Amazon Echo 8 vs. 5
Can’t decide between the Echo Show 5 and the Echo Show 8? Our guide to these mid-tier smart hubs will help you choose.
Even with the recent release of the third-generation of the Amazon Echo Show, the previous generations are really great smart displays. The Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 5, though not as powerful or feature-rich as the Echo Show 10, are still viable smart hub options. If you want to create a smart home network on a budget, an Echo Show from the second-generation may be the device for you.
In this article, we provide a comparative review of both the Echo Show 8 and the Echo Show 5. If you’re having trouble choosing which one to get, the feature comparisons should help you choose.
Quick Brand Overview
Below is a brief history of both the brand and the Amazon Echo Show line.
Amazon
Amazon, the world’s largest online retailer, has expanded its portfolio onto the smart device market. With the release of both Alexa and Amazon Echo on the same year, it has become one of the leading manufacturers of smart home devices.
The Amazon Echo was originally a line of smart speakers for the Alexa AI. In time, however, the developers thought it would be better to refine the Echo into a smart hub, a center for Alexa’s AI operations.
Development on the Amazon Echo started in 2011, with the first device of the brand releasing in March 2014. Further progress saw the release of several other products in the line. The Amazon Echo Dot, a smaller version of the Echo, was revealed to the public in March 2016. A portable version dubbed the Amazon Echo Tap came out in May 2017. That same year, the Amazon Echo Look, essentially an Echo with a built-in camera, was made available to a limited number of people.
The first-generation of the Amazon Echo Show, a smart display device capable of streaming video and audio and making video calls, was introduced in May 2017. The second-generation was released in October of the next year. The Echo Show 5 and Echo Show 8 came out in June 2019 and November 2019, respectively.
The latest version of the device, dubbed the third-generation Amazon Echo Show 10, became available to the public in February 2021. Although the latest member of the brand is considerably more powerful and feature-rich than the previous generation, the Echo Show 5 and Echo Show 8 are still great smart hubs. Anyone who wants a fully functional smart display and video phone but is constrained by the cost would do well to consider these devices.
Pros:
- Full Alexa support and integration
- Backing of an established company
- Multiple years of product development
Cons:
- Alexa records data even when not active
- Recorded data must be manually deleted
Quick Verdict
Although more expensive than the Amazon Echo Show 5, the Amazon Echo Show 8 is the better device among the two. The larger screen, better audio quality, and sharper resolution give it the advantage in performing its job as a smart display.
Quick Comparison Table
|
Features |
Amazon Echo Show 8 |
Amazon Echo Show 5 |
|
Camera |
1 Megapixel |
1 Megapixel |
|
Dimensions |
7.9" x 5.4" x 3.9" |
5.8" x 3.4" x 2.9" |
|
Weight |
2.29 lbs. (1.03 kg) |
0.91 lbs. (0.41 kg) |
|
Display |
8.0-inch touchscreen |
5.5-inch touchscreen |
|
Resolution |
1280 x 800 |
960 x 480 |
|
Alexa Connectivity |
Built-in, fully integrated |
Built-in, fully integrated |
|
Input |
Touchscreen and voice activation |
Touchscreen and voice activation |
|
Speakers |
2.0 system |
1 x 1.7 Speaker |
|
Security Features |
Mic and camera off button, camera shutter |
Mic and camera off button, camera shutter |
|
Bluetooth Connectivity |
Bluetooth capable |
Bluetooth capable |
|
Processor |
MediaTek 8163 |
MediaTek 8163 |
|
Languages (Alexa) |
English and Spanish |
English and Spanish |
|
Price |
$129.99 |
$89.99 |
Amazon Echo Show 8
Released to the public in November 2019, the Amazon Echo Show 8 was, until the recent release of the Amazon Echo Show 10, considered top of the line. While the third-generation eclipses many of the Amazon Show 8’s features, the older model still performs quite well as a smart hub at a much lower price point.
