Amazon Echo Show 11 review

Amazon Echo Show 11: Introduction

Rather than a radically different product with more power and features than its smaller sibling, the Echo Show 11 is really just an Echo Show 8 (4^th Generation) with a larger display.

That makes it more expensive for not a lot else. If you really want the bigger screen then there’s a lot to like, but the smaller version is better value.

Design and components

The Echo Show 11 is the largest desktop smart display from Amazon since the Echo Show 10 came out all the way back in 2021. Skip forward to now, and the new big-screen smart display is quite a different product.

The Echo Show 10 had a fancy motorized stand that let the screen swivel to point to face you. I was a fan, but all that extra tech added to the price and most people could live without.

Hence, we have the Echo Show 11, which is a more standard product with a fixed base. More than that, the base is identical to the stand on the recent Echo Show 8. This makes sense for Amazon, as it needs to manufacture only one base for two products, with the same colour choices and the same power input.

The only difference between the two devices is the screen, with the 11-inch model have a larger, higher resolution display. It’s a nice looking product, with the thin screen hanging off the base, giving the impression it’s floating. 

This smart display is a more thoughtfully designed product, than the older wedge-shaped Echo Show displays.

I would like a screen tilt, rather than the fixed display; if you want to adjust the display, you have to buy the optional stand.

At the back of the device is the power input, which is the only port you get on this device.

Physical controls are on the side of the screen and give you volume and a mute button that also turns off the camera. As with the Echo Show 8, there’s no longer a camera slider to block the webcam. I think that’s a shame. While the mute button may cut the camera and microphone off, a slider was a little more reassuring.

Features

The Amazon Echo Show 11 uses the same internals as the Echo Show 8, with the AZ3 processor with an AI Accelerator built for Alexa+. That’s good if you’re in a country with Alexa+, but in the UK there is no option to run the GenAI assistant, so I’ve not been able to test performance.

What I can say is that the Echo Show 11 responds well to Alexa requests, picking up even a gentle whisper in a fairly loud room. Then, Alexa does exactly what it does on any other device, which is to say that the results are slightly mixed.

For general conversation and smart home control, Alexa works well and picks up most requests. The service’s failings are in the details when you need external information. For example, Alexa’s database of local restaurants isn’t as up-to-date as Google Maps.

With a Full HD screen, the Echo Show 11’s display is a bit sharper than the one on the Echo Show 8. You don’t get more information, but the display and widgets are a bit larger and easier to see.

By default, the screen displays a slideshow using your photos or Amazon’s selections. You can also show news headlines and recipe ideas. Adjust the settings to hide any sections you don’t want.

Visual ID is integrated within the Amazon Echo Show 11, using the camera to recognise individuals standing in front of the device. This lets the smart display show personlised information, such as tailored calendar details, which is great in multi-user households.

In my opinion, the Echo Show 11 gives the best Alexa experience by combining voice interactions with visual outputs. For example, when asking about today’s weather, the display shows the current conditions and lets me swipe through screens for additional details, including hourly forecasts.

When controlling smart devices such as thermostats or lighting, the interface provides convenient on-screen controls. I can, for example, adjust a light’s brightness via a slider.

Voice commands are not always necessary; the smart home section permits direct control of connected devices, although the controls may occasionally be as useful as you might think. For example, I can modify the brightness of all my office lights simultaneously, but colour or temperature adjustments have to be made individually for each bulb.

Cameras can be live streamed to the smart display, and Ring owners get the benefit of thumbnails for all of their cameras, which makes it easier to see what’s going on, and doorbells can be answered without a smart phone.

Widgets can be added to the homescreen for quick access to information, such as upcoming calendar appointments or recent songs played on Spotify. The main issue is that there aren’t that many widgets to choose from and some aren’t as useful as they might first appear.

A good example is the smart home widget. This pulls in devices from your favourites list, which is global for your home. I’d prefer to be able to choose devices to show. For example, I’d like the Echo Show in my office to have my lights and smart plugs there; in the kitchen, I’d like the widget to show the kitchen lights.

The device has a comprehensive smart home hub, with Zigbee, Thread, and full Matter support. Omnisense is also built in, using both the camera and onboard sensors to accurately detect occupancy within a room. This capability performs exceptionally well, enabling routines to triggered by presence or absence with more accuracy than using a simple motion sensor. 

This Show 11 also has Adaptive Content via Omnisense: when looked at a distance, the device displays a slideshow, while getting close switches the screen to show interactive widgets instead.

Video streaming is supported via dedicated apps for Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. Disney+ and YouTube are accessible only through the integrated web browser, which may offer a less seamless experience. The Echo Show 15 is better as it has the full Fire TV platform. 

Sound and video quality

There’s a 2.8-inch woofer and dual full-range drivers inside the base, so the audio performance here is exactly the same as with the Echo Show 8. Audio performance is generally very good.

OK Go’s bass-heavy This Too Shall Pass is delivered with enough thump to bring out the drums with enough power.

Stereo separation is limited due to the proximity of the drivers, but the speakers still handle stereo tracks well and offer a sense of movement, such as in Foo Fighters’ Enough Space, which has a swirling guitar intro.

The large screen has a higher 1080p resolution, compared to the Echo Show 8, so video is a bit sharper, although there’s still no HDR. I found that brightness and image uniformity were good, although blacks appear slightly grey. For films and TV, audio remains clear and impactful, effectively conveying action scenes.

Overall, I wouldn’t be that bothered about watching a lot of content on this screen, bar instructional or cooking videos.

The built-in 13MP webcam has auto-tracking and framing with good image quality, but it’s mainly useful for video calls between Echo Show devices. If you use this feature, good, but I suspect that many people never make video calls with the Echo Show; I don’t.

Final thoughts

With the Amazon Echo Show 11 you pay more money to get the larger screen with a higher resolution. Core features and audio performance are identical to those of the Echo Show 8, which is a much better value. If you want the larger screen, you’ll like this smart display, but the smaller version is best for most people.

How we test

When we publish our reviews, you can rest assured that they are the result of “living with” long term tests.

Smart displays usually live within an ecosystem, or a range of products that – supposedly – all work in harmony. And they are designed to offer a range of different cleaning options. Therefore, it’s impossible to use a robo cleaner for a week and deliver a verdict.

Because we’re testing smart home kit all day, everyday, we know what matters and how a particular smart cleaning machine compares to alternatives that you might also be considering.

Our reviews are comprehensive, objective and fair and, of course, we are never paid directly to review a device.