Head-to-head · Best Smart Displays

Amazon Echo Show 15 vs Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen)

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) comes out ahead by a narrow margin (3.9 vs 4.1). The gap is mostly about kitchen-focused users seeking affordable smart display — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #5 in Best Smart Displays

Amazon Echo Show 15

3.9

$299.99as of Jul 9

Amazon's second-generation Echo Show 15 offers an upgraded audio experience and camera compared to its predecessor, while maintaining the same core functionality as the larger Echo Show 21. The device includes a new Alexa remote for easier Fire TV navigation and supports personalized content through voice or facial recognition. TechRadar noted that while the 15 is a family hub designed to be a smart assistant with Alexa, it shares identical internals with the Echo Show 21, making it a more premium version of the same device. This product is best suited for users seeking a smart home hub with integrated voice control and personalized media experiences.

Strengths

— Improved built-in speaker quality
— Sharper and better built-in camera
— Includes dedicated Alexa remote for navigation

Watch-outs

— Identical internals to Echo Show 21 despite different screen size
— Designed primarily as family hub with limited standalone functionality

$299.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Smart Displays

Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen)

4.1

$179.99as of Jul 9

TechRadar reviewed the Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) and noted its 8-inch LCD display with 1280x800 resolution as well-suited for kitchen use, particularly for cooking tutorials and media viewing from 5-6 feet away. The improved audio quality was highlighted as a positive feature. However, the packaging was criticized for being excessive. YouTube reviewer Art from Futex praised the screen size for kitchen use and setup simplicity, though mentioned subtitle readability as a drawback. This device is best for users seeking a mid-sized smart display for active kitchen spaces rather than those preferring smaller bedroom models.

Strengths

— 8-inch LCD screen with 1280x800 resolution provides clear visuals for videos and tutorials
— Improved audio quality makes it suitable for both music and voice commands
— Easy setup process that doesn't require a phone nearby

Watch-outs

— Excessive cardboard packaging waste
— Subtitle readability is poor on the screen

$179.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Amazon Echo Show 15

The Amazon Echo Show 15 shares identical internals with the Echo Show 21, making it essentially a premium version of the same device, unlike the Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) which offers a more affordable mid-sized option with better kitchen usability. While it improves audio and camera quality, it lacks the standalone functionality that makes the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) more versatile with its spheroid design and stereo speakers.

Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen)

The Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) stands out for its kitchen-friendly 8-inch screen and simple setup process, unlike the Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) which focuses on compact design and faster processor. While it's more affordable than the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) with its spheroid design and spatial audio, it lacks the advanced smart home hub capabilities and privacy features found in the newer models.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Amazon Echo Show 15	Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen)
Screen Size	15 inches	8 inches
Display Type	Flat touch screen	—
Resolution	1,920 x 1,080	1280x800 pixels
Audio	Improved built-in speaker	dual 2.0-inch speaker drivers with a passive bass radiator
Connectivity	2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth	—
Camera	Built-in camera with facial recognition	18 megapixels
Processor	Amazon AZ2 Neural Edge processor	MediaTek MT8183
Power	30W power adapter	15 W

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