Amazon’s fourth-generation Echo Show 8 and new Echo Show 11 are largely the same smart display in two sizes. The Echo Show 8 is the better default choice because it costs less and fits more easily on a counter, desk, or nightstand. The Echo Show 11 is worth the extra money mainly when you need a larger screen for calendars, recipes, camera feeds, video calls, or viewing across a shared room.
Both launched in the US on November 12, 2025, following Amazon’s September 30 announcement. Neither has the Echo Show 10’s rotating display, and neither appears to include a physical camera shutter.
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The short verdict
- Buy the Echo Show 8 for most kitchens, bedrooms, offices, and smaller rooms.
- Buy the Echo Show 11 for a kitchen island, living room, or family space where people will view the screen from several feet away.
- Do not buy either expecting an Echo Show 10 replacement. The cameras can auto-frame callers, but the display does not physically turn.
- Treat Alexa+ as the main strategic change. The redesign is intended to make these displays ambient AI and smart-home command centers, not simply larger Alexa screens.
Amazon’s reported US launch prices were approximately $179.99 for the Echo Show 8 and $219.99 for the Echo Show 11. Prices change frequently, so check the Echo Show 8 product page and Echo Show 11 product page for current pricing.
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Echo Show 8 vs. Echo Show 11
| Feature | Echo Show 8 | Echo Show 11 |
|---|---|---|
| Positioning | Compact smart display | Larger shared-room display |
| Screen | Approximately 8.7 inches in hands-on coverage | Approximately 11 inches in hands-on coverage; some later listings describe the panel differently |
| Launch US price | About $179.99 | About $219.99 |
| Camera | 13MP, auto-framing, up to 3x zoom | 13MP, auto-framing, up to 3x zoom |
| Processor | Amazon AZ3 Pro with AI accelerator | Amazon AZ3 Pro with AI accelerator |
| Smart-home hub | Zigbee, Matter, Thread, and Alexa support | Zigbee, Matter, Thread, and Alexa support |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth | Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth |
| Alexa+ | Supported where available | Supported where available |
| Rotating display | No | No |
| Physical mic/camera controls | Yes | Yes |
| Physical camera shutter | Not reported for the new model | Not included, according to review coverage |
| Main advantage | Price and placement flexibility | More readable content and larger video or camera views |
The two models share the important platform features. That makes the Show 11 a screen-size upgrade rather than a performance upgrade. Exact display measurements should be checked against Amazon’s current US specification tables because published diagonal figures are not completely consistent.
#1 Best Overall
- New size, more viewing area: The 11“ smart display features a vibrant Full-HD touchscreen with 60% more viewing area versus Echo Show 8 (2025 release), built-in smart home hub, AZ3 Pro chip for powerful performance, and Omnisense technology for highly personalized experiences.
- Content looks and sounds incredible: Watch shows on Prime Video, Netflix, and more on the vibrant Full-HD 11" screen and enjoy room-filling spatial audio, crisper vocals, wider sound stage, and up to 2x bass versus Echo Show 8 (2023 release). With Alexa+, find the name of that song you love and discover new shows based on your preferences.
- Your everyday assistant: The 11" display makes it easy to see recipes and calendars at a glance, find meal inspo, and manage your shopping lists. With Alexa+, find recipes based on foods you love, make reservations, order groceries, and more.
- Simple Smart Home control: Pair and control thousands of devices that work with Alexa without needing a separate smart home hub. Easily view your camera feeds. Manage lights, thermostats, and more using the display or your voice. With Omnisense technology, you can activate routines via temperature, presence, or visual ID detection.
- Crystal-clear video calls: Video calls feel natural on the vibrant 11" screen with a centered, auto-framing camera, 3.3x zoom, and noise reduction technology. Use live view to check in on your family, pets, and more while you're away.
A softer, less bulky redesign
Amazon has replaced the familiar wedge-shaped Echo Show enclosure with a thinner, tablet-like front and a rounded, fabric-covered rear. The design language is closer to newer Echo products such as the Echo Studio and Echo Dot Max. The rounded base also makes it easier to angle the display toward a seated or standing user.
In hands-on coverage, the revised displays received positive comments for their appearance and viewing angles. The new shape should be easier to place in a kitchen or living room where the old wedge could look bulky. The trade-off is practical: fabric can collect dust or stains, so owners will need to clean it carefully rather than treating the rear like a hard plastic surface.
Neither model has a motorized rotating base. The new devices also retain a proprietary barrel-style power connector instead of USB-C, have limited physical ports, and do not offer an obvious built-in wired Ethernet connection. Those limitations matter if the display will be installed permanently or if you prefer cable-free charging and standard accessories.
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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Alexa+ changes what appears on the screen
The most consequential change is Amazon’s repositioning of the Echo Show as an Alexa+ smart-home command center. Amazon says the devices were built from the ground up for Alexa+, with a more unified interface for video, music, settings, calendars, photos, and smart-home controls.
