Head-to-head · Best Smart Displays

Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) vs Google Nest Hub Max

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 (4.1 vs 3.8). The gap is mostly about kitchen-focused users seeking affordable smart display — read the strengths below before deciding.

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 →

Ranked #6 in Best Smart Displays

Google Nest Hub Max

3.8

Google Nest Hub Max offers a premium smart display experience with robust Google Assistant integration, superior audio quality, and photo display features. CNET called it a bigger, better version of the standard Nest Hub, emphasizing its enhanced capabilities. However, the device's $229 price tag and included camera raise concerns for some users. The YouTube reviewer noted its powerful assistant functionality and good sound quality after six months of use, though acknowledged the camera as a potential privacy issue. This device is ideal for users seeking a feature-rich smart display but may not suit budget-conscious buyers or those uncomfortable with camera inclusion.

Strengths

— Powerful Google Assistant integration with wide range of voice commands
— Excellent sound quality for music and podcast playback
— Google Photos integration with photo display capabilities

Watch-outs

— Higher price point at $229 USD
— Camera raises privacy concerns for some users

Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

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.

Google Nest Hub Max

The Google Nest Hub Max offers superior sound quality and photo display features compared to the Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) which has a more affordable price point, but it's significantly more expensive than the Lenovo Smart Display 10 with its bamboo build. Unlike the Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen), it lacks the compact design and doesn't support the same level of smart home integration as the Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) with its motorized camera.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Amazon Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen)	Google Nest Hub Max
Screen Size	8 inches	10-inch
Resolution	1280x800 pixels	1280 x 800
Audio	dual 2.0-inch speaker drivers with a passive bass radiator	Good quality
Camera	18 megapixels	Included
Processor	MediaTek MT8183	1.5 GHz 64-bit quad-core ARM® Cortex™ A53
Power	15 W	30 W power adapter
Display Type	—	Smart display: 10" HD touchscreen
Connectivity	—	Wi-Fi for high-performance streaming, Bluetooth® 5.0, 802.15.4 (at 2.4 GHz)

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