The Amazon Echo Show 8 has long been a standout in the smart display market, striking a balance between size, functionality, and price. Now in its third generation (released in 2023, with a 2024 model refresh), this 8-inch touchscreen device continues to refine its formula, offering a compelling mix of improved audio, enhanced smart home integration, and a sleek design. Whether you’re using it as a kitchen companion, a bedroom hub, or a central control point for your smart home, the Echo Show 8 aims to be the “just right” option in Amazon’s lineup of Alexa-powered devices. Here’s a deep dive into what makes the third-generation Echo Show 8 a worthy addition to your home—and where it falls short.
Design and Build: Sleek Yet Familiar
The third-generation Echo Show 8 measures 7.9 x 5.5 x 4.2 inches and weighs approximately 36.6 ounces, maintaining a footprint similar to that of its predecessor. However, Amazon has introduced subtle but welcome design tweaks. The most noticeable is the edge-to-edge glass display, which gives the device a more modern, premium look compared to earlier models with thicker bezels. Available in Charcoal or Glacier White, the Echo Show 8 sports a fabric-covered, rounded rear that houses its speakers, making it less obtrusive on countertops or nightstands. While the bezel remains thicker than some competitors, it doesn’t detract from the device’s practicality or aesthetic appeal.
The 8-inch HD touchscreen (1280 x 800 resolution) is vibrant and sharp enough for most tasks, from displaying recipes to streaming videos. Adaptive brightness adjusts the screen to match ambient lighting, ensuring visibility in various conditions. However, some users have reported a slight yellow tint in specific lighting conditions, which can impact video playback. A physical shutter for the 13-megapixel camera and a microphone mute button address privacy concerns, providing peace of mind for those wary of always-on devices.
Setup and Usability: A Breeze with Minor Nags
Setting up the Echo Show 8 is straightforward, akin to configuring a tablet. Plug it in, connect to Wi-Fi, log into your Amazon account, and activate desired Alexa skills. The process takes about 10 minutes, with on-screen prompts guiding you through naming the device, setting the time zone, and selecting photo frame preferences (e.g., Amazon Photos, seasonal images, or curated collections). For households with multiple users, the Visual ID feature enables personalized content, such as calendars or sticky notes, by recognizing faces, with data stored locally for enhanced privacy.
However, the setup isn’t without quirks. Amazon’s pushy prompts for services like Amazon Music Unlimited or Sidewalk (a mesh network for IoT devices) can feel intrusive, and the default home screen bombards users with suggested content—recipes, news, or shopping ads—that many will want to disable. Some users report issues with the device cycling through weather screens or glitching when displaying photos, requiring occasional reboots.
Performance and Features: A Smarter Hub
The Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) is powered by an octa-core processor with Amazon’s AZ2 Neural Network Engine, delivering a 40% performance boost over the second-generation model. This results in snappier responses to voice commands and touch inputs, making navigation feel fluid. Alexa remains the star of the show, offering over 100,000 skills, from setting timers and answering questions to controlling smart home devices and playing music from services like Amazon Music, Spotify, or Apple Music.
A significant upgrade in this generation is the inclusion of Zigbee, Thread, and Matter support, transforming the Echo Show 8 into a full-fledged smart home hub. This allows for seamless control of compatible devices—such as bright lights, cameras, or thermostats—without the need for separate hubs. Local processing of common smart home requests further enhances responsiveness, with commands executing up to 40% faster. The Adaptive Content feature adjusts the screen’s display based on your proximity, showing simplified visuals when you’re far away and detailed content up close, which is handy in larger rooms.
The 13-megapixel camera, now centered for more natural video calls, supports auto-framing to keep you in focus during Zoom, Skype, or Alexa app calls. While not as advanced as the Echo Show 10’s motorized tracking, it performs well for casual video chats. The screen also doubles as a digital photo frame. However, advanced photo features require a pricier “Photos Edition” model and, eventually, a subscription, which feels like a nickel-and-dime tactic.
Audio Quality: A Step Up
Audio performance is a highlight of the third-generation Echo Show 8. Equipped with dual 2-inch neodymium speakers and a passive bass radiator, it delivers room-filling sound with richer bass than its predecessor, thanks to software-based spatial audio and room adaptation technology. While it doesn’t match the sound quality of high-end Bluetooth speakers, the sound is impressive for its size, handling music genres from rock to classical with clarity. Users report that it’s loud enough for parties, though some note that the bass can overpower the mids and highs, and voices may sound slightly veiled compared to competitors like the Google Nest Hub. The removal of the 3.5mm audio jack, present in earlier models, is a downside for those who prefer external speaker connections.
Versatility: From Kitchen to Bedroom
The Echo Show 8 shines in its versatility. In the kitchen, it’s a hands-free helper for pulling up recipes, setting timers, or streaming Netflix and Prime Video while you cook. In the bedroom, it serves as a smart alarm clock or a device for checking security camera feeds. Its 8-inch size is ideal—large enough for clear visuals but compact enough not to dominate a space. It also supports video calls, live feeds from Ring or Wyze cameras, and touch controls for smart home devices, making it a central hub for Alexa ecosystems.
However, limitations exist. YouTube access requires using a browser, as there’s no native app, and services like Disney+ or Tidal aren’t supported. Some users find Alexa less responsive to specific commands compared to Google Assistant, and the interface could use refinement to reduce clutter and improve widget management.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Vibrant 8-inch HD touchscreen with adaptive brightness
- Improved spatial audio with room-filling sound
- Built-in Zigbee, Thread, and Matter support for smart home control
- Fast performance with a 40% processing boost
- Centered 13MP camera with auto-framing for video calls
- Privacy features like camera shutter and microphone mute
Cons:
- Thick bezels and dated interface design
- Pushy Amazon ads and suggested content
- No 3.5mm audio jack
- Limited compatibility with some streaming services (e.g., YouTube, Disney+)
- Photo frame features are locked behind a subscription for “Photos Edition.”
Who Should Buy It?
The Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) is ideal for Alexa enthusiasts or those looking to build an Amazon-centric smart home. Its smart home hub capabilities, improved audio, and versatile screen make it an excellent fit for kitchens, bedrooms, or living rooms. At $149.99 (often discounted to around $99 during sales), it’s a substantial value compared to the pricier Echo Show 10 ($249.99) or the smaller Echo Show 5 ($89.99). However, if you’re heavily invested in Google’s ecosystem or prefer a tablet for similar tasks, the Google Nest Hub or an iPad might be better alternatives.
Verdict: The Best Alexa Smart Display for Most
The third-generation Amazon Echo Show 8 refines an already winning formula, offering a near-perfect balance of size, features, and price. Its enhanced audio, smart home hub capabilities, and responsive performance make it a standout in Amazon’s lineup, earning it praise as the “best Alexa smart display” from outlets like PCMag and The Verge. While minor flaws, such as pushy ads and limited streaming compatibility, persist, they don’t overshadow its strengths. For anyone seeking a versatile, Alexa-powered bright display, the Echo Show 8 remains a top choice in 2025.
