Echo Show 8 vs. Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen): Which should you buy?

Over the past few years, Amazon has updated and expanded its Echo Show line with devices coming in three different sizes. The original Echo Show and Echo Show (2nd Gen) at 10 inches were the first such devices, followed by an Echo Show 5 at 5 inches and the Echo Show 8 coming in at — you guessed it — 8 inches. In late 2020 we were introduced to a new form factor in the Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen), which replaced the discontinued Echo Show (2nd Gen). The Echo Show 5 became a huge hit, lauded by consumers and reviewers alike, so Amazon figured it would bridge the gap with this the Show 8 version. Now that we have two bigger Echo Shows to choose from, which one should you get? Let's compare the Echo Show 8 vs. the Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) to see which comes out on top.

Echo Show 8 vs. Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen): Echo showing more than ever

Source: AmazonPictured: Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen).

Smart home screens with speakers have become an important category for the likes of Amazon and Google, with companies like Facebook and Lenovo coming up with interesting products in this space as well. Amazon started the trend with the Echo Show (1st and 2nd Gens) and then continued with the Echo Spot, and now the Shows 5, 8, and 10. Why would you want one of these Echo Shows over the other? Let's start by looking at the specs to see how they differ.

	Echo Show 8	Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen)
Size	7.9-inch x 5.4-inch x 3.9-inch	9.9-inch x 9-inch x 6.7-inch
Weight	36.6 oz	90.3 oz
Screen	8.0-inch with 1280x800 resolution	10.1-inch with 1280x800 resolution
Speakers	2 x 2-inches @ 10W per channel	2 x 1-inch tweeters and 1 x 3-inch woofer
Dolby processing	No	No
Camera	1MP	13MP
Camera controls	Built-in camera shutter and microphone/camera off button	Built-in camera shutter and microphone/camera off button
Smart home support	Yes with Certified for Humans program	Yes with Zigbee hub

The Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) certainly has a lot going for it in this face-off. It's got a larger display for a better viewing experience, and it has slightly larger and improved speakers that are capable of outputting directional sound to better fill the space you're listening in. It also has a much better 13MP front-facing camera for video chats and features a built-in Zigbee hub for improved smart home controls.

With its unique rotating display, the Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) can follow you around a room to provide you with an uninterrupted view of the screen, which is perfect for reading a recipe while working in the kitchen or keeping your moving toddler in the frame during a video call. You can even take over the camera remotely through the Alexa app and use the Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) as an on-demand home security camera when you're away from the house. This is the Echo Show to get if you have plenty of counter space or only want to have one Echo in the house. Now that the Echo Shows once again have YouTube support and exclusive Food Network content, you'll never be bored with this big box!

The Echo Show 8 was Amazon's fourth attempt at perfecting the Echo Show line, and it has certainly taken all of the good parts of the previous products and combined them into a really solid smart screen device. With the Echo Show 8, you get the same high-quality HD screen from the larger Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) with speakers that are actually pretty good. You also get the enhanced privacy features first introduced on the Echo Show 5 and now on the Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) like a physical camera shutter and on-screen Privacy Hub controls.

You could argue that the Zigbee hub integration, which was necessary at one point to help pair with other smart products, on the older Echo Show (2nd Gen) and Echo Plus (2nd Gen) devices is not nearly as important as it was when those devices were first released. This is particularly true with Amazon introducing a new Certified for Humans program to make smart home device pairing, setup, and control much easier and more seamless than ever before. So really, then the decision between these two devices comes down to three main factors: screen size, price, and additional features and functionality.

Echo Show 8 vs. Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen): Just Show me which one to get

Source: Andrew Martonik / Android CentralPictured: Echo Show 8.

While the Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) is a fantastically advanced device and has a lot of advantages over the older Echo Show 8, I still feel like the Show 8 wins out as the better Alexa speaker for most people. The size of the Echo 10 (3rd Gen) is just too big for most of the places I'd want to put it in my home, while the 8 is just small enough to make sense in my spaces. While the rotating screen on the Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) can be very useful and is respectful of your privacy since it isn't capable of facial recognition, I can certainly see how some people would be a little creeped out by it. With the same image resolution on a smaller screen, the pictures and videos are that much crisper on the Show 8.

Right now, you can even pick up an Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 5 bundle for cheaper than the Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen). Amazon continues to offer deals on the Echo Show 8, so if you see it on sale, grab one. You won't be disappointed.