

The Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) is almost in that price range where many people will take a chance on an impulse buy, especially once it’s discounted in one of Amazon’s inevitable sales events. However, it’s looking like smart device interoperability, and setup will continue to get easier thanks to the aforementioned Certified for Humans program. Unfortunately, like the Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen), the Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) lacks the Zigbee hub integration found in the Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen). The first-generation Echo Show 5 was the first of Amazon’s smart screen devices to include physical covers and switches to control what Alexa could see and hear, which eased many concerns about having Alexa in more sensitive areas of the home. The Echo Spot had previously filled this niche, and while the Spot was beloved, it didn’t have great specs and was priced too high.


When it was originally introduced in early 2019, the Echo Show 5 was praised by customers and reviewers alike because it put an Alexa-enabled smart display into a more affordable and more convenient package. This program promises to introduce “struggle-free, tinker-free, and stress-free” devices that pair quickly and easily with Alexa and Echo products. However, setting up and controlling your smart home devices with the Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) should be a breeze, thanks to Amazon’s Certified for Humans program. The Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) doesn’t ship with the Zigbee hub integration that the larger Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) includes. It also keeps the on-screen Privacy Hub controls that the first Echo Show 5 introduced. It features a built-in camera shutter and a microphone/camera off button that allows users to physically confirm the device is not watching or listening to them. The Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) continues to build on Amazon’s renewed interest in consumer privacy. Plus, it has the same 1280×800 display as the larger Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) for a higher pixel ratio per inch. It improves the smaller Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) sound quality with double speakers (two 2-inch speakers at 10W per channel vs. For example, it’s in-between the smaller size of the Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) and the arguably unwieldy size of the Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen). It takes some of the best features from the high to low ends. The Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) sits right in the middle of the Echo Show line. Display doesn’t rotate like Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen)
