Amazon’s lineup of Echo Show smart speakers is expanding with their latest announcement and release of the Echo Show 15. It’s time to take a look at the four Echo Show models currently available to help you make an informed decision.
The four models I’ll be comparing are the Echo Show 15 vs 10 vs 8 vs 5. The Echo Show 10 (2nd Gen) was discontinued and replaced by the new Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen). Make sure to keep an eye on the Generation of the model you’re buying with the 5, 8 and 10 models.
The latest Generations for each sizes are:
- Echo Show 5 – 2nd Gen
- Echo Show 8 – 2nd Gen
- Echo Show 10 – 3rd Gen
- Echo Show 15 – 1st Gen
Before we get into the details of these Echo Show models, here’s a quick glance at which ones are the best.
Echo Show Comparison Features
Design and Display Interface
Even though the design language across the lineup of Echo Show devices is similar, they’ve made it simple to differentiate between them. It’s easy to guess how big the display sizes are for each model. The touchscreens are all designed to be watched wide-screen too in a horizontal fashion.
- Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) Screen Size: 5.5” with 960 x 480 screen resolution
- Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen): 8.0” with 1280 x 800 resolution
- Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen): 10.1” with 1280 x 800 resolution
- Echo Show 15 15.6″ with 1920 x 1080 resolution
The key feature of the newest 10 inch Echo Show is the rotating screen that follows you around. Just place the Echo on your kitchen countertop or coffee table. When you’re video calling, watching a show, or following along a recipe while cooking, the screen will always be visible.
With the rotating touchscreen, the Echo Show 10 is the only one that comes with a stand because it needs the ability to swivel. You can purchase separate stands for the other Echo Shows, but none of the others will follow you around.
Read my in-depth review: Amazon Echo Show 10 Review (3rd Gen).
The display size depends on your needs, but I always prefer the larger touchscreens. I’m able to be further away from the screen and still make out who and what’s on the screen.
A nice benefit of the Echo Show 15 is the largest screen and its ability to act like a digital photo frame that you can mount on the wall. It can also go on a stand, but the large 15.6″ touchscreen allows it to act like a frame that houses beautiful pieces of art – that can rotate the works of art.
The Echo Show 15 can be oriented in Portrait or Landscape mode, while the 5, 8, and 10 can only orient in Landscape mode. The Portrait mode is nice if you’re using it as a corkboard for the family or to feature paintings.
Or if you have a busy family, you can put up a shared calendar, write notes, watch videos, and more. It can replace a corkboard and lets you automate many things with internet connectivity.
Think about what you’ll use it for. Will you use it for video calls? Watch Prime Video movies and TV shows? Listen to Amazon Music on it? Use it as a digital picture frame?
Depending on what you’re used to and how good your eyes are, that’ll help you decide on what size to select.
Technical Specifications
The Echo Show devices are packed with processors and various components that give the devices maximum compatibility with other devices and systems.
Processor
Processors vary slightly and the newer ones utilize more powerful processors.
- Echo Show 5: MediaTek MT 8163
- Echo Show 8: MediaTek 8183 main processor plus second processor with Amazon AZ1 Neural Edge
- Echo Show 10: MediaTek 8183 main processor plus second processor with AZ1 Neural Edge
- Echo Show 15: Amlogic Pop1 octa-core SoC with Amazon AZ2 neural network engine
WiFi Connectivity
All four of the Echo devices come with dual-band WiFi that supports 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi networks. That covers all the current WiFi technologies out there, so youu shouldn’t have any WiFi issues.
The Echo Show 10 also includes an 802.15.4 radio to support other smart home devices.
Bluetooth Connectivity
All four are equipped with Bluetooth and support streaming music audio to Bluetooth speakers.
Audio Components
The Echo Shows also all have around 2 inch speakers, but let’s take a look at the details of what they’re equipped with. Just a note, don’t expect amazing stereo surround sound from the Echo Show devices. Connect them to external speakers if you want richer sound quality for a room filling experience, but the 10-inch Show is the best out of the group.
