The Amazon Echo Show 15 (2024) serves as a family hub with its 15-inch HD touchscreen and integrated Alexa voice assistant. PCMag's Will Greenwald noted its improved built-in speaker and sharper camera, while gadgetguy.com.au highlighted its versatility in mounting options and user identification features. The device supports personalized content for multiple family members through voice or facial recognition. However, reviewers pointed out that the sound quality, though improved, remains secondary to dedicated audio equipment. This smart display is best suited for households seeking a central smart home control point with visual interface, rather than audiophiles or those needing premium audio.
Full review
Screen real estate and mounting options
gadgetguy.com.au found the Amazon Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen) to be a substantial display that dwarfs smaller competitors like the Google Nest Hub Max, making it ideal for households where visibility from across a room is essential. The 15.6-inch Full HD screen with 1920×1080 resolution provides crisp visuals and ample space for widgets and calendar views. The device is designed for wall mounting, with a supplied square-shaped bracket that allows for rotation but not screen orientation. The mounting system is straightforward, though the optional adjustable stand costs $169.95, which is significantly more than the original $49.95 kickstand. The screen dimensions are 257.3 mm wide by 407.9 mm high and 35.8 mm deep, weighing 2.25 kg. This large footprint makes it a strong contender for kitchens or living areas where it can serve as a central hub.
The Ambient noted that the Echo Show 15's design remains largely unchanged from its predecessor, maintaining a sleek black frame with a matte white border. The camera has been relocated to the center of the top bezel, though it now appears as a square rather than a circular design. The device supports both landscape and portrait orientations, offering flexibility in how it's displayed. While the screen is sharp and suitable for video content, the overall build feels more like a computer monitor or small TV, especially when paired with the optional desktop stand. The mounting bracket is identical to the first-gen model, though the new version is slightly wider at 41 cm compared to the original's 40.7 cm, with the same depth of 3.6 cm and weight of 2.2 kg.
Camera and privacy features
The Ambient reported that the Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen) features a 13MP wide-angle camera with auto-framing capabilities, a significant upgrade from the original model. The camera is positioned centrally on the top bezel and includes a physical privacy shutter that blocks the lens when closed. This privacy feature is a key selling point for users concerned about surveillance. The camera quality is described as enhanced, supporting better video calls and facial recognition features. However, the camera's square design is noted as less aesthetically pleasing than the circular lens of the previous model. Users who prefer to keep the camera open for features like Visual ID must leave the privacy shutter open, which may be a concern for some privacy-conscious individuals.
edinburghwithkids found that the camera's placement and functionality are crucial for family use, especially when it comes to video calls and smart home monitoring. The Echo Show 15's camera supports auto-framing, which helps keep users centered during video calls, making it more user-friendly than previous models. The physical shutter provides a tangible way to ensure privacy, which is appreciated by families who use the device for both personal and household communication. The camera's performance is adequate for most use cases, though it's not as advanced as dedicated video conferencing devices.
Smart home integration and connectivity
The Ambient highlighted that the Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen) is now a full smart home hub, supporting Matter, Zigbee, and Thread protocols, which were missing in the original model. This upgrade allows it to control a wider range of smart devices and act as a central coordinator for home automation. The device supports Wi-Fi 6E, ensuring faster streaming for Fire TV content and smoother performance with multiple connected devices. It also includes built-in smart home controls, allowing users to manage security cameras, lighting, heating, and other smart home features directly from the screen. The inclusion of Zigbee support makes it a more complete solution for users who want to centralize their smart home ecosystem.
choose.co.uk emphasized that the Echo Show 15 supports a wide range of smart home protocols, including Zigbee, Thread, and Matter, making it a versatile hub for integrating various smart devices. The device can act as a central control point for smart home routines, security cameras, and lighting. It also supports multiple user profiles with Visual ID, which allows personalized content and home screens based on who is standing in front of the device. This feature is particularly useful in households with multiple users, as it tailors the interface to individual preferences. The device also supports Bluetooth, A2DP, and AVRCP, allowing for wireless audio streaming.
