Amazon Echo Show 8 Review — Smart Display with Spatial Audio
In-depth Echo Show 8 review: 8″ HD display, spatial audio, 13 MP camera, Zigbee/Matter/Thread hub — ideal for smart homes and video calls.
Introduction
The Amazon Echo Show 8 is a smart display built to simplify daily life in open living spaces — blending a bright 8″ HD touchscreen, spatial audio, and a 13 MP auto-framing camera into a single countertop device. It solves the constant juggling between entertainment, communication, and smart home control by putting a visual Alexa companion where you need it most: the kitchen, living room, or home office.
If you want hands-free voice control for music and smart devices, crisp video calls with family, and a more intuitive way to glance at calendars, recipes, or security feeds, the Echo Show 8 is designed to make all of those moments easier and more enjoyable. It’s aimed at households that rely on Alexa and want a central, visual hub that’s both attractive and functional.
Overview
The Echo Show 8 strikes a balance between style and substance. Its 8″ HD touchscreen offers a large, readable canvas without overwhelming a counter or tabletop, while the fabric-wrapped rear and compact footprint keep it visually friendly in modern homes. Amazon emphasizes sustainability here — nearly a third of the device is made from recycled materials, and the packaging is almost entirely wood-fiber based.
Under the surface, the Echo Show 8 packs spatial audio drivers for fuller sound, a 13 MP camera with auto-framing for natural video calls, and a built-in smart home hub that supports Zigbee, Matter, and Thread. It also connects via Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth, making integration with streaming services, music providers, and smart bulbs straightforward. The target audience is families and tech-savvy homeowners who want a visual Alexa experience for communication, entertainment, and home automation without adding separate hubs.
Features
Immersive Spatial Audio: Spatial audio fills a room with balanced sound from the Echo Show 8’s tuned drivers. Whether playing a podcast in the kitchen or streaming a playlist while cooking, the device delivers clearer vocals and richer midrange compared with smaller smart displays, creating more engaging audio without needing a separate speaker.
8″ HD Touchscreen with Adaptive Content: The high-definition screen shows video, recipes, calendar entries, and smart home controls with crisp detail. Adaptive Content intelligently changes what’s displayed based on distance and context, so you’ll see glanceable information across the room and richer controls when you’re nearby.
13 MP Centered Camera with Auto‑Framing: A 13 MP camera uses auto-framing and noise reduction for natural, hands-free video calls. The camera recenters you as you move, keeps multiple people in frame, and improves call quality so conversations feel more personal — ideal for staying connected with family or joining quick video meetings from home.
Built-In Smart Home Hub (Zigbee, Matter, Thread): Manage a growing array of smart lights, locks, and sensors directly from the display without a separate hub. Native support for Zigbee, Matter, and Thread reduces setup friction — you can pair devices, create routines triggered by motion, and use the touchscreen to control scenes quickly.
Seamless Streaming & Multi-Source Music: Enjoy Prime Video, Netflix, Fire TV Channels, and major streaming music services like Amazon Music, Apple Music, and Spotify. The Echo Show 8 streams content natively on its HD screen, and you can cast audio to other speakers or use Bluetooth when needed, making it a versatile media companion.
Benefits
Hands-Free Convenience and Productivity
Use Alexa to set timers, control multiple smart devices, check calendars, and make video calls while your hands are busy. The Echo Show 8 doubles as a productivity assistant for hands-free, glanceable control around daily routines.
Better Media Experience without Extra Hardware
Spatial audio and HD video turn the Echo Show 8 into a single-device entertainment hub for music, news, and quick show episodes — eliminating the need for a separate smart speaker or second screen for casual viewing.
Simplified Smart Home Management
Native support for Zigbee, Matter, and Thread means fewer bridges and faster device pairing. This centralized approach reduces clutter and speeds up the process of adding lights, sensors, and switches to your network.
High-Quality Video Calls That Feel Natural
The 13 MP auto-framing camera and noise reduction deliver clearer, more intimate calls. For families, remote workers, and hybrid learners, that means less fiddling to get everyone in frame and more natural interactions.
Privacy-Forward Design
Multiple privacy layers — including microphone mute via the Alexa app and hardware controls — provide reassurance that the device respects personal data and lets you control when it listens or displays content.
Usages
Perfect for video calls and remote check‑ins
Place the Echo Show 8 on a countertop or desk for hands-free family video calls, virtual tutoring sessions, or quick remote check-ins. Auto-framing keeps motion in frame and noise reduction makes voices clearer over background activity.
