Echo Show 5 Review — Compact Smart Display with Big Sound
Compact Echo Show 5 with 5.5″ screen, improved sound, Alexa, and privacy features—ideal for bedrooms, kitchens, and small spaces.
Introduction
The Amazon Echo Show 5 is a compact smart display designed to bring voice-first convenience, quick visual information, and richer sound into small spaces. With a 5.5-inch touchscreen, built-in Alexa, a 2 MP camera, and improved audio tuned for deeper bass and clearer vocals, it targets kitchens, bedside tables, home offices, and anyone who wants a smarter, more visual Alexa experience without taking up much room. If you want weather, timers, video calls, camera feeds, music, and smart-home control all in one petite device, this Echo Show model is built for that exact use case.
This device solves common day-to-day friction: instead of reaching for a phone, switching apps, or shouting in a crowded room, you get hands-free voice control backed by immediate visual feedback. The Echo Show 5 streamlines routine tasks—checking the morning news, watching a recipe while you cook, dropping in on a child or pet, or turning lights off from the couch—making smart home interactions simpler and faster.
Overview
Design-forward and space-conscious, the Echo Show 5 pairs a 5.5″ touchscreen with soft fabric finishes and a low-profile footprint that fits on narrow nightstands and small countertops. The Charcoal colorway blends into most decor, while the hardware keeps privacy in focus with a physical camera shutter and a mic/camera off button. Amazon also highlights sustainability: the fabric is made from 100% post-consumer recycled polyester yarn and the aluminum components use recycled material, while packaging is fully recyclable.
Under the hood, the Echo Show 5 leans on the Alexa ecosystem for voice control, compatible streaming services for music and video, and homes’ smart-device ecosystems for lighting, thermostats, and cameras. Connectivity is handled through Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth for streaming and casting, and the device supports viewing compatible cameras and video doorbells. It’s positioned for everyday users who want a budget-friendly entry into smart displays: people living in apartments, families wanting a compact monitoring solution, and Alexa households that prioritize quick information and hands-free control.
Features
Hands-Free Alexa Control: Built-in Alexa with voice commands and visual responses. Advantage: Ask for news, set timers, control devices or get recipe steps without touching the screen. Benefit: Keeps your hands free while cooking, getting ready, or multitasking—Alexa becomes an always-on assistant that speeds routine tasks and reduces friction.
Crisp 5.5″ Touchscreen for Quick Glanceable Info: 5.5-inch touchscreen that displays weather, calendar, video, song titles, and camera feeds. Advantage: Visual context complements voice responses so you can scan information at a glance. Benefit: Speeds decision-making—see the morning forecast, an incoming message, or a live camera feed instantly, which is much faster than navigating apps on a phone.
Small Size, Bigger Sound: Tuned speaker with twice the bass and clearer vocals compared to older small Echo models. Advantage: Delivers surprisingly full audio for music, podcasts, alarms and voice responses from a compact chassis. Benefit: Enjoy a fuller listening experience in small rooms without needing a separate speaker—ideal for bedrooms and kitchen counters where space and budget are limited.
Built-In Camera with Privacy Controls: 2 MP camera for video calling, Drop In, and viewing compatible smart cameras, with a built-in shutter and mic/camera off button. Advantage: Allows two-way connection and at-home monitoring while giving you visible, hardware-based privacy controls. Benefit: Stay connected to family, check on pets, or monitor a doorway with confidence—privacy is simple to enforce with one switch, and you retain control over when the camera is active.
Benefits
Space-Saving Smart Hub
The compact footprint fits where larger displays can’t—bedside tables, narrow counters, and small desks—providing smart functionality without clutter.
Improved Listening Experience
Enhanced bass and clearer vocals make music, podcasts, and spoken content more enjoyable, turning the device into a capable daily speaker for close-range listening.
Faster Routines and Visual Feedback
Combining voice with a display speeds routine tasks—timers, recipes, reminders, and quick camera checks—so you spend less time switching devices and apps.
Home Monitoring and Connection
Video calling and Drop In keep families connected and allow quick check-ins on people and pets; compatible camera viewing provides a simple security and convenience layer.
Privacy and Sustainability
Physical camera shutter and mic off button offer peace of mind, while recycled materials and recyclable packaging reduce environmental impact, appealing to eco-conscious buyers.