Amazon’s AI, Alexa, is fully integrated with the Echo Show 8, so the smart hub works extremely well with any other smart device that has Alexa compatibility. You can easily control multiple devices on your home network via voice commands or through the Alexa mobile app.
The smart display comes with an 8.0-inch touchscreen which gives 1280 x 800 resolution video. It’s great for people who want to use it for video calls via Alexa, Skype, or Zoom. With the 1-megapixel forward-facing camera, you can clearly see and hear the person on the other side of the screen. The Alexa app easily connects you to others in your contacts list, even those that don’t own their own Echo Show; as long as their mobile device supports video calls, you can contact them through the Echo Show 8.
The device is also great for video or audio streaming. With full compatibility with services like Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music, and Audible, you can listen to your favorite tunes hands-free. The Echo Show 8 also supports streaming services such as Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and Hulu, so you can enjoy your favorite shows on it.
People concerned about their privacy can rest assured. The Amazon Echo Show 8 comes with physical privacy features that will secure your information. The device’s mic and speakers can be turned on or off with the simple push of a button. The camera lens can also be disabled with a physical shutter.
The Amazon Echo Show 8 is a versatile smart hub that integrates well with your smart home network. With a little tinkering in the Alexa app, you can control any of your connected gadgets through simple voice commands. The Echo Show 8 is also able to detect the sound of alarms or even breaking glass and give you alerts via mobile.
This smart display also has a photo display feature, allowing you to show off your favorite pictures and selfies. If you have photo albums on either Facebook or your Amazon Account, Alexa can easily create photo albums of your fondest memories. With a simple tap on the screen or a voice command, the Amazon Echo Show 8 can become a digital frame.
The Amazon Echo Show 8 is very easy to set up. All you have to do is plug in the device and connect it to your Wi-Fi network. From there, you can use Alexa to access the various features of the device, whether it be online or through your home network.
One downside to the Amazon Echo Show 8 in comparison to the Echo Show 5 is that the processing power didn’t get an upgrade. It shares the same MediaTek processor as the last model in the line. The camera also remained the same, with the Amazon Echo Show 8 retaining the 1-megapixel camera of the Amazon Echo Show 5.
The display and resolution did get improvements, however, and the sound quality has also been upgraded. As the device can be used as a video phone, these improvements are welcome. If you prefer to use the device as a smart hub rather than a video call or streaming device, though, it may not be worth the extra cost.
Pros:
- Bigger screen
- Better resolution
- Better audio quality
Cons:
- More expensive than the Echo Show 5
- Same processor as the previous model
- No major upgrades
What’s in the box?
- Echo Show 8 device
- Power adapter
- User’s guide
SMARTHOME.News Average Rating: 3.75 of 5 Stars
Average Ratings Around the Web: 3.5 of 5 Stars
See the best offer on Amazon in your location for the Echo Show 8
Amazon Echo Show 5
Despite being an older model, the Amazon Echo Show 5 still performs as a great smart hub. For people who want to create a smart home network on a budget, the Echo Show 5 is a device you should consider.
With its compact design, the Amazon Echo Show 5 will surely fit any room in your home, no matter what size. The 5.5-inch screen may be smaller than other models, but it still provides a solid display at 960 x 480 resolution.
The Amazon Echo Show 5 is the perfect device for nightstands and end tables with its ambient sunrise alarm. The device slowly lights up 15 minutes before your alarm time, and you can turn it off or snooze it via voice commands. You won’t look at alarm clocks the same way again.
The audio may not be as good as the newer members of the brand, but its 1.7 speaker system does provide a great casual listening experience. It won’t be as loud or impactful as dedicated audio devices, but the Amazon Echo Show 5 does provide clear audio. It also has the ability to stream videos from sites like Netflix and Prime Video, but the smaller screen makes it far from ideal for this purpose.
The screen does make for a great picture frame, though, as the smart photo display feature allows you to showcase your pictures. Photos from either your Facebook albums or Amazon Photos can be used to turn your Echo Show 5 into a digital frame. You can also ask Alexa to take selfies and display the same pictures immediately.