Central smart home control center
Use the Echo Show 8 to pair new Zigbee or Matter devices, run routines triggered by motion, and monitor cameras or door sensors from a single screen — ideal for simplifying smart home management in busy households.
Kitchen companion for recipes and streaming
Follow step-by-step recipes, watch short videos, or stream music while you cook. The adaptive display makes it easy to read text from a distance, and timers or voice commands keep your hands free for prep.
Casual entertainment in open living spaces
Stream news, TV clips, or background music for gatherings and daily routines. Spatial audio provides fuller sound than smaller smart displays, making it suitable for living rooms and open-plan areas.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Balanced spatial audio that fills open rooms without a separate speaker
- Large, adaptive 8″ HD touchscreen that’s easy to read from a distance
- 13 MP auto-framing camera for natural video calls
- Built-in Zigbee, Matter, and Thread support reduces hub complexity
- Solid privacy controls and recycled-material design
Cons
- Connectivity and setup can be inconsistent for some users — occasional reports of pairing or Wi‑Fi issues
- Ads and sponsored content may appear for some Amazon services and recommendations
- Touch UI can feel slightly sluggish under heavy multitasking compared with dedicated tablets
- Not a replacement for a high-end sound system if you want deep bass and maximum volume
FAQs
Does the Echo Show 8 support third-party music services?
Yes — it supports Amazon Music, Apple Music, and Spotify natively. Some services may require an active subscription for full features.
Can the Echo Show 8 control Zigbee and Thread devices without an additional hub?
Yes. The Echo Show 8 includes a built-in smart home hub that supports Zigbee, Matter, and Thread, allowing you to pair and manage compatible devices directly from the display.
How private are video calls and microphones?
Amazon provides multiple privacy controls, including microphone mute via the Alexa app and hardware options to disable cameras and mics. You can also manage voice recordings and permissions within your Amazon account settings.
Is the screen responsive to touch and gestures?
Yes. The 8″ HD touchscreen is responsive for swiping through widgets, tapping shortcuts, and interacting with apps. Touch responsiveness is designed for everyday use in kitchens and living areas.
What happens if my Wi‑Fi connection is unstable?
An unstable Wi‑Fi connection can affect streaming and voice responsiveness. Basic Alexa functions may still respond, but video calls and HD streaming will deteriorate until connectivity improves.
Product Specifications
| Display Size | 8 inches (HD) |
| Audio | Spatial audio drivers, room-filling sound |
| Camera | 13 MP with auto-framing and noise reduction |
| Smart Home Hub | Built-in, supports Zigbee, Matter, Thread |
| Connectivity | Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth |
| Voice Assistant | Alexa |
| Sustainability | 29% recycled materials; 99% wood fiber-based packaging |
| Privacy | Microphone mute, camera disable, multiple privacy layers |
| Weight | Approx. 1.8 lb (manufacturer nominal) |
| Warranty | 1-year limited warranty (region-specific) |
| Included Accessories | Power adapter, Quick Start guide |
Ratings
| Display Quality & Brightness | 4.6 |
| Audio Performance | 4.4 |
| Smart Features & Voice Responsiveness | 4.2 |
| Camera & Video Call Experience | 4.3 |
| Touch / UI Responsiveness | 4.0 |
| Connectivity & Compatibility | 3.8 |
| Value for Money | 4.1 |
Recommendation
The Echo Show 8 is best for Alexa households that want a single, elegant device to handle entertainment, video calls, and smart home control. Buy it if you value natural video conversations, room-filling sound in a compact form, and simplified device management via Zigbee, Matter, or Thread.
Consider alternatives or pairing it with a dedicated speaker if you need premium audio for large rooms. If your priority is flawless network stability and ultra-fast UI responsiveness, ensure your home Wi‑Fi is robust before buying to get the most consistent experience.
Conclusion
The Amazon Echo Show 8 is a thoughtfully engineered smart display that delivers meaningful day-to-day benefits: a bright HD screen for glanceable information, spatial audio for better onboard media, and a 13 MP auto-framing camera that makes video calls feel more natural. Its built-in smart home hub stands out for reducing clutter and simplifying the smart device onboarding process through native support for Zigbee, Matter, and Thread.
There are trade-offs — occasional setup and connectivity issues reported by some users, and the presence of Amazon ads or sponsored content can be intrusive for a subset of customers. Still, for most households the Echo Show 8 represents excellent value: it consolidates entertainment, communication, and home control into a single, privacy-conscious device designed for everyday living.