Rank #2
- New size, more viewing area: The 11“ smart display features a vibrant Full-HD touchscreen with 60% more viewing area versus Echo Show 8 (2025 release), built-in smart home hub, AZ3 Pro chip for powerful performance, and Omnisense technology for highly personalized experiences.
- Content looks and sounds incredible: Watch shows on Prime Video, Netflix, and more on the vibrant Full-HD 11" screen and enjoy room-filling spatial audio, crisper vocals, wider sound stage, and up to 2x bass versus Echo Show 8 (2023 release). With Alexa+, find the name of that song you love and discover new shows based on your preferences.
- Your everyday assistant: The 11" display makes it easy to see recipes and calendars at a glance, find meal inspo, and manage your shopping lists. With Alexa+, find recipes based on foods you love, make reservations, order groceries, and more.
- Simple Smart Home control: Pair and control thousands of devices that work with Alexa without needing a separate smart home hub. Easily view your camera feeds. Manage lights, thermostats, and more using the display or your voice. With Omnisense technology, you can activate routines via temperature, presence, or visual ID detection.
- Crystal-clear video calls: Video calls feel natural on the vibrant 11" screen with a centered, auto-framing camera, 3.3x zoom, and noise reduction technology. Use live view to check in on your family, pets, and more while you're away.
On the display, Alexa+ can provide:
- Personalized home-screen content and ambient visuals.
- Follow-up information based on recent conversations.
- Conversational searches for music and video.
- Recipe help while cooking.
- Calendar summaries and scheduling assistance.
- Photo searches by people, places, and events.
- Visual smart-home dashboards.
- More contextual routines based on what is happening around the device.
Visual ID can identify an enrolled user and personalize what appears on the screen. It is an opt-in feature with privacy implications, not something that should be confused with ordinary camera operation.
Alexa+ costs $19.99 per month for non-Prime customers, while Amazon Prime members receive it at no additional charge. Amazon’s availability information covers the United States and Canada, with availability and individual features varying by country. Check Amazon’s current Alexa+ information before assuming a feature is available in your market.
Built-in smart-home hub capabilities
Both displays support Alexa smart-home control through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Matter, Thread, and Zigbee. They can serve as a central interface for compatible lights, locks, switches, sensors, cameras, and routines, using either voice commands or the touchscreen.
The displays also provide Thread Border Router functionality and use Amazon’s Omnisense sensor-fusion platform. Amazon identifies inputs including the camera, audio, ultrasound, Wi-Fi radar, accelerometer, and Wi-Fi CSI. These capabilities can support presence- and temperature-based automations, but the existence of a protocol does not guarantee that every compatible device supports every function. Some products still require a separate manufacturer hub or subscription.
Rank #3
- Bundle includes. Echo Show 11 (2025 release) & Amazon Adjustable Stand.
- New size, more viewing area, The 11“ smart display features a vibrant Full-HD touchscreen, built-in smart home hub, and an AZ3 Pro chip for powerful performance.
- Alexa+ now on Echo Show 11, Get access to the smarter, more useful Alexa when you buy this device. Opt in to Alexa+ Early Access during or after setup.
- Content looks and sounds incredible, Watch shows on the vibrant Full-HD 11" screen and enjoy room-filling spatial audio. With Alexa+, find the name of that song you love and discover new shows based on your prefernces.
- Adjustable stand. Designed for Amazon Echo Show 1, allows for interactions at the perfect angle, every time.
Ring camera integration can go beyond simply showing a live feed. Certain camera-event summaries, intelligent searches, and related features require the appropriate Ring service. Review Ring’s current plan tiers before counting those functions as part of the hardware’s included capabilities.
Display quality: larger is mainly easier to read
Hands-on coverage reported vibrant panels and broad viewing angles on both models. Amazon also claims improved clarity in bright and dim environments.
There is not enough evidence here to make precise claims about brightness, contrast, color accuracy, outdoor readability, or touch latency. Both displays will still reflect nearby windows and lights, so placement matters. The Show 11’s practical advantage is that calendars, recipes, camera feeds, and video controls should be easier to read from across a kitchen or living room. In a small room viewed at close range, the Show 8 may provide all the useful screen area you need.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsA larger panel does not automatically mean more useful information. Some of the additional space may be occupied by ambient recommendations or suggested content rather than widgets or controls you specifically want.
Rank #4
- Bundle includes - Echo Show 11 (2025 release) & Amazon Adjustable Stand.
- New size, more viewing area - The seamlessly designed 11“ smart display features a vibrant Full-HD touchscreen, fast performance, and a built-in smart home hub. Plus, your favorite shows and movies will sound incredible with room-filling spatial audio.
- Alexa like never before - Experience smarter everyday assistance with Alexa+. Featuring advanced AI, the all-new Alexa handles multiple requests in a single conversation, proactively tackles more tasks, and delivers intuitive, personalized responses that are tailored to your preferences.
- Your favorite content looks and sounds incredible - Watch your favorite shows on the vibrant Full-HD 11" screen and enjoy music and shows with the power of room-filling spatial audio. With Alexa+, you can find the name of that song you love and discover new shows based on your preferences.