- Echo Show 5: Full range 1.65” built-in speaker. 3.5 mm stereo audio output for use with external speakers
- Echo Show 8: 2.0” (52 mm) neodymium speakers with passive bass radiator
- Echo Show 10: 2.1 System: 2 x 1.0” tweeters and a 3.0” woofer
- Echo Show 15: Dual 1.6” full-range drivers
Camera
The camera has gotten better with each version of the Echo Show. Your family and friends on the other side of the video call will be able to get a clearer picture of you.
You can also take selfie pictures with the Echo by saying “Alexa, take a selfie.” Then use the Echo as a digital photo frame and display the pictures stored on Amazon Photos. The Echo will also display photos on Facebook, but not on Google Photos.
- Echo Show 5: 1 megapixel camera (1MP) with built-in shutter
- Echo Show 8: 1MP camera with built-in shutter
- Echo Show 10: 13MP + Shutter
- Echo Show 15: 5 MP camera with built-in shutter
They’ve stepped it up on their Echo Show 10 with a 260% increase in megapixels.
The Echo Show 15 took a step down from the Show 10, but it makes sense because the 15 is more meant to be mounted. The Show 10 is meant to more act as a camera and video call device.
There’s also a built-in privacy shutter that comes with the Shows, which allow you to block the camera. You can still turn the mic and camera off, but this also gives you a physical shutter Off.
Google’s Nest Hub Max doesn’t have the physical camera shutter, so like cell phones, you’re trusting that the camera is off.
Motion
Only the Echo Show 10 has motion and can rotate 175%, thanks to its brushless motor.
Light Bar
All the models have a light bar around the edge of the Show’s screen that lights up a different color for different statuses.
Check out my other article for what all the Alexa light colors means.
Video and Audio Quality
The Echo Show 10 gives you the best video quality so you can make video calls to your friends and family through Alexa Calling, Skype, Amazon Chime, or Zoom.
To help with staying connected to others, Amazon is introducing Group Calling, new video effects, and Drop In calls to other Echo speakers.
Don’t forget that the Echo 10 will follow you around the room as you have your call too.
The Echo Show 10 comes the closest to stereo sound with the extra woofer as the 0.1 in the 2.1 system. That helps give it the “same from in front, as behind” stereo sound that Echo claims.
The older model speakers aren’t for audiophiles, but they do the trick for the rest of us.
Amazon Alexa and Smart Features
The key feature of any Echo device is the voice assistant. Using voice command has grown to be a part of many of our homes, whether it’s Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri.
Tell Alexa to start your favorite shows from Prime Video, Hulu, or YouTube. You’ll be able to also stream music from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, and other places.
Listen to the latest sports scores and news as the voice assistant reads to you. If you’re having a bad day, Alexa can tell you jokes, along with other Easter eggs. I have a list of the Best Alexa Easter Eggs that you can explore for laughs.
Smart Home Compatibility
The Echo Show 10 and 2nd Gen can both act as a Zigbee smart home hub. That means you don’t need to buy a separate hub to connect various smart devices like smart locks, smart thermostats, lights, security cameras, and more.
Unfortunately, the Echo Show devices aren’t fully compatible with Google Assistant or Apple Siri.
Mobile App
Keep an eye on your home through Alexa Guard, the Alexa app and the Echo Show 10. You can access the built-in camera and swiveling monitor to look around the room.
Alexa Guard will also send Smart Alerts if your Echo Show detects alarm sounds from a smoke alarm, carbon monoxide alarm, or glass breaking. It’ll keep you updated and help keep your home safe when you’re not at home.
The app is compatible with iOS and Android.
Amazon Echo Show Model Comparisons
When trying to decide which of the models is best for you, it’s helpful to compare these models head-to-head to see the main differences. Let’s go through the different comparisons and review each of them.
Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) vs Echo Show 15
The Echo Show 10 vs 15 are the two newest models that Amazon has released. The price points are the same, so it can be confusing what the differences are besides the 10.1″ screen on the Echo Show 10 and the 15.6″ display on the Echo Show 15.
The Echo Show 10 has the advantage of a 13 Megapixel camera with a rotating stand that will move the screen, so the camera will follow you around on video calls. The Echo Show 15 only has a 5 Megapixel camera, but it has the advantage of a large screen that can be mounted on the wall to display pictures, paintings, notes, calendars, and more.
Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) vs Echo Show 10 (2nd Gen)
The Echo Show 10 is the better option between these two. The Echo 10 and the Echo Show 2nd Gen. have many of the same features, with the Echo 10 having slight upgrades across the board.
The price points are similar enough that it only makes sense to get the latest version There’s no value gained by getting the 2nd Generation version.
Echo Show 10 vs 8
The Echo Show 10 gives you better value for your money compared to the middle-child Echo Show 8. The main difference between these two is the Echo 10’s 10.1” touch screen vs an 8” screen. The Show 10’s larger screen that follows you, produces better sound quality, and the built-in Zigbee smart home hub is well worth the upgrade.
When you’re video conferencing, the others on the video chat will thank you for your video camera’s image quality.
Echo Show 10 (2nd Gen) vs 8
The Echo Show 10 (2nd Gen) is the one to get, instead of the Echo Show 8.
But if you’re going to get the 2nd Gen, get the new Echo Show 10 instead because there’s barely any price difference between the 3rd Gen Show 10 and 2nd Gen.
Echo Show 10 vs 5
Comparing these two is like comparing a Ferrari to a Pinto. The Echo Show 10 and the 10” display size is well worth the higher price against the Echo Show 5.
The user experience is better with the touch screen quality and sound quality. The Echo 5 feels like just an alarm clock when lined up against the Echo Show 10.
Echo Show (2nd Gen) vs 5
The Echo Show (2nd Gen) is the winner here against the Echo Show 5, but I’d get the superior Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) instead of the 2nd Gen.
The newer 3rd Gen is a better Echo all-around.
Echo Show 5 vs 8
The biggest difference between the Echo Show 5 vs 8 is screen size. The Echo Show 5 has a 5.5-inch screen vs. the 8-inch screen on the Echo Show 8. The Show 8 has larger 2″ speakers for a better listening experience. The processor on the Show 8 is the same as the the on the flagship Show 10.
The Echo Show 8 is a tad more expensive than the Echo Show 5, but it provides much more value, even when considering the screen size alone. The price difference is minimal and well worth it to get the larger 8″ screen. If you watch shows, make video calls, or read recipes frequently, you’re going to thank yourself for getting the larger screen.
Final Thoughts on Echo Shows
Echo Shows are definitely a step up from the Echo Dots. I prefer having displays myself, so the Dots aren’t the best for me, although the Dots do serve a separate purpose and are more portable.
The Echo and the Dot also have that sphere shaped design that’s hard to replicate if there’s a screen.
And if you’re looking for the latest and greatest, the Echo Show 15 is the one for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Watch TV on My Echo Show?
Yes, but it’s not out-of-the-box. You’ll need to use Alexa skills to play live TV from channels and networks like Food Network, Bloomberg, etc. Another option is to connect a Fire TV Recast device that you can find on Amazon.com.
Can I Watch Netflix on My Echo Show?
Yes, you sure can watch Netflix on the Echo Show 10. Netflix is integrated, so you’ll be able to use Alexa to search for and start Netflix films and shows. There are ways to do it on other Echo Show devices, but they violate Amazon’s policies, which would void any warranty you have.
Which Echo Show is the Best?
The Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) is the best Echo Show model. The large screen that swivels and follows you around is huge. Being able to freely move around, while still being able to clearly see the Echo screen is a huge plus when video conferencing or moving around the kitchen cooking. You’ll be able to operate the Echo hands free and not need to manually adjust the screen.
