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- Best overall: Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen)
- Best budget: Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen)
- Best premium: Amazon Echo Show 21 (1st Gen)
- Best for smart-home control: Amazon Echo Hub (8-inch)
- Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) is the compact pick, with an 8-inch HD screen and a 13MP camera.
- Amazon Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen) suits wall mounting and shared spaces, with a 15.6-inch Full HD screen.
- Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) is the smallest, simplest choice for a bedside table or desk.
- Amazon Echo Show 21 (1st Gen) gives households the largest screen in this guide, at 21 inches.
- Choose by screen size, placement and smart-home needs—not by display size alone.
The Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) is the better fit for a counter or desk, while the Amazon Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen) is the stronger choice for a large, wall-mounted family display. Both bring Alexa voice control and video calling into the home, but their screen sizes and room roles are very different.
For this Black Friday 2026 guide, I researched and compared specs, reviews and owner feedback across Amazon’s Echo Show lineup. The result: clear picks for compact spaces, family kitchens, smart-home control and large rooms. Best bet for most shoppers: start with the Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) if you want a versatile tabletop display, and choose the Amazon Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen) when a large screen is the priority.
How We Picked
- Compared display size, resolution and practical viewing distance.
- Reviewed camera specifications and video-calling features.
- Considered placement options, including tabletop, wall-mounted and dedicated control-panel use.
- Compared built-in smart-home features and entertainment options.
- Used product specifications, published reviews and owner feedback to identify useful differences.
Comparison Table
| Product | Best for | Screen | Camera | Primary strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) | Everyday kitchen and counter use | 8-inch HD | 13MP | Versatile tabletop display |
| Amazon Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen) | Wall-mounted family dashboards and streaming | 15.6-inch Full HD | 13MP | Large display with Fire TV |
| Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) | Bedside tables and small desks | 5.5-inch | 2MP | Compact daily Alexa use |
| Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) | Video calls and moving around the kitchen | 10.1-inch HD | 13MP | 360-degree rotating display |
| Amazon Echo Show 21 (1st Gen) | Large kitchens and shared family spaces | 21-inch Full HD | 13MP | Largest screen |
| Amazon Echo Hub (8-inch) | Dedicated smart-home control | 8-inch | Not specified | Smart-home control panel |
| Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) | An 8-inch screen for calls and daily Alexa use | 8-inch HD | 13MP | Tabletop video calls |
Best Picks Reviewed
#1 · Top pick
Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen)
The Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) is the best all-around smart display for kitchens and shared counters, with an 8-inch HD screen and a 13MP camera. The Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen)'s manageable footprint, video calling and built-in smart-home hub make it an easy recommendation for most homes.
Best for: Everyday kitchen and counter use
- Screen
- 8-inch HD touchscreen
- Camera
- 13MP
- Smart-home support
- Zigbee, Matter and Thread
- Useful balance of screen size and counter space
- High-resolution camera for video calls
- Built-in smart-home hub
- Smaller viewing area than the wall-mounted models
Is the Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. The Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) is a versatile Alexa display for counters, desks and kitchens, pairing an 8-inch HD touchscreen with a 13MP camera and built-in smart-home hub features.
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#2
Amazon Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen)
The Amazon Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen) is the best large wall-mounted display for families who want shared calendars, video and streaming in one place. The Amazon Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen)'s 15.6-inch Full HD screen and built-in Fire TV make it a practical kitchen command center.
Best for: Wall-mounted family dashboards and streaming
- Screen
- 15.6-inch Full HD touchscreen
- Camera
- 13MP
- Entertainment
- Built-in Fire TV
- Large screen works well for shared household information
- Fire TV adds streaming access
- Designed for wall mounting
- Needs substantially more wall space than an 8-inch display
Is the Amazon Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. The Amazon Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen) is a strong fit for households that want a large wall display, shared information and streaming. The Amazon Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen)'s 15.6-inch Full HD screen is the key reason to choose it over compact Echo Show models.
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#3
Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen)
The Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) is the best compact Alexa display for bedside tables and desks, with a 5.5-inch screen that keeps essential information close. The Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen)'s small footprint makes it easier to place where a larger display would crowd the surface.