As the Amazon Echo Show 5 and Alexa share the same manufacturer, Alexa is fully integrated with this device. You can connect easily with other smart devices, as long as they’re Alexa compatible. You can easily operate any smart gadget in your home with a single voice command to the Echo Show 5.
Alexa has also thousands of skills that you can take advantage of when using your device. Alexa skills are like mini-apps that provide great functionality. With such a great variety of skills and the Echo Show 5’s full Alexa integration, you’re certain to find some that you can utilize.
The Amazon Echo Show 5 comes with several privacy features to ensure your protection. Both the mic and the speakers can be deactivated with the simple push of a button and the lens of the built-in camera can be covered with a toggle-able shutter, meaning you’re fully in control of how much your Echo Show is allowed to see and hear.
The device also has another great feature via Alexa – the Alexa Kids setting. When you use this feature, all of Alexa’s content becomes kid-friendly, making it safer for the minors in your family. When this setting is on, Alexa will screen out mature content and disable any shopping functionality that children may access.
The device itself is very easy to set up, even for those without any experience in using smart networks. Just plug in the device and allow it to connect with your Wi-Fi network, then fully enjoy Alexa’s capabilities. Any new smart device that connects to the Alexa AI will be recognized by the Amazon Echo Show 5 and can be voice-activated via the hub.
Although the Amazon Echo Show 5 isn’t as powerful or as big as the other members of the line, it does enjoy a lower price point. For those who wish to set up a smart home network on a budget, the Echo Show 5 offers a good option as a smart hub.
Even though the Amazon Echo Show 5 is technically a lesser member of the second-generation, it shares the same processor as the Amazon Echo Show 8. This means that its performance doesn’t fall too short of its contemporary.
Pros:
- Less expensive
- Lighter build
- Same processing speed as later model
Cons:
- Lackluster audio quality
- Less resolution
- Smaller screen
What’s in the box?
- Echo Show 5 device
- Power adapter
- User’s guide
SMARTHOME.News Average Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars
Average Ratings Around the Web: 3.5 of 5 Stars
See the best offer on Amazon in your location for the Echo Show 5
Step-by-Step Feature Comparison
Below, we present a step-by-step feature comparison of both devices. We’ll show you how each gadget scores in each category and which one has better features.
Winner: Tie
Both the Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 5 feature a 1-megapixel camera. This may not be the best camera on the market, as many of the newer smart displays feature at least 10 megapixels or more, but it does the job. Both devices take rather sharp pictures, even with a relatively weaker camera.
If you’re looking for high-definition pictures, you’re better off getting a dedicated digital camera, but if you’re only looking for a clear videophone, 1 megapixel is enough. As both devices share the same picture quality, they’re tied in this category.
Winner: Amazon Echo Show 8
The Echo Show 8 wins this category. At 7.9” x 5.4” x 3.9”, it’s considerably bigger than Echo Show 5’s 5.8” x 3.4” x 2.9”. For smart hubs and smart displays, the amount of screen space is always important, and the larger the device is, the more screen space it has.
There may be an advantage to a smaller device, especially if you want to place it on a nightstand, but when it comes to video calls, larger devices are usually better. Unless you’re hard up for space, the Amazon Echo Show 8 would be a better choice dimension-wise.
Weight: Amazon Echo Show 5 vs. Echo Show 8
Winner: Amazon Echo Show 5
Although the Echo Show 8 isn’t heavy by any means, at less than half its weight, the Echo Show 5 wins this category handily. The Echo Show 8 comes in at 2.29 pounds (1.03 kg) while the Echo Show 5 is a lightweight 0.91 pounds (0.41 kg).
Once you’ve decided on a spot to place your Echo Show, weight may not be much of a factor as smart hubs usually stay immobile. If you want to place the device on countertops, end tables, or nightstands, however, weight might play a small factor in your choice of device.
Display: Amazon Echo Show 5 vs. Echo Show 8
Winner: Amazon Echo Show 8
There is no doubt that the Echo Show 8 wins this category. With an 8.0-inch touchscreen, the Echo Show 8’s screen is definitely better than Echo Show 5’s 5.5-inch one. This larger display becomes an important feature if you wish to use your smart hub for video calls or video streaming.
