I'll be honest, I was skeptical. My apartment is already full of crap I use for two weeks and forget about. The Echo Show 8 3rd Gen has been on my counter for six months and I use it every single day.
What the Echo Show 8 3rd Gen Actually Does
It's a smart display. 8-inch HD screen. Voice assistant. Smart home hub. Camera for video calls.
The thing that makes the 3rd gen different is the auto-framing camera. The camera tracks you. You're on a call, you walk to grab something from the fridge, the camera moves with you. This sounds like a gimmick until you realize how often you used to awkwardly shuffle back into frame on older devices.
The built-in Zigbee/Matter hub means compatible smart home devices connect directly. No separate hub, no extra $50 device. That's genuinely useful.
The speakers are better than the form factor suggests. Not impressive by speaker standards. Impressive by "device sitting on a kitchen counter" standards.
Honestly, Who Needs This?
You'll love this if you're already using Alexa and want to bring it to a room that needs a screen. Or if you do video calls from your kitchen or desk and your current setup involves propping your phone against something embarrassing.
Skip it if you primarily want a streaming device. Use your TV and a Fire TV Stick. The Echo Show 8 is not a binge-watching screen.
Skip it also if you're deep in Google or Apple ecosystems. Alexa works fine, but getting everything connected requires a setup evening.
The Real Reasons to Buy It
- Auto-framing camera — the most useful smart display upgrade in years; you don't know you need it until you have it
- Built-in smart home hub — Zigbee and Matter; replaces a separate $50 hub
- Spatial audio — loud enough for a room, clear enough for calls
- Photo frame mode — shows your Amazon Photos when idle; beats a black screen by a lot
- Privacy shutter — physical, mechanical, no software required
The Part That'll Frustrate You
Alexa's third-party ecosystem isn't always smooth. Google Calendar needs the Alexa skill enabled and linked. Spotify works but feels second-class compared to Amazon Music. If you're primarily an Amazon household, this won't bother you. If you're not, set aside an evening to configure it properly.
FAQ
Q: How does the Echo Show 8 compare to the Echo Show 10? The Echo Show 10 has a larger 10-inch display and a motorized base that physically rotates to track you. The Echo Show 8 does the tracking digitally through the auto-framing camera. The Show 8 at $149 vs. the Show 10 at $249, for most people, the Show 8 wins on value.
Q: Can I use the Echo Show 8 in the bedroom without the screen being too bright? Yes. There's a do-not-disturb mode and adjustable brightness settings. You can schedule it to dim automatically at night.
Q: Does it work with Ring cameras? Yes, natively. Tap the camera feed on your dashboard or say "Alexa, show me the front door", the Ring feed pops up immediately.
Verdict
The Echo Show 8 3rd Gen solved a problem I didn't know I had and created a daily habit I don't want to lose. For $149, it's one of the better gadget purchases you can make.
