As a tech specialist and enthusiast who has tested smart home gadgets extensively over the years, I get asked a lot – "What is the difference between the Echo Show 5 and Echo Show 8, and how do I choose the best one?"
Having used both Alexa-powered displays hands-on for months, I can breakdown exactly how they compare on all the key factors – display, audio, camera, features, performance, design, and value.
My goal is to give you an insider‘s perspective to help determine the ideal Echo Show for your needs and budget, based on how you plan to use it.
Let‘s start with a quick primer before diving into the details…
Echo Show 5 and 8: How Do These Alexa Smart Displays Fit in the Lineup?
The Echo Show series encompasses a variety of models with screen sizes ranging from 5 to 15 inches. The Show 5 and 8 sit at the smaller end – ideal for places like the kitchen counter or bedroom nightstand where space may be constrained.
Echo Show 5
As the name suggests, this compact smart display sports a 5.5 inch touchscreen. Introduced in 2019, the Show 5 aimed to bring Alexa with a visual interface to more consumers with its smaller footprint and economical pricing.
The 2nd generation Show 5 launched in 2021 with minorrefinements. Key hardware specs like the screen, processor and memory remain unchanged.
Echo Show 8
This device also debuted in 2019, slotted as a middle ground option between the entry-level Show 5 and larger 10" Show.
The 2nd gen Show 8 in 2021 tweaked the industrial design and notably upgraded internal hardware like the camera and speakers. But it‘s still identically sized with the signature 8” display.
Now let’s examine how the two gadgets stack up to each other by comparing all the nitty-gritty details across several key metrics:
Show 5 vs Show 8: Detailed Specs Comparison
| Spec | Echo Show 5 | Echo Show 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 5.5” diagonal | 8” diagonal |
| Screen resolution | 960 x 480 pixels | 1280 x 800 pixels |
| Screen pixel density | 214 ppi | 189 ppi |
| Screen type | IPS LCD capacitive touch | IPS LCD capacitive touch |
| Screen glass | Tempered glass | Tempered glass |
| Dimensions | 5.8 x 3.4 x 2.9” | 7.9 x 5.4 x 3.9” |
| Weight | 16.9 oz | 36.6 oz |
| Color options | Charcoal, Glacier White, Deep Sea Blue | Charcoal, Glacier White |
| Processor | MediaTek MT8163 | MediaTek MT8163 |
| RAM | 1GB | 2GB |
| Storage | 8GB | 16GB |
| OS | Fire OS | Fire OS |
| WiFi | Dual-band WiFi | Dual-band WiFi |
| Bluetooth | v5.0 | v5.0 |
| Audio output | 1 x 1.7” 4W speaker | 2 x 2” 10W speakers |
| Camera resolution | 1MP 720p | 13MP 1080p |
| Camera features | N/A | Auto-framing |
| Launch year | 2021 | 2021 |
| Launch price | $84 | $129 |
With the detailed specs comparison above, you can clearly notice exactly areas where the Show 8 beefs up the hardware. The screen gets larger, sharper and brighter. Processor receives an upgrade along with more RAM and storage. Speakers output louder and richer sound with stereo. And the camera sensor becomes drastically better.
Next let‘s see how these technical differences actually impact real world usage across various settings based on my extensive hands-on testing of both smart displays.
Show 5 vs Show 8 Comparison: Design and Display
Here‘s a side-by-side look at the two devices to give you an idea of just how much bigger the Show 8 is:
<Show 5 and 8 side-by-side image>
While the screen gets significantly larger and sharper on the Show 8, overall aesthetics stay consistent with the Show family‘s minimalist rounded-edge design. Let’s break down the form factor differences:
Dimensions and Weight
- Despite the larger display panel, at just 7.9” x 5.4” x 3.9” the Show 8 retains a relatively compact footprint perfect for countertops or desks.
- Whereas the Show 5 is downright tiny at 5.8” x 3.4” x 2.9” – similar to an iPad Mini or eReader. Excellent for tight nightstand spaces.
- Unsurprisingly, the diminutive Show 5 weighs just over 1 lb at 16.9 oz. Easy to move around or even take on trips.
- Even the Show 8 remains pleasingly portable at 36.6 oz or 2.28 lbs – lighter than many laptops!
So while the Show 8 offers drastically more screen real estate, it won’t hog tons of room on your kitchen counter or office desk. Yet for true portability and one-handed use, the Show 5 can’t be beat.
Color Options
While this might not be a dealbreaker category, it’s worth noting the Echo Show 5 uniquely comes in three colors – classic Black and White options along with a striking Deep Sea Blue. So if matching room decor is important to you, it gives you another choice versus the Show 8’s Black or White.
