Amazon Echo Show 8 Review

Compact Smart Display

Updated Dec 20, 2023

By Jason Rogers

Editor an Engineer Jason Rogers

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4.5/5

Smart Home by Design’s Verdict - The Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) stands out as a versatile smart display, offering a blend of entertainment, connectivity, and smart home control. With its vibrant 8-inch HD screen and stellar sound quality, it serves as a central hub for any smart home. The Echo Show 8 excels in providing personalized experiences through voice commands with Alexa, making it a seamless addition to your daily routine.

PROS

✅ Crisp, 8-inch HD Touchscreen Display: Offers vivid visuals for streaming, video calls, and more.

✅ Enhanced Audio Experience: Delivers clear, rich sound quality for music and interactions.

✅ Alexa Integration: Provides hands-free control over smart home devices and easy access to information.

✅ Privacy Features: Built-in shutter and microphone/camera off button ensure privacy and security.

✅ Adaptive Brightness: Automatically adjusts the display brightness according to ambient light.

✅ Easy Smart Home Setup: Integrates effortlessly with a wide range of compatible devices for centralized control.

CONS

Limited Video Streaming Services: Some popular services may require additional subscriptions or are not supported.

Requires Amazon Account: Full functionality is dependent on an Amazon account and connectivity to Alexa.

Camera Quality: The built-in camera is adequate for video calls but may not match the quality of dedicated devices.

  • Vibrant Display Technology: Features an 8-inch HD touchscreen with adaptive brightness, offering a dynamic viewing experience that adjusts to your environment.

    Superior Sound Performance: Delivers an enhanced audio experience with clear and rich sound, ideal for music playback and interactive voice responses.

    Seamless Smart Home Integration: Provides comprehensive Alexa integration, allowing for effortless voice control over a wide array of smart home devices and access to a multitude of services.

    ◦ Dedicated Privacy Controls: Equipped with privacy-focused features including a camera shutter and a microphone/camera off button, ensuring users can manage their privacy and security with ease.

    ◦ Intuitive Smart Home Management: Enables easy setup and control of compatible smart home devices, serving as a centralized hub for your smart home ecosystem.

    ◦ Adaptive Visuals: Automatically adjusts screen brightness to fit ambient lighting conditions, ensuring optimal display visibility and comfort.

  • ◦ Centralized Smart Home Control: Ideal for users looking to manage their smart devices from a single, accessible point, enhancing convenience and efficiency.

    ◦ Engaging Multimedia Entertainment: Perfect for enjoying a variety of streaming content, including videos, music, and audiobooks, with vivid visuals and rich audio.

    ◦ Enhanced Video Calling: Suitable for staying connected with friends and family through video calls, offering a clear and convenient communication method.

    ◦ Personal Assistant Use: Acts as a personal assistant, providing easy access to information, schedules, reminders, and more, all through voice commands or touch.

    ◦ Privacy-Conscious Users: Great for those who prioritize their privacy, with built-in features designed to protect user data and control device access.

    ◦ Smart Home Enthusiasts: A must-have for smart home enthusiasts looking for an easy-to-use interface to interact with their connected home devices, streamlining daily tasks and routines.

  • How does the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) compare to previous generations in terms of performance and features?

    The 3rd Gen Echo Show 8 offers improved performance with a faster processor and enhanced audio quality. It also features an upgraded camera for better video call clarity and introduces adaptive brightness and privacy improvements over previous models.

    Can the Echo Show 8 function as a standalone smart home hub without other Alexa devices?

    Yes, the Echo Show 8 can function as a standalone smart home hub, allowing you to control compatible devices directly through voice commands or the touchscreen interface without needing additional Alexa devices.

    What types of smart home devices can I control with the Echo Show 8?

    You can control a wide variety of smart home devices, including lights, thermostats, security cameras, door locks, and more, provided they are compatible with Alexa.

    Is it possible to make video calls to non-Echo devices, such as smartphones or tablets?

    Yes, you can make video calls to smartphones or tablets that have the Alexa app installed, allowing for greater flexibility in communication beyond just Echo devices.

    How does the built-in shutter work to protect privacy, and does it disable both the microphone and camera?

    The built-in shutter is a physical cover for the camera to ensure privacy. The device also has a separate button to electronically disconnect the microphone and camera, providing dual layers of privacy protection.

    Can I watch movies or TV shows on the Echo Show 8? What services are supported?

    Yes, you can watch movies or TV shows on the Echo Show 8 through supported streaming services like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and Hulu. Some services may require a subscription.

    How do I set up the Echo Show 8 to control my smart home devices?

    To set up smart home control, add your smart devices in the Alexa app by navigating to the Devices tab. Once added, you can control these devices through voice commands or the Echo Show 8's touchscreen.

    Can the adaptive brightness be turned off if I prefer a constant brightness level?

    Yes, the adaptive brightness feature can be turned off in the settings menu, allowing you to set a constant brightness level according to your preference.

    What is the warranty period for the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen), and what does it cover?

    The Echo Show 8 comes with a 1-year limited warranty that covers defects in materials and workmanship under normal use.

