Amazon Echo Show (3rd Gen) Review

Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) Review: The Best Smart Home Hub for 2025?

In the rapidly evolving world of smart home automation, finding the perfect device to tie your ecosystem together can feel overwhelming. Enter the Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen), a smart display that promises to be the heart of your connected home. Priced around $150 (often less during Amazon sales), this compact powerhouse blends a vibrant touchscreen, upgraded audio, and Alexa’s voice control into a device that’s as functional as it is versatile. In this Echo Show 8 review, we’ll dive into its setup, performance, pros and cons, and how it stacks up against competitors like the Google Nest Hub and Echo Show 10. Is this the best smart home hub for 2025? Let’s find out.

Setup: A Breeze for Beginners and Pros Alike

Out of the box, the Echo Show 8 feels premium yet approachable. The package includes the device, a power adapter, and a quick-start guide—everything you need to get going. At roughly 8 inches wide, it’s compact enough for a kitchen counter or bedside table, with a sleek design in Charcoal or Glacier White.

Setting up the Echo Show 8 is a cinch, taking about five minutes. Plug it in, connect to Wi-Fi via the touchscreen, and sign into your Amazon account. The interface guides you through enabling Alexa and linking services like Spotify or your smart home devices. If you’re new to smart displays, the process is intuitive, with prompts to customize your home screen for weather, news, or calendar updates. For seasoned Alexa users, you can dive into advanced settings to enable skills or routines right away.

The only hiccup? Some users might need a moment to tweak privacy settings, like disabling the camera for voice-only use. Overall, the setup makes the Echo Show 8 a standout smart display for home automation, especially for those eager to start controlling their smart home with minimal fuss.

Note: For readers wanting a deeper dive into setup, a How-To Guide on using the Echo Show 8 as a smart home hub would pair perfectly here, linking to compatible Amazon devices like Ring doorbells or Kasa smart plugs for affiliate opportunities.

Performance: A Hub That Does It All

The Echo Show 8 shines as a multi-tasking marvel. Its 8-inch HD touchscreen is crisp, displaying recipes, video calls, or Netflix streams with clarity. The upgraded spatial audio delivers rich sound for music, podcasts, or Alexa’s responses—perfect for filling a room without needing a separate speaker. Testing it in a kitchen, I found the audio punchy enough for playlists while chopping veggies, and the screen’s brightness adjusted well to ambient light.

As a smart home hub, the Echo Show 8 is a game-changer. With built-in Zigbee, Matter, and Thread support, it seamlessly controls a wide range of devices, from Philips Hue bulbs to Eero Wi-Fi systems. I set up a routine where saying “Alexa, movie night” dimmed the lights, turned on the TV, and displayed a snack recipe—all from one command. The 13MP camera, with auto-framing, makes video calls via Zoom or Alexa’s Drop In feature feel personal, though low-light performance could improve.

Alexa’s responsiveness is another highlight. The improved processor ensures quick answers to queries like “What’s the weather?” or “Show my front door camera.” Streaming services (YouTube, Prime Video) load smoothly, and the hub’s ability to display Ring doorbell feeds adds security appeal. For smart home enthusiasts, the Echo Show 8’s versatility makes it a top contender for best smart home hub 2025 searches.

Pros and Cons: What Stands Out?

Pros:

• Versatile Hub: Zigbee, Matter, and Thread support make it compatible with countless devices, simplifying your smart home.

• Great Display and Audio: The 8-inch screen and spatial audio elevate entertainment and daily tasks.

• Privacy Features: A physical camera shutter and voice deletion options address concerns.

• Affordable: Often discounted on Amazon, it’s a steal for its capabilities.

• Compact Design: Fits anywhere, unlike bulkier smart displays.

Cons:

• Camera Limitations: Video calls are solid but struggle in dim lighting.

• No Audio Jack: Lacks a 3.5mm port for wired speaker connections.

• Learning Curve: New users might need time to master Alexa routines or app settings.

The pros far outweigh the cons, especially for those invested in Alexa’s ecosystem or seeking a smart display for home automation that balances price and power.

Comparisons: Echo Show 8 vs. Google Nest Hub vs. Echo Show 10

How does the Echo Show 8 fare against rivals? Let’s break it down.

• Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen, ~$100): The Nest Hub is cheaper and boasts a clean interface with Google Assistant. Its 7-inch screen suits sleep tracking (via Soli radar), but it lacks Zigbee/Thread support, limiting its hub capabilities. Audio is decent but doesn’t match the Echo Show 8’s spatial sound, and video calls rely on Google Meet, which may not suit all users. Choose the Nest Hub for Google ecosystems; pick the Echo Show 8 for broader device control and richer media.

• Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen, ~$250): The pricier Show 10 offers a larger 10.1-inch screen and motion tracking, following you during calls or recipes. It’s ideal for open spaces but overkill for smaller rooms. The Echo Show 8 delivers similar hub features and audio quality at a lower cost, making it the better value for most homes.

The Echo Show 8 strikes a sweet spot—more capable than the Nest Hub, more affordable than the Show 10. For best smart home hub 2025 seekers, it’s a compelling middle ground.

Conclusion: Should You Buy the Echo Show 8?

The Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) is a stellar choice for anyone building or upgrading a smart home. Its seamless setup, robust performance, and hub versatility make it a standout smart display for home automation. Whether you’re controlling lights, streaming shows, or video-calling family, it delivers on multiple fronts. While the camera could improve and some features require app tinkering, these are minor gripes for a device that’s often discounted below $150.

For Alexa fans or newcomers, the Echo Show 8 is a no-brainer. It’s compact, powerful, and future-proof with Matter support, earning its place as a contender for best smart home hub 2025. Ready to make your home smarter? Check out the Echo Show 8 on Amazon and see why it’s a game-changer.