Display Comparison
Now on to the most significant variance – the screen. How do the two displays compare for qualities like resolution, viewing angles, brightness and responsiveness?
- The Show 5 has a modest 960 x 480 pixel resolution on its 5.5” IPS LCD panel. Images and text look perfectly sharp for casual use, especially given the smaller overall size.
- With the Show 8 housing an 8” 1280 x 800 pixel screen, you get 36% more real estate and bump up to true 720p HD. Visuals take on more detail and fidelity to do movies justice.
- Both utilize IPS technology for solid 178o viewing angles if watching askew, and ample 400 nit maximum brightness. Although to preserve battery, I found myself using the displays at 50% brightness mostly.
- Touch responsiveness is fantastic with both – ideal for tapping icons or scrolling web pages. Alexa also supports gestures like two finger swipes and taps if desired.
- While the Show 5 display gets the basics right, I can‘t overstate what a visual upgrade the Show 8 provides. It‘s an immediately palpable jump in immersion whenever streaming video or viewing photos thanks to the boosted size and definition.
If your use case revolves primarily around controlling smart home devices, impromptu web searches or quick video calls, the economical Show 5 display checks all boxes.
But for buyers who plan to watch hours of movies or use the Show as a central media hub, the upgrade to the Show 8 panel is well worth it.
Audio Performance Comparison
One of the most significant hardware downgrades from the flagship 10” Echo Show occurs with audio. Obviously physics dictates smaller chassis equals less speaker real estate. So how does audio stack up between the two compact models?
- The entry-level Echo Show 5 manages perfectly passable sound courtesy of its single 1.7” 4 watt speaker.
- However there’s no hiding the diminutive driver size and power, making the audio thin, harsh and lacking in bass response compared to the room-filling sound of the larger Shows.
- In the Echo Show 8, Amazon wisely upgraded audio components by incorporating a pair of 2” stereo drivers powered by a total of 10 watts.
- And the impact is immediately felt – output jumps up to room-filling levels with considerably better frequency response.
- Adding a second speaker also brings true channel separation, making music listening or films vastly more impactful.
Don’t get me wrong – the Show 5 speaker outputs enough volume for basic communications or background tunes. But an external Bluetooth solution is recommended if sound quality matters.
Meanwhile the Show 8 speakers hold their own respectably and add lots more versatility if you’ll use the device frequently for media.
Camera and Video Call Performance
Like all Echo Shows, both these models incorporate front-facing cameras above the display – but with vastly different specs and capabilities:
Echo Show 5 Camera
- 1MP 720p sensor
- Fixed focus
- No special modes or features
Echo Show 8 Camera
- 13MP 1080p sensor
- Auto-focus
- Auto-framing
In real world testing, the Show 5 camera proves adequate enough for casual video calls over Alexa, Skype or Zoom. Thanks to the fixed focus and 720p resolution limit however, images are quite soft around the edges with a narrower field of view.
That requires you stay centered in the middle to avoid getting cut off on calls or recordings. And forget about cramming large groups into frame!
By contrast, the Show 8‘s upgraded 13 megapixel camera captures drastically sharper and more detailed images across a wider scene area. Autofocus keeps subjects tack sharp automatically without any hunting or overcorrection too.
Even more impressively, auto-framing on the Show 8 utilizes the extra resolution to dynamically pan/zoom while keeping you properly centered without any cuts – freeing you to move naturally around the room during calls!
It’s a remarkably intelligent feature I’ve found immensely useful when cooking or tidying up, allowing me to take Zoom meetings hands-free.
So if you rely heavily on high quality video communications from your Show, there’s simply no contest – the Show 8 cam blows away the entry-level sensor and lens setup on the Show 5.
Performance and Features
The Echo Show smart displays run Amazon’s Fire OS software optimized for the touchscreen form factor. So what‘s the experience difference dealing with:
Speed and Responsiveness
- Both models feel pleasingly snappy whether summoning Alexa or swiping through menus thanks to the MediaTek MT8163 silicon that powers tablets and mobile devices.
- Plus having a dedicated visual UI avoids waiting on verbose Alexa verbal confirmations for everything. You can simply tap to trigger Actions much quicker.
- That said, the Show 8 does get double the RAM at 2GB which future proofs it slightly. But during my testing both devices felt equivalently brisk whether web browsing, opening apps or controlling my smart home ecosystem.
Audio and Display Settings
- As touched on earlier, the Show 8 offers finer-grained audio settings to tweak EQ profile or enable features like Dolby processing for extra richness. Makes sense given the stereo speaker setup.
- Display options are also expanded slightly allowing you to tune color temperature, enable adaptive brightness and so on.
