Amazon Echo Show 5 vs Echo Show 8: What’s the difference?

Should you buy the Echo Show 5 or the Echo Show 8?

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Amazon has a range of smart speakers and displays in its Echo line up. On the smart display front, there is everything from the largest Echo Hub, to the smallest Echo Spot, while the speakers see the Echo and Echo Dot. 

In between the Echo Spot and the Echo Hub, you’ll find the Echo Show 5, Echo Show 8, Echo Show 10 and Echo Show 15. Fair to say then that the choice isn’t all that simple. If you’re trying to decide between the smaller Echo smart displays – the Echo Show 5 and the Echo Show 8 – we have you covered. We also have a feature explaining the differences between the Echo Spot and the Echo Show 5 in case you’re after really small. 

Here though, are the differences between the Echo Show 5 and the Echo Show 8 to help you decide which is right for you. 

Echo Show 5 v Echo Show 8: Price

The Amazon Echo Show 5 costs $89.99 / £89.99 and it comes in three colour options of Charcoal, Cloud Blue and White. It launched in 2023 and it is the third generation of the 5-inch smart display from Amazon. 

The Amazon Echo Show 8 costs $149.99 / £149.99 and it comes in White or Charcoal colour options. It also launched in 2023 and it is the third generation of the 8-inch smart display offered by Amazon.

Both are available through Amazon, along with a range of other retailers. It is worth noting that both often get reduced for shopping holidays like Prime Day and Black Friday so if you can wait, it is worth waiting until one of those to buy as often they can be discounted by as much as 50 per cent. 

Echo Show 5 v Echo Show 8: Design

The Echo Show 5 and Echo Show 8 differ slightly in design. The Echo Show 5 boasts a compact form factor with a 5.5-inch display and 960 x 480 pixel resolution on the front. The speaker makes up the rear, sits flush with the display and acts as a stand for the screen. Its smaller size makes it ideal for tight spaces, like bedside tables or countertops. 

The Echo Show 8 meanwhile, has a larger, rectangular design with an 8-inch 1280 x 800 pixel resolution display on the front in a floating style. The speaker at the rear also acts as a stand but it can’t be seen when viewing the Echo Show 8 from the front. The larger screen offers a more immersive viewing experience compared to the Echo Show 5, making it suitable for activities like watching videos or browsing photos.

The Echo Show 5 is available in various colors, including black, white, and blue, as we mentioned. Its fabric-covered design adds a touch of warmth and texture to any room. The Echo Show 8 is only available in black and white, but it too has a fabric-covered speaker at the rear. 

Overall, the design differences between the Echo Show 5 and Echo Show 8 cater to different user preferences and needs. The Echo Show 5’s compact size and colorful options make it a versatile choice for smaller spaces, while the Echo Show 8’s larger display offer a more immersive experience if you’re seeking a slightly larger smart display.

Echo Show 5 v Echo Show 8: Features

Both the Echo Show 5 and the Echo Show 8 have a camera within the bezels surrounding their screens. The Echo Show 5’s camera sits in the top right corner, while the Echo Show 8’s camera is centralised at the top. Both have privacy covers built in that you can slide closed. The Echo Show 5 has a 2-megapixel camera, while the Echo Show 8 has a 13-megapixel camera with auto-framing so it will make sure you remain in the frame, even if you move around the room, though the screen won’t turn with you like the Echo Show 10.

There are physical volume controls on both the Echo Show 5 and Echo Show 8, as well as a microphone off button so you can stop Alexa listening. Speaking of Alexa, both these smart displays have Alexa on board so you can ask for updates on the weather, your commute, what your day looks like and control smart home devices. You can also control smart home devices from the Echo Show 5 or Echo Show 8’s display. The Echo Show 8 can act as a Zigbee, Matter and Thread Border Router however, like the Echo Hub, but the Echo Show 5 doesn’t offer these capabilities. 

There’s also Visual ID personalisation on the Echo Show 8 so it can recognise you and serve up personalised content on the screen, which the Echo Show 5 can’t. Both can be used as a photo frame, connected to a Ring Video Doorbell or camera to show you what they can see, and you can use both to watch and stream content too.

Echo Show 5 v Echo Show 8: Performance

When it comes to performance, the Amazon Echo Show 5 has a full range 1.75-inch built in speaker, and it offers decent enough sound. It’s not as clear as the likes of a Sonos Roam 2 or Sonos Era 100, but it is good enough to stream music, listen to audio from video content and hear Alexa’s answers clearly enough. 

The Echo Show 8 has two 2-inch full range neodymium drivers with a passive bass radiator, which results in a superior sound performance to the Echo Show 5. Again, it’s not as clear as speakers that are designed to be purely speakers, but there’s good enough sound quality here to do what it needs to do.

Both the Echo Show 5 and the Echo Show 8 support 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi networks. The Echo Show 5 runs on the MediaTek MT 8169 B processor, who the Echo Show 8 runs on the Octa-Core SoC with Amazon AZ2 Neural Network Engine. They both offer the same ecosystem and many of the same features however, as mentioned above so while the Echo Show 8 might be slightly quicker to respond and has a larger screen, the majority of the user experience is the same.

Echo Show 5 v Echo Show 8: Which one is right for you?

The Amazon Echo Show 5 is the cheaper of these two smart displays and it’s a good device too, with plenty to offer from its small and compact body. The small display does mean it’s not the best device for watching content, but it is perfect for popping on a bedside table or in an office and using it for music, checking in on your video doorbell, or delivering general Alexa features like the weather or a recipe.

The Amazon Echo Show 8 is more expensive, but it has a couple of extra features, like its Matter and Thread compatibility. The larger screen and more powerful speakers make it better for watching and listening to content too, and it’s also better for displaying photos and video calls. 

It depends on what you are looking for from your smart speaker as to which of these devices is better for you, as well as where you are planning on putting them. For an office or smaller space, the Echo Show 5 is a winner, while if you’re looking for something for your kitchen or living room, we’d recommend the Echo Show 8.

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