Best for: Bedside tables and small desks
- Screen
- 5.5-inch touchscreen
- Camera
- 2MP
- Screen type
- Compact smart display
- Fits small surfaces
- Useful for alarms, timers and quick Alexa requests
- Camera supports video calling
- Small screen is less suitable for group viewing
Is the Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. The Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) is a practical pick for a nightstand or compact desk where alarms, timers and Alexa controls matter more than a large viewing area. The Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen)'s 5.5-inch screen keeps the footprint modest.
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#4
Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen)
The Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) is the best smart display for people who want the screen to follow them around a room, with a 10.1-inch HD display that rotates. The Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen)'s motion-tracking design makes video calls and recipes easier to follow while moving.
Best for: Video calls and moving around the kitchen
- Screen
- 10.1-inch HD touchscreen
- Camera
- 13MP
- Display movement
- 360-degree rotation
- Screen follows movement around the room
- Large display for calls and recipes
- Built-in smart-home hub
- Rotating base needs more counter space
Is the Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. The Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) stands out for video calls, cooking and other activities that take you around a room. The Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen)'s 10.1-inch screen rotates through 360 degrees to keep content in view.
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#5
Amazon Echo Show 21 (1st Gen)
The Amazon Echo Show 21 (1st Gen) is the best premium large-screen pick for households that want a prominent wall display, with a 21-inch Full HD screen. The extra viewing area suits shared calendars, entertainment and information meant for the whole room.
Best for: Large kitchens and shared family spaces
- Screen
- 21-inch Full HD touchscreen
- Camera
- 13MP
- Entertainment
- Built-in Fire TV
- Largest screen in this guide
- Useful for group viewing and shared household information
- Supports wall-mounted placement
- Requires a large, suitable wall space
Is the Amazon Echo Show 21 (1st Gen) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. The Amazon Echo Show 21 (1st Gen) is a suitable choice when a 15.6-inch display still feels too small for the room. The Amazon Echo Show 21 (1st Gen)'s 21-inch Full HD screen makes shared viewing and family information easier to see.
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#6
Amazon Echo Hub (8-inch)
The Amazon Echo Hub (8-inch) is the best dedicated Alexa control panel for smart-home owners who prioritize device controls over video entertainment. The Amazon Echo Hub (8-inch)'s 8-inch touchscreen and support for smart-home protocols make it suited to a central household control point.
Best for: Dedicated smart-home control
- Screen
- 8-inch touchscreen
- Smart-home support
- Zigbee, Matter and Thread
- Device type
- Wall-mountable control panel
- Made for smart-home controls
- Supports multiple smart-home protocols
- Can be mounted on a wall
- Less focused on entertainment than Echo Show displays
Is the Amazon Echo Hub (8-inch) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. The Amazon Echo Hub (8-inch) is a good fit for a home with compatible smart devices and a need for a central control screen. Choose it for device access rather than for a large video or streaming display.
See today’s Black Friday price on Amazon
#7
Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen)
The Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) is the best alternative for shoppers seeking an 8-inch Alexa display with a 13MP camera and a familiar tabletop format. The Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen)'s screen size suits everyday calls and information, though its smart-home features differ from the newer generation.
Best for: An 8-inch screen for calls and daily Alexa use
- Screen
- 8-inch HD touchscreen
- Camera
- 13MP
- Screen size class
- 8-inch smart display
- Good-sized screen for a counter
- 13MP camera supports video calling
- Compact tabletop design
- Lacks some smart-home connectivity found on the newer generation
Is the Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. The Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) remains a capable choice for Alexa, video calls and everyday viewing on an 8-inch screen. Compare its features with the Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) before choosing between generations.
See today’s Black Friday price on Amazon
Which is better, Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) or Amazon Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen)?
The Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) is better for a counter, while the Amazon Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen) is better for a large wall display. The 8-inch screen takes less room; the 15.6-inch Full HD screen gives shared information and streaming more viewing space.
Choose the Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) for a more flexible everyday device, video calls and built-in smart-home hub features. Choose the Amazon Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen) for a fixed family dashboard or a screen that several people watch. Placement is the clearest deciding factor.
