You ever wake up, glance over at the little screen next to your bed, and think, “Okay, this thing basically runs my life now”? Same. These smart displays have quietly gone from “cool gadgets” to full-blown daily essentials. Whether it’s your morning news, timers while cooking, controlling the thermostat, or catching a last-minute video call with your sister—one glance, one swipe, one “Alexa,” and it’s done.
But here’s the thing: you’ve got options. The Echo Show 5 and the Echo Show 8 might look like siblings, but when you dig in, they couldn’t be more different. It’s not just about screen size—although that’s a big one—it’s about how that size, resolution, audio quality, and camera setup all play out in real-world use. So yeah, let’s break this down. Because we’ve tested them side-by-side, and the results were… enlightening.
Size matters more than you’d expect
Let’s not tiptoe around it—the Echo Show 5 is tiny. Its 5.5-inch screen and 960 x 480 resolution make it feel like more of a smart alarm clock than a true smart display. It’s perfectly fine for quick glances, checking the weather, setting alarms, or listening to some background music while you get ready. But when you try to do more—say, follow a cooking tutorial or watch the news—you start squinting.
Jump to the Echo Show 8 and suddenly the experience opens up. That 8-inch HD display with a 1280 x 800 resolution makes everything sharper, easier, more comfortable. Reading recipes, streaming Prime Video, checking your camera feed—it all feels more “tablet” than “toy.”
Of course, the Show 8 is larger, heavier, and takes up more space. If your nightstand is already packed with a lamp, a water bottle, and whatever book you keep pretending you’ll finish, it might feel bulky. But for a kitchen counter or office shelf? That extra screen real estate is gold.
Power under the hood: not the headline, but still key
If you expected a big performance gap between the two, you’re going to be a little underwhelmed. The Echo Show 5 runs on a MediaTek MT 8163 processor, while the Echo Show 8 uses a slightly upgraded MT 8183. On paper, that should mean faster performance—but in practice, the difference is surprisingly minor.
Both respond quickly to voice commands, both swipe smoothly when you touch the screen, and both handle basic Alexa functions without breaking a sweat. But—and it’s a big but—the Echo Show 8’s more powerful hardware pairs with its better screen and camera to offer a more complete experience.
So yes, while the processors aren’t wildly different, what you can do with the Echo Show 8 is noticeably better.
Cameras: clarity versus “wait, is that my face?”
Let’s talk about video calls—because we all know they’re not going away anytime soon. The Echo Show 5 comes with a very basic 2 MP camera, and it does the job for casual chats. But if the lighting isn’t perfect or you move around a lot, it struggles. Faces get blurry, and the video starts looking like something from 2013.
Now flip over to the Echo Show 8, which rocks a 13 MP camera, and it’s like stepping into HD reality. Faces are detailed, motion is smoother, and even lighting differences don’t mess it up as badly. It’s honestly closer to a dedicated webcam than a built-in gadget camera. This matters a lot if you use it for work calls, or if Grandma likes to see the baby in crisp detail.
Even better? Only the Echo Show 8 supports Zoom natively. That alone might make it a no-brainer for remote workers.
Both devices include a physical camera shutter, so if privacy is your thing, you can slide that cover over and breathe easier. But in terms of what that camera does, there’s no contest.
Audio that actually fills the room
We didn’t expect such a big difference in audio, but wow. The Echo Show 5 has a single 1.6-inch speaker, and it’s fine. That’s really the best way to describe it—fine. Podcasts sound okay, alarms are loud enough, and you can hear Alexa clearly. But music? It feels like background noise.
The Echo Show 8 steps things up with two 2-inch speakers, and it’s not just louder—it’s fuller. There’s actual depth to the sound. Bass has weight, vocals are clear, and stereo effects are real. It’s enough to fill a medium room without needing a Bluetooth speaker.
And for those who want more control, both models include a 3.5 mm audio out jack—so you can hook them up to a better system if needed. But honestly, the Echo Show 8 is good enough on its own for everyday use.
Accessibility and privacy: thoughtful on both sides
We’ve got to give Amazon credit here: they’ve kept accessibility features consistent across both devices. Whether you choose the 5 or the 8, you’re getting screen magnifiers, VoiceView screen reading, and captioning. These aren’t tacked-on extras—they’re built in and easy to activate.
Privacy is also handled with care on both devices. You get microphone mute buttons, the ability to delete Alexa recordings with a simple voice command, and, of course, that physical camera shutter. These features might not be flashy, but they’re essential—and thankfully, they’re not compromised on the smaller device.
Smart home brains: equally competent, but one’s smarter
If you’re buying a smart display, chances are you’ve got at least a few smart devices to control. Good news: both models handle smart home control really well. Lights, cameras, thermostats, plugs—you name it. You can use voice, routines, or touch to control them seamlessly.
But there’s a small twist. The Echo Show 8 includes visual ID, which means it can recognize who’s standing in front of it and tailor content accordingly. Weather? Personalized. Upcoming calendar events? Specific to you. It’s a tiny upgrade that makes the whole thing feel more intelligent—especially in homes with multiple users.
The Echo Show 5 doesn’t offer visual ID, so while it works just fine for smart home tasks, it feels slightly more generic.
Design that blends—or pops
At first glance, both the Echo Show 5 and Echo Show 8 look pretty similar. Neutral colors, fabric-wrapped backs, minimalist vibe. They don’t scream “tech device,” and that’s the point—they’re meant to blend into your decor.
But placement makes a difference. The Show 5 is clearly built for tight spots: nightstands, narrow shelves, bathrooms. It’s unobtrusive, light, and easy to move around if needed.
The Echo Show 8, meanwhile, has more presence. It looks better in open spaces—kitchen counters, larger desks, communal areas. Its size gives it a bit of gravitas, like it’s not just a screen but a little digital hub. Once you set it down, it’ll probably stay there.
So… which one actually deserves your money?
Honestly? We went into this thinking the smaller one would surprise us more. There’s something lovable about compact tech that punches above its weight. And the Echo Show 5 does what it’s supposed to do—wake you up, show you a timer, play a podcast—with zero drama.
But the Echo Show 8? It actually surprised us more. The bigger screen wasn’t just easier on the eyes—it completely changed how we used it. Recipes became followable. Video calls became enjoyable. Sound filled the room instead of just accompanying the silence.
We didn’t expect to care about camera quality—but after using the 13 MP lens on the Echo Show 8, we started avoiding the 5 for anything video-related. And features like Zoom support and visual ID just pushed it further ahead.
So here’s where we land: if you just want a bedside display with some smart features, the Echo Show 5 is fine. But if you’re looking for something you’ll use daily—for music, for calls, for multitasking while your hands are full—the Echo Show 8 is in a completely different league.
It’s not just the bigger option. It’s the better one. By far.