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In this article, I’ll compare the new Echo Show 8 vs 11 smart displays with Alexa+ built it to help you choose the right one for your needs and budget.
Battle of the Alexa+ Shows
I’ve owned nearly every Echo Show since the original 1st Gen launched, including multiple Echo Show 8 devices and the Echo Show 10 that lived in my kitchen for years. That long history makes the jump to Amazon’s new 11-inch model for my kltchen a no-brainer for me-sleeker design, sharper visuals, fuller sound, and noticeably faster Alexa+ responses.
BUT, could the Echo Show 8 make for a good kitchen device for video calls, recipes and whatnot? Are there use cases for the Show 11 in other parts of your home?
Apparently, we’re not the only ones asking these questions. Interest in the Echo Show 8 vs 11 matchup has hit a fever pitch over at Amazon and out in the forums. And according to Technavio market research, smart display adoption continues to expand as Alexa and other AI assistants handle more home automation, routines, and real-time conversational tasks.
The choice about the latest new Shows isn’t an easy one for Alexa fans: both models get meaningful upgrades, but does the Echo Show 11’s larger screen size, slightly better audio, and more immersive display justify the added expense?
Key Takeaways
Here are the key takeaways for the Amazon Echo Show 8 vs 11 best smart displays matchup.
- Display size & clarity. The Echo Show 11’s larger Full-HD screen gives more viewing area; the Echo Show 8 keeps a compact 8.7″ HD touch display for smaller spaces.
- Performance, audio & camera. The Echo Show 11 offers smoother performance, fuller audio from its full-range drivers, and a centered 13 MP camera; the Echo Show 8 delivers solid speed and the same 13 MP camera in a smaller frame.
- Size & placement. The Echo Show 11 suits kitchens and living rooms, while the lighter Echo Show 8 fits desks and shelves and still supports Alexa routines, smart home devices, and core Alexa Plus features.
Echo Show 8 vs 11: Specification Comparison
Here’s a quick, skimmable look at Echo Show 8 vs 11, highlighting the differences that matter most for choosing the right Alexa+ display.
Last update on 12/05/2025 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Echo Show 8 (4th Gen): Initial Impressions
Key Specifications
- Display: 8.7″ HD touch screen
- Processor: AZ3 Pro chip
- Camera: Centered 13 MP
- Audio: Spatial audio with full-range drivers
- Smart Home: Thread, Zigbee, Matter hub
In the Echo Show 8 vs 11 comparison, I’ve been using the Echo Show 8 for about a week now, and the jump in responsiveness is immediately noticeable. The 8.7-inch HD display is sharper than the previous model, and the AZ3 Pro chip with ai accelerator speeds up day-to-day use and Alexa+ routines.
Wi-fi radar presence detection reacts quickly when I enter the room, and the smart home dashboard loads faster with smoother touch screen controls. As a smaller echo show, it still feels like a major upgrade for bedrooms, desks, offices, or dorm room setups.
It’s compact yet capable, with audio quality that’s more impressive than older Echo speakers of its size.
Echo Show 8s Beside My Bed
Pros
- Sharper 8.7-inch HD display with new features
- Faster AZ3 Pro chip and ai accelerator
- Strong audio performance for a smaller echo show
- Quick wi-fi radar presence detection
- Useful smart assistant for shopping lists and routines
Cons
- Smaller screen limits video content immersion
- Narrower sound stage than larger echo show
- Knit fabric design feels less premium overall
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 Get It
The new Echo Show 8 has a vibrant HD 8.7" display with spatial audio and Alexa+ AI for smarter conversations.
Echo Show 11: Initial Impressions
Key Specifications
- Display: 11″ Full-HD touch screen
- Processor: AZ3 Pro chip (enhanced thermal headroom)
- Camera: Centered 13 MP with auto-framing
- Audio: Spatial audio + 2.8″ woofer
- Smart Home: Thread, Zigbee, Matter hub
While evaluating Echo Show 8 vs 11, I still have the Echo Show 10 on my kitchen counter, and I’m genuinely on the fence about replacing it. The new 11-inch screen is a major upgrade – brighter, wider viewing angles, and far more immersive for video content, recipes, and prime video.
The AZ3 Pro chip offers faster wake word responses and cleaner voice commands, and the redesigned 2.8-inch woofer delivers impressive sound quality with deeper bass. The 13-megapixel camera handles video chat smoothly with improved framing, making this one of the more polished of Amazon’s smart displays.
