The Echo Show 5 and the Echo Show 8 (2025) are both Alexa smart displays, but they’re built for different jobs. The Show 5 is a compact 5.5-inch display that works well as a smart alarm clock, while the Show 8 has an 8.7-inch screen, a 13MP auto-framing camera, stereo speakers with a woofer, and a built-in Zigbee, Matter and Thread smart home hub. Pick the Show 5 for a nightstand or a small budget, and the Show 8 if you want a display for the kitchen or living room that can also run your smart home.
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Echo Show 5 vs Echo Show 8 at a Glance
Echo Show 5 vs Echo Show 8: The Key Differences
Screen size
The Echo Show 5 has a 5.5-inch display, big enough for the time, weather, timers and a quick look at a video doorbell.
The Show 8 steps up to an 8.7-inch HD touchscreen with over a million pixels, according to Amazon. The extra room makes it a better fit for recipes, video calls and streaming.
Camera
The Echo Show 5 has a 2MP camera for video calls, with a built-in camera shutter.
The Show 8 has a 13MP camera with auto-framing and zoom, so it can keep you centered as you move around during a call.
Sound
Amazon says the Echo Show 5 has 2x the bass of the previous Show 5.
The Show 8 has front-facing stereo speakers and a custom woofer, and Amazon says it delivers up to double the bass of the previous Echo Show 8. It’s the better pick if you plan to play music on it.
Smart home hub and sensors
The Show 8 has a built-in smart home hub with Zigbee, Matter and Thread support, so it can connect compatible devices without a separate hub. Its Omnisense sensing can trigger routines based on things like temperature and presence. If those three names are new to you, see our guide to Matter, Thread and Zigbee.
Amazon lists the Echo Show 5 among the Echo devices that support Matter, but not as a Zigbee hub or Thread border router.
Chip and Alexa+
The Show 8 runs on Amazon’s AZ3 Pro chip, while the Echo Show 5 uses the older AZ2 Neural Edge processor. Amazon labels both displays as designed for Alexa+.
Price
The Echo Show 5 sells for around $100, and the Show 8 for close to $200. For a bedside clock, the Show 5 covers the basics for much less.
What they have in common
Both are Alexa smart displays with touchscreens, both handle video calls, both stream music and video, and both can rotate a slideshow of your photos when idle. Both can show live video from compatible cameras and video doorbells. Both have a microphone and camera off button.
Echo Show 5 vs Echo Show 8 Comparison Table
| Feature | Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) | Echo Show 8 (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen | 5.5-inch display | 8.7-inch HD touchscreen, over 1 million pixels |
| Camera | 2MP, built-in shutter | 13MP, auto-framing with zoom |
| Speakers | 2x the bass of the previous Show 5 | Front-facing stereo speakers plus custom woofer; up to 2x the bass of the previous Show 8 |
| Chip | AZ2 Neural Edge | AZ3 Pro |
| Smart home hub | Matter support only; no Zigbee or Thread listed | Built-in hub: Zigbee, Matter and Thread |
| Room sensing | Not listed | Omnisense (temperature, presence) |
| Photo frame | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Nightstand, desk, small budgets | Kitchen, living room, smart home control |
Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Generation) Details
The Echo Show 5 is the compact, budget-friendly pick. Its 5.5-inch screen is a good fit for a nightstand or desk, where it works as a smart alarm clock that can also show the weather, run timers, make video calls and display your photos.
Product Features:
- 5.5-inch display
- 2MP camera with a built-in camera shutter
- 2x the bass of the previous Echo Show 5
- AZ2 Neural Edge processor
- Streams Amazon Music, Spotify and Prime Video
- Microphone and camera off button
Amazon Echo Show 8 (2025) Details
The Show 8 has an 8.7-inch screen, a 13MP auto-framing camera and a built-in Zigbee, Matter and Thread smart home hub. New for this model are front-facing stereo speakers with a woofer, Amazon’s AZ3 Pro chip and Omnisense room sensing.
Product Features:
- 8.7-inch HD touchscreen
- 13MP auto-framing camera with zoom
- Front-facing stereo speakers plus a custom woofer
- Built-in smart home hub with Zigbee, Matter and Thread
- Omnisense sensing for temperature and presence routines
- AZ3 Pro chip
Amazon Echo Show 8 (2025)
The Verdict: Show 5 for the Bedroom, Show 8 for the Kitchen
Buy the Echo Show 5 if you want a smart alarm clock for the bedroom or a small display for a desk, and you want to keep the cost down.
Buy the Show 8 if you want a display for the kitchen or living room: the bigger screen is better for recipes and video, the stereo speakers and woofer add bass, and the built-in Zigbee, Matter and Thread hub can run your smart home without extra hardware.
Echo Show 5 vs Echo Show 8 FAQ
What’s the difference between the Echo Show 5 and Echo Show 8?
Size and capability. The Show 8 has the bigger screen, a 13MP camera against 2MP, stereo speakers with a woofer and a built-in smart home hub. The Show 5 is smaller and costs about half as much.
Is the Echo Show 8 a smart home hub?
Yes. Amazon says the Echo Show 8 (2025) has a built-in smart home hub with support for Zigbee, Matter and Thread.
Which is better for a bedroom?
The Echo Show 5. Its compact 5.5-inch display fits on a nightstand and works as a smart alarm clock, and it has a built-in camera shutter.
Which is better for video calls?
The Echo Show 8. Its 13MP camera has auto-framing and zoom, while the Echo Show 5 has a 2MP camera.
Is the Echo Show 8 (2025) different from the previous Echo Show 8?
Yes. The 2025 redesign added an 8.7-inch screen, front-facing stereo speakers with a custom woofer, the AZ3 Pro chip and Omnisense sensing, and Amazon says it delivers up to double the bass of the previous Echo Show 8.
In Summary
For a nightstand or a tight budget, the Echo Show 5 is the better fit. For a kitchen or living room display that can also be your smart home hub, the Show 8 is worth the extra money.
