• Ideal-sized screen for a counter companion
• Brighter and crisper than ever
• Amazon's best Echo Show sound yet
• Alexa Plus feels great to use so far
• Solid design is an upgrade from the Show 10

• Left to its own devices, the Echo Show 11 shows a lot of ads

Why I like it:

Amazon's Echo Shows have always been strong smart display choices -- I've used various models in my home for more than a decade, despite their quirks. The Echo Show 11 is the best version I've seen, improving what Echo Shows do best while removing some of the clunky choices of the past. The result is a big, powerful Alexa smart display with a sharp display and some of the best Echo sound yet, ready for all kinds of applications around your home.

Alexa's smart home compatibility remains excellent so you can use the speaker to control many devices, look up how-to videos, stream shows (that 11-inch display is ideal as a mini TV) or play music with the high-quality drivers. And if you're a Prime member, you can get Alexa Plus for free, the AI-improved voice assistant that responds more conversationally, answers follow-up questions and is generally a big improvement.

That big screen is beautiful, but I suggest switching it to photo album mode or a similar mode, because the one fault this display has is that, on its own, it tends to pop up a lot of Amazon-related ads when I'd rather it didn't.

Who is this for:

People looking for a bigger, bolder smart display that can serve nearly any function around the house, from TV to music to organizing your calendar.

Who shouldn’t buy it:

Users who don't like Amazon or Alexa, people who are very adverse to ads.

• At $100 it's more affordable than larger displays
• Quick Gestures for hands-free control
• Upgraded base
• Easy internet searching with Google voice assistant
• Gemini for Home feels like a marked upgrade, especially for security features

• Sleep Sensing will eventually cost $10 per month (currently free)
• Big bezel remains
• No camera means no video chat
• The transition to Gemini AI is ongoing

Why I like it:

The latest version of the Nest Hub with Google services arrived in 2021, and it's a great entry point for the category. It's the smartest and best overall, making the lower price even more appealing. 

Thanks to the built-in voice assistant, now Gemini for Home as the new AI voice assistant continues to roll out to Nest users, the Nest Hub responds to all of the same voice command options as theGoogle Home Mini smart speaker. The Google smart display touchscreen is very small at 7 inches, but the adaptive brightness works well for photos -- just don't plan on using it as a secondary TV. Like most smart displays, Google will customize a slideshow of family pics as your screensaver.

You can also control your smart home devices, such as your smart doorbell, with an intuitively designed control panel. Unlike most of the other smart displays (and unlike its big brother, theNest Hub Max), the Nest Hub doesn't have a camera, but that might be a bonus if you haveprivacy concerns and want to put it on your bedside table.

The second-generation smart home hub model includesSleep Sensing and Quick Gestures thanks toGoogle's Soli mini radar. The colorful fabric design on this Google Assistant smart display allows the device to blend in anywhere, although the tablet touchscreen comes in handy if you want step-by-step help through a recipe in the kitchen.

Who is this for:

This is for all fans of Google Nest, people who want a more affordable display and are willing to settle for a smaller device, and those who would prefer not to have a camera included for privacy.

Who shouldn’t buy it:

People who want video chats and larger screens for shows, who don't like Google Home or Nest devices and those who would prefer the Nest Hub Max for its larger screen.

• The 8-display has impressive detail and lighting
• Alexa's response time is near-immediate
• Improved display menus from older versions
• Spatial audio for better sound

• Alexa's privacy settings leave something to be desired
• Upward firing speaker isn't as good for music as other displays
• $150 is more expensive than the Nest Hub

Why I like it:

The Echo Show 8 isn't as large as some Show displays, but that compact design can fit in more places and works well in smaller spots, like beside a computer. Add that toAmazon Alexa's growing smarts, and it's a strong choice for people who want a less expensive display that can still do everything.

