Is the Smallest Echo Show Still the Smartest Choice?
The Echo Show 5 packs a surprising amount of utility into a bedside-table-sized package, but is it enough to beat your smartphone?
This compact smart display aims to be the perfect ambient screen for your home, offering visual information and smart controls without the bulk of a larger tablet. It’s designed for those who want a dedicated hub for Alexa, timers, and quick video check-ins, especially in spaces like the bedroom or a crowded kitchen counter where a bigger screen would be overkill.
- Sound is Genuinely Better The claim of ‘2x the bass and clearer sound’ holds up; music and Alexa’s voice are noticeably fuller and less tinny than on previous generations, making it a viable small-room speaker.
- A 'Glanceable' Screen The 5.5-inch display is perfect for checking the time, weather, or a security camera feed, but it’s too small for comfortably watching a movie or browsing complex web pages.
- Privacy Features are Practical The physical camera shutter and microphone-off button provide a tangible sense of security that software-only controls can’t match, making it easier to place in private areas like a bedroom.
- A Visual Smart Home Hub Its true strength isn’t as a media player but as a visual controller for your smart home, letting you see camera feeds and adjust lights or thermostats with a tap or voice command.
Get the most bang for your buck with this compact smart display. It packs a 5.5” screen, deeper bass, and full Alexa capabilities into a small footprint, making it the perfect do-it-all device.
| Display | 5.5-inch touchscreen |
| Camera | 2 MP with built-in shutter |
| Audio | 1.75” full-range speaker with improved bass |
| Smart Assistant | Alexa |
| Privacy Controls | Mic/Camera off button, built-in camera shutter |
| Video Calling | Supports calls to Alexa app or Echo devices with a screen |
| Recycled Materials | 100% post-consumer recycled polyester yarn, 100% recycled aluminum |
- Compact size is perfect for nightstands or crowded kitchen counters.
- Noticeably improved audio with deeper bass makes it a solid music player for its size.
- Physical camera shutter and mic-off button offer tangible privacy controls.
- Excellent value as a visual interface for Alexa and smart home control.
- Photo display feature turns it into a personalized digital picture frame when idle.
- The 5.5-inch screen is too small for comfortable, long-form video streaming.
- The 2 MP camera is adequate for video calls but lacks the quality of modern smartphone cameras.
- On-screen interface can sometimes feel sluggish compared to a phone or tablet.
Choosing the right Smart Display
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Screen Size & QualityHighThe physical size of the display dictates its primary use case. Smaller screens (5-7 inches) are for 'glanceable' info and small spaces, while larger screens (10+ inches) are better for media consumption and shared spaces like kitchens.Look forA screen size that fits your intended location and use case, with good brightness and viewing angles.AvoidPaying for a large screen if you only need a smart clock, or getting a small screen and expecting to watch movies on it.
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Audio PerformanceHighA smart display is also a smart speaker. Sound quality is critical for enjoying music, podcasts, and even hearing the assistant's responses clearly.Look forClear vocals and a balanced sound profile. Multiple drivers and passive radiators are a plus for music lovers.AvoidTinny, distorted sound at high volumes, which is common on the cheapest models.
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Smart Assistant EcosystemHighThe built-in assistant (Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant) determines which services and devices the display works with. Your choice should align with your existing smart home products and preferred music/video streaming services.Look forAn assistant that integrates with your existing smart lights, thermostats, and cameras, as well as your Spotify, Apple Music, or other accounts.AvoidAn ecosystem that doesn't support the smart home brands or streaming services you already use.
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Privacy ControlsMediumSince these devices have microphones and cameras and are always on, privacy is a key consideration, especially if placed in a bedroom or personal space.Look forPhysical, hardware-level controls like a microphone mute switch and a physical camera shutter.AvoidDevices that rely solely on software settings to disable the camera and microphone.
Common questions
Can you watch Netflix or YouTube on the Echo Show 5?
You can watch content from services like Amazon Prime Video and Hulu directly. While there isn’t a dedicated YouTube app, you can access the YouTube website through the built-in Silk web browser, though the experience is less seamless than on a tablet.
How does the sound on the newest Echo Show 5 compare to the old one?
The 3rd generation model features a completely redesigned speaker system that provides noticeably clearer vocals and significantly deeper bass. While it won’t replace a large, dedicated speaker, the audio is much fuller, making it far more enjoyable for listening to music and podcasts in a small room.
Is the 5.5-inch screen actually useful or just a gimmick?
It’s most useful for ‘at-a-glance’ information like the weather forecast, news headlines, shopping lists, and timers. It’s also great for viewing a quick feed from a compatible video doorbell, but it is too small for comfortably watching a full TV show or movie.
Can I use the Echo Show 5 as a security camera?
Yes, you can use the Alexa app on your phone to ‘Drop In’ on your Echo Show 5 and view its camera feed remotely. This is a handy way to check in on a room, your family, or your pets. For privacy, you can use the built-in physical camera shutter to block the lens at any time.
The Echo Show 5 excels as a smart bedside clock or compact kitchen helper, with genuinely improved audio and essential privacy features. The small screen naturally limits its entertainment use, but for visual Alexa interactions and smart home control in a small footprint, it’s an unbeatable value.
- Vastly improved audio makes it a much better speaker for music and podcasts.
- The compact form factor fits anywhere without being intrusive.
- Hardware privacy controls, including a physical camera shutter, provide peace of mind.
For anyone already in the Alexa ecosystem, the Echo Show 5 is the perfect, low-cost upgrade from an audio-only Echo Dot, adding glanceable information and basic video where a larger screen would be overkill. It’s the ideal choice for a nightstand, small desk, or a secondary control point in your home.