Echo Show 8 Review — Smart Display with Spatial Audio
Expert review of the Amazon Echo Show 8: 8″ HD display, spatial audio, 13MP camera, and built‑in smart home hub. Ideal for homes and kitchens.
Introduction
The Amazon Echo Show 8 is a smart display built to make everyday life easier, more entertaining, and more connected. Combining an 8″ HD touchscreen, spatial audio, and a 13 MP auto‑framing camera, this device solves common living‑space pain points — from crowded countertops and fragmented smart devices to clumsy video calling and spotty media playback. It’s positioned as the central surface for the kitchen, living room, or home office where both information and entertainment need to be quick, visible, and hands‑free.
Whether the goal is hands‑free recipe following, brighter video calls, or simply a single control center for lights, locks, and cameras, the Echo Show 8 is designed to reduce friction. With built‑in Zigbee, Matter, and Thread support you can pair compatible smart devices without an extra hub; with spatial audio and an HD display you can stream movies, music, and shows that feel larger than the device itself. For busy households that need accessible control and family‑friendly features, this Echo Show model addresses real world needs with practical technology and thoughtful conveniences.
Overview
The Echo Show 8 blends a refined aesthetic with practical engineering: a crisp 8″ HD touchscreen sits behind a curved fabric speaker grille in Glacier White, giving the device a modern yet unobtrusive footprint. The hardware centers on a camera designed for natural video conversations and intelligent framing, while the speaker architecture emphasizes spatial audio so music and dialogue feel fuller in open living spaces. Sustainability is also part of the design: 29% recycled materials and nearly all wood‑fiber packaging reflect a lower environmental impact.
Under the hood, the Echo Show 8 is built for connectivity and compatibility. It supports Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth for media streaming, and integrates Zigbee, Matter, and Thread protocols so the device doubles as a smart home hub for many compatible lights, locks, and sensors. Alexa is deeply integrated for voice control, smart routines, and hands‑free video calling, while software features like Adaptive Content and Amazon Photos make the display useful even when not actively commanded. The target audience ranges from Alexa households wanting a polished central display to families who want easier video calls, recipe assistance, and a simple way to manage their smart home.
Features
Spatial Audio and Room-Filling Sound: Advanced speaker design tuned for spatial audio delivers fuller, more immersive sound than a typical smart display. Advantage: Music, podcasts, and video dialogue felt clearer and richer across a kitchen or open living room without needing an external speaker. Benefit: Replace a small kitchen speaker—enjoy more lifelike music and watch shows with better vocal clarity, so you don’t miss important lines when cooking or cleaning.
8″ HD Touchscreen with Adaptive Content: An 8″ high‑definition touchscreen shows sharper images, and Adaptive Content scales information based on distance and context. Advantage: From across the room you can glance at calendar items and timers; up close you get richer thumbnails, detailed controls, and an intuitive touch UI. Benefit: Faster interactions and less eye strain—use it as a recipe display, kitchen timer, or digital photo frame without stepping forward to see what’s happening.
13 MP Auto‑Framing Camera for Natural Video Calls: A 13 MP camera with auto‑framing centers you during calls and uses noise reduction for cleaner audio pickup. Advantage: Video calls feel more natural and less awkward—the camera keeps you in frame even as you move around and improves call quality in noisy environments. Benefit: Better family conversations and remote check‑ins; grandparents and kids enjoy clearer, more stable calls, and remote workers get a capable secondary conferencing screen.
Built‑In Smart Home Hub (Zigbee, Matter, Thread): Native support for Zigbee, Matter, and Thread protocols without requiring an additional hub. Advantage: It can pair directly with a growing range of smart bulbs, sensors, and locks, making setup simpler and reducing the number of devices on your network. Benefit: One device becomes the central control vector—create routines, automate lights, and check cameras without buying and managing separate bridge hardware.
Hands‑Free Alexa Experience and Multimedia Integration: Full Alexa integration supports voice commands, one‑tap Top Connections, streaming from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, and access to Prime Video, Netflix, and Fire TV Channels. Advantage: Quickly start music or video and control the smart home using only your voice or a single tap on the touchscreen. Benefit: Frictionless entertainment and productivity—start playlists while you cook, watch a recipe video, or trigger group routines without hunting for your phone.
Benefits
Simplified Smart Home Control
Centralizes devices and routines—no separate hub needed for many products, which reduces complexity and saves space.
Makes automations accessible to non‑tech family members through voice commands and large, clear on‑screen buttons.
Improved Communication and Remote Presence
Auto‑framing camera and noise reduction create more natural, hands‑free video calls for families, caregivers, or remote colleagues.
Top Connections and widget shortcuts streamline calls so initiating contact is nearly instant.
Better Everyday Entertainment
Spatial audio and an HD screen lift TV shows, movie clips, and music beyond typical smart display performance.
Integrated streaming services mean fewer device switches—play, pause, and control content directly from the Echo Show.