Audio performance and entertainment
The Ambient reported that the Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen) features two 2-inch woofers and two 0.6-inch tweeters, delivering improved audio quality compared to the original model. The speakers are capable of producing clear, balanced sound, though they are not as powerful as those found in dedicated sound systems. The audio performance is sufficient for casual use in a kitchen or living room, supporting music, podcasts, and background noise while cooking. However, the sound quality is described as average, and users may want to supplement with external speakers for a richer listening experience. The device also supports Fire TV streaming, with access to apps like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and NOW, making it a good entertainment center.
choose.co.uk noted that while the audio quality is adequate for casual use, it's not exceptional and works best when paired with Bluetooth speakers. The device's speakers are suitable for watching shows, listening to music, or playing background noise, but they lack the depth and clarity that audiophiles might expect. The screen is bright and crisp, making it ideal for watching content, and the widget layout is clean and customizable. The entertainment features are extensive, with support for multiple streaming platforms and the ability to play content across multiple speakers simultaneously.
Widget customization and usability
edinburghwithkids found that the Echo Show 15 excels in family organization, with customizable widgets for calendars, shopping lists, to-do items, and smart home controls. The interface is user-friendly and responsive, making it easy for family members to update schedules, manage tasks, and control smart devices. The shared calendar feature is particularly praised for its ability to keep everyone informed about schedules and activities. The device also supports photo frames, which cycle through family pictures when not in active use. The widget gallery allows for easy rearrangement of content, ensuring that the most important information is always visible.
gadgetguy.com.au emphasized that the Echo Show 15's widget-based home screen is highly customizable, with options for calendar, recommended music, smart home favorites, and more. The ability to change and rearrange widgets using the Widget Gallery makes it easy to tailor the interface to individual needs. The device also supports Visual ID, which personalizes the home screen based on who is standing in front of it. This feature enhances usability for households with multiple users, as each person can have a customized experience. The interface is described as intuitive and responsive, with no reported issues with touchscreen performance.
Setup and user experience
choose.co.uk reported that setting up the Echo Show 15 is straightforward and should take around 10 to 15 minutes. The process includes connecting to the home Wi-Fi network and establishing an Amazon account. Users can customize the home screen layout, widgets, and background settings after initial setup. The device also supports Visual ID, which detects who is standing in front of the screen and offers a personalized home screen. The installation template and screws included in the box make mounting easy, and the device can be positioned either horizontally or vertically. The setup process is described as simple and efficient, with minimal technical knowledge required.
The Ambient noted that the Echo Show 15 (2nd Gen) comes with a comprehensive setup guide and includes all necessary components for mounting or placing on a stand. The device supports multiple user profiles with Visual ID, which enhances personalization and usability. The interface is clean and customizable, with a wide range of widgets available for different purposes. The device also supports Fire TV, which allows for streaming content from various platforms. The setup process is described as user-friendly, with clear instructions and minimal technical challenges.
Price and value proposition
The device is positioned as a premium smart home hub, offering more features and capabilities than its predecessor. However, the device's capabilities, including smart home integration, enhanced camera, and improved audio, justify the higher price for users who need a comprehensive smart display. The device is also competitively priced compared to other smart displays in the market.
gadgetguy.com.au noted that the price increase from the original Echo Show 15 to the second generation is $20 in the US, or $32 in Australia, which is modest compared to the upgrades offered. The device's value proposition lies in its enhanced features, including better audio, improved camera, and smart home capabilities. The inclusion of Zigbee support and Matter compatibility makes it a more complete smart home hub, which is particularly valuable for users who want to centralize their smart home ecosystem. The device's large screen and wall-mounting capability make it ideal for kitchens and living rooms where visibility is important.
Strengths
- +Features a 15-inch HD touchscreen display with sharp image quality
- +Includes a built-in camera with facial recognition for personalized content
- +Equipped with an improved built-in speaker for better audio performance
- +Supports wall mounting or stand use with vertical and horizontal orientation options
Watch-outs
- −Sound quality, while improved, still lags behind dedicated soundbars or speakers
- −Limited to a single user identification method (voice or facial recognition)
How it compares
The Echo Show 15 offers a larger 15-inch display than the Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) and includes facial recognition for personalized content.
Rating sources
Our 3.8 score is the average of the 4 scored reviews above; 4 more reviewed it without printing a score and are not in the average. More about methodology.
