Home LivingSmart HomeEcho Show 8 (3rd generation, 2023 release) review: Amazon’s best smart display yetIs the third generation of the Echo Show 8 better than the last? Find out in T3’s review…When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Beth Girdler-Maslen / T3)T3 VerdictThe third generation of the Echo Show 8 is truly Amazon’s best smart display yet. Compared to its predecessor, its redesigned audio and touchscreen sounds more powerful and adapts more intuitively to its surroundings. As a smart speaker, display, assistant and smart home hub all in one, it’s a joy and some would say a necessity to have in your home. A well deserved 5/5 stars.Reasons to buy+Smart speaker, display, hub and virtual assistant all in one+Easy to set up and use+Alexa is improved for better conversations and assistance+Impressive audio, screen and cameraReasons to avoid-The second generation is still good (and cheaper)-A little chunkyWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Home LivingSmart HomeEcho Show 8 (3rd generation, 2023 release) review: Amazon’s best smart display yetIs the third generation of the Echo Show 8 better than the last? Find out in T3’s review…When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Beth Girdler-Maslen / T3)T3 VerdictThe third generation of the Echo Show 8 is truly Amazon’s best smart display yet. Compared to its predecessor, its redesigned audio and touchscreen sounds more powerful and adapts more intuitively to its surroundings. As a smart speaker, display, assistant and smart home hub all in one, it’s a joy and some would say a necessity to have in your home. A well deserved 5/5 stars.Reasons to buy+Smart speaker, display, hub and virtual assistant all in one+Easy to set up and use+Alexa is improved for better conversations and assistance+Impressive audio, screen and cameraReasons to avoid-The second generation is still good (and cheaper)-A little chunkyWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Is the third generation of the Echo Show 8 better than the last? Find out in T3’s review…
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Beth Girdler-Maslen / T3)T3 VerdictThe third generation of the Echo Show 8 is truly Amazon’s best smart display yet. Compared to its predecessor, its redesigned audio and touchscreen sounds more powerful and adapts more intuitively to its surroundings. As a smart speaker, display, assistant and smart home hub all in one, it’s a joy and some would say a necessity to have in your home. A well deserved 5/5 stars.Reasons to buy+Smart speaker, display, hub and virtual assistant all in one+Easy to set up and use+Alexa is improved for better conversations and assistance+Impressive audio, screen and cameraReasons to avoid-The second generation is still good (and cheaper)-A little chunky
(Image credit: Beth Girdler-Maslen / T3)
(Image credit: Beth Girdler-Maslen / T3)
T3 VerdictThe third generation of the Echo Show 8 is truly Amazon’s best smart display yet. Compared to its predecessor, its redesigned audio and touchscreen sounds more powerful and adapts more intuitively to its surroundings. As a smart speaker, display, assistant and smart home hub all in one, it’s a joy and some would say a necessity to have in your home. A well deserved 5/5 stars.Reasons to buy+Smart speaker, display, hub and virtual assistant all in one+Easy to set up and use+Alexa is improved for better conversations and assistance+Impressive audio, screen and cameraReasons to avoid-The second generation is still good (and cheaper)-A little chunky
T3 VerdictThe third generation of the Echo Show 8 is truly Amazon’s best smart display yet. Compared to its predecessor, its redesigned audio and touchscreen sounds more powerful and adapts more intuitively to its surroundings. As a smart speaker, display, assistant and smart home hub all in one, it’s a joy and some would say a necessity to have in your home. A well deserved 5/5 stars.
T3 Verdict
The third generation of the Echo Show 8 is truly Amazon’s best smart display yet. Compared to its predecessor, its redesigned audio and touchscreen sounds more powerful and adapts more intuitively to its surroundings. As a smart speaker, display, assistant and smart home hub all in one, it’s a joy and some would say a necessity to have in your home. A well deserved 5/5 stars.
Reasons to buy+Smart speaker, display, hub and virtual assistant all in one+Easy to set up and use+Alexa is improved for better conversations and assistance+Impressive audio, screen and cameraReasons to avoid-The second generation is still good (and cheaper)-A little chunky
Reasons to buy+Smart speaker, display, hub and virtual assistant all in one+Easy to set up and use+Alexa is improved for better conversations and assistance+Impressive audio, screen and camera
Smart speaker, display, hub and virtual assistant all in one
Easy to set up and use
Alexa is improved for better conversations and assistance
Impressive audio, screen and camera
Reasons to avoid-The second generation is still good (and cheaper)-A little chunky
The second generation is still good (and cheaper)
A little chunky
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) deals
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TheAmazonEcho Show range consists of thebest smart speakersand the best smart displays you can buy. Since its original launch in 2017, the collection has significantly expanded, with its latest addition, the Echo Show 8 (3rd generation, 2023 release), being championed as the best Amazon Alexa smart display yet.
The third generation was announced at an Amazon product event in 2023,with promises that the new Echo Show 8 (3rd generation, 2023) would have an improved design and better audio and screen quality than before. I put the Echo Show 8 (3rd generation, 2023) to the test to see how it performs… here’s my full review and thoughts.
Echo Show 8 (3rd generation, 2023) review: Unboxing and set-up
Once set-up, the Echo Show 8 (3rd generation, 2023) will explain how it works and give you examples and tutorials on how to use it. The entire process took about 10 minutes to do and was extremely easy and painless.
