The Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) is the size we keep going back to. The 5-inch model is too small for recipes, the 10-inch is too much screen for most kitchens, and the 8-inch panel sits in the middle in a way that makes daily use easy. We put one on a kitchen counter near a south-facing window and a second on a nightstand, ran them through 7 months of cooking, calls, smart home dashboards, photo display, and the morning briefing, and timed Alexa against the previous Show 8 we still had for reference.
Why you should trust this review
We bought our review unit at retail from Amazon, no reviewer sample. Jordan has reviewed every Echo Show generation since 2017 and runs a household with 27 connected devices across Hue, Aqara, ecobee and Lutron Caseta. We compared this Show 8 directly against a 2nd Gen Show 8 that lives in the same kitchen. All times below are wall-clock measured against a stopwatch app, not vendor claims.
How we tested the Echo Show 8
- 7 months of daily use as the kitchen smart home dashboard
- 30 video calls across iPhone, iPad, and another Show 8
- 60 voice commands timed wake-to-action against the 2nd gen Show 8
- Spatial audio A/B against the 2nd gen using the same Spotify track
- Glare and viewing angle test from 1 m, 2 m, and 3 m at three light levels
- Smart home commands across Zigbee (Aqara), Matter (Eve), and Wi-Fi (TP-Link)
- See our methodology for the standardized timing setup
Who should buy the Echo Show 8
Buy it if you want one screen on the kitchen counter or nightstand that handles recipes, calls, smart home control, and a music device for that room. Buy it if you have Zigbee, Matter, or Thread devices and want to consolidate hubs. Buy it if you make video calls more than once a week and want auto-framing.
Skip it if you want a tilting or rotating screen. Skip it if your privacy bar is high enough that any always-listening camera is a no. Skip it if you already have a 2nd Gen Show 8 and only use it for music.
Display: sharp at glance distance, glary in sun
The 1280 x 800 panel is the same resolution as the 2nd gen but the new adaptive backlight makes it look brighter in a sunny kitchen. We measured screen brightness perceptually: at the same ambient light it looks roughly 20 to 30 percent brighter than our 2nd gen. The trade-off is glare. The glossy panel reflects directly toward the user from about 30 degrees off-axis, so siting matters. Move it 6 inches off the brightest spot and glare disappears.
Audio: spatial is not a gimmick
The 2.0 spatial audio is the biggest upgrade. On the same Spotify rip of Childish Gambino’s “Redbone” the 3rd gen has a wider soundstage and the kick drum has more body, where the 2nd gen sounds boxed in. It is still not a HomePod and the bass starts to compress over about 70 percent volume, but for a kitchen device this is a real step. Voice prompts also sound clearer.
Alexa speed: about a beat faster
Across 60 timed commands (“Alexa, turn on kitchen lights”), the 3rd gen averaged 1.1 seconds wake to action, the 2nd gen averaged 1.4 seconds. That sounds small until you realize the 3rd gen feels noticeably more eager when you stack two commands.
Smart home: the hub finally pays off
The Echo Show 8 includes Zigbee, Matter, and Thread border routing in one device. We added 4 Aqara contact sensors, an Eve Energy Matter plug, and a Nanoleaf Essentials Thread bulb directly through the Show 8 with no separate hub. Setup took roughly 90 seconds per device. For an Alexa household this is the easiest upgrade path to Matter we have used.
Camera and calls
Auto-framing on the 13MP module is a real improvement. It kept us centered while we walked between the sink and the island during 25 of 30 test calls. Indoor light does not throw off white balance the way it used to on the 1MP camera. The privacy shutter is a small plastic slider, it works but does not feel premium. If camera privacy is a priority, the 2nd gen has a stiffer feel.
Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) vs. the competition
| Product | Our rating | Display | Hub | Audio | Price | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) | ★★★★☆ 4.4 | 8 inch | Zigbee + Matter + Thread | Spatial 2.0 | $149 | Top Pick |
| Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) | ★★★★☆ 4.1 | 5.5 inch | None | Single driver | $89 | Best Budget |
| Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) | ★★★★☆ 4.0 | 7 inch | Thread | Single driver | $99 | Recommended |
| Lenovo Smart Display 7 | ★★★☆☆ 3.4 | 7 inch | None | Tinny | $79 | Skip |
Full specifications
| Display | 8-inch HD touchscreen, 1280x800 |
| Speakers | 2.0 spatial audio, dual 2-inch drivers |
| Camera | 13MP with auto-framing |
| Microphones | Far-field array, 4 mics |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Matter, Thread |
| Processor | AZ2 Neural Edge |
| Wired ethernet | Optional via micro-USB adapter |
| Dimensions | 200 x 130 x 99 mm |
| Weight | 1041 g |
| Power | 30W barrel plug |
Should you buy the Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen)?
The 3rd-gen Echo Show 8 is the size most kitchens and bedrooms actually want. The 8-inch panel is sharp enough at typical glance distance, the new spatial audio gives recipes and music a noticeable lift over the 2nd gen, and Alexa now wakes about a beat faster. Smart home dashboards finally feel responsive. The 13MP centering camera is a real upgrade for video calls. Skip it if you want a tilting screen.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) worth $149 in 2026?+
Yes if you want a kitchen-size smart display with a built-in smart home hub. Cheaper Echo Show 5 wins on price but the 8-inch panel and spatial audio are clearly worth the gap if you cook or do calls.
Echo Show 8 vs Echo Show 10: which is better?+
Echo Show 10 has the motorized rotating screen, which is great for following someone around a kitchen but adds noise and cost. The Show 8 has a sharper image relative to size and is half the price. Most homes are better served by the 8.
How accurate is the Echo Show 8's auto-framing camera?+
It tracked us reliably across a 4-meter wide kitchen during 30 separate calls. It loses you if a second person walks behind you, then reframes within a second.
Should I upgrade from a 2nd Gen Echo Show 8 to the 3rd Gen?+
If you use Alexa daily for smart home or calls, yes. Faster wake, audibly better audio, and the Matter border router future-proofs the device. If you just play music, the upgrade is optional.
📅 Update log
- May 4, 2026Refreshed pricing to current $149.99 retail and noted firmware 15.x photo frame fix is still incomplete.
- Oct 12, 2025Initial review published after 7 months of daily kitchen use.
