As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
In this post, I provide a thorough comparison of the newly updated Echo Show 8 vs 5 smart displays from Amazon, both of which I own.
A Choice Between the 8” or 5” Echo Shows
Let me get this out of the way right up front. I am an early Alexa adopter with twelve Echo devices throughout my home.
The Echo Show 8 has been my favorite for years, and I just ordered two of the new 2025 models. I will be retiring my 3rd Gen and 2nd Gen units to replace the two Echo Show 8s on my bedside tables.
Apparently, I’m in good company. According to Precedence Research, the global smart display market is expected to surpass $34.6 billion by 2032, with Amazon’s Echo line leading in adoption.
If you’re short on time and want the cliff notes, here’s a summary of major differences between Echo Show 8 vs 5:
The Echo Show 8 (2025) offers a sharper 1340×800 display, spatial audio, a 13 MP auto-framing camera, the faster AZ3 chip and a built-in smart home hub. The Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) keeps its compact 5.5 inch screen, 2 MP camera, improved bass, AZ2 processor and a small-space design ideal for desks and nightstands.
Let’s dive into a comparison table of key specifications.
Echo Show 8 vs 5 Comparison Table
Here’s a side-by-side breakdown of the key specs of the Echo Show 8 vs 5.
Last update on 11/26/2025 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Echo Show 8 Mini Review
Best for Bedside Brilliance
Key Specs
- 8.7″ HD touchscreen (1340 × 800)
- 13 MP camera with auto-framing
- Custom woofer + stereo speakers with spatial audio
- AZ3 Pro chip for faster performance
- Built-in Zigbee, Matter & Thread hub
I’ve had the Amazon Echo Show 8 on both of my bedside tables for a few years now-one 2nd Gen, one 3rd Gen. It’s my go-to Echo Show device for weather, routines, and quick video content while winding down at night.
Echo Show 8s Beside My Bed
The size feels just right: larger than an Echo Dot, but still unobtrusive. I bought a third-party silver metal stand for each, and it makes them look far more refined than sitting flat on the table.
Comparing Echo Show 8 vs 5, the newest Show 8 is snappier, sounds noticeably better, and the upgraded camera is a real step up for Zoom calls and Drop-In video chats. It also adds auto-framing (which digitally tracks and centers your face during video calls without moving the screen), and it works surprisingly well in everyday use.
This larger display has my strongest recommendation when comparing Echo Show 8 vs 5.
Pros
- Great screen size for bedside use
- Excellent camera and mic for Zoom calls
- Clear, room filling sound with stronger bass
- Built-in smart home hub
- Strong value for the price
Cons
- No Fire TV built in
- No rotating display like the Echo Show 10
- Slightly bulky compared to the Show 5
🎥 My Video Review
I’ll unbox the latest model soon! Here’s is my video review of the Amazon Echo Show 8 3rd Gen that I published on my @TecTimmy YouTube channel:
Where to Buy
You can pick this up over at Amazon. Click on the green button below to check the latest sale price.
Amazon Echo Show 8 features an 8.7-inch HD display, rich spatial audio, and full Alexa+ in the newest 2025 model.
Echo Show 5 Mini Review
Best for Compact Spaces
Key Specs
- 5.5″ touchscreen (960 × 480)
- 2 MP camera with physical shutter
- 1.65″ speaker with enhanced bass
- AZ2 Neural Edge processor
- Compact design, fits almost anywhere
I’ve got my Echo Show 5 sitting on the top-left corner of my desk. It’s a small, smart display with just enough screen to glance at the weather, manage Alexa routines, and stream background video content. As the most compact Amazon Echo Show device, it blends in where larger screens would feel intrusive.
Echo Show 5 on My Desk
Third-party stands are also available if you want to raise the device and give it a more polished, elevated look.
The new Echo Show 5 is punchier than before, especially in sound, but let’s be clear: the audio coming out of this little speaker isn’t going to blow anyone away. If sound quality matters to you, in comparing Echo Show 8 vs 5, the Show 8 is a much better option. That said, the Show 5 is great for desks, smaller spaces, or as a secondary display where audio isn’t the priority.
