The right Amazon Echo smart display for your space Certain popular apps, such as YouTube, still refuse to implement voice control, and Amazon's user interface isn't particularly friendly to navigation without voice control. The only real downsides to the Show 8 have more to do with Amazon's software than the device itself. Overall, the Echo Show 8 is a very well-balanced device that doesn't cost a fortune and can streamline most smart homes. While the speakers don't get incredibly loud, they're passable for casually watching videos or taking in today's news. And if you want to get the screen a little closer or even add a battery for portable use, there are some handy Echo Show 8 mounts and stands to choose from. The screen is just large enough to see from across the room, and it's aided by automatic color and white balance adjustment based on ambient lighting conditions. In fact, video calling is where the 2nd-gen Echo Show 8 shines due to its improved camera and auto-framing algorithm that keeps your face centered during chats. An upgraded MediaTek processor and advanced motion-sensing camera make for a smoother experience in terms of touchscreen performance and video calling. Since Amazon's first-generation 8-inch smart display was so popular and reliable, the improvements to the Echo Show 8 are subtle. $102 at Amazon $130 at B&H $130 at Best Buy But if you want something that's both novel and useful on an everyday basis, it's a great choice. The main drawback of the Echo Show 10 is that it's quite pricey compared to its smaller relatives. The built-in Zigbee hub also allows it to act as a smart home linchpin. There's also a host of apps preloaded and more available through Amazon, including the security-conscious Firefox browser, and most apps dovetail perfectly with Alexa voice control. Its bass output leaves a bit to be desired with some music genres, but overall it sounds surprisingly good despite the moderate size. Since there's plenty of space for enhanced speakers inside the round base, the Echo Show 10 delivers the best sound quality of Amazon's smart displays. This is especially useful if, for example, you're crafting a complicated meal that you've never made before and want to make sure you can see the recipe or video tutorial no matter where you are in the kitchen. It's fitted to a motorized base that can rotate 350 degrees and uses an advanced algorithm with an integrated camera to detect who's watching and follow them around the room. The third-gen Echo Show 10 is more than just a standalone, voice-activated smart home controller. $250 at Amazon $250 at B&H $250 at Best Buy Also, it's pretty expensive for a smart display, so make sure it has what you need before you invest. First, it's a bit large to set on the counter (though there is an optional desktop stand), so you may want to hang it on the wall, but the speakers aren't that loud when mounted. Of course, there are a few things to consider before buying an Echo Show 15. It also speaks to Amazon's dedication to the Show lineup and its largest variant, in a time when no other 15-inch smart display even exists. This makes it an even better choice for mounting in a high-activity area like the kitchen, as its display is just large enough for you to enjoy high-definition entertainment. One interesting note is that Amazon is actively rolling out an update that lets you use the Fire TV streaming interface on the Echo Show 15. Plus, it boasts an attractive overall design and makes a perfect digital picture frame when you're not actively using it. And to get the most out of the extra real estate, Amazon has implemented a handy supply of widgets to import information such as weather and top news stories. Its 15.6-inch, 1080p screen is crisper, brighter, and can easily be seen from a distance. Its camera can automatically detect who's standing in front of it and load their personal schedule, chores, shopping list, and other useful information. The Echo Show 15 is Amazon's newest and largest smart display, and despite looking basically like a digital photo frame, it has a wide range of uses. $280 at Amazon $250 at B&H $280 at Best Buy
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