Amazon Echo Show 8 Review

Smart displays bridge the gap between voice-only Echo speakers and full TVs. The Echo Show 8 ($150, 4.2 stars) is the mid-size 8-inch screen — large enough for streaming clips, small enough for kitchen counter or bedside table. We reviewed it for secondary-screen streaming use.

TL;DR

The right Echo Show size for kitchen, bedside, or home-office secondary-screen use. 8-inch HD touchscreen, dual stereo speakers, 13MP camera for video calls. Streams Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu via casting from phone or app. Voice control via Alexa. Skip if you want main-TV streaming (Fire TV Stick on bigger TV) or video calls only (Echo Show 5 is smaller alternative).

Why It Matters

Secondary screens have specific use cases that don't justify a full TV: cooking videos in the kitchen, news during morning routines, video calls from home office, sleep-timer streaming bedside. The Echo Show 8 fits these use cases at $150 vs a 32" TV + streaming stick at $300+.

The 8-inch screen size is the sweet spot. 5-inch (Echo Show 5) is too small for streaming; 10-inch (Echo Show 10) is bulky for counter use. Show 8 fits standard kitchen counter footprint without crowding.

Key Specs

• Display: 8-inch HD touchscreen (1280×800)
• Camera: 13MP wide-angle
• Speakers: Dual stereo
• Voice: Alexa with built-in microphones
• Streaming: Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, etc.
• Smart home: Built-in Zigbee
• Form factor: Tabletop with stand
• Camera privacy shutter: Yes (manual)
• Power: AC wall

Pros

• 8-inch HD screen. Right size for kitchen and bedside.
• 13MP camera with privacy shutter. Video calls + privacy assurance.
• Dual stereo speakers. Better than Echo Dot.
• Streaming app support. Prime, Netflix, Hulu native.
• Touchscreen + voice. Multiple input methods.
• Smart home Zigbee hub. Saves separate hub.
• Tabletop stand. Stable on counter.
• Affordable smart display. $150 vs $300+ for TV + stick.

Cons

• Smaller screen for movies. 8" is fine for clips, small for full films.
• Won't replace main TV. Use Fire TV Stick on bigger TV for that.
• Camera angle limited. 13MP wide-angle is fine but not zoomable.
• Won't run gaming or full app suite. Streaming-focused.
• Limited screen brightness. Outdoor use isn't viable.
• Counterfeits common on Amazon. Buy Amazon storefront direct.

Who It's For

• Kitchen-counter users. Cooking videos, recipes.
• Bedside-table users. Morning news, sleep timer.
• Home-office workers. Video calls + secondary monitor.
• Video-call frequent users. 13MP camera with privacy shutter.
• Echo ecosystem expanders. Add screen to voice setup.
• Skip if you want main-TV experience (use Fire TV Stick on TV), if budget tops at $80 (Echo Show 5 is $90), or if you don't need video calls (Echo Studio is the audio-focused alternative).

How to Use

• Place on kitchen counter or bedside
• AC plug to wall
• Pair with Amazon account during setup
• Install streaming apps: Prime, Netflix, Hulu
• Use voice for hands-free control
• Use touchscreen for browsing
• Privacy shutter when not in video calls
• Pair with Echo speakers for room-wide audio

How It Compares

• vs Echo Show 5 ($90): Show 5 is smaller (5-inch); cheaper. Pick if budget tight or kitchen tight.
• vs Echo Show 10 ($230): Show 10 is larger (10-inch) with motorized rotating screen. Pick for movement tracking.
• vs Echo Show 15 ($280): Show 15 is wall-mountable (15-inch). Different category.
• vs Apple HomePod with Display: Different ecosystem.
• vs Google Nest Hub Max ($230): Google ecosystem alternative. Comparable size; pick by ecosystem.

Bottom Line

Amazon Echo Show 8 is the right Echo Show size for kitchen, bedside, and home-office secondary-screen use. 8-inch HD touchscreen, 13MP camera with privacy shutter, dual stereo speakers. Echo Show 5 is the budget alternative; Echo Show 10 is the rotating-screen upgrade. For "the secondary smart display for everyday use," this earns the slot at $150.

Check the latest price on Amazon.