Smart Display Comparison · UK 2026
Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) vs Echo Show 8 (2025 release)

Specs, pros and cons compared side by side

Both the Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) and the Echo Show 8 (2025 release) are Alexa smart displays. This head-to-head sets them side by side using the specs, pros and cons from our full reviews. Echo specs come from Amazon’s own UK help and news pages.

Quick verdict

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Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen)

Pick it for: A compact 5.5-inch display with a camera shutter, if you don’t need a Zigbee or Thread hub

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Echo Show 8 (2025 release)

Pick it for: Zigbee hub and Thread border router built in (the Echo Show 5: neither) · 13 MP camera (the Echo Show 5: 2 MP) · Tri-band Wi-Fi with 6 GHz (the Echo Show 5: dual-band 2.4 and 5 GHz)

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Quick comparison

Spec Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) Echo Show 8 (2025 release)
Wi-Fi Dual-band (2.4 and 5 GHz) Tri-band (2.4, 5 and 6 GHz)
Key specs from our review Display: 5.5-inch
Camera: 2 MP, built-in shutter
Hub: Matter controller, no Zigbee
Alarm: Sunrise alarm
Wi-Fi: Dual-band		 Chip: AZ3 Pro
Camera: 13 MP
Hub: Zigbee, Thread, Matter
Wi-Fi: Tri-band with 6 GHz
Alexa+: Purpose-built
Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen)

Pros

  • Physical camera shutter as well as a Microphone and Camera button
  • Compact 5.5-inch display with a sunrise alarm
  • Matter controller for Matter devices
  • Light bar shows its status, including red when the microphones and camera are off

Cons

  • Not a Zigbee hub or Thread border router
  • 2 MP camera, where Amazon lists 13 MP for the Echo Show 8 (2025 release)
  • Not on Amazon’s list of models that support Visual ID
Echo Show 8 (2025 release)

Pros

  • Purpose-built for Alexa+, which is free during UK Early Access
  • Tri-band Wi-Fi with 6 GHz
  • Zigbee hub, Thread border router and Matter controller built in
  • One side button turns off the microphones and camera together

Cons

  • Alexa+ is still Early Access by invite in the UK, and Amazon says not all features arrive at once
  • The camera is on by default; turn it off in Camera Access if you don’t want it
  • Turning the camera off disables Live View, Drop In video and Visual ID

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Which should you buy?

Why choose the Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen)

  • A compact 5.5-inch display with a camera shutter, if you don’t need a Zigbee or Thread hub
Why choose the Echo Show 8 (2025 release)

  • Zigbee hub and Thread border router built in (the Echo Show 5: neither)
  • 13 MP camera (the Echo Show 5: 2 MP)
  • Tri-band Wi-Fi with 6 GHz (the Echo Show 5: dual-band 2.4 and 5 GHz)

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