based features.
Besides the camera, the larger display of the Echo Show 8 unlocks more visual-centric features compared to the Echo Spot. For example, the Echo Show 8 can display live feeds from connected security cameras or video doorbells, display digital frame photo slideshow when not in use, and stream video content from services like Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, and more.
Echo Spot
The small display of the Echo Spot cannot accommodate all of those features. The display can only display basic information like time, weather, music playback, reminders, or control basic functions of smart home devices like turning lights on and off. Video calling and content streaming are not supported on the Echo Spot, but voice-based communication features like Announcements, Drop-In, and voice calls are available on both devices.
Managing, controlling, and setting up automation or routines for smart home devices are possible on the Echo Spot and Echo Show 8. Both devices also support Matter, which is an essential interoperability standard for smart home devices.
However, the Echo Show 8 also offers a built-in Zigbee smart home hub and Thread border router, giving it more advantages in terms of compatibility and integration with a wider range of smart home devices.
Echo Spot vs Echo Show 8
Final Thoughts
Echo Spot
The Echo Spot's compact size and affordable price point make it an attractive option for those looking to add Alexa capabilities to a bedroom or other small space. While it may lack some of the advanced audio and visual features of the Echo Show 8, the Echo Spot still offers a solid smart assistant experience with the ability to control smart home devices, make voice calls, and access basic information and audio entertainment.
However, if you want a more well-rounded experience that integrates a high-resolution display, 13 MP camera, Spatial Audio, access to video streaming, and advanced smart home integration, the Echo Show 8 may be the better choice, especially for larger living spaces.
If you like to read more about Alexa Echo devices, check out our other relevant guides here:
Echo Dot (5th Gen) vs Echo Dot (4th Gen)
Echo Dot vs Echo Pop
Echo Spot vs Echo Dot
Echo Spot vs Echo Pop
Echo Spot vs Echo Show 5
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