Amazon Echo Show 8 (4th Gen, 2025) review

Amazon Echo Show 8 (4th Gen, 2025): Introduction

Rather than just an iterative improvement over the Echo Show 8 (3^rd Gen), the new model, the Amazon Echo Show 8 (4th Gen, 2025), is a complete rethink of the form factor, with better audio and a faster processor.

A clear upgrade over the old model, this is the best smart display that you can buy, although it is a little expensive compared to previous models.

Design and components

Rather than taking the old Echo Show and giving it a tweak, the Amazon Echo Show 8 (4th Gen, 2025) uses a completely different design, with a round base at the back that looks a little like an Echo Studio (2025).

Available in graphite or glacier white, the choice of two gives enough options to find the one that best fits your décor and tastes.

Off this base floats the 8-inch screen. It’s a nice effect, making the Amazon Echo Show 8 (4th Gen, 2025) fit better into the home and making it far more stylish than the old model. 

It looks as though the screen should be adjustable, but it’s not. While the screen is angled well for most uses, if you want an adjustment, there is an optional stand available, which is compatible with this model and the larger 11-inch versions.

At the rear is the power input. As is common with Echo speakers, there’s no line-out or other ports.

On the right-hand side you get the physical controls: volume, and a mute button that turns off the camera and microphone. Gone is the slider that puts a shutter across the webcam, which is a shame.

Features

As with Amazon’s other recent Echo smart speakers, the Amazon Echo Show 8 (4th Gen, 2025) is built for Alexa+, which you’ll get if you’re in the US; in the UK, the new voice assistant is not available.

Internally, there’s an AZ3 Pro processor with AI accelerator, which makes Alexa faster to respond. Plus it improves the speaker’s ability to respond to requests, even picking up my mumbled calls for Alexa.

As a smart display, the Amazon Echo Show 8 (4th Gen, 2025) can do more than give you voice responses. It can show additional information, such as the upcoming weather if you ask for a current report.

In standby, the screen shows extra information, such as news headlines and tips. It’s always worth going into the settings menu to turn off the options that you don’t want.

Visual ID is built-in, using the camera to recognise familiar faces and then show customised information, such as one person’s upcoming appointments. Visual ID now works across multiple devices, so register yourself once, and you can use your profile on any compatible Echo Show device.

The display also augments smart home control. For example, turn on a light with your voice, and the screen gives you touch controls to adjust brightness. For me, the Echo Show range delivers the best overall Alexa experience.

Widgets are available, such as to show recently played music tracks or your calendar. There aren’t many Widgets to choose from, and some aren’t very good. I don’t like the smart home one, as it pulls in devices you’ve marked as favourite. That sounds alright, but for a device in my office, I want one set of devices; an Echo Show in the kitchen should show other devices.

The smart home section offers quick device access, though controls can be confusing. While I can turn all office lights on or off and adjust brightness with a slider, changing color or temperature for all bulbs must be done one by one. 

The Echo Show 8 integrates Zigbee, Thread, and is Matter compatible, letting you add and control smart devices easily. You can stream video from supported cameras and answer your Ring doorbell right from the device. 

Omnisense combines a camera and presence sensor for smarter automation, such as turning on the heater only when you’re present, using advanced ultrasound for better detection than standard motion sensors.

Omnisense also enables Adaptive Content, so the display shows slideshows from a distance and Widgets up close. 

The Echo Show 8 plays video through select apps like Prime Video and Netflix, while services like Disney+ and YouTube are available only via the built-in browser.

Sound and video quality

Amazon has enhanced the audio capabilities of this smart speaker, compared to the previous version. The Amazon Echo Show 8 (4th Gen, 2025) has a 2.8-inch woofer in addition to dual full-range drivers. This configuration is powerful and you get brilliant audio.

A dedicated woofer results in improved bass response compared to prior models. When playing bass-intensive tracks such as OK Go’s This Too Shall Pass, the Echo Show 8 maintains controlled bass output up to approximately 75% volume. Below this level, the device delivers substantial impact and depth; however, at higher volumes, there’s some distortion and harshness.

Stereo speakers help with detail, particularly in some tracks. For example, Foo Fighters’ Enough Space is a useful test for stereo separation due to its left-to-right swirling guitar intro. You don’t get the full stereo separation you would with discrete speakers, but the swirl effect is clearly there. 

When watching TV and films vis Netflix, the Echo Show 8 is pretty good. Its 1340 x 800 resolution is perfectly fine given the screen size, and there’s enough sharpness and detail to it.

HDR is not supported, but the picture is pretty good. The screen’s bright, evenly lit, and colours are vibrant, although blacks do verge towards the grey. Audio, thanks to the woofer, can keep pace and deliver the impact of things like gunshots.

Realistically, the Amazon Echo Show 8 (4th Gen, 2025) is probably too small for dedicated film watching, but it’s handy for catching up on some TV shows.

Finally, there’s a 13MP webcam in the front, which can auto-framing and tracking. It works really well if you like making video calls between Echo devices.

Final thoughts

Although quite a bit more expensive than the previous model, the Amazon Echo Show 8 (4th Gen, 2025) is worth it. It’s ready for Alexa+, and its upgraded audio is great for music.

Overall, this is the best smart display available, and a worthy upgrade for anyone running one of the older models.

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 smart display 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.