Usages
Perfect for Bedside and Morning Routines
Use it as your alarm and morning briefing center—display the weather, calendar appointments, commute updates and play a morning playlist without leaving the bed.
Ideal for Kitchen Reference and Timers
Set multiple cooking timers with voice, follow recipe steps on-screen, watch a short how-to video while prepping, and keep music playing for an upbeat cooking session.
Great for Video Calls and Quick Home Monitoring
Drop in on family, answer video calls from friends with the Alexa app or other Echo Show devices, and glance at compatible cameras or video doorbells to confirm deliveries or check pets.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Compact size that fits small spaces
- Noticeably improved bass and clearer vocal audio
- Helpful 5.5″ touchscreen for glanceable info and visuals
- Strong Alexa integration and smart-home control
- Hardware privacy controls and sustainable materials
Cons
- Screen can feel small for content-heavy tasks like prolonged video viewing
- Some users report occasional sluggish responsiveness or slower UI performance
- 2 MP camera is functional but not high resolution
- Requires an outlet — not portable
- Certain apps and services may be limited by regional availability
FAQs
Is the Echo Show 5 battery powered or does it need to be plugged in?
The Echo Show 5 requires continuous power and comes with a power adapter — it does not have an internal battery for portable use.
Which streaming services and apps are supported?
The Echo Show 5 supports Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music (via Alexa skills), and Prime Video for select video content. App availability can vary by region and content providers.
Can I control my smart lights and thermostat with this device?
Yes — Alexa can control compatible smart lights, plugs, thermostats and other smart home devices. Use voice commands or the on-screen smart home controls to manage devices.
How does Echo Show 5 protect my privacy?
Privacy features include a physical camera shutter, a mic/camera off button that electronically blocks those sensors, and software controls for managing skills and data. Amazon also supports end-to-end encrypted Ring video viewing for compatible devices.
What is the camera resolution for video calls?
The built-in camera is a 2 MP sensor, suitable for casual video calls and quick check-ins but not intended as a high-resolution security camera.
Product Specifications
| Display | 5.5-inch touchscreen |
| Camera | 2 MP camera with built-in shutter |
| Audio | Tuned speaker with deeper bass and clearer vocals |
| Connectivity | Wi‑Fi (dual-band), Bluetooth for audio streaming |
| Voice Assistant | Alexa (hands-free voice control) |
| Smart Home Compatibility | Controls compatible lights, plugs, thermostats and cameras |
| Privacy Features | Microphone/camera off button and physical camera shutter; software privacy controls |
| Materials | Fabric made from 100% post-consumer recycled polyester yarn; recycled aluminum components |
| Included Accessories | Power adapter |
| Warranty | 1-year limited warranty (typical Amazon device coverage) |
| Storage & Photos | Supports Amazon Photos; Prime members get unlimited cloud photo storage |
Ratings
| Display Quality & Brightness | 4.5 |
| Audio Performance | 4.6 |
| Smart Features & Voice Responsiveness | 4.3 |
| Camera & Video Call Experience | 4.0 |
| Touch / UI Responsiveness | 3.6 |
| Connectivity & Compatibility | 4.1 |
| Value for Money | 3.8 |
Recommendation
Best for Alexa households that want a compact visual interface—perfect for bedrooms, kitchens and small living areas where space is limited but smart functionality is desired.
Recommended for users who value privacy controls and sustainability, and who want better-than-average sound from a small smart display without investing in a larger device.
Conclusion
The Amazon Echo Show 5 strikes a strong balance between size, functionality, and audio quality. Its 5.5-inch display delivers glanceable visual information that complements Alexa’s voice responses, while the tuned speaker elevates music and spoken-word content beyond what you’d expect from an entry-level smart display. For everyday tasks—alarms, timers, quick video calls, recipe steps, and basic smart-home control—it’s a fast, practical assistant.
There are trade-offs: the small screen limits prolonged video viewing and the UI can occasionally feel sluggish to some users. But for the price and footprint, the Echo Show 5 offers meaningful convenience, privacy-minded hardware controls, and an eco-conscious build. If you want a compact, capable Alexa display that enhances routines and keeps a low visual profile, the Echo Show 5 is a sensible, well-rounded choice.
