There’s something oddly comforting about waking up to a soft voice telling you the weather while your calendar flashes on a little screen next to your bed. But let’s be honest—not all smart displays feel equally smart. We’ve lived with both the Echo Show 8 and the Google Nest Hub, and while at first they might seem interchangeable—screen, voice assistant, clock, speaker—the truth is, they’re playing very different games. If you’re torn between these two, buckle up. This isn’t just a feature showdown—it’s a clash of philosophies.
At a glance, sure, they’ll both tell you the time, show your photos, and answer random questions. But dig a little deeper and you start to realize that Amazon’s Echo Show 8 wants to be your command center, while Google’s Nest Hub prefers to be a quiet, ambient presence. It’s less about which one is “better” and more about which one fits the rhythm of your life.
Design that blends or commands attention
The Echo Show 8 and Nest Hub both want to blend into your home—but they go about it differently. The Echo Show 8 has a larger 8-inch display with a 1280×800 resolution, which immediately makes it feel more prominent. It’s the kind of screen you notice, whether it’s playing a cooking video or flashing a video call.
The Nest Hub sticks with a smaller 7-inch screen at 1024×600, and honestly? That difference feels bigger than it sounds. It leans into its minimalism with a low-profile base and fabric-covered stand that gives it the look of a high-end picture frame more than a gadget.
If you want something sleek that quietly disappears into your nightstand setup, the Nest Hub has the aesthetic advantage. But if visuals matter—whether for recipes, Netflix, or drop-in calls—the Echo Show 8’s larger, sharper screen takes the lead. Its curved back also houses a surprisingly powerful speaker setup, so form and function meet in a way the Nest Hub doesn’t quite match.
Under the hood: power that shows up in daily use
This part isn’t flashy, but it’s felt. The Echo Show 8 runs on Amazon’s AZ2 Neural Edge processor, which makes everything just… faster. From waking up Alexa to swiping through settings or opening apps, the responsiveness is smoother and more modern than on the Nest Hub.
Google’s Nest Hub uses an older ARM-based chip, and it shows. Animations lag just a bit, voice commands take a breath longer, and switching screens can feel slightly sluggish if you’re used to snappy tech. It’s built more for passive use than for interaction-heavy routines, and that makes a difference if you’re the kind of person who actually taps and swipes these devices instead of just talking to them.
Video calls? Echo Show 8 is the only one playing
We couldn’t believe this at first, but yes—the Nest Hub has no camera. Zero. Nada. That means no video calls, no home monitoring, no drop-ins, no quick chats with grandma. It’s voice-only, and that’s that.
Meanwhile, the Echo Show 8 has a 13MP camera that’s more than capable for Zoom calls, Alexa calls, or even checking in remotely through the Alexa app. It automatically frames your face, adjusts in low light, and gives you a whole communication layer the Nest Hub simply doesn’t have.
Sure, some people prefer a camera-free experience for privacy reasons, and we get that. But if you want your smart display to double as a mini video phone, only one of these gives you that option.
Sensors: subtle but powerful
Now here’s where the Nest Hub strikes back, hard. It comes with Google’s Soli radar sensor, which sounds gimmicky until you actually use it. You can pause music, snooze alarms, or check sleep stats just by waving your hand in front of it—without touching the screen. That’s not just futuristic—it’s useful, especially when your hands are full or messy.
And yes, sleep tracking is built into the Nest Hub, no wearables needed. It tracks movement, breathing patterns, even coughing or snoring. It’s a low-key, surprisingly helpful feature if your nightstand is its forever home.
By comparison, the Echo Show 8 only includes a basic ambient light sensor. It adjusts brightness, and that’s about it. So in the world of sensor smarts, Google’s device quietly flexes more muscle.
Sound and voice response: Echo has the edge
If you actually listen to music or podcasts through your smart display (and we do, constantly), the difference in audio quality isn’t subtle. The Echo Show 8 has dual 2-inch neodymium speakers with a passive bass radiator, and yeah—it fills a room in a way that makes you forget it’s just a bedside or kitchen device. It even supports spatial audio, adding depth and direction to the sound.
The Nest Hub uses a single full-range speaker, and while it’s clear enough for voice responses or background tunes, it lacks the richness and punch of the Echo. No surprise there—smaller device, simpler design.
As for microphones, the Echo Show 8’s four-mic array picks up commands more reliably, even across a noisy room. The Nest Hub’s three-mic setup is decent, but you’ll occasionally find yourself repeating a wake word if there’s background chatter or music.
Smart home command centers, your way
If you’re deep in either the Alexa or Google Assistant ecosystem, the choice kind of makes itself. But it’s worth noting how both handle smart devices.
The Echo Show 8 works seamlessly with Alexa-compatible gear—which is a huge category at this point. From cameras to lights, thermostats to locks, you get a full dashboard on-screen and robust voice controls. Routines are easy to set up, and Alexa Skills add layers of functionality for everything from meditation apps to security camera views.
The Nest Hub plays best with Google Home and Nest devices, naturally. It integrates your calendar, reminders, commute updates, and Google Photos library with zero effort. If your life already runs through Google services, it feels like a logical extension of your digital brain.
Both devices handle the basics: weather, timers, recipes, reminders. But the Echo Show 8 feels more like a Swiss Army knife, while the Nest Hub is more like a personal assistant who whispers instead of shouts.
Media and entertainment: one screen wins
YouTube is where the Nest Hub shines, thanks to native Google integration. You can cast directly from your phone, or just ask for a video, and it pops up. Google Photos also looks fantastic on the Nest Hub, turning it into a personal photo frame that rotates through your best memories with zero fuss.
But here’s the catch—the screen is smaller and lower resolution. So while it’s easy to watch a video or follow a recipe, you’ll notice the lack of detail if you’re trying to do anything visually rich.
The Echo Show 8 supports services like Prime Video, Netflix, and even some YouTube access through browsers, and the larger 8-inch screen just looks better for visuals, hands down. Combine that with better audio, and it’s clearly the better choice for media-heavy users.
Privacy: different approaches, same goal
Both companies know people are wary of devices with ears and eyes. The Echo Show 8 includes a physical camera shutter and mic mute button, which gives you instant control. It’s a nice touch—you see it’s off, and you feel safer.
The Nest Hub doesn’t have a camera, so there’s less to worry about by default, and it too has a mic mute switch. Some users may appreciate the simplicity: no camera, no temptation to use it.
You can also review and delete voice recordings on both devices, though you’ll need to dive into their respective apps to tweak privacy settings fully.
The verdict? Echo Show 8 leads the way—for now
We’ll be blunt: if you’re after power, performance, and versatility, the Echo Show 8 is the smart display that actually feels smart. Its stronger processor, better screen, superior speakers, and built-in camera just give it more to work with—whether that’s for productivity, entertainment, or communication.
That said, we totally get the appeal of the Nest Hub. If you want something quiet, ambient, and subtle—especially for sleep tracking or gesture controls—it nails that niche. It’s also the best way to stay immersed in Google’s ecosystem without ever picking up your phone.
But when it comes down to daily use? The Echo Show 8 feels more future-ready, more multifunctional, and more satisfying to use. It doesn’t just sit on your counter—it earns its place there.
And hey, if Amazon ever adds radar sensors or sleep tracking to the next model? Well, that might be game over.