Smart displays combine the voice control functionality of a smart speaker with a touch screen for even more utility. In addition to enabling voice-based control of smart home devices and music playback, they offer touch controls, visual information, and even video streaming. We’ve covered this category since Amazon first introduced a touch screen to an Echo in 2017, thoroughly testing every major release since then and evaluating how it looks, sounds, and functions. The Amazon Echo Show 8 is our top pick overall, but our list includes alternatives for every budget and use case. Read on for all the best smart displays we’ve tested, and be sure to visit our individual reviews for more details of each model you’re considering.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
EDITORS’ NOTE
November 13, 2025: With this update, we added the latest Echo Show 8 and the Echo Show 11. Our remaining picks have been vetted for currency and availability.
(Credit: Andrew Gebhart)
(Credit: Andrew Gebhart)
Pros & Cons
Bright, detailed, and responsive screen
Impressive, room-filling sound
Alexa+ provides conversational assistance
Supports Matter, Thread, and Zigbee
More expensive than the previous model
Cluttered interface
Why We Picked It
With an 8-inch screen, the Amazon Echo Show 8 is handy for watching the news, taking video calls, and browsing recipes, all of which is made easier with Alexa+. The fourth-generation model costs $30 more than its predecessor, but it adds a new processor for faster and smoother controls, along with Amazon’s conversational AI assistant. Alexa+ enables you to search the web, control your smart home devices, and even manage your calendar with intuitive commands.
The fourth-generation Echo Show 8 also features new front-facing speakers and a woofer, providing impressive sound for its compact size. It supports spatial audio for music and has sensors that detect when you’re in the room and your distance from the display, allowing it to tailor the information shown accordingly.
Who It’s For
The Echo Show 8 is an excellent first smart display or a centerpiece hub for Alexa users who want to try Alexa+ and don’t want to spend significantly more for a larger model. Its screen is big enough to see from across a living room, but the device is compact enough to live on a nightstand. It lets you search for recipes, play the news, and check your calendar by voice, so it makes a useful kitchen counter or desk companion.
Specs & Configurations
Screen Size
8.7 inches
Screen Resolution
1,340 by 800 pixels
Voice Control
Amazon Alexa
Physical Connections
None
Learn More
Amazon Echo Show 8 (4th Gen, 2025) Review
Pros & Cons
Tracks sleep and breathing
Intuitive interface
Excellent smart home controls
Google Assistant responds quickly
Compact design
Might attribute co-sleeper’s coughing/snoring to you
No camera for video calls
Why We Picked It
The Nest Hub is Google’s equivalent to the Amazon Echo Show 8, but also fills the Echo Show 5’s niche. It’s a little smaller (with a 7-inch screen instead of an 8-inch screen) and less expensive than the Echo Show 8, which makes it a bit more suitable for a nightstand. The device also monitors your breathing and movement at night to determine if you get enough sleep. The good news is that it doesn’t literally watch you; instead, it relies on microphones and motion sensors to track your shut-eye. The bad news is that it doesn’t have a camera, so you can’t make video calls with it.
Who It’s For
If you’re looking for a simple smart display with Google Assistant, this is the device to get. Its size and price make it suitable for any room in the house, even if its screen isn’t as large and its speaker isn’t as loud as those of the Echo Show 8.
Specs & Configurations
Screen Size
7 inches
Screen Resolution
1,024 by 600 pixels
Voice Control
Google Assistant
Physical Connections
None
Learn More
Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) Review
(Credit: Will Greenwald)
(Credit: Will Greenwald)
Pros & Cons
Large, bright display
Fast, responsive Alexa voice support
Touch-friendly interface
Why We Picked It
As a smart display for enjoying media, the Echo Hub is just OK. That’s because it’s designed to be a smart home control panel rather than a conventional smart display. It still has Alexa at its core like other Echo Shows, but it puts smart home device control front and center with an interface that’s much more friendly to touch controls than conventional smart displays. It’s also very thin, which makes it convenient for wall mounting.
Who It’s For
The Echo Hub is specifically for users who want a comprehensive smart home hub. It provides easy tap and swipe controls, allowing you to manage your smart home devices without relying on voice commands (though Alexa is still available for use). Its sleek, wall-mountable design means you can place it anywhere that’s convenient. It has tiny drivers that can’t produce loud or detailed audio, and it lacks a camera for home monitoring or video calls, so you should look to other models on this list if you want a general-purpose smart display with those features.
