Product Review

Echo Show 8 Review: The Best Smart Display for Most Homes

📅 Updated July 2026 ✍️ By HomeBot Future Editorial Team ⏱️ 6 min read

The Echo Show 8 is Amazon's most popular smart display, and for good reason. The 8.7-inch HD screen hits the sweet spot between the small Show 5 and the larger Show 10. With spatial audio, a 13MP camera, and full Alexa integration, it is the best smart display for most buyers. This review examines why.

What the Echo Show 8 Does

The Echo Show 8 combines the functionality of a smart speaker with a useful display:

• Voice assistant — Full Alexa voice control
• Visual information — Weather, calendars, news, recipes
• Smart home dashboard — Control lights, thermostat, cameras
• Video calling — 13MP camera for high-quality calls
• Entertainment — Stream video from Prime, Netflix, YouTube
• Photo display — Digital photo frame when not in use

Key Strengths

Perfect Size

The 8.7-inch display is large enough to be useful but small enough to fit anywhere. It works well in kitchens, bedrooms, offices, and living rooms.

Spatial Audio

The Echo Show 8 features spatial audio that adapts to your room. Sound quality is excellent for a device of this size.

Smart Home Dashboard

The Echo Show 8 includes a built-in smart home dashboard. You can view and control all your connected devices from the touchscreen.

Video Calling

The 13MP camera provides high-quality video calls. You can call other Echo devices or use Skype and Zoom.

Who Should Buy

Buy the Echo Show 8 if:

• You want a smart display for a kitchen, bedroom, or office
• You use Alexa as your voice assistant
• You want video calling capability
• You want visual smart home control
• You want a digital photo frame that doubles as a smart device

Consider alternatives if:

• You want a smaller, cheaper device (Echo Show 5)
• You want a device that follows you (Echo Show 10)
• You use Google Assistant (consider Google Nest Hub)

Pros and Cons

Pros

• 8.7-inch HD touchscreen display
• Spatial audio with room adaptation
• Video calling with 13MP camera
• Smart home dashboard built-in
• Works with thousands of smart devices
• Verified Amazon product with strong customer reviews
• Backed by manufacturer warranty and support

Cons

• Price may be higher than budget alternatives
• Requires Wi-Fi for smart features
• Some features require a companion app account

The Bottom Line

The Echo Show 8 (Smart Display with Alexa) is a top choice in its category. With 4.6 stars and 50,000+ customer reviews on Amazon, it has proven reliable for thousands of buyers. At $149, it delivers genuine value for anyone building a smart home or preparing for the humanoid robot era.