Practical Kitchen and Living‑Space Utility
Adaptive Content and glanceable widgets make timers, recipes, calendars, and reminders easy to read across a room.
Use as a digital photo frame with Amazon Photos to keep family memories visible without extra effort.
Privacy and Sustainability Built In
Multiple privacy controls, including microphone mute options and camera protections, help users feel secure when the device is idle.
Recycled materials and responsible packaging reduce environmental footprint compared to less sustainable devices.
Usages
Perfect for Hands‑Free Cooking and Recipes
Ask Alexa to show recipes step‑by‑step, set multiple timers, and stream how‑to videos while the device sits on a counter out of the way.
Ideal for Smart Home Automation and Control
Pair smart lights, plugs, and sensors with the built‑in hub to automate routines like ‘Good Morning’ or ‘Away’ without extra hubs or apps.
Great for Video Calls and Family Check‑Ins
Use the auto‑framing camera and quick call widgets to keep in touch with relatives, run quick video check‑ins, or attend informal meetings.
Excellent as a Kitchen‑Friendly Entertainment Center
Stream music or catch a show while prepping meals—spatial audio fills a room, and the HD screen keeps visuals crisp at a glance.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent balance of visual clarity and richer room‑filling audio for an 8″ display.
- Robust smart‑home compatibility with Zigbee, Matter, and Thread built in.
- 13 MP auto‑framing camera makes video calls feel natural and reliable.
- Adaptive Content and Amazon Photos add passive value when the device is idle.
- Sustainable design using recycled materials and responsible packaging.
Cons
- Some users experience occasional connectivity or setup frustrations with Wi‑Fi or device pairing.
- Home‑screen promotional content can feel intrusive for certain users.
- Touch / UI responsiveness is generally good but can be laggy when many apps are active.
- Value perception is mixed among buyers who expect premium performance at a lower price point.
FAQs
Is the Echo Show 8 compatible with my smart bulbs and devices?
Yes—this model supports Zigbee, Matter, and Thread for many compatible smart bulbs, plugs, locks, and sensors, allowing direct pairing without a separate hub for supported devices.
Can I make video calls hands‑free?
Yes—use Alexa voice commands to initiate and receive video calls. The 13 MP camera includes auto‑framing so the subject stays centered during movement.
Does it support major streaming services?
Yes—Prime Video, Netflix, Fire TV Channels, Amazon Music, Apple Music, and Spotify are supported. Some services may require separate subscriptions.
How does Echo Show 8 handle privacy?
Privacy features include microphone mute, camera shutter or privacy controls, and multiple layers of data protections. Users can also manage permissions in the Alexa app.
Are there a lot of ads on the device?
Some users report frequent promotional content on the home screen. While settings can be adjusted, ad experiences vary and may be noticeable depending on your configuration.
Product Specifications
| Display Size | 8‑inch HD touchscreen (1280 x 800) |
| Camera | 13 MP with auto‑framing and noise reduction |
| Audio | Spatial audio, built‑in stereo speakers for room‑filling sound |
| Connectivity | Dual‑band Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Matter, Thread |
| Voice Assistant | Alexa with hands‑free voice control and routines |
| Materials | Device made with 29% recycled materials |
| Packaging | 99% wood fiber‑based materials from responsibly managed forests or recycled sources |
| Color | Glacier White |
| Included Accessories | Power adapter, quick start guide |
| Warranty | 1‑year limited warranty |
Ratings
| Display Quality & Brightness | 4.6 |
| Audio Performance | 4.3 |
| Smart Features & Voice Responsiveness | 4.4 |
| Camera & Video Call Experience | 4.2 |
| Touch / UI Responsiveness | 4.0 |
| Connectivity & Compatibility | 3.8 |
| Value for Money | 4.1 |
Recommendation
Best for Alexa households who want a polished central display that doubles as a smart home hub and multimedia surface. The Echo Show 8 is ideal if your home uses multiple smart devices and you prefer a single device to coordinate them.
Also recommended for families and cooks who want better video calls and hands‑free recipes without adding a separate speaker or hub—its balanced audio and 8″ HD display make it useful throughout the day.
Conclusion
The Amazon Echo Show 8 is a compelling mid‑size smart display that bridges entertainment, communication, and home control. Its combination of spatial audio, a crisp HD touchscreen, and a high‑quality auto‑framing camera addresses the most common needs for a shared household screen: clear video calls, better streaming, and simplified smart device management. Adaptive Content and Amazon Photos provide continual value even when the device isn’t actively used, and built‑in support for Zigbee, Matter, and Thread reduces the complexity often associated with smart home setups.
There are trade‑offs to consider—some customers report setup or connectivity hiccups and an increased presence of promotional content on the home screen. However, for most users the strengths outweigh the drawbacks: the Echo Show 8 offers an approachable, modern, and capable smart display that enhances daily routines, streamlines automation, and brings better sound and video into shared spaces. It’s a practical choice for anyone wanting a feature‑rich Alexa experience in kitchens, living rooms, or home offices.
