Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) review: buy or skip?

Buy8.5/10 research score

Quick answer

Buy it, if you want a screen for recipes, photos and doorbell video. Why: screen for recipes, video calls and camera feeds. The catch: ads on screen.

By Buyrskip Editorial Team Updated November 2, 2026 1 min read

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Our verdict on the Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen)

Buy it if: you want a screen for recipes, photos and doorbell video.
Skip it if: you are worried about a camera in the room; use the shutter.

Best for: Kitchen
Key feature: Screen for recipes, video calls and camera feeds
Typical price: $119–$149

Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Key specifications

Assistant	Alexa
Speaker	2 x 2 inch
Screen	8 inch
Smart home hub	Zigbee, Matter, Thread

Who should buy it, and who should skip it

A good fit if you

you want a screen for recipes, photos and doorbell video
value good screen and sound
can spend around $119–$149

Skip it if you

you are worried about a camera in the room; use the shutter
mind this: ads on screen
mind this: bigger footprint

Pros and cons

Pros

Good screen and sound
Zigbee hub
Camera shutter

Cons

Ads on screen
Bigger footprint

The verdict in one breath

The Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) is a smart speaker we would point most people to. What earns it the buy: screen for recipes, video calls and camera feeds. In our list it is the pick for: kitchen.

Reasons to buy

Good screen and sound
Zigbee hub
Camera shutter

Reasons to skip

Ads on screen
Bigger footprint

The specs that matter

Assistant: Alexa
Speaker: 2 x 2 inch
Screen: 8 inch
Smart home hub: Zigbee, Matter, Thread

Buy it or skip it?

Buy it if you want a screen for recipes, photos and doorbell video. Skip it if you are worried about a camera in the room; use the shutter; the Apple HomePod mini is the better buy then. Everything else is in our list of the best smart speakers.

Alternatives worth considering

Apple · Smart Speakers & Displays

Apple HomePod mini

Buy it if you use iPhone and Apple Music.

Verdict: Buy
Best for: iPhone homes
Typical price: $89–$99

Pros

Good sound
Thread hub

Cons

Siri is weaker

Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review

Sonos · Smart Speakers & Displays

Sonos Era 100

Buy it if you care most about music quality.

Verdict: Buy
Best for: Music
Typical price: $179–$249

Pros

Excellent sound
Stereo

Cons

Pricey

Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review

Frequently asked questions

Should I buy the Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen)?

Buy it, if you want a screen for recipes, photos and doorbell video. Why: screen for recipes, video calls and camera feeds. The catch: ads on screen.

When should I skip it?

Skip it if you are worried about a camera in the room; use the shutter. The Apple HomePod mini is the better buy then.

What does the Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) cost?

Usually $119–$149 on Amazon.com. It tends to dip during Prime Day and Black Friday.

Buyrskip Editorial Team

Part of the Buyrskip research team. We compare specifications, documentation and real-world trade-offs so you can decide faster.

How we research products Editorial policy

Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen): the full buy-or-skip review

Is the Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) worth buying? Short answer: buy it, if you want a screen for recipes, photos and doorbell video. This review explains what this Amazon model gets right, where it falls short, what it usually costs in the US and which smart speaker to buy instead if it is not the right fit for you.

What the Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) does well

The headline: screen for recipes, video calls and camera feeds. Key specs: Assistant: Alexa; Speaker: 2 x 2 inch; Screen: 8 inch; Smart home hub: Zigbee, Matter, Thread. In our list it is the pick for: kitchen. It usually sells for $119–$149.

Who it suits: people who want a screen for recipes, photos and doorbell video.

The trade-offs

Good: good screen and sound, zigbee hub, camera shutter. Not so good: ads on screen, bigger footprint. Read the skip-if line before you order: skip it if you are worried about a camera in the room; use the shutter.

What to buy instead

Instead, consider the Apple HomePod mini ($89–$99): great sound for its size and seamless iPhone handoff. Better if you use iPhone and Apple Music.

Instead, consider the Sonos Era 100 ($179–$249): rich stereo sound with Alexa and AirPlay 2. Better if you care most about music quality.

Instead, consider the Amazon Echo (4th Gen) ($59–$99): good-sounding Alexa speaker with a Zigbee hub. Better if you want Alexa with fuller sound for music.

Before you buy

Assistant: Alexa has the most smart home support; Google is best at answering questions; Siri suits Apple homes. Sound: small speakers are for voice; buy a bigger one if it doubles as your music speaker. Display: a screen helps with recipes, cameras and video calls.

US buyer tip

Echo devices hit their lowest prices on Prime Day and Black Friday, often half off.

Prices on Amazon.com move in a pattern. The deepest cuts land on Prime Day in July, Prime Big Deal Days in October and the Black Friday to Cyber Monday week, with smaller drops around Presidents Day, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and back-to-school. Judge a deal against the usual price we show, never against the crossed-out list price.

Order from Amazon itself or the brand's official storefront so the US manufacturer warranty applies, keep your order confirmation and register the product with the brand. Most items can be returned within 30 days, and holiday purchases often get an extended return window into January.