Not gonna lie, choosing between Amazon’s Echo Show devices can start to feel like online dating for smart tech. The pictures look nice, the specs sound impressive, but once it’s sitting on your kitchen counter—or your bedside table—you start asking yourself, “Was this the right call?”
We’ve lived with all four models: Echo Show 15, 10, 8, and 5. And what we found is this: size isn’t just about screen real estate—it completely changes how you use the thing. From entertainment to smart home control, each model fits a different lifestyle, and getting it wrong can mean your fancy new assistant ends up gathering dust. So let’s break it down the way it should be: real use, real size, real impact.
It’s not just about inches—it’s about where it fits in your life
Let’s start with the obvious. The Echo Show 15 is a beast—15.6 inches of wall-mountable, dashboard-style ambition. It looks like a smart whiteboard but acts more like a digital command center. Perfect for a kitchen, hallway, or shared space where everyone wants a glance at the calendar, weather, or who forgot to take the chicken out of the freezer.
The Echo Show 10 comes next in size, with a 10.1-inch screen and a built-in motorized base that physically rotates to follow you around. Yes, it’s kind of creepy, but also very cool. It’s bulky, though. You’re not sticking this thing on a narrow shelf.
The Echo Show 8 is the mid-size sweet spot. At 8 inches, it fits neatly on desks, counters, or side tables and doesn’t scream for attention. You get most of the perks without dedicating half a room.
The Echo Show 5? Think tiny but mighty. It’s a 5.5-inch screen, super compact, perfect for your nightstand or a small office nook. But let’s be honest—it’s more clock-with-benefits than immersive display.
Resolution matters—but only up to a point
Here’s where expectations need a reality check. The Echo Show 15 wins, hands down, with a crisp Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution. It’s the only model where you can actually watch a full movie and feel like you’re not squinting at a postage stamp.
Both the Echo Show 10 and 8 have 1280 x 800 resolution, which sounds less impressive until you realize that on a smaller screen, it still looks great. In fact, the Echo Show 8’s tighter pixel density gives it a sharper appearance overall.
The Echo Show 5 clocks in at 960 x 480—and yeah, you notice. It’s okay for weather updates and timers, but video? Not exactly its strength.
Also, only the Echo Show 15 can rotate between portrait and landscape. That flexibility changes how you interact with widgets, photos, and calendar views. The rest are stuck in horizontal forever.
Audio surprises: don’t judge by size alone
Now this is where things flip. You’d think the biggest screen has the biggest sound, right? Nope. The Echo Show 10 is the audio boss. It’s got two 25mm tweeters and a 76mm woofer that actually deliver bass, warmth, and fullness. You could comfortably play music at a dinner party and not feel embarrassed.
The Echo Show 8 follows with a solid sound profile, thanks to dual 2-inch speakers and a passive bass radiator. It’s balanced and clear, more than enough for podcasts, Zoom calls, or casual Spotify sessions.
The Echo Show 15? Kinda disappointing. It has two 1.6-inch speakers that are more about clarity than power. Great for voice, decent for background tunes—but don’t expect to feel it.
The Echo Show 5? It sounds like what it is: a bedside clock that also plays music. It’s fine for alarms and short playlists, but you’re not blasting Beyoncé on this.
Camera quality: the little things that make a big difference
Video calls, home monitoring, baby check-ins—the camera matters more than you think. The Echo Show 10 and 8 are clearly ahead, both with 13 MP cameras that offer wide-angle, clear visuals, and smart framing that actually works.
The Echo Show 15 drops down to a 5 MP cam—but it’s the only one with Visual ID. This means it recognizes your face and switches to your profile automatically. It personalizes the display based on you, not just who’s logged in.
The Echo Show 5? A humble 2 MP camera. Video calls are passable, but clarity is limited and there’s no auto-framing or recognition.
All four models include physical camera shutters and mic-off buttons. Privacy is taken seriously, which is good because… well, it’s Amazon.
Widgets and photo displays: not just screen savers
You don’t want a $200 smart device that just shows the weather. Thankfully, all Echo Show models act as digital frames—and yes, that includes showing your vacation photos on loop.
But the Echo Show 15 is a whole different beast here. Its interface lets you pin widgets, calendars, sticky notes, to-do lists, and more. Thanks to its size and layout, it becomes a live bulletin board that updates based on who’s nearby.
The other models also show widgets, but they’re more limited by space. The Show 10 and 8 can display info, but not at-a-glance dashboards like the 15 can.
The Show 5? Think weather, time, and maybe a photo slideshow. That’s about it.
Smart home integration: all in the family
The Echo Show lineup is Alexa through and through, which means all four models can control your smart lights, thermostats, cameras, and plugs. They all support routines, schedules, and voice commands.
The Show 15’s layout makes it easier to manage multiple devices visually. It’s like a smart home control panel, which makes sense for shared spaces.
The Show 10 adds something wild: it moves. When you’re cooking or walking around the room, it rotates to face you during calls or commands. Super handy in a busy kitchen.
The 8 and 5 still work great, but they’re more passive—you talk to them, they answer. No face-following, no fancy control dashboards. They’re the assistants, not the managers.
Entertainment value: screens that stream
If you watch a lot of video, size is everything. The Echo Show 15 is the obvious pick for media. YouTube, Netflix, Prime Video—they all feel more natural on a 15-inch HD display.
The Show 10 isn’t far behind—and with its rotating screen, you never miss a frame while chopping onions or pacing around.
The Echo Show 8 is serviceable for video calls and short clips. It’s not cinematic, but it gets the job done.
The Echo Show 5? Better for Spotify than streaming. Videos work, but they feel cramped and washed out.
So… which one’s for you?
After all that, here’s what it boils down to:
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Get the Echo Show 15 if you want a shared home hub, something central, stylish, and functional that everyone in the house uses. The widgets, Visual ID, and screen size make it the most versatile.
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Pick the Echo Show 10 if you want top-tier sound and a screen that follows you around. Ideal for kitchens, studios, and multitaskers who move a lot.
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Choose the Echo Show 8 if you want balance. It’s the Goldilocks of the group—big enough for video, small enough to fit anywhere, and packed with solid features.
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Grab the Echo Show 5 if you just want a smart clock with a little extra. Perfect for nightstands, small desks, or a first dip into smart displays without spending much.
The Echo Show 15 may be the most feature-rich, but that doesn’t make it the best for everyone. Think about your space, your habits, and where this thing will actually live.
Because in the end, the best Echo Show isn’t the one with the most specs. It’s the one that fits your daily chaos without becoming part of it.