With the Show 8,Alexa will respond to your voice control and commands just like larger models, plus you can use the tablet screen to play games, browse recipes and control your smart home -- but while it can handle some videos, it's probably not large enough for detailed TV shows. The speaker, fortunately, is quite good for nearby music. In the mornings, Amazon's sunrise alarm feature can help ease you out of your sleep with a screen that starts getting brighter 15 minutes before your scheduled wake-up time. The camera also comes with a physical shutter for privacy.

Google Assistant still makes better use of the touchscreen than Amazon -- in particular, the cooking directions and smart home controls are better -- but the Echo Show 8 is close enough, and it comes with a camera for video chats. It's really Amazon's best smart display yet, andthe advent of Alexa Plus could make it even better this year.

Who is this for:

Amazon Alexa fans, people who want every capability on a smart display, smart home control aficionados.

Who shouldn’t buy it:

Those worried about Alexa privacy issues, people who don't want a camera on their display, Google Nest households.

• Attractive 15-inch frame design and 1080p resolution
• Physical camera shutter
• Built-in Amazon Fire platform for streaming
• Customizable widgets for the home screen

• Widgets feels a little awkward to use
• Lower quality camera and speakers compared to other Echos
• Needs lots of space on a wall or counter

Why I like it:

For many years, the Echo Show 10 has been Amazon's largest smart display, but in December 2021, we got theEcho Show 15. This 15.1-inch wall-mount smart display (a desk mount is also available) brings everything that you'd expect from the rest of the Echo Show lineup and allows for more screen room, better entertainment options and the flexibility to mount the screen on your wall. There's a Show 21 now, too, but in our opinion, the 15 hits a sweet spot for an extra-large smart display.

Though people could access many of thebest streaming services, like Prime Video and Netflix, on the Show 15 from the start, in September 2022,Amazon brought the full Fire TV interface to the smart display, making it an even better multimedia device. However, due to the device's thinness and rear-firing speakers, audio is a bit of a letdown on the Echo Show 15. But you cangroup speakers together to improve the audio if you have more than one Echo device.

Adding another way to take advantage of the extra-large screen real estate, Amazon first introduced Widgets with the Echo Show 15. This feature lets you put small customizable interactive blocks of the things you want to see right on the home screen. I keep my shopping list, a calendar with upcoming events, my favorite smart devices and a weather widget on my device. This makes quickly glancing at information really easy, as it is all up front for me.

Who is this for:

People who want an extra smart TV touchscreen, fans of Amazon's video and streaming, and those looking for a master entertainment/smart home device combo.

Who shouldn’t buy it:

People who have no interest in Amazon streaming, people with no space for a wall mount or large desk mount, buyers who would rather just get a smart TV.

• Easy to set up
• Proximity sensors help with easy hub lighting
• Customizable home screen
• Intuitive interface
• Can be used as an Alexa device

• Slow response time
• Would like a dark mode
• Camera previews only work with Ring devices
• A home hub without entertainment options is a tough sell outside the Alexa ecosystem

Why I like it:

TheAmazon Echo Hub is a more specialized type of smart display, using its speakers and touchscreen as an always-present control center for your wall. Remember those home security touchscreen displays you'd mount at an entryway to arm/disarm the system? It's a lot like that, but with a greatly expanded role.

The 8-inch display is designed to be a central control point for managing your favorite Alexa smart devices (wall and desk mounting are options). The easy-to-navigate dashboard allows you to control individual devices or an entire room. This device has been great in my home, where my wife and children are less familiar with everything that is set up in our home. This way, there's a simple way to see what smart devices are available.

In addition to being a smart home management device, it also functions as an Alexa speaker, allowing you to use voice commands to do everything else you'd expect from a typicalsmart speaker. The Echo Hub can even be a digital photo frame to show all your favorite memories. Thanks to sensors on the device's front, as you approach it, the screen will show you smart home devices and be ready to help you out.

However, there's a trade-off: You simply won't be using this hub for entertainment purposes like you would other smart displays.

Who is this for:

People who have a lot of compatible smart home devices and want a central display to control them.

Who shouldn’t buy it:

People intending to use a smart display for music, movies, videos or other entertainment purposes.