Best Smart Displays: Echo Show 8, Google Nest Hub, and Lenovo Smart Display Compared
Introduction
In the world of smart home devices, smart displays are quickly becoming an essential gadget for many households. Whether you’re using them for video calls, smart home control, or entertainment, they offer versatility and convenience in one sleek package. Today, we’re diving deep into the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen, 2023 release) and comparing it to two solid competitors in the market. In this video, I’ll give you a detailed breakdown of their features, pros and cons, and help you decide which one is the best fit for your needs.
If you’re looking to upgrade your smart home or enhance your daily routine, keep watching to find out which smart display is right for you.
1. Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen, 2023 Release)
Overview: The Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) is one of Amazon’s most popular smart displays, and for good reason. Released in 2023, it has seen several upgrades that enhance its already excellent performance. This smart display combines the power of Alexa with a vibrant 8-inch HD screen, making it ideal for video calls, streaming music, controlling your smart home devices, and even watching your favorite shows and movies.
Pros:
8-inch HD Display: The Echo Show 8 offers a crystal-clear 8-inch screen with 1280 x 800 resolution, which strikes the perfect balance between size and clarity. Whether you’re following recipes, watching video clips, or video chatting with friends and family, the display offers bright, vivid visuals.
Alexa Integration: As an Amazon product, the Echo Show 8 fully integrates with Alexa. You can use voice commands to control your smart home devices, ask for weather updates, play music, or even shop online. The voice assistant is fast, responsive, and accurate.
Video Calling and Zoom Support: One of the standout features of the Echo Show 8 is its video calling capabilities. It supports Zoom, Skype, and other video chat apps, making it perfect for both personal and professional use.
Privacy Features: Privacy-conscious users will appreciate the camera shutter and microphone mute button for added peace of mind. Plus, it has a digital camera that adjusts to fit your face, so you’ll always be in frame during calls.
Sleek Design: The design of the Echo Show 8 is sleek and modern. It fits in any room — be it your kitchen, bedroom, or office. The option to choose between a charcoal or sandstone finish means it can blend seamlessly with your home design.
Cons:
No Dolby Atmos Sound: While the Echo Show 8’s audio quality is decent, it lacks high-end audio features like Dolby Atmos that some higher-end models provide, which may be a downside if you’re seeking the best sound experience for media consumption.
Limited Screen Size for Movies: At 8 inches, the display is great for most tasks, but if you’re planning to watch full-length movies or large video calls regularly, you might find the screen a bit too small for a premium experience compared to larger models like the Echo Show 10 or other competing devices.
No Built-in Battery: The Echo Show 8 needs to be plugged into a wall outlet for use, unlike some smart displays that offer battery power for portability. This limits its flexibility in terms of placement around the house, especially in rooms without easy access to power outlets.
2. Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen (2021)
Overview: Next up, we have the Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen, which has earned a reputation for being one of the most intuitive smart displays on the market. With Google Assistant powering the device, the Nest Hub offers a seamless integration with Google’s ecosystem, providing an excellent alternative to the Echo Show 8. Let’s dive into what makes this device a top contender.
Pros:
Google Assistant Integration: If you’re already using Google services like Gmail, Google Calendar, or Google Photos, the Nest Hub integrates seamlessly into your ecosystem. The assistant is smart, and it’s incredibly efficient at handling tasks like answering questions, setting reminders, controlling smart home devices, and more.
Sleek and Minimalist Design: The Nest Hub features a minimalistic design with a 7-inch screen. It blends well into any environment, whether it’s in the kitchen, bedroom, or living room. The fabric-covered base gives it a soft, inviting look that is both functional and aesthetic.
Sleep Sensing Feature: The Nest Hub is unique in that it offers a sleep sensing feature, which tracks your sleep patterns through motion detection. This is great for health-conscious users looking to monitor their sleep quality.
Excellent Smart Home Control: Google’s Assistant is particularly strong when it comes to controlling smart home devices. Whether it’s smart lights, thermostats, or cameras, the Nest Hub excels in controlling and integrating with various smart devices, especially if you’re using Google-compatible products.
Ambient EQ for Display Adjustments: The Ambient EQ feature automatically adjusts the brightness of the display to match the room’s lighting, ensuring that the screen is always visible and comfortable to look at, no matter the time of day.
Cons:
Smaller Screen: At 7 inches, the Nest Hub’s screen is smaller than the Echo Show 8’s. This might be a drawback for users who prefer larger displays for video calls or media consumption.
No Camera for Video Calls: Unlike the Echo Show 8, the Nest Hub does not have a built-in camera, which means you can’t make video calls directly from the device. This could be a dealbreaker if video communication is an important part of your smart display experience.
No Bluetooth Audio Support: The Nest Hub lacks Bluetooth audio support, limiting your options when it comes to playing music from other devices. This could be frustrating for users who want to stream audio from their phones or laptops.
3. Lenovo Smart Display 8
Overview: The Lenovo Smart Display 8 is another great contender in the smart display market. Powered by Google Assistant, it combines practicality and versatility, offering a solid alternative to both the Echo Show 8 and the Nest Hub. Let’s take a closer look at its features.
Pros:
Google Assistant Integration: Like the Nest Hub, the Lenovo Smart Display also integrates Google Assistant, allowing you to easily control your smart home devices, set reminders, and get answers to your questions.
8-inch Display with Good Resolution: With an 8-inch display similar in size to the Echo Show 8, the Lenovo Smart Display provides clear visuals. It’s great for video calls, streaming videos, and checking your photos