Comparison of our favorite smart displays
More smart displays we love
Echo Hub for $180.: Echo Hub It's not exactly a smart display. It lacks powerful speakers and doesn't have a calling camera or Amazon Drop-In video calling feature. Instead, it focuses entirely on a smart home dashboard with Alexa built-in, as well as features like widgets and a photo frame. I think it takes the best and most easy-to-use features of a smart display and eliminates everything else. But if you want a good speaker, don't choose this one.
Echo Show 5 (3rd generation, 2023) for $90.: The smaller and cheaper third-generation Echo Show 5 has a 5.5-inch screen that works best on a desk or bedside table. We think it's too small for a kitchen or living room, but that depends on how you plan to use it.
Echo Show 15 for $300: It's the largest of them all, with a 15.6-inch display and customizable widgets so you can access smart home device controls and calendar reminders at any time. It can be wall-mounted like a TV (the stand is sold separately), and the Show 15 can be paired with a Fire TV remote (you can use the app) to use streaming features. I like it a lot better with the new Alexa+ and it's much less distracting than the rotating slideshows you see on smaller echo shows. However, it's a waste of money and I still wish the streaming options were better.
Google Nest Hub for $100: Google second generation Nest Hub is a great option if you don't need a camera and don't mind a smaller 7-inch screen. It has an alarm that simulates sunrise for milder mornings, although it's not bright enough to qualify as a sunrise alarm. He also has sleep tracking technology to track the quality of your sleep, although the quality of the results is not very good. It also supports gestures such as playing or pausing a video using hand movement– with the help of unique radar technology.
Google Pixel tablet for $499.: This tablet doubles as a smart speaker when placed on the speaker dock. It works well, but there are currently no plans for Google's new Gemini for Home assistant. If anything changes, we will return to the recommendations. But we're not sure that will happen: the availability of the speaker base is limited, and this could indicate a complete discontinuation of this device.
Smart Displays You Should Miss
We don't like all smart displays. Here are the ones we skip after trying them out.
Echo Show 10 (3rd generation, 2021) for $250.: This smart display sits on top of a large cylindrical speaker that delivers great sound. The screen physically rotates, following you around the room as you use it, keeping you in frame while you video chat, or keeping streaming workout videos in your line of sight as you move. Because the screen moves so much, you may have trouble fitting it into tight spaces, especially in corners. This is a unique model and is still out of stock, just like this summer. I suspect a new thing is coming Echo Show 11 ($220) could replace it since it has a similar design (but doesn't have the movement tricks).
Google Third Party Displays: Google is I don't update the software anymore for some third-party smart displays that we've recommended in this guide. If you have it, it will still work, but some features will likely suffer or disappear completely over time. This seems to be the fate of most third-party Google smart displays, so we no longer recommend them. Google has said it will work with partners to bring Gemini for Home to third-party devices, so we'll see how that goes.
What about Alexa+ and the new Echo shows?
Amazon accidentally releases a new version of Alexa. named Alexa+in early access since spring. The second generation of Alexa is more conversational, capable of performing complex tasks and learning new information, and can be much more personalized. This will be due to the fact that it runs on generative artificial intelligence. Check our hands-on experience with Alexa+ early access to learn more about our experience.
Unlike the current Alexa, once it's fully available it will cost $20 per month, or free if you have an Amazon Prime membership. It's a big jump from the free assistant, but you can keep your current version of Alexa for free if you don't need another subscription or don't have an Amazon Prime membership. It's also only available in Early Access for Echo Show devices at the moment. You can sign up for the waitlist here.
However, Alexa+ will be immediately available on the newest devices launching this fall. There will be two new smart displays: Echo Show 8 (4th generation) And Echo Show 11and two new smart speakers, Echo Dot Max And Echo Studio (2nd generation). We're interested in how the new models will compare to our current favorites, and we'll update this guide once we've tested them.
It's also important to note that Alexa+ has forced privacy changes for all Echo devices. Previously, Echo devices could process voice recordings locally on your device, but the “Don't send voice recordings” privacy feature was disabled in March. Now all voice recordings will be sent to Amazon needs to be processed for the Alexa+ feature to work, but even if you end up not using Alexa+, the feature will disappear.
What about Gemini for Home and Google smart displays?
Amazon isn't the only one releasing a new version of its assistant. Gemini for Home is Google's similar AI-powered smart assistant. it will replace Google Assistant in almost every speaker available. Unlike Amazon's new assistant, Gemini for Home will be free, but Google is changing its Nest Aware subscription to one designed for both video storage and more powerful assistant features.
Google will also release a new speaker in the spring, but there are no plans for a new smart display yet. The new Assistant will appear across Google's entire existing lineup, with the exception of the Google Pixel Tablet, which we no longer recommend as there are no current plans to support the new Assistant. Google said it plans to work with third-party partners to bring Gemini for Home to more devices, so we may see new third-party displays we can recommend again. We'll update this guide as we learn more, but for now, the Google Nest Hub Max and Nest Hub are the best smart displays you can buy if you want access to the new Google Assistant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a smart display?
Smart displays are useful: They serve as hubs for your smart home devices, guide you through recipes while you're cooking in the kitchen, and in some cases, allow you to video chat hands-free. But we're not sure how long they'll be worth it or even last in their current form. Companies experiment and abandon smart displays time and time again; Meta has discontinued its Portal devices, Google may be discontinuing its beloved Pixel Tablet, and Apple still hasn't even created a smart display.
Amazon continues to release new smart displays even after losing $10 billion in 2022 thanks to glitches around the Alexa voice assistant. The Alexa team was reportedly hit hard by layoffs in 2022 and 2023, but new smart displays have continued to arrive since then, with even more planned for release this fall: the Echo Show 8 (4th generation) and Echo Show 11.
The future of these smart home devices is now unclearbut if you are going to buy one, we recommend using devices directly from the brand whose voice assistant you prefer. Otherwise, consider one of our favorite tablets instead of.
Does Apple have a smart display?
Until now, Apple has yet to release its own dedicated smart display. Apple iPhone devices have a standby mode included in iOS that is activated when the iPhone is on its side and charged using stands e.g. this is from Twelve South. I was hoping this feature looks like a smart displaybut the standby mode is limited to customizable watch faces, photo display, and text display in large text that fills the screen. It doesn't get rid of all the features that a smart display has, but instead feels like unusual alarm clock.
What about digital calendars?
There's a growing market for digital calendars, which are a bit like smart displays, but instead of responding to voice commands and broadcasting video calls, these digital screens are designed to provide one shared calendar that the entire family can see and view. Skylight, maker of one of our favorite digital photo frames, offers Skylight Calendar (from $170) which comes in 10 inches, 15 inches and 27 inches while I was testing Hearth Display ($699) it comes exclusively in the 27-inch size. Cozyla also makes the Cozyla Calendar+, which starts at 15 inches but goes up to 36 inches.
There are some differences in these calendars, but you will find a similar obstacle in them: membership. Hearth Display recommends using the display to create a routine with your family, especially children, although you'll want to have a child older than my 2-year-old use it properly (though Hearth does have icons designed for kids who can't read yet), and sign up for a family membership. The Skylight offers a photo screensaver and meal planning tools if you sign up for the monthly Plus plan.
You may find that these devices are meant for you, but it's either another device that one parent can manage or something you'll have to teach your whole family to make a habit of it to really get the most out of it. You're probably better off just teaching everyone in your family to share their Google Calendar.
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