What does the Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) do best?
The Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) combines an 8-inch HD touchscreen, a 13MP camera and smart-home hub support in a counter-friendly size. The screen is large enough for recipes and calls without taking over a kitchen island or desk.
The built-in support for Zigbee, Matter and Thread adds value for households setting up compatible smart devices. Shoppers who want a larger, wall-mounted family screen should choose the Amazon Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen) instead; shoppers who value flexible placement get more from the 8-inch model.
Is the Amazon Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen) a good kitchen display?
The Amazon Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen) is a good kitchen display for households with wall space and a reason to keep shared information visible. Its 15.6-inch Full HD screen can show family content at a larger scale than a tabletop device.
Built-in Fire TV adds streaming, while Alexa voice control keeps common requests accessible. The large panel is less suited to a cramped counter or a room without a suitable mounting spot. For a moveable, smaller-screen kitchen helper, the Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) is a better match.
Which Amazon Echo Show is best for smart-home controls?
The Amazon Echo Hub (8-inch) is the best dedicated control panel, while the Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) is the stronger all-purpose display with smart-home features. Both have 8-inch screens, but the Echo Hub is built around home-device control.
The Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) brings video calls, entertainment and Alexa features alongside support for Zigbee, Matter and Thread. Choose the Echo Hub for a central interface devoted to connected devices; choose the Show 8 when the same screen also needs to handle calls, timers and everyday viewing.
Which Echo Show screen size fits a bedroom or small desk?
The Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) is the best fit for a small bedside table, with its 5.5-inch screen and compact design. The Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) suits a larger nightstand or desk where video calls and a bigger viewing area matter.
For a shared room, the Amazon Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen) and Amazon Echo Show 21 (1st Gen) are designed for much larger viewing areas and wall placement. Think about viewing distance and available surface or wall space before selecting a screen.
Buying Guide
Match the screen to the room
Choose the Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) for a small surface, the Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) for a counter, and the Amazon Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen) or Amazon Echo Show 21 (1st Gen) for wall viewing.
Decide where the device will sit
Tabletop models offer flexible placement. Wall-mounted models need suitable wall space and a position that stays visible to everyone who uses the screen.
Compare smart-home needs
The Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) and Amazon Echo Hub (8-inch) support Zigbee, Matter and Thread. Pick the Echo Hub for a control-first setup.
Choose around calls and entertainment
A higher-resolution camera matters for frequent video calls. Built-in Fire TV on the Amazon Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen) and Amazon Echo Show 21 (1st Gen) suits streaming-focused households.
Shop with a clear shortlist
For Black Friday 2026, compare the exact generation and screen size before choosing. Start with the Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) for versatility or the Amazon Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen) for a large family display.
FAQ
Is the Echo Show 8 3rd Gen better than the Echo Show 15 2nd Gen?
The Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) is better for counters, desks and flexible everyday use. The Amazon Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen) is better for wall mounting, shared household information and streaming on its 15.6-inch Full HD screen.
What is the main difference between the Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) and the Amazon Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen)?
Screen size and placement are the main differences. The Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) has an 8-inch HD display for tabletop use, while the Amazon Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen) has a 15.6-inch Full HD screen designed for a prominent wall display.
Does the Amazon Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen) have Fire TV?
Yes. The Amazon Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen) includes built-in Fire TV, so it can serve as a streaming screen as well as an Alexa display. Its 15.6-inch Full HD touchscreen gives video more room than compact Echo Show models.
Which Echo Show is best for a bedside table?
The Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) is the best bedside pick in this guide. Its 5.5-inch touchscreen fits smaller surfaces and suits alarms, timers and quick Alexa requests without taking up the room required by larger displays.
Which Echo Show has the biggest screen?
The Amazon Echo Show 21 (1st Gen) has the biggest screen in this guide, with a 21-inch Full HD touchscreen. The large display suits shared family spaces, wall mounting and content viewed from farther across a room.
Should I choose the Amazon Echo Hub (8-inch) or Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen)?
Choose the Amazon Echo Hub (8-inch) for a dedicated smart-home control panel. Choose the Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) for a more versatile display that combines an 8-inch HD screen and 13MP camera with smart-home features.