    How does the Echo Show 8 handle multiple user profiles? Can it recognize different voices?

    The Echo Show 8 supports Alexa's Voice Profiles feature, which can recognize different voices and provide personalized responses, such as playing music from individual playlists or accessing personal calendars.

    Is there an option to expand the storage or connect external devices for additional functionalities?

    The Echo Show 8 does not have expandable storage or a USB port for connecting external devices. Its functionalities are cloud-based and integrated through Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections.

    How secure is my data with the Echo Show 8, and what measures does Amazon take to protect user privacy?

    Amazon takes user privacy and data security seriously, using encryption for data in transit and at rest. Users have control over their voice recordings, with options to review, delete, or choose not to save them. Amazon also provides transparency about how data is used and gives users privacy controls through the Alexa app and device settings.

Specifications

Specification Details
Display 8" HD touchscreen, 1280 x 800 resolution
Connectivity Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n/ac), Bluetooth
Smart Home Integration Works with Alexa for voice control, supports Zigbee and multiple smart home devices
Audio 2 x 2” 10W speakers per channel, stereo sound
Camera 13MP with auto-framing and built-in shutter
Features Video calling with Alexa Communication, Zoom, Amazon Photos display, streaming media, smart home device control
Power 30W power adapter
Dimensions 7.9" x 5.4" x 3.9"
Warranty 1-year limited warranty and service

Introduction

The Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) offers an enriched user experience with its advanced features and intuitive design. It's more than a device; it's a companion that adapts to your lifestyle, whether you're catching up on news, enjoying your favorite playlist, or controlling your smart home devices. Let's delve into what makes the Echo Show 8 a noteworthy contender in the smart display category and how it enhances daily life.

Design and Build Quality

Sleek and Modern Aesthetics

The Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) boasts a sleek design that complements any room decor. Its compact footprint makes it ideal for placement on kitchen counters, bedside tables, or office desks. Available in Charcoal and Glacier White, it offers versatility in style while maintaining a minimalistic appeal. The build quality is robust, designed to withstand the rigors of daily use, making it a durable choice for any smart home setup.

Display and Sound Quality

The highlight of the Echo Show 8 is its 8-inch HD touchscreen display, which brings visuals to life with clarity and vibrant colors. Whether you're watching videos, browsing photos, or video calling, the display offers an immersive experience. The adaptive brightness feature is a thoughtful addition, ensuring the screen is always visible and comfortable to view, regardless of lighting conditions.

Complementing the visual experience is the device's superior sound quality. The stereo speakers, enhanced with Dolby processing, deliver clear and rich audio that fills the room. Whether you're listening to music, audiobooks, or engaging with Alexa, the Echo Show 8 provides an auditory experience that surpasses expectations.

User Experience and Alexa Integration

Voice Command and Control

At the heart of the Echo Show 8’s functionality is Alexa, Amazon's voice assistant. With simple voice commands, you can access a myriad of features, from setting alarms and reminders to getting weather updates and controlling smart home devices. Alexa’s integration makes it possible to interact with the Echo Show 8 hands-free, adding convenience to everyday tasks.

Smart Home Hub

The Echo Show 8 serves as a central hub for smart home control. It seamlessly integrates with a wide array of compatible devices, allowing you to manage lighting, security cameras, thermostats, and more from a single interface. The ease of setup and intuitive control make it an essential component of any smart home ecosystem.

Privacy and Security

Understanding the importance of privacy, the Echo Show 8 is equipped with multiple features to protect user information. The microphone/camera off button and the built-in camera shutter offer peace of mind, allowing you to physically disable recording capabilities as needed. These privacy controls underscore Amazon's commitment to user security and trust.

Connectivity and Integration

The Echo Show 8’s connectivity options, including dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, ensure a stable and reliable connection for all your devices. The integration with Alexa-enabled devices extends its functionality, allowing for a cohesive smart home experience. Whether you're streaming music from your phone or syncing with other Echo devices, the Echo Show 8 keeps you connected and in control.

Conclusion

The Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) is a compelling choice for anyone looking to enhance their smart home setup. Its combination of an HD display, superior sound quality, and Alexa integration provides a versatile and enriching user experience. While there are considerations regarding video streaming services and camera quality, the overall functionality and privacy features make the Echo Show 8 a valuable addition to any home. Its ability to serve as a centralized hub for smart home control further solidifies its position as a top contender in the smart display market.

4.5/5

Smart Home by Design’s Verdict - The Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) stands out as a versatile smart display, offering a blend of entertainment, connectivity, and smart home control. With its vibrant 8-inch HD screen and stellar sound quality, it serves as a central hub for any smart home. The Echo Show 8 excels in providing personalized experiences through voice commands with Alexa, making it a seamless addition to your daily routine.

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I'm Jason, your guide in the smart home tech world. My tech passion began in childhood, leading me to become an avionics technician in the Air Force and later earn a Computer Engineering degree. With a background in software and data engineering, I bring a unique mix of experience and knowledge to my product reviews and guides. I focus on the practical use of technology, offering insights on the latest smart home innovations rooted in both technical accuracy and real-world application.

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