For Black Friday and holiday gifting, the Echo Show 8 is a practical pick for someone who wants Alexa, video calls and smart home controls together on a countertop. Its 8.7-inch HD screen gives it room to show photos and useful information without taking over a kitchen or bedside table.
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I’d think of it as a shared home device more than a personal screen: it can suit a household that wants a central place for Alexa and compatible smart home devices, provided its camera and privacy setup fit the recipient’s comfort level.
Our top pick at a glance
Echo Show 8
- ✔ Screen: 8.7-inch HD
- ✔ Camera: 13 MP
- ✔ Processor: AZ3 Pro
A bigger screen that still fits a counter
The 8.7-inch HD touchscreen has 15% more viewing area than the previous model, according to the supplied product details. At 8.2 by 5 by 5.9 inches, it should be easy to place on a kitchen counter, desk or bedside table while leaving room for everyday items.
The screen can also display a photo slideshow, which gives it a more personal role during the holidays. It could be a thoughtful gift for a relative who would enjoy seeing family photos alongside Alexa’s visual features.
Useful for calls, audio and Alexa
The 13 MP camera supports auto-framing and 3.3× zoom, which can help keep someone in view during a video call. Spatial audio comes from a 2.8-inch woofer and two full-range drivers, with up to twice the bass listed in the product facts; that makes it a more capable shared-room audio device than a screen meant only for quick voice commands.
The AZ3 Pro chip is designed for fast performance, and Alexa+ adds personalized recommendations and visual ID routines. Those features may appeal to someone who already uses Alexa, though personalized features are most useful when the recipient is comfortable setting them up.
A smart home starting point
Built-in Zigbee, Matter, Thread, Border Router and Sidewalk support makes the Echo Show 8 a potential control point for a mix of compatible smart home devices. It also has ambient temperature, ambient light and presence detection sensors, plus visual ID through Omnisense.
As a gift, it pairs naturally with compatible smart lighting or other devices the recipient already owns. Check their setup before choosing add-ons: hub support helps with compatibility, but it does not mean every smart home product will work with it.
Trade-offs to consider before gifting
The main caveat is privacy. The supplied facts say there is no physical camera cover, and privacy controls rely on the user disabling hardware switches. That may make it a poor fit for someone who wants a camera-free device or prefers not to manage privacy settings.
There is also no dedicated headphone jack or external speaker output. If the recipient expects wired private listening or wants to connect a separate speaker, this is not the right fit. For a shared kitchen or living space where Alexa, calls and smart home controls matter more, it makes a clearer case.
More Details on Our Top Picks
Echo Show 8
The Echo Show 8 brings a larger HD touchscreen, spatial audio, a high-resolution camera and a built-in smart home hub into one countertop device. It is a considered holiday gift for an Alexa-friendly household, with camera privacy and limited audio connections as real trade-offs.
Pros:
- 8.7-inch HD touchscreen with more viewing area
- Spatial audio and enhanced bass
- 13 MP camera with auto-framing
- Built-in Zigbee, Matter, Thread and Sidewalk support
Cons:
- No physical camera cover
- No headphone jack or external speaker output
- Privacy controls require using hardware switches
Best for: Alexa users who want a shared kitchen or living-room screen for calls, photos and compatible smart home controls.
Not ideal for: People who want a camera-free device, wired private listening or an external speaker connection.
Bottom line: Consider the Echo Show 8 for an Alexa household that will use its screen and smart home hub, as long as its camera privacy trade-off suits the recipient.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are accurate as of the time of publishing.
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