Echo Show 8 (2025) Review: Pros, Cons, Common Issues & Is It Worth It?

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Best Smart Display

Display: 8.7-inch HD touchscreen  |  Camera: 13MP  |  Chip: AZ3 Pro  |  Hub: Zigbee & Matter  |  UK Price: £179.99

Overview

The Echo Show 8 (2025) is the fourth generation of Amazon’s mid-size smart display and a major redesign from the previous model. The display now floats above a speaker base — a far cleaner look than the old wedge design. Powered by the AZ3 Pro chip with Alexa+ Early Access, and featuring a built-in Zigbee and Matter hub, it’s one of the most capable Echo devices available. For Ring or Nest camera users, the ability to pull up a live feed by voice makes this a genuinely useful kitchen or hallway device.

Key Features

✓ 8.7-inch HD touchscreen — in-cell touch, negative liquid crystal for wide viewing angles
✓ 13MP camera for video calls with Alexa person recognition
✓ AZ3 Pro chip — powerful performance with AI accelerator
✓ Alexa+ Early Access — next-generation AI assistant features
✓ Front-facing stereo speakers with custom woofer
✓ Built-in Zigbee and Matter hub — direct smart home device control
✓ Omnisense technology for ambient experience adaptation
✓ Works with Ring, Nest, Philips Hue and other compatible devices
✓ Dual-band Wi-Fi
✓ Colours: Black, White

Setup & Compatibility

Plug in, open the Alexa app and follow the guided setup. The built-in Zigbee hub means compatible smart bulbs and plugs connect directly without a bridge. Integrates directly with Ring cameras — say ‘Alexa, show me the front door’ to pull up a live view. Works with all major streaming services.

What’s New

The redesign from wedge to floating display is the most visible change — and a significant improvement aesthetically. The AZ3 Pro chip delivers noticeably faster performance. The new audio architecture with front-facing stereo speakers provides substantially better sound. In-cell touch technology provides wider viewing angles and a thinner bezel.

Pros

+ Clean, modern floating display design — a major improvement over the old wedge
+ AZ3 Pro chip delivers fast, responsive performance
+ 13MP camera produces good quality video calls
+ Built-in Zigbee and Matter hub for direct smart home control
+ Excellent Ring and Nest camera integration via voice commands
+ Improved audio with front-facing speakers

Cons

− No physical camera shutter — privacy requires software mute
− £30 price increase over the 2023 model
− Alexa+ features require Early Access subscription

Common Problems & Fixes

The most commonly reported issues with Echo Show devices are Wi-Fi connectivity, screen unresponsiveness and smart home control problems. A restart by unplugging for 30 seconds resolves most temporary faults. For a full list of known faults and fixes see our troubleshooting guide.

Real World Performance

The floating display redesign makes the Echo Show 8 feel like a premium product in a way the old wedge shape never quite managed. The AZ3 Pro chip makes a noticeable difference to responsiveness — switching between camera feeds, streaming video and responding to Alexa commands is fast. For Ring and Nest users, voice-activated live camera views are genuinely convenient. The wider screen viewing angles mean the display is readable from across a room.

Best Alternatives

Echo Show 11 — If you want 60% more screen area and spatial audio at a higher price
Echo Dot Max — If you want great sound without a screen at a lower price

Who Should Buy It?

Anyone who wants a premium smart display for a kitchen, hallway or bedroom. Particularly useful for Ring or Nest camera users who want to pull up live views by voice. The built-in smart home hub makes it a practical central control point.

Verdict

The Echo Show 8 (2025) is the best smart display in its size class. The redesign is a genuine improvement, the AZ3 Pro chip delivers solid performance and the smart home hub integration is practically useful. The removal of the physical camera shutter is the only notable step backwards.

Buy the Echo Show 8 (2025) on Amazon →

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