Amazon Echo Show 8 3rd Gen Review: Still Worth It in 2026?
The Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) is a versatile Alexa smart display combining an 8-inch touchscreen, Spatial Audio, 13MP camera and built-in Zigbee, Thread and Matter smart-home hub.
It is no longer Amazon’s newest Echo Show 8, but it remains a strong choice when discounted.
Echo Show 8 Specs
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Display | 8-inch Touchscreen |
| Resolution | 1280 × 800 |
| Camera | 13MP |
| Audio | Dual 2″ Drivers + Passive Bass Radiator |
| Spatial Audio | Yes |
| Room Adaptation | Yes |
| Alexa+ | Supported |
| Zigbee Hub | Yes |
| Thread | Yes |
| Matter | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Dual-Band Wi-Fi 5 |
| Camera Privacy Shutter | Yes |
Independent testing confirms the 8-inch 1280 × 800 display, dual 2-inch speakers and 13MP centered camera.
8-Inch Smart Display
The 8-inch display is a good middle ground between smaller bedside smart displays and much larger Echo Show models.
It works well for:
- Weather and news
- Recipes
- Calendars
- Music controls
- Security cameras
- Video calls
- Smart-home controls
Adaptive Content can also change what’s displayed depending on how close you are to the screen.
Spatial Audio
Sound quality is one of the biggest improvements over older Echo Shows.
Amazon added Spatial Audio processing and room-adaptation technology, which adjusts playback based on room acoustics.
Tom’s Guide found the 3rd Gen capable of surprisingly strong room-filling sound for its size.
Built-In Smart Home Hub
The Echo Show 8 can act as a real smart-home hub.
It supports:
Zigbee
Thread
Matter
Bluetooth
Amazon Sidewalk
This allows many compatible lights, locks, plugs and sensors to connect directly without requiring another hub.
Alexa+
The Echo Show 8 can take advantage of Alexa+, Amazon’s newer generative-AI assistant.
Alexa+ offers more natural conversations, personalized information and more advanced smart-home control. Existing compatible Echo Show devices can access Alexa+ features, although Amazon’s newer 2025 Echo Show 8 was specifically designed around Alexa+ hardware.
For Canadian Prime members, Alexa+ is currently included with Prime.
13MP Camera
The centered 13MP camera supports video calling and auto-framing.
Moving the camera to the center was an important improvement over the previous generation because eye contact feels more natural during calls.
Privacy
Amazon includes:
- Physical camera shutter
- Microphone/camera disable button
- Alexa privacy controls
These provide hardware-level options when you do not want the camera or microphone active.
Echo Show 8 3rd Gen vs New Echo Show 8
| Feature | 3rd Gen | New Echo Show 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Alexa+ | Yes | Purpose-Built |
| Processor | Older | AZ3 Pro |
| Display | 8″ | Improved 8″ |
| Smart Home Hub | Yes | Yes |
| Spatial Audio | Yes | Improved |
| Sensors | Standard | Omnisense |
| Value | Better Discounted | Higher Price |
The newer model adds more processing power, advanced sensing and a redesigned audio system.
Pros
✓ Good 8-inch touchscreen
✓ Strong sound for its size
✓ Spatial Audio
✓ 13MP camera
✓ Zigbee, Thread and Matter hub
✓ Alexa+ support
✓ Excellent smart-home controls
Cons
✗ No longer the newest Echo Show 8
✗ 1280 × 800 resolution is basic
✗ Older processor than 2025 model
✗ Best experience is tied to Amazon/Alexa ecosystem
Rating
Display: 8.7/10
Sound: 9.1/10
Smart Home: 9.6/10
Alexa Features: 9.3/10
Camera: 9.2/10
Value in 2026: 9.0/10
Overall: 9.1/10
Verdict
The Amazon Echo Show 8 3rd Gen remains an excellent smart display in 2026, particularly when sold below the price of the newer model.
Its strongest features are the 8-inch screen, Spatial Audio, 13MP camera and built-in Zigbee/Thread/Matter smart-home hub.
The newer Echo Show 8 is faster and better optimized for Alexa+, but the 3rd Gen still provides most of the everyday Alexa and smart-home functionality at a potentially lower price.
