Alexa is a household word these days. Even if you don’t have a smart speaker or smart display, you know what Alexa does. The Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen, 2023 release) is the latest iteration of Amazon’s compact smart display and takes the home assistant to a new level. But before we dive into the specifics of this nifty device, let’s explore the broader context of smart speakers and assistants, and why they’ve become such an integral part of modern living.
Smart speakers and smart displays have become a tech gateway to convenience. They have transformed the way we interact with our homes. They act as central hubs for controlling smart home devices, playing music, setting reminders, provide real-time information like weather updates & news briefs, and are great for keep track of our shopping lists. And with the Echo Show, you can also view video doorbells, security cameras and even watch your favourite show or film on Amazon Prime Video (if you have a subscription). The convenience of voice control means that tasks can be performed without lifting a finger, making multitasking a breeze. Imagine cooking dinner while asking your smart speaker to read out the next steps of the recipe, or dimming the lights without having to pause your movie night, or seeing (and interacting with) who is at the door without leaving the comfort of your favourite chair.
Like most things, they have their pros and cons. While smart assistants offer unparalleled convenience, they’re not without their drawbacks. On the plus side, they can increase autonomy, especially for the elderly or those with disabilities, by automating tasks that might otherwise require assistance. However, concerns about privacy and security are valid, as these devices are always listening for their wake word, potentially leading to inadvertent recordings or data breaches. But I wouldn’t be without mine, and the microphone can be turned off when you don’t want it listening and the camera has a shutter to close it off from external viewing.
Anyway, back the Amazon Echo Show 5. This is an Amazon Alexa smart device, just like the smart speakers that we all know and love, but with a 5.5” display and camera. It has a neat compact design with improved sound quality over previous models as it features a more powerful speaker and enhanced voice response. It’s a smart display with a touch screen that provides visual feedback and touch control alongside Alexa’s voice commands.
The Echo Show 5 features a 5.5” display and is a good compact size (it measures approx. 147mm x 82mm x 91mm) so it doesn’t take up much room on a desk, nightstand or kitchen counter.
So why go for an Echo Show over the Echo Dots, a smart display over a smart speaker? Well, the Echo show has all the benefits of the Dots and other smart speakers but with a display so that you can view videos from your Prime subscription, view any compatible video doorbells and cameras, see the weather and news at a glance, make video calls and even check in on your family and pets using the built-in camera, and lots more including viewing recipes.
Overall, I am very happy with Echo Show 5. It doesn’t take up much room on my desk, the screen size is good (although I think if I was using it to watch more videos I would go for the bigger screen size, either the 8” or 10”). The sound is very good, crisp and clear, although I have since paired it with an external Bluetooth speaker. I love that it displays the time and weather on the home screen and that I can view photos, videos and security cameras easily. And it is very responsive to voice commands and works fast.
I also like that the screen can be operated by touch as well. Pull down from the top of the screen to quickly access menu functions such as Do Not Disturb mode, notifications, settings and other functions.
Privacy issues have always surrounded smart speakers/smart displays, and can be a concern especially as you can remotely access the camera to check in on pets and family using the app. But the Echo Show 5 comes with a camera shutter so that you can disable viewing from the camera and you can mute/disable the camera and microphone.
And for those that prefer to listen to audio books you can also enable it to read your Kindle books to you (although I prefer reading rather than listening).
There are also lots of other functions like keeping your calendar, alarms, timers and all the usual functions you are used to with other Alexa devices.
The Amazon Echo Show 5 offers a good balance of features and affordability, especially if you want to video call friends and family, watch videos or just view your Ring doorbell or internet connected security camera without leaving your desk or opening up the app on your phone. Whether you’re expanding your smart home ecosystem or starting fresh, the Echo Show 5 is a worthy contender to consider.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £89.99
Available to buy from Amazon here.