Echo Show 8: My Review
Smart sound, centered calls, and total home control. See why I love this $150 Amazon upgrade.
Shop NowI’ll admit it when I first heard about the Echo Show 8, I thought, do I really need another screen in my house? But after spending a few weeks using it daily in my kitchen, I can honestly say it’s one of the best smart home upgrades I’ve made in years.
Between managing a busy household, homeschooling, and running my content creation business, I’m always looking for tools that add value without taking up mental energy. And the Echo Show 8? It quietly does both with better sound, smarter visuals, and surprisingly helpful features I didn’t expect.
Here’s my honest review, the good, the “meh,” and whether it’s worth the buy.
First Impressions: It’s Sleek but Unassuming
Out of the box, the Echo Show 8 fits right in with my home’s aesthetic. The 8” HD touchscreen isn’t oversized, and the design is minimal and modern. I set it up in the kitchen, and right away it became part recipe assistant, part music player, and part family connection hub.
What I Love (a lot):
1. The Sound Quality is Actually Amazing
Let’s talk about the spatial audio. It’s legit. Whether I’m playing music while I clean, or watching one of my favorite shows while cooking, the sound fills the space without sounding “boxy.”
Plus, it uses room adaptation technology which means it analyzes your room and adjusts playback automatically. No fiddling with settings. It just works.
2. Video Calls Feel Like FaceTime with Extra Features
The 13 MP camera is clear, and the auto framing means I can move around the kitchen and still stay centered on screen. Great for chatting with family while prepping dinner.
Bonus: It includes noise reduction, which helps when your background is loud (ask me how I know).
3. It’s a Smart Home Powerhouse
The new Echo Show 8 includes a built in smart home hub, so I can control my smart plugs, lights, and security cameras without needing a separate device or app.
The Top Connections widget puts my most-used devices and contacts front and center, which is a nice touch.
4. “Alexa, Show Me My Photos”
This is such a simple thing, but I love having it scroll through family photos. It makes the kitchen feel more personal.
What Could Be Better:
- The camera cover: I do love the privacy shutter, but I wish it had a stronger snap or magnet, sometimes it slides too easily.
- Some features require digging through settings: for example, customizing widgets isn’t as intuitive as I’d like. But once it’s set up, you rarely need to touch it.
Is It Worth Buying?
If you already use Alexa, or you’re looking for a smart device that does a little bit of everything well, the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) is 100% worth it, especially for around $150 or less on sale.
It’s one of those rare devices that feels both practical and joyful. It’s a speaker, video call center, smart home hub, digital frame, recipe finder, and daily assistant all in one neat little screen.
Want to See It in Action?
I filmed a full unboxing in my kitchen.
Watch the YouTube video here →
Shop the Echo Show 8 + My Favorite Smart Home Essentials
– Smart Plugs I Use for Lights & Appliances
– Wi-Fi Camera for Checking in at Home
– Echo Clock (works with timers!)
If you’re trying to make your home smarter, calmer, or more connected, this little device checks all the boxes.
Let me know in the comments: Do you use Alexa in your home? What’s your favorite smart home upgrade so far?
#ad #commisionsearned ( If you click on any of the Amazon links in this blog, realize that I am an Amazon Associate and I earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.)
