Amazon Echo Show: Hands on review

The Echo Show is the next level of Alexa-powered smart speaker, with a screen to make it even easier to interact with.

It is a great addition to the home, allowing voice control and touchscreen management of smart devices, as well as helping with shopping, finding recipes, and setting timers.

When it's time to relax, Asking Alexa to play music will bring up the lyrics as well as the song, and there's also the chance to stream video, and make hands-free calls too.

Alexa's AI learning means there are literally thousands of additional app-like 'skills' to explore. These range from the gamers' favourite Twitch, to off-the-wall video content from Stream Player.

Echo Show vs 8 vs 5

This review covers the three second generation Echo Shows currently available: the Echo Show, the Echo Show 8 and the smallest Echo Show 5.

Design

The prime improvement in the rejigged Echo Show is the screen - it's increased in size from seven inches to 10.1 inches, though without a corresponding increase in the surrounding frame. This also applies to the smaller 5.5-inch version.

The Amazon Echo Show is available in three different options: 10", 8" and 5.5" screens.

The second generation Shows also do away with the horrible plastic backing reminiscent of old TVs. Instead, we're treated to a pale fabric, which softens the overall appearance and makes the device less obtrusive in the home.

The devices' designers have opted to round out the base of the Show 5 and Show 8, which are arguably less appealing than the sharp contours of their larger brother.

The Echo Show (10") has sharper contours than the 8 and 5 inch versions.

The Shows' physical buttons are arranged along the top. One turns the mic/camera on and off, and two are for increasing and decreasing volume.

Both the Echo Show 8 and Show 5 have an additional sliding switch that can be used to physically obscure the camera - great for those with concerns that electronically turning off the camera isn't enough.

Power comes from a supplied lead that plugs in at the back. There is also a micro-USB port, but it cannot be used to power the device. Headphones can be connected via a 3.5mm audio jack.

Only the Echo Show 8 and 5 have switches to disable the camera.

Performance

Starting up the Echo Show is easy enough, with just a few logins required for wifi and Amazon accounts, which are entered via the touchscreen. There's an instructional video if any problems emerge.

What is immediately apparent is that Amazon wants full immersion in its world, with prompt suggestions to ask Alexa 'What are your deals?', and invitations to join Amazon Prime and Amazon Music. Non-account holders may therefore wish to look elsewhere.

Once it's up and running, the Echo Show doesn't disappoint in terms of its screen quality. The LCD panels provide bright and vibrant displays, even with the smaller Show's lower resolution. Viewing angles are good, though the glass cover can occasionally result in unwanted glare.

The adaptive brightness feature enables the Shows to automatically alter the brightness, depending on the level of ambient light in a room. This is somewhat essential in an always-on screen, which can otherwise feel intrusive. Speaking of which, the home screen is changeable to display everything from the weather to stock market indices.

Features

Smart home hub

Trying to manage smart home devices with an Echo Dot could get a little frustrating, so the ability to manage smart home controls, accessed by swiping inwards from the right-hand edge, is a great advance.

The screen also enables smart cameras to be viewed around the home, with smart doorbells and baby monitors being the two most popular.

The built-in Zigbee smart home hub enables the direct connection of smart devices like light bulbs, plugs, vacuum cleaners, locks and switches without having to go through third party applications.

Compatible manufacturers of smart devices include Philips Hue, Hive YP-LINK Kasa, Tuya, eWeLink, Google Nest, Netvue, Sony and Sonos. The full list of compatible devices can be found in the Alexa app.

The Show's touchscreen displays a list of connected devices and the option to run them on or off, which is much easier than replying on voice commands alone.

Shopping

Given that Amazon started out as an online store, it's no surprise that the Echo shopping experience is streamlined.

Alexa is quick to display a selection of items if you ask her to buy something. You can smoothly scroll through the options using the touchscreen and ask Alexa to buy anything you particularly like. This is then added neatly to your Amazon account shopping basket.

The obvious downside is that you're only shown choices from Amazon. If you ask for something not available on the Amazon store, then you get the closest thing that is available.

For example, asking Alexa to buy a van results brings up results showing windscreen wipers, seats etc.

Customers can access Amazon shopping on the Echo Show.

Streaming video

Video is focused on streaming from Amazon Prime Video, which is a paid-for service.

YouTube isn't directly supported, but it can be opened via a browser. However, this feels clunky and a little frustrating. The same goes for BBC iPlayer.

Netflix isn't available, even through a browser.

Some more specialist streaming services are available through Alexa skills for free. These include live TV such as Bloomberg, Food Network, and Hulu.

Streaming music

Asking Alexa for music gets the usual positive response and quick playback - though where the Show differs from the Dot is that there's now a screen, which scrolls the lyrics, karaoke style.

Music choices are primarily sourced from Amazon Music, though content can be streamed via paid subscriptions to Apple Music, and Spotify.

The TuneIn internet radio station is free, and other radio stations such as Heart and Absolute can be enabled via Alexa skills.

The sound is great - though unsurprisingly fuller on the larger of the two devices. This is thanks to its two 2-inch side-firing speakers with neodymium drivers, and a passive bass radiator.

Cranking the volume up does result in a little degradation of quality, and some might also find the enhanced bassiness a little overbearing.

Music playback on the Echo Show displays lyrics - karaoke style.

Camera and calls

Both Shows both have forward facing cameras, which can take photos on demand - though it's worth noting that the smaller Show's camera is a mere 1MP. These images are then squirreled in Amazon Photos and can be set to appear as a slideshow on the home screen if the pre-set illustrations don't appeal.

The cameras can also be used for video calling, as well as providing live streams from connected smart cameras, such as those associated with a doorbell or placed in a child's nursery.

Making non-video calls to both mobiles and landlines works well, though it does require sharing contacts with the Alexa app first.

Price

The Echo 5 is much more affordable, with prices around £80 compared with the £200 for the larger device.

Amazon has also released a third device to cover the center ground - the Echo Show 8, which is priced at £120.

Although you can use the Echo Shows without subscribing to paid-for services, it's not really worth it.

Amazon Prime costs £7.99 per month, and will give you access to Prime Video and Prime Music.

If it's just music you're interested in, then Amazon Music Unlimited costs £3.99 per month for new Echo users. Spotify accounts can be linked, but only if you have the £9.99 per month Premium account.

Our verdict

The second generation Echo Shows are undoubtedly an improvement on their large-bezeled predecessor - both the 10-inch screen and the 5-inch screen Shows are pleasing to look at and listen to in comparison.

The ability to operate smart home devices using the touchscreen is nice, as is the chance to read the lyrics to various songs and easily pull up recipes. However, the Shows are still essentially smartspeakers and some of the screens' features can feel a bit gimmicky.

While the designers have made the best efforts to make the Shows as unobtrusive as possible, the larger of the three is still a fairly hefty object to have around - especially for those who like their Echo in the kitchen.

In this instance the Echo 8 offers the best choice in terms of reasonable while without losing out on the HD resolution or camera options.

All in all, the Echo Shows - both large and small - are great devices for those who already subscribe to Amazon services and are looking for an upgrade from the other Echo devices.