(Image credit: Beth Girdler-Maslen / T3)
(Image credit: Beth Girdler-Maslen / T3)
Echo Show 8 (3rd generation, 2023) review: design and features
The Echo Show 8 (3rd generation, 2023) can be used in many different ways. Its camera and audio delivers high quality images and sound, so you can easily make video calls, listen to music and stream content using the Echo Show 8 (3rd generation, 2023). The speakers are situated at the back of the Echo Show 8 (3rd generation, 2023) and have a very rounded design to allow for clearer vocals, bass and audio. At the top of the Echo Show 8 (3rd generation, 2023) are two volume buttons which control the audio, plus a Mic/Camera off button when you don’t want to be heard.
Speaking of being heard, the Echo Show 8 (3rd generation, 2023) comes withAlexa. While you can use the touchscreen or buttons to search and adjust the display, Alexa voice control is easy to use and offers hands-free control to set timers, play songs, create shopping lists and organise your calendar. The Echo Show 8 (3rd generation, 2023) can also be used as a smart home hub, as you can pair and control compatible devices to the display with Zigbee, Matter and Thread. This puts all your security cameras, smart bulbs and other smart devices in one place for you to control and customise.
The Echo Show 8 (3rd generation, 2023) is available in two colourways: charcoal and glacier white colours.
(Image credit: Beth Girdler-Maslen / T3)
(Image credit: Beth Girdler-Maslen / T3)
Echo Show 8 (3rd generation, 2023) review: changes from the 2021 version
There are a few major differences between the Echo Show 8 (3rd generation, 2023) and theEcho Show 8 (2nd gen, 2021 release). First, the latter doesn’t have the Adaptive Content feature which gives different types of information depending on how close or far you are from the screen.
The main difference between the two displays is the design and audio technology. The Echo Show 8 (3rd generation, 2023) has a rounder bump behind the screen which gives a more modern look but can also be hidden depending on where you put your display. The Echo Show 8 (3rd generation, 2023) features redesigned audio technology which supports spatial audio and provides a wider sound experience. The Echo Show 8 (3rd generation, 2023) also has tuning features that assess its surroundings and adjusts its sound depending on the room that it’s in.
Echo Show 8 (3rd generation, 2023) review: performance
The Echo Show 8 (3rd generation, 2023) is the first Amazon smart display I’ve owned and I’ve really enjoyed using it. It can be used in so many ways, as a speaker for music, for controlling your smart home, making shopping lists, looking up recipes, and much more.
I particularly enjoyed using the Alexa voice control for easier searching and questions, but I also liked scrolling on the display’s screen to find other answers and add smart devices to it. The buttons were also a welcome addition, as were the camera cover and mic off features. Security is so important when it comes to smart home devices and I didn’t want to feel like I was being listened to all the time, so I appreciate the security measures that were in place.
(Image credit: Beth Girdler-Maslen / T3)
(Image credit: Beth Girdler-Maslen / T3)
As with most Amazon devices, Alexa was the standout feature for me. The Echo Show 8 (3rd generation, 2023) is expected to get thenew generative AI-driven version of Alexain 2024 which improves Alexa to be more conversational and easier to talk to. But, I found Alexa on the Echo Show 8 (3rd generation, 2023) to be smooth and chatty, without feeling disjointed or awkward. Alexa rarely didn’t understand what I was asking and I didn’t need to overly explain what I wanted it to do.
Echo Show 8 (3rd generation, 2023) review: price
The Echo Show 8 (3rd generation, 2023) is £149.99 / $149.99, and is available to buy atAmazon. Compared to its predecessor (thesecond generation is £119.99) and other Amazon smart displays (the most expensive being theEcho Show 15 at £299.98), this price is fairly reasonable, particularly as it’s a newer model.
Amazon regularly runs sales and generously discounts its Echo products so I expect the Echo Show 8 (3rd generation, 2023) to drop in price next year, during the Prime Day and Black Friday sales.
(Image credit: Amazon)
(Image credit: Amazon)
Echo Show 8 (3rd generation, 2023) review: verdict
The Echo Show 8 (3rd generation, 2023) is easily the best Amazon smart display on the market to date. Its improved audio is powerful and adaptive, its design is more refined and the 8-inch touchscreen is as responsive and attractive as before.
While it hasn’t had huge updates compared to its predecessor, the Echo Show 8 (3rd generation, 2023) is still an impressive smart display that lets you take more control over your daily life. I can’t imagine not having it in my house now and think it’ll be a welcome addition to many homes around the world.
Echo Show 8 (3rd generation, 2023) review: Alternatives to consider
If you’re not too fussy about audio and Adaptive Content, the Echo Show 8 (2nd generation, 2021 release) is a good alternative to consider. It’s the previous generation with much of the same features. The audio isn’t as good but it’s still an impressive smart speaker, display and hub, plus it’s cheaper.
For a similar product from another brand, theGoogle Nest Hub Maxis a 5-star smart display andGoogle’s best model yet. It has a big, bright screen that recognises your face, strong audio and video quality, and has Google Assistant at your fingertips.
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Today’s best Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) and Amazon Echo Show 8 deals
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We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
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Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen): Price Comparison
1 Amazon customer review☆☆☆☆☆
1 Amazon customer review☆☆☆☆☆
☆☆☆☆☆
$149.99View$149.99View
$149.99View
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$149.99View
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$149.99View
$149.99
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