Specs & Configurations
Screen Size
8 inches
Screen Resolution
1,280 by 800 pixels
Voice Control
Amazon Alexa
Physical Connections
None
Learn More
Amazon Echo Hub Review
Pros & Cons
Inexpensive
Integrated Alexa voice assistant
Compact
Plenty of volume for its size
Can’t produce deep lows or crisp highs
Mediocre camera
No 3.5mm audio port
Why We Picked It
Compared with the Echo Show 8 and the Nest Hub, the Echo Show 5 is downright puny—and that’s why we like it. At $90, it’s also the least expensive smart display on this list. The 5-inch screen isn’t ideal for watching videos, but it can still display useful information and handle video calls, as well as get loud enough for you to hear what Alexa (or whoever you’re talking to) is saying.
Who It’s For
If you want to get a smart display for the lowest price, the Echo Show 5 is your best bet. It can go almost anywhere the Echo Show 8 can, though its smaller size makes it less than ideal as a living room centerpiece. It’s best for nightstands and desks, or anywhere else you can sit fairly close to it.
Specs & Configurations
Screen Size
5 inches
Screen Resolution
960 by 480 pixels
Voice Control
Amazon Alexa
Physical Connections
None
Learn More
Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen, 2023) Review
(Credit: Andrew Gebhart)
(Credit: Andrew Gebhart)
Pros & Cons
Sharp 11-inch screen
Loud, balanced sound
Alexa+ assists with conversational searches and voice commands
Supports Matter, Thread, and Zigbee
Cluttered user interface
Same exact features and sound quality as the Echo Show 8
Why We Picked It
The Echo Show 11 comes with Alexa+ built in, features dual front-facing speakers plus a custom woofer, and uses an Omnisense sensor to detect your presence. If that sounds familiar, it’s because the Echo Show 11 is functionally the same as the fourth-gen Echo Show 8, just with a bigger, 11-inch screen. Given how much we like the Echo Show 8, that’s not a bad thing at all. The Echo Show 11 boasts an even higher screen resolution, offering a clear picture even from across a large room. Like Show 8, the sound quality is excellent, and Alexa+ makes it easy to issue intuitive commands.
Who It’s For
Go with the Echo Show 11 if you want a smart display built around Alexa+ and you want to be able to watch videos or check on your security cameras from across a large room.
Specs & Configurations
Screen Size
11 inches
Screen Resolution
1,920 by 1,200 pixels
Voice Control
Amazon Alexa
Physical Connections
None
Learn More
Amazon Echo Show 11 Review
Pros & Cons
Integrates with Nest and functions as a security camera.
Supports Google Cast.
Fairly loud.
Sound quality isn’t particularly impressive.
Why We Picked It
The Nest Hub Max has a large 10-inch screen and a powerful trio of drivers (two tweeters and a woofer) that can put out strong, if not particularly clean or balanced, sound. It features a camera for video calls that also serves as a security camera. You can even control the device using gestures or conversational commands with Google Assistant.
Who It’s For
If you use Google to control your smart home and want a large-screen smart display for the kitchen or living room, the Nest Hub Max is a top pick. The 10-inch screen is perfect for watching a quick tutorial on YouTube, whether you’re trying to learn a new cooking method or video game technique. Native YouTube support (not offered on Amazon’s smart displays) makes it easy to find videos you’re looking for with a voice command. The built-in camera gives it an edge over the smaller Nest Hub if you want a Google Assistant display for video chats.
Specs & Configurations
Screen Size
10 inches
Screen Resolution
1,280 by 800 pixels
Voice Control
Google Assistant
Physical Connections
None
Learn More
Google Nest Hub Max Review
(Credit: Will Greenwald)
(Credit: Will Greenwald)
Pros & Cons
Stylish, wall-mountable design
Bright, clear screen
Improved camera
Uses the Fire TV interface
Mediocre audio quality
Doesn’t come with a table stand
Why We Picked It
The Echo Show 15 resembles a digital picture frame more than a smart display, with a design that evokes a framed painting. Its 15.6-inch 1080p touch screen is bright and sharp, perfect for showing off pictures and serving as a home hub with plenty of widgets and features. It also comes with the Fire TV smart TV interface and a physical remote, allowing you to easily watch your favorite shows and movies.