Pros
- Affordable, space-saving design
- Better sound than previous models
- Faster AZ2 processor
- Perfect for desks, shelves, or nightstands
- Works well as a secondary smart display
Cons
- Sound quality is still tinny and lacks bass
- Low-resolution screen
- Basic 2 MP camera
- No auto-framing or smart home hub
🎥 My Video Review
Here’s my unboxing, setup and review of the Echo Show 5. I’ll get a video review comparing the Echo Show 8 vs 5 up soon as well, so please subscribe!
Where to Buy
You can pick this up over at Amazon. Click on the green button below to check the latest sale price.
Amazon's smallest Echo Show display and is ideal for small spaces like a shelf or desk.
Quick Buyer’s Guide
At first glance, the Echo Show 8 vs 5 may look nearly identical, just scaled differently. But don’t be fooled by the similar wedge-shaped designs. When it comes to screen size, sound quality, camera hardware, and everyday usability, the differences between the Echo Show 8 vs 5 are more meaningful than they appear.
Let’s break it down.
Design
Both devices follow the same classic Amazon Echo Show silhouette: touchscreen on the front, angled back for stability on any flat surface. Obviously in comparing the Echo Show 8 vs 5, the Show 5 is the smaller model with a 5.5-inch 960×480 display. The Echo Show 8 increases the size to an 8-inch screen with a sharper 1340×800 resolution, which is much better for photos, Alexa widgets, and smart home controls.
They’re both available in Charcoal and Glacier White. In comparing Echo Show 8 vs 5, third-party stands still make a big visual difference for both models and help with sound quality and screen positioning.
Video Quality
This is where the Echo Show 8 vs 5 difference becomes immediately clear. The Echo Show 8 offers a more immersive screen for video content, smart home camera feeds, and Alexa interfaces. The Echo Show 5 works fine for checking the weather or calendar, but its smaller size and lower resolution limit its appeal for anything beyond quick glances.
Camera
In the camera department, the Echo Show 8 vs 5 matchup is no contest. The current Echo Show 8 includes a 13 MP camera with auto-framing, which is a strong upgrade for Zoom calls, Drop-Ins, or security check-ins. The Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) still uses a basic 2 MP camera and doesn’t support auto-framing, which limits its usefulness in video chats.
Both devices do include a physical privacy shutter, so you can disable the camera manually whenever you like.
Audio
If you’re comparing the Echo Show 8 vs 5 for audio quality, the Echo Show 8 wins by a mile. With dual 2″ speakers and a passive bass radiator, it offers fuller, room-filling sound that works great for music, podcasts, and videos.
The Echo Show 5’s single 1.65″ speaker is improved over past generations, but it’s still best suited for alarms, timers, and Alexa’s voice, not immersive listening.
Final Verdict: Echo Show 8 vs 5
If you’re choosing between the Echo Show 8 vs 5, both are solid Alexa displays, but the Echo Show 8 delivers noticeably better sound with spatial audio, a larger screen, and a far more capable camera.
- Choose the Echo Show 8 if you want better audio, a sharper display, spatial audio, or plan to use it for video calls or streaming.
- Choose the Echo Show 5 if you need something compact and affordable for basic tasks in smaller spaces.
If budget allows, go with the Echo Show 8. It’s absolutely worth the upgrade.
Or if you want to go bigger check out this blog post I wrote comparing the larger Echo Show 11 vs 10.
Oh, and if you’re interested in getting a stand, check this blog post I wrote on the best Echo Show stands for every model.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tim Brennan
Tim Brennan, a tech blogger and YouTuber @TecTimmy, writes about smart homes at oneSmartcrib, home theaters at UniversalRemoteReviews, and AI in writing at Writeinteractive. He holds a Journalism degree from Northeastern University and has covered technology for well over three decades. He lives on the ocean in Massachusetts.
Enjoy this? Then you’ll love my YouTube channel. Please subscribe for a fun take on tech with a side of humor. Subscribe