If you want a small TV feel in your kitchen or living room, this larger display easily becomes a true control center for smart devices.
Echo Show 10 on My Kitchen Counter (Echo Show 11 pic coming soon!)
Pros
- Vibrant 11-inch display with wider viewing angles
- Stronger audio quality with 2.8-inch woofer
- Faster AZ3 Pro chip for voice commands
- Excellent 13-megapixel camera for video chat
- Ideal smart home dashboard for larger rooms
Cons
- Larger display takes more counter space
- No swivel support like the older model
- Higher price point than smaller echo show
Video Review
Here’s an unboxing video that I did of my Echo Show 10 over at my @TecTimmy YouTube channel. This is very similar to the new Show 11 model.
Where to Get It
The Echo Show 11 runs on Amazon’s new AZ3 Pro chip with Alexa+ for faster, smarter performance.
FAQs
1. Which model is better for everyday use in the Echo Show 8 vs 11 matchup?
Both models handle everyday smart speaker tasks well, but the Echo Show 11’s larger screen makes weather updates, Visual ID, and Ring cameras easier to see from across your own home. The Echo Show 8 with its 8-inch screen still feels like a conventional smart display and a big improvement over previous Echo Shows overall.
2. How useful are the Mute button and Physical Camera Shutter for privacy?
In the Echo Show 8 vs 11 comparison, the Mute button and Physical Camera Shutter are crucial for privacy, especially for uploading & non-users. When they are engaged, clear indicators on the Home screen show relevant information. You can still use the Alexa app or web browser confidently, knowing microphones and cameras are truly disabled.
3. Which model is better for smart home control in the Echo Show 8 vs 11 comparison?
Smart home enthusiasts will see similar smart home protocols on both models, but the larger Echo Show 11 pairs better with Echo Hub scenes and dashboards. Its extra space fits more tiles, shortcuts, and new Echo Show devices. The Echo Show 8 still offers responsive touch controls powered by the new AZ processor inside too.
4. Is the audio upgrade meaningful between these two Echo Shows?
Compared with previous Echo Shows or an Echo Dot Max, both models deliver stronger audio performance, but the Echo Show 11 sounds fuller and more spacious. In the Echo Show 8 vs 11 decision, its tuning borrows ideas from the new Echo Studio, while the Echo Show 8 stays balanced for music, podcasts, and news.
5. Will Black Friday pricing meaningfully affect which Echo Show I should buy?
Black Friday can reshape the Echo Show 8 vs 11 decision because Amazon promises aggressive discounts on the latest Echo Show bundles. New displays, Picture Frame widgets, and other new Echo Show devices often see steep cuts. If you can wait, many shoppers pre-order today or upgrade once those limited-time offers finally appear online there.
6. How does the new Alexa experience differ between Echo Show 8 vs 11?
The new Alexa feels quicker and more conversational on both models, but the Echo Show 11 displays more information at once, making suggestions clearer. In the Echo Show 8 vs 11 comparison, the larger layout helps new Alexa features shine. It resembles a Nest Hub upgrade, offering smoother routines and smarter visual responses overall.
7. Can either model replace a Nest Hub for smart home dashboards in the Echo Show 8 vs 11 comparison?
Yes-both can. In the Echo Show 8 vs 11 matchup, their improved smart home dashboards, new Alexa features, and cleaner device tiles make them strong Nest Hub replacements. The Echo Show 11’s larger display surfaces more details at once, while the Echo Show 8 keeps things compact but still handles essential controls confidently across your own home.
Echo Show 8 vs 11: Verdict
When comparing Echo Show 8 vs 11, each latest Echo Show serves a different kind of setup in your own home.
- Get the Echo Show 8 if…
You want a fourth-gen Echo Show with an 8-inch screen, simple touch controls, quieter volume controls, and strong smart home protocols in smaller rooms. It’s ideal if you prefer a compact conventional smart display that still feels like a big improvement over previous Echo Shows and other bedside smart speaker options. - Get the Echo Show 11 if…
You want a larger display that acts more like a small TV, with richer audio performance, wider viewing angles, and more space for Ring cameras tiles, Picture Frame widgets, and smart home dashboards. It’s the better choice for smart home enthusiasts who want an Echo Hub–style control center on the kitchen counter or in the living room.
In the end, the Echo Show 8 vs 11 decision comes down to space and priorities: choose the Echo Show 8 for compact versatility and quieter corners, or move up to the Echo Show 11 if you want your main Alexa screen to double as a room-filling display and control center, especially around Black Friday deals.
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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.
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