Who It’s For
The Echo Show 15 is the best smart display to use as a digital picture frame. It’s intended for hanging on the wall and isn’t suitable for placement on a desk or table.
Specs & Configurations
Screen Size
15.6 inches
Screen Resolution
1,920 by 1,080 pixels
Voice Control
Amazon Alexa
Physical Connections
None
Learn More
Amazon Echo Show 15 Review
(Credit: Will Greenwald)
(Credit: Will Greenwald)
Pros & Cons
Sharp 21-inch screen
Subtle, wall-friendly design
Uses the Fire TV interface
Versatile camera
Pricey
Mediocre sound quality
Why We Picked It
The Echo Show 21 is Amazon’s largest smart display, designed for wall mounting. It’s basically identical to the Echo Show 15, just with a 21-inch screen. It otherwise has all of the same features and specs, down to the speakers.
Who It’s For
Like the Echo Show 15, the Echo Show 21 is a good option for mounting on your wall. The choice mostly comes down to your budget and preference for size. Consider the Echo Show 21 if you have a large space on the wall to fill and are willing to spend an extra $100 for the larger screen.
Specs & Configurations
Screen Size
21 inches
Screen Resolution
1,920 by 1,080 pixels
Voice Control
Amazon Alexa
Physical Connections
None
Learn More
Amazon Echo Show 21 Review
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The Best Smart Displays for 2025
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Buying Guide: The Best Smart Displays for 2025
Amazon vs. Google Smart Displays
Amazon Alexa is available on the company’s Echo Show smart displays, including the Echo Show 5, the Echo Show 8, the Echo Show 11, the Echo Show 15, and the Echo Show 21 (all named for the size of their screens).
The Echo Show 11 (Credit: Andrew Gebhart)
With an Echo Show, you get full access to Alexa’s capabilities. These devices can show or tell you anything you want to know (within Alexa’s powers to answer). They can also play content from Prime Video and a handful of third-party services, plus give you access to a fully functional web browser. They offer touch-screen control of smart home devices and can display live feeds from compatible home security cameras as well. You can even make phone calls through them.
Google Nest Hub (Credit: Angela Moscaritolo)
Google offers smart displays: the second-gen Nest Hub with a 7-inch screen and one speaker driver, and the Nest Hub Max with a 10-inch screen and stereo speaker drivers (one woofer and two tweeters). You won’t find a web browser on either of these devices, but you can access YouTube, live TV via YouTube TV, Netflix, and Disney+, as well as music through YouTube Music, Apple Music, Spotify, and others. All Google smart speakers and smart displays are also compatible with Google Cast, so you can easily stream media to them from any compatible mobile app.
The expected informational and smart home features are also available. You can also make phone calls with these smart displays and video chat through Google Meet (available on the Nest Hub Max only).
Both Amazon and Google are in the process of upgrading their respective smart home voice assistants to full large language models (LLMs), Alexa+ and Gemini. These new systems promise to be more conversational than Alexa and Google Assistant, so you won’t have to be so precise and formal in how you word requests. They also enable new features, such as setting up automated smart home routines by simply describing them. The 2025 Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 11 are the first two smart displays to debut with Alexa+ built in.
Is a Tablet Better Than a Smart Display?
Amazon’s Fire HD tablets feature Show Mode, which enables them to function similarly to the Echo Show. It’s a functional solution and a handy option if you want your Fire HD to remain functional while it charges.
However, the sound quality of the tablets isn’t nearly as good as that of the Echo Show devices, and they lack the sense of permanence that a smart display offers. They also don’t charge wirelessly, and Amazon doesn’t offer charging docks for them.
Recommended by Our Editors
Pixel Tablet with Speaker Dock (Credit: Eric Zeman)
Google’s Pixel Tablet (with its Speaker Dock) also attempts to bridge the gap between tablets and smart displays, so it’s worth considering if you want something that works as both types of devices.
Does Apple Make a Smart Display?
It took Apple a few years to dip its toe into the smart speaker arena with the HomePod (now in its second generation) and the more budget-friendly HomePod mini. Whether Apple will ever release a dedicated smart display remains to be seen. For now, you can use your iPad or iPhone on a stand and just talk to Siri or get an Apple TV and speak into the remote, but that’s as far as it goes.
If you want a bigger screen than a smart display to show you information and movies, take a look at our list of the best TVs. If the screen size is right, but you want to be able to take it on the go, start shopping for one of our favorite tablets.