Watching videos isn’t exactly ideal when using the Echo Show 5, as the screen is too small to make it enjoyable. Sure, eight inches isn’t that much larger, but if you try to watch a video or make video calls, you’ll definitely see the difference. If you want to use your device as a video phone as well as a smart hub, the larger display is a better option.
Resolution: Amazon Echo Show 5 vs. Echo Show 8
Winner: Amazon Echo Show 8
Along with a better display, the Echo Show 8 offers a higher resolution. The device displays videos at 1280 x 800, while the Echo Show 5 only offers 960 x 480. If you’re planning on streaming a lot of videos, the greater resolution is the better choice. Amazon Echo Show 8 wins this category.
Alexa Connectivity: Amazon Echo Show 5 vs. Echo Show 8
Winner: Tie
As both devices come from the same manufacturer, they both have great Alexa connectivity. As long as the smart gadget you want to add to your smart home network is Alexa compatible, the Echo Show 8 or 5 will easily connect with it.
The advantage of full Alexa integration is that it limits the errors or bugs that you may experience when using other smart gadgets. If they’re certified to work with Alexa, they’ll work with an Echo Show. The devices are tied in this category.
Input: Amazon Echo Show 5 vs. Echo Show 8
Winner: Tie
Both the Echo Show 8 and the Echo Show 5 feature a touchscreen display and can use voice commands via Alexa. They’re tied in this category.
Speakers: Amazon Echo Show 5 vs. Echo Show 8
Winner: Amazon Echo Show 8
The Echo Show 8 has a 2.0 speaker system that provides better audio quality when compared to the Echo Show 5’s 1.7 system. The additional speaker of the Echo Show 8 definitely makes the audio quality better.
The Echo Show 5 doesn’t exactly have bad speakers, but when compared to the Echo Show 8, you’ll be able to notice the difference. If music streaming is a hobby and you plan on doing a lot of it, the Echo Show 8 is the better choice.
Security Features: Amazon Echo Show 5 vs. Echo Show 8
Winner: Tie
Both the Echo Show 8 and the Echo Show 5 have physical security features to protect your privacy. Each device features a button that can turn the mic or speakers off. There’s also a shutter that you can toggle to block the camera lens, preventing it from seeing anything even if the camera is left on.
For people that are worried about how much data your Echo Show can collect when it’s left on, these features can help put their minds at ease. As both devices have these features, they’re tied in this category.
Bluetooth Connectivity: Amazon Echo Show 5 vs. Echo Show 8
Winner: Tie
The Echo Show 8 and the Echo Show 5 both have Bluetooth connectivity. By using the device discovery features, any gadget with Bluetooth can be remotely linked to your Echo Show device. This is a great way to connect wireless headphones or additional speakers to your smart hub. The devices are tied in this category.
Processor: Amazon Echo Show 5 vs. Echo Show 8
Winner: Tie
Both the Echo Show 8 and the Echo Show 5 have the MediaTek 8163 processor, which means they technically have the same processing power. The 8163 is a 64-bit quad-core processor that provides excellent performance when it comes to carrying out operations and features.
Before the release of the newest Echo Show, the MediaTek 8163 was top of the line. It may not be the fastest processor in the brand anymore, but it’s still a good one to have. The Echo Show 8 and the Echo Show 5 are tied in this category.
Languages (Alexa): Amazon Echo Show 5 vs. Echo Show 8
Winner: Tie
The languages that Alexa supports aren’t device reliant, and they are the same for all gadgets that support the Alexa AI system. Therefore, the devices are tied in this category.
Price: Amazon Echo Show 5 vs. Echo Show 8
Winner: Amazon Echo Show 5
This is a clear win for the Echo Show 5. With a list price of $89.99, it’s much cheaper than the Amazon Echo Show 8’s $129.99 price point – even before any discounts. Depending on how you want to use your smart hub, it may be better to get the less-expensive device.
