Echo Show 5 vs Echo Show 8 is the first question most people ask when they decide to add an Alexa screen to their home. Both run the same assistant and handle timers, video calls, music, and smart home control. The real differences come down to screen size, sound, camera quality, and how much of a smart home hub you want.
This comparison covers the current third-generation versions of each display and helps you decide which one belongs in your kitchen, bedroom, or office.
The short version: the Echo Show 8 is the stronger display overall, but the Echo Show 5 is not just a cut-down copy. Its small footprint is exactly what some rooms need.
How We Picked
We did not lab-test these displays. Instead, we compared Amazon’s official specifications and product documentation, read published expert reviews, and looked at recurring themes in verified customer feedback. We focused on the differences that change daily use: screen, speaker, camera, and smart home support.
Echo Show 5 vs Echo Show 8, At a Glance
| Display | Price | Best For | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) | Check price | Best for nightstands and small spaces | 4.4 / 5 |
| Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) | Check price | Best overall display and smart home hub | 4.6 / 5 |
Prices change often, especially around Prime Day and the holidays, so treat the table as a starting point and check current pricing before you buy.
1. Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen), Best for Nightstands and Small Spaces
The Echo Show 5 is the compact option. Its 5.5-inch screen is small, but that is the point. It fits on a bedside table, a desk, or a narrow kitchen shelf without crowding anything.
Amazon redesigned the speaker in this generation, and reviewers generally note deeper bass than earlier Echo Show 5 models. It will not fill a living room, but for a bedroom or office it is plenty for podcasts, news, and background music.
The 2 MP camera handles video calls and Drop In, and a physical shutter plus a mic and camera off button cover privacy. A built-in temperature sensor can trigger routines, such as turning on a fan when a room warms up.
Where it falls short is size. Recipes, photo slideshows, and video are all harder to enjoy on a screen this small, and it does not include the Zigbee hub that the larger model has. It controls smart devices over Wi-Fi and supports Matter, which covers most modern gear.
If you want a smart alarm clock that doubles as a smart home controller, this is an easy display to like, and it is one of the more affordable ways into the Alexa display family.
Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen)
- Compact 5.5-inch touchscreen that fits on a nightstand, desk, or small counter
- Redesigned speaker with deeper bass than earlier Echo Show 5 models
- 2 MP camera with a built-in shutter for video calls and Drop In
- Built-in temperature sensor for smarter routines, plus Matter support for setup
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2. Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen), Best Overall Display and Smart Home Hub
The Echo Show 8 is the display most people should buy. Its 8.7-inch HD screen is much easier to read from across a room, which matters when you are following a recipe with messy hands or watching a quick video.
Sound is a clear step up. Amazon moved to a redesigned speaker setup with spatial audio, and reviewers consistently describe fuller, wider sound than the Echo Show 5 can produce.
The camera is stronger too. A 13 MP sensor with auto-framing keeps you centered when you move around during a video call, which is a real help in a busy kitchen.
The biggest practical difference for smart home fans is the built-in Zigbee hub and Thread border router, alongside Matter support. That lets the display talk directly to compatible Zigbee bulbs, sensors, and locks, with no separate hub plugged in somewhere.
The tradeoffs are a higher price and a larger footprint. It is also less ideal for a bedroom if a camera near your bed bothers you, though the shutter and off button help.
Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen)
- 8.7-inch HD touchscreen with a sharper, more readable display
- Spatial audio with a redesigned speaker system for fuller music and video sound
- 13 MP camera with auto-framing that keeps you centered during video calls
- Built-in Zigbee hub, Thread border router, and Matter support for local smart home control
As an Amazon Associate, HomeTechVerdict earns from qualifying purchases. Tap through for the current live price on Amazon.
Pros
- The Echo Show 8 has a larger, sharper screen that is far easier to read from across a room
- The Echo Show 8 includes a built-in Zigbee hub and Thread border router for direct smart home control
- The Echo Show 5 is compact enough for a nightstand or desk and is one of the most affordable Alexa displays
- Both displays include a camera shutter and a microphone and camera off button for privacy
Cons
- The Echo Show 5 is limited by its small screen and lacks the Echo Show 8's built-in Zigbee hub
- The Echo Show 8 costs noticeably more and takes up more counter space
- Both displays show ads or promotions on the home screen unless you adjust settings
- Both depend on Alexa, so Google Home and Apple Home households get less out of them
Which Echo Show Has Better Sound and Screen Quality?
The Echo Show 8 wins both categories, and it is not close. The larger screen is the one you will notice every day, and the spatial audio speaker is better suited to music and video than the Echo Show 5’s smaller driver.
That said, the Echo Show 5’s sound is good for its size. If the display will sit on a nightstand and mostly serve as a clock, alarm, and voice assistant, the gap matters less than the spec sheet suggests.
How to Choose Between the Echo Show 5 and Echo Show 8
Start with the room. For a bedroom, desk, or small shelf, the Echo Show 5 fits better. For a kitchen counter or living room, the Echo Show 8 is more useful.
Think about your smart home gear. If you own Zigbee devices or want fewer hubs, the Echo Show 8’s built-in hub is a strong reason to pay more.
Decide how you will use the screen. Recipes, video, and photos favor the larger display. Quick glances at the time, weather, and calendar work fine on the smaller one.
Weigh the camera. Both have a shutter. If video calls matter, the Echo Show 8’s camera and auto-framing are a real upgrade.
Check your ecosystem. Both are Alexa-first. If your home runs on Google Home or Apple Home, consider a display from that platform instead.
Our Verdict
For most buyers, the Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) is the better choice. The bigger screen, fuller sound, stronger camera, and built-in Zigbee and Thread support make it a display that does more of the work in a smart home.
The Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) is still the right call for a nightstand, desk, or small kitchen, especially if you want a budget-friendly way to add Alexa to another room.
Check the latest price on Amazon before you decide, since bundles and sales can change which one is easier to justify. If you are building out the rest of your setup, pair your display with a few smart plugs for Alexa or a smart lock that works with your smart home.