- Adjustable stand - Designed for Amazon Echo Show 1, allows for interactions at the perfect angle, every time.
Audio: promising claims, not independent measurements
Amazon says both displays use two front-facing full-range drivers and a custom woofer, with room-filling spatial audio. Amazon also claims up to twice the bass of the previous Echo Show 8.
That bass comparison is a manufacturer claim, not an independent measurement. Available hands-on coverage does not provide controlled testing of frequency response, maximum volume, distortion, or soundstage, and it does not establish whether either model outperforms the new Echo Studio or Echo Dot Max. The safe conclusion is that Amazon has upgraded the audio architecture, but objective sound quality should not be inferred from the specifications alone.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Camera and privacy
Both models have a centered 13-megapixel camera with auto-framing, improved video-call processing, noise filtering, and up to 3x zoom according to Amazon. The software can keep a caller centered during a video call without moving the hardware.
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Best Value
- MEET ECHO SHOW 15 - A stunning 15.6" Full-HD (1080p) smart display that's perfect for your kitchen and ready to show you more. Use customizable widgets to keep your day on track, watch your favorite shows with Fire TV and powerful vibrant sound, and enjoy natural video calling, with 3.3x zoom and wide field of view.
- FAMILY ORGANIZATION HUB - See your top widgets at a glance, like your family’s calendars and to-do lists, local weather, smart home, and more.
- ALL YOUR FAVORITES, ALL RIGHT HERE - Built-in Fire TV unlocks endless entertainment, so you can enjoy your favorite content from thousands of apps like Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube, Apple TV, and more (subscription may be required). Fire TV remote included. Plus, now you can quickly add a device to play music with Active Media - start playing a song in the kitchen, then add the living room and bedroom on the fly.
- SMART HOME CENTRAL - Control smart devices with your voice or a few taps using the smart home dashboard. Easily turn on all your living room lights at once or check live camera feeds to see what's happening around your home.
- YOUR FAVORITE MEMORIES ON DISPLAY - Brighten your space (and your day) by turning your home screen into a photo slideshow that displays your favorite memories. Auto curate your images and show off your favorite family memories.
Both devices retain physical controls to disable the microphone and camera. However, review coverage says the new models do not include a physical camera shutter. A disable switch and a mechanical lens cover are different privacy controls: the former relies on the device electronically disabling the camera, while the latter physically blocks the lens. If a shutter is essential, these models are a poor fit.
Entertainment and streaming
The Echo Show platform supports Prime Video and Netflix, with browser-based access to other services. Music options include Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music, iHeartRadio, Pandora, and SiriusXM, subject to account, region, and service requirements. Amazon’s newer TV & Videos experience is intended to make video browsing and control more unified.
Voice control may not always be as dependable as manually opening an app. TechRadar reported an initial problem launching and searching streaming services by voice on its test Echo Show 11; manually opening the apps worked, and a hard reset resolved the issue. If similar behavior occurs, try opening the service from the screen first, then restart or reset the device only after checking account and network settings.
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Which Echo Show should you buy?
Choose the Echo Show 8 when:
- You are placing it on a kitchen counter, desk, bedside table, or small shelf.
- You mainly need timers, recipes, weather, music, photos, video calls, and smart-home controls.
- You want nearly the same platform for $40 less at the reported launch prices.
- You expect to move the device between rooms.
- You already view the screen from fairly close range.
Choose the Echo Show 11 when:
- The display will sit on a kitchen island or in a shared living space.
- People will view calendars, recipes, camera feeds, or video from several feet away.
- The extra screen area is more valuable to you than the price difference.
- You want a larger ambient family display, but do not need a wall-mounted dashboard.
Skip or delay both when:
- You specifically want a rotating screen, making the Echo Show 10 the more relevant model if it remains available.
- You require a physical camera shutter.
- You expect a full tablet app ecosystem rather than Amazon’s curated interface.
- You need USB-C power, wired Ethernet, or a broad selection of physical ports.
- You primarily want a television or large household dashboard; an Echo Show 15 or 21 may be better suited.
- You own a recent Echo Show 8 and have no need for a larger screen.
Alternatives worth considering
The Echo Show 15 or 21 makes more sense for a wall-mounted family dashboard, larger calendar, or Fire TV-style entertainment experience. The Echo Show 5 is a cheaper compact Alexa display, but is less suitable as the main smart-home control center. The Echo Show 10 remains relevant for anyone who values its rotating screen, subject to availability and current pricing.
A tablet or smart TV is a better choice if your priority is a broad app ecosystem, general-purpose computing, or large-screen video rather than ambient Alexa control.
Bottom line
The Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 11 are best understood as one redesigned Alexa platform offered in two sizes. The Show 8 is the sensible default for most rooms; the Show 11 earns its premium when viewing distance and shared-screen readability matter. Neither preserves the Echo Show 10’s rotating hardware, and neither offers the reassurance of a physical camera shutter. The decision is therefore less about performance and more about screen area, placement, privacy expectations, and whether Alexa+ features justify the overall cost.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