If you don’t really want to use the Echo Show for audio or video streaming, paying extra for features you don’t need isn’t worth the price. If you plan on doing a lot of streaming, however, the additional cost will be worth it.
Final Score
|
Features |
Amazon Echo Show 8 |
Amazon Echo Show 5 |
|
Camera |
Tie |
Tie |
|
Dimensions |
Win |
Lose |
|
Weight |
Lose |
Win |
|
Display |
Win |
Lose |
|
Resolution |
Win |
Lose |
|
Alexa Connectivity |
Tie |
Tie |
|
Input |
Tie |
Tie |
|
Speakers |
Win |
Lose |
|
Security Features |
Tie |
Tie |
|
Bluetooth Connectivity |
Tie |
Tie |
|
Processor |
Tie |
Tie |
|
Languages (Alexa) |
Tie |
Tie |
|
Price |
Lose |
Win |
Verdict: Overall Winner |
| It’s easy to see that the Echo Show 8 is an upgrade to the Echo Show 5. Even at a relatively higher price point, the better video and audio quality is certainly worth the additional expense. |
Quick FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about the Echo Show 5 and the Echo Show 8.
-
Do I need to leave the Echo Show on all the time?
Technically, yes. Turning off your Echo Show when you’re not using it may be desirable in terms of privacy, but doing so reduces the device’s convenience. Alexa and the Echo Show operate on the premise that they will respond when you call out to it. Having to turn the device on whenever you want to use it removes that convenience altogether. When the device is on standby mode, it uses minimal electricity and it records nothing until you wake it up. Turning it off when not in use has little to no advantage. -
Does the Echo Show have a monthly fee?
No. Both the use of Alexa and the creation of an Amazon account to activate it are completely free. Be aware, though, that when searching for videos or music, Alexa may sometimes suggest paid services. Agreeing to such services, especially if you have payment information saved on Alexa, will result in you being billed for them. -
Do I need an Amazon account to use an Echo Show?
Yes. The Amazon Echo Show itself needs Alexa to operate and signing up for and activating Alexa requires you to have an Amazon account. Fortunately, sign-up is free and can be done via the account web page if you wish to do so. -
Can the Echo Show answer my calls?
Yes, via the Alexa app. Alexa is able to answer your calls via voice command if the other party is using a similar Echo device or the Alexa app. If the other line is using a mobile phone or landline, however, you can’t answer the calls via Alexa unless you use a device called the Echo Connect to turn the Echo Show into a smart speaker. -
Are calls through Alexa free?
Yes. Calls via Alexa use the same VOIP (voice over internet protocol) that other services like Skype and Zoom use. As long as you have a Wi-Fi connection, you can call others in your contacts. The Wi-Fi itself may require a fee to use it.
-
Do I need a smartphone to use Alexa?
No. A smartphone may be needed when setting up Alexa and some Alexa-compatible devices, but once setup is complete, you no longer need a phone. Using the Alexa app on a mobile may be useful to keep track of network-connected devices, but a smartphone isn’t strictly required. -
Does the Amazon Echo Show need Wi-Fi?
Yes. The Amazon Echo Show is essentially a smart hub that controls all devices in your Wi-Fi network. If Wi-Fi is absent, you won’t be able to control or connect to the other smart gadgets in your home. -
What’s the Drop In feature about?
Drop In is an Alexa device feature that transforms all network-connected devices into a virtual intercom. With Drop In, you can instantly connect to a device via a simple voice command. You can even Drop In on all devices in the network to broadcast to your entire house.
A Smart Hub on a Budget
If you’re looking for a smart hub on a budget, getting a device from the second-generation of the Echo Show line is ideal. Even though they’re not at the cutting-edge of smart display technology anymore, they’re still quite versatile in their own right. If you’re planning on setting up a smart home network but want to keep the cost down, these mid-tier smart hubs are great options.
Do you have experiences regarding the Amazon Echo Show 8 or the Amazon Echo Show 5? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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