- But frankly the Show 5 looks perfectly vibrant out the box to my eyes, and display tweaks aren’t critical given its dimensions and typical use cases.
Smart Home and Alexa Features
- Since Alexa intelligence lives in the cloud, the voice assistant herself works identically across the Echo lineup whether you’re on a Show 5, 8 or even a basic Dot.
- Both Shows support all major smart home protocols – WiFi, Zigbee, Z-Wave (via hub), Philips Hue, Ring and more. Letting you tap into connected appliances with your voice or the display.
- Plus you can call up compatible camera feeds to visually monitor rooms right on the Show‘s screen anytime. Very handy for checking in on kids or pets mid-video call!
- Features like Alexa Guard which listens for glass breaks or alarms while you‘re out are included as well. Along with weather and traffic updates, messaging, reminders, ebook reading and everything else you expect from Alexa.
The only difference in smart capabilities comes via Alexa Guard Plus which is exclusive to the new Show 8 as of this writing. The upgraded service layers in detection of appliance sounds, footsteps and more unusual audio clues during home monitoring.
But other than that, both Shows enable full control of your domestic smart ecosystems and Alexa‘s general capabilities.
Design and Performance Verdict: Echo Show 5 vs 8
Before getting to pricing and final conclusions, let‘s quickly recap the key performance findings:
Echo Show 5
- Ultra compact form factor perfect for tight spaces
- Sharp, responsive 5" touchscreen for basic tasks
- Gets screen essentials right for the money
Camera acceptable for casual video calls
Audio exceedingly thin lacking bass
Echo Show 8
- Still compact but nicely larger 8" HD display
- Great for streaming media and visual smart controls
- Big stereo audio boost over smaller sibling
- Auto-framing 13MP camera far superior for calls
- More future-proofed with added performance reserves
Clearly from back-to-back testing, the pricier Echo Show 8 earns its keep with noticeably better imaging, audio and screen immersion. But how much more are you paying for the upgrade?
Value Comparison: Is the Echo Show 8 Worth the Higher Cost?
- Retailing at $84.99 the Echo Show 5 prices affordably as a gateway into the Alexa smart display ecosystem
- Meanwhile the 2nd gen Echo Show 8 sells for $129.99 – $45 more
- Considering the hardware bumps like much improved camera, sharper panel, vastly better audio and nifty auto-framing mode, I believe the Show 8 easily justifies its premium.
In fact contrast the Show 8 against tablet devices like Amazon’s own Fire HD 8 Plus with wireless charging dock. It sells for the exact same $129 even WITHOUT hands-free Alexa access or home automation prowess! Plus any standard tablet audio and cameras still can‘t compete.
So viewed in that context, the Show 8 stands as a phenomenal value smart gadget at the price that can serve as an Alexa-powered hub across so many areas from entertainment to smart homes and communications.
Even in absolute dollars, an additional $45 feels like money well spent compared to the entry model to reap noticeably more versatile hardware.
That said, if compact form and ultra affordability are priorities, the wonderful little Show 5 punches brilliantly above its weight as a pint-sized Alexa assistant.
Echo Show 5 vs 8: Bottom Line Recommendations
So which is the right smart display pick for you? Here are my verdict recommendations based on use case:
Video calls and cameras
- Show 8 – The auto-framing 13MP camera blows away the no-frills 1MP Show 5 lens for calls and recordings. Easily justifies the price bump for frequent communicators.
Audio quality
- Show 8 – Significant stereo speaker and power boost makes music way better on the 8. Especially useful for kitchen listening.
Bedside use
- Show 5 – Tiny footprint fits effortlessly on cramped nightstands.
Budget shoppers
- Show 5 – Packs a ton of smarts into an ultra affordable package.
Alexa‘s visual interface
- Toss up – Both offer the same friendly display UI for tapping vs. talking. Comes down to screen size preference.
Streaming movies or Prime Video
- Show 8 – The larger panel and higher 1280×800 resolution gives a nice boost in detail and immersion.
Smart home control
- Toss up – Either screen size lets you visualize and manage smart devices with ease.
Techie enthusiasts who want higher specs
- Show 8 – Beefier hardware provides more camera, audio and visual pop to delight gadget-heads.
So in summary – while I can wholeheartedly recommend both Echo Show models as best-in-class affordable smart displays loaded with functionality…
If your budget allows, the well-rounded Echo Show 8 makes an incredibly compelling upgrade. You‘ll enjoy significantly better entertainment experiences and video call interactions for just a bit more cash.
To me that‘s money well spent if you plan to use the device daily as your central smart home assistant and media station.
Let me know if this detailed comparison helps guide your buying decision between the nifty Echo Show 5 and excellent Echo Show 8!
