Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) vs. Nest Hub (2nd Gen): Which should you buy?

If you already know that you prefer either Amazon or Google's voice assistant, choosing between the Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) vs. the Nest Hub (2nd Gen) is easy. But if you're unsure which is the best smart speaker, there are several things to consider. Both smart displays are excellent options and will serve you well in your home, but they have different strengths and limitations that make them better suited for different uses. Let's take a deeper look into the Echo Show 5 vs. Nest Hub.

Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) vs. Nest Hub (2nd Gen): The specs

Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) vs. Nest Hub (2nd Gen): Price and features

One of the biggest cons of the Nest Hub (2nd Gen) is the price. While it isn't expensive as far as other smart displays go, and the starting MSRP is $50 less than the previous generation, it's currently listed as $15 more than the Echo Show 5. However, even though it doesn't feature a camera, it offers plenty of other features that make it worth the cost, as we discovered in our review.

The second-generation Nest Hub features Google's Soli radar technology, which allows the bedside device to monitor your sleep patterns discretely and give you results the next morning. This sleep-tracking method is far less invasive or uncomfortable than wearing a smartwatch or having some other kind of tracker attached to your pillow or mattress. The only real downside is that while initially free, the service moves behind a subscription paywall at the end of 2022.

Using the same Soli technology mentioned above, Nest Hub (2nd Gen) users can control their smart displays from a bit of a distance by using hand gestures and motions. This is ideal for "swiping" through recipe cards, photos, or music, but our reviewers commented that it's not always 100% accurate.

Despite not having a camera, you can still make and receive video calls on the Nest Hub. It's a little strange since the person you're talking to won't be able to see you, but not having a camera also makes it so no one can hack into your camera and spy on you. 

In addition, your calls, podcasts, and music will sound better than the first-generation Hub, thanks to an improved speaker configuration. If the lack of a camera is a deal-breaker, you might be interested in the larger Nest Hub Max, which does feature a camera.

Unlike the Nest Hub (2nd Gen) or even the Lenovo Smart Clock 2, the Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) features a camera, so those you talk to during video calls can see your face. The camera has even been upgraded from the first generation, upping the quality to 2MP from just 1MP last go-round. 

If you plan to use your smart display to make many video calls, Alexa's mini Echo Show might be the right option. Though those who are concerned with privacy can feel a bit more relaxed using the Echo Show 5, as there is a built-in camera cover over the lens and you can manually turn off the microphone and camera if you'd like.

After asking for directions to a specific location, Nest Hub (2nd Gen) will show the route on the screen and send the directions to your smartphone via Google Maps. Super easy, right? By comparison, when we tested this feature during our review of the Echo Show 5, we found that it will only tell you how long it should take to get to your destination and won't send any maps to your smartphone. Nest Hub (2nd Gen) is the more convenient device in this regard.

In addition to making calls, you can use the Echo Show 5 to view Alexa-compatible security camera feeds from cameras like the Wyze Cam Outdoor. If you also happen to have a Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2, you'll be able to see who's on your porch as well as talk to them.

As with the Echo Show 5, you can also view and monitor smart camera feeds with the Nest Hub (2nd Gen), however, it works with fewer camera devices than Amazon's speaker. If your home is already covered with Nest devices, like the Nest Hello video doorbell or the Nest Cam, then this won't be a problem. Still, if you have a different smart security camera brand, you may not be able to view camera feeds on the display. Again, this is an area where the Echo Show 5 excels since it works with a wider range of security cameras.

Nest Hub connects with Google Photos and turns your display into a digital photo frame. The Echo Show 5 can also display photos, but as with the Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen), it isn't as good of an experience as the Nest Hub (2nd Gen) provides using Google Photos.

Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) vs. Nest Hub (2nd Gen): Design

At 7 inches, the screen on the Nest Hub is 1.5 inches larger than the Echo Show 5's. It might not seem like a lot, but it does make activities like streaming YouTube videos and following recipes more convenient. The resolution is also better on the Nest Hub, so you'll be able to see more details when watching shows and movies.

The 5.5-inch screen on the Echo Show 5 is about the size of an average smartphone, which is an inch and a half smaller than the Nest Hub's screen. This is both a pro and a con. A smaller screen makes the device more compact and thus helps it to be more portable. However, the screen size might not be as helpful in some situations, like when you're watching a show or following a recipe.

Additionally, the resolution is lower on the Echo Show 5 and less than what you'd find on the average smartphone. Given that the viewing area isn't that big, this might not affect you very much, but it's still disappointing that it's not up to scratch with an average smartphone's screen resolution.

Amazon also made the odd decision to remove the 3.5mm headphone jack, along with keeping the same MediaTek MT8163 processor. While it's unlikely that you're going to run into performance issues soon, that could change down the road with future software updates to add more robust and power-hungry features.

Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) vs. Nest Hub (2nd Gen): Privacy concerns

Google devices only record when you're talking to them or when you specifically ask them to record. You don't have to worry about the Nest Hub (2nd Gen) continually recording everything that gets said in your home, but for added peace of mind, you can still mute the mic by pressing a physical button on the back of the device. You can manually review and delete recordings through your online Google account, and even set it up to do this automatically.

People are understandably concerned about their best smart home devices recording things they say. You can now delete conversations with the Echo Show 5 too by asking Alexa to delete what you just said, delete everything you said today, or delete your entire voice history. 

Additionally, you can go into the Alexa app and opt-out of training the A.I. with your recordings or manage and delete your recordings manually. If the thought of recordings makes you uncomfortable, you can press a button and turn off the microphone and camera when not in use. For additional information check out the Amazon Privacy Hub.

Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) vs. Nest Hub (2nd Gen): Enjoying your media

Google's YouTube control is a big reason to choose the Nest Hub (2nd Gen) over the Echo Show 5. The Nest Hub (2nd Gen) displays YouTube beautifully and allows you to search for specific videos by voice command. This gives you access to a lot of information, whether it's a how-to video, a recipe video, or entertainment. By comparison, Amazon's device can access YouTube through a browser, but it doesn't work nearly as well, and you won't be able to search for specific videos via voice command.

If you've paid for an Amazon Prime subscription, then you can easily stream Prime Video shows and movies onto your Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen). It also makes it easier to order items directly from Amazon. There's more to see than Prime Video, however. Check out this list of live TV services that you can watch on an Echo Show.

Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) vs. Nest Hub (2nd Gen): Which should you buy?

These are both quality displays that can help you manage your smart home devices, look up recipes, stream shows, and do several other things. Overall, the Nest Hub (2nd Gen) offers the best smart speaker features since it gives you a better YouTube experience, displays photos better, and can help track your sleep. 

The Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) is a great contender too, especially given the low price and built-in camera. If you already have Alexa devices set up in your home, it's an excellent display to use. It's also slightly less expensive, features a camera, and works with several smart home devices. It makes it easier to stream shows and movies from Prime Video or order products from Amazon. However, the clunky YouTube usage and fewer touchscreen controls make it a slightly less convenient device than the Nest Hub (2nd Gen).

The Nest Hub (2nd Gen) is a wonderful device for any home, especially those that already feature Google devices. This display might not have a camera, but you can still make video calls. It connects easier to YouTube and allows you to better search for YouTube videos via voice command. We love how it sends directions directly to your phone, so you don't have to look them up yourself. 

And the new sleep detection and motion controls that the Soli sensor enables are really cool enhancements to an already great product. In the end, the many convenience features it offers make it a better choice than the Echo Show 5.