Amazon Echo Show 8From real comments

Verdict distilled from 42 mentions across 12 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment51%
PROS 51%
CONS 49%

Rank based on 42 mentions across 12 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want an 8-inch smart display with better sound than the Show 5
  • You need a simple video-calling device for elderly relatives without smartphones
  • You like an adjustable stand and steady MediaTek performance

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You want a large customizable clock face or an ad-free screen
  • You need a built-in Zigbee smart home hub or lag-free touchscreen
  • You expect a native YouTube app, selfie voice command, or working Bluetooth media controls

What users complain about

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Based on user comments

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Appealing aesthetic concept
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Impressive AI detection
License plate capture at useful range
Detection reliability can drop with scene changes
Limited automation scheduling options
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Color cycling feature
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Color cycling feature
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Hikvision DS-2CD2385FWD-I
H.265+ image detail and efficiencyStrong day-to-night video comparisonEasy cable installationAuto day/night switching issuesH.265+ app playback compatibilityLens sharpness inconsistency
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H.265+ image detail and efficiency
Strong day-to-night video comparison
Easy cable installation
Auto day/night switching issues
H.265+ app playback compatibility
Lens sharpness inconsistency
9
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Long-range subject and plate detectionAdjustable secure mounting hardwareImpressive AI detectionDetection reliability tied to lighting conditionsNo native HomeKit supportPoE+ requirement questioned
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Long-range subject and plate detection
Adjustable secure mounting hardware
Impressive AI detection
Detection reliability tied to lighting conditions
No native HomeKit support
PoE+ requirement questioned
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Hikvision DS-2CD2385G1-I
Excellent DarkFighter night visionAdjustable night vision brightnessConcealed IR illuminatorsNo audio recordingIR can be too bright by defaultOversaturated color out of the box
Hikvision DS-2CD2385G1-I
Excellent DarkFighter night vision
Adjustable night vision brightness
Concealed IR illuminators
No audio recording
IR can be too bright by default
Oversaturated color out of the box
You are here
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Amazon Echo Show 8
Ideal 8-inch screen sizeStrong sound qualityAdjustable stand and MediaTek performanceTiny, non-customizable clockSluggish touchscreen and lagNo native YouTube app
Amazon Echo Show 8
Ideal 8-inch screen size
Strong sound quality
Adjustable stand and MediaTek performance
Tiny, non-customizable clock
Sluggish touchscreen and lag
No native YouTube app

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

The 8-inch size and sound quality win people over. Commenters repeatedly say the Show 8 hits the right middle ground: the Show 5 felt too small and the 10-inch too big or pricey for a nightstand or kitchen counter. Several call the sound 'amazing' or the best in its class, noting it beats the Show 5 and even earlier gens. The adjustable stand and MediaTek chipset are cited as practical touches that keep performance steady for daily use like alarms and music.

Clock customization and ads frustrate long-time users. Multiple owners, including those with poor vision, complain the on-screen clock stays small in a corner with no big-clock option, despite writing to Amazon about it. Others are upset that ads appear between screens, with one saying removing them requires a paid monthly subscription. Some returned the device within hours specifically because they couldn't set a large clock, custom wallpaper, or stop the rotating background screensaver.

Performance and missing features hold the device back for some. Several reviewers report the touchscreen and overall UI feel sluggish, especially with Drop In, calls, or the newest 3rd-gen model, which one user says lags just like the old one. There's no native YouTube app, forcing a clunky browser workaround, and unlike the 2nd-gen Show 8 or the 10-inch model, this version lacks a built-in Zigbee smart home hub, plus video-chat microphone volume and camera focus draw complaints.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?