The original Echo Show 8 has been one of our favourite smart displays since its release two years ago, thanks to a nearly perfect balance of strong audio performance for the size, a bright and colourful screen, and a plethora of useful Alexa voice control and smart home features at a reasonable price. Amazon has made few changes to the second-generation model, which is still adequate. With the exception of an upgraded camera for video chat and home monitoring, the second-generation Echo Show 8 looks and sounds exactly like its predecessor.
While the 7.9 x 5.4 x 3.9 inch smart display has a similar overall appearance, with a minimalistic fabric-wrapped exterior, the camera arrangement is noticeably different. The original Echo Show 8’s subtle 1 megapixel camera has been replaced by a 13-megapixel camera housed in a larger, square component in the new model.
[content-egg-block template=offers_logo hide=price]The Amazon Echo Show 8 camera upgrades were designed specifically for video chat. It replaces the simple 1-MP camera of the original Echo Show 8 with a 13-MP camera of the same quality as the Echo Show 10. The Show 10’s digital pan-and-zoom capabilities were also carried over to the new Echo Show 8. While the display cannot physically rotate to keep you in frame, the new wide-angle lens, like those found in the Google Nest Hub Max and Facebook Portal, can.
The Echo Show 5 Kids comes with Alexa and a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+. With the ability to make video calls and play videos with your voice, it makes kids’ rooms cool and entertaining. Alexa will even assist your children with their homework. You can even record the experience and share it with family members. You can also make fun games for your children using Amazon Kids+. And, because it’s Alexa, you can ask it for homework assistance.
Both devices have advantages and disadvantages. While the Echo Show Kids is ideal for young children, older children can enjoy the same features for less money. This smart speaker can also function as an alarm clock, and it comes with child-friendly clock faces. If you want a clock, you should get the first-generation model.
If you have a young child, you should consider the Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) rather than the Kids edition. The Show 5 Kids has a more modern appearance and a worry-free guarantee. If you plan to purchase a smart speaker for your child, you should also consider an Amazon Kids+ subscription, which provides your child with access to a variety of kids entertainment content as well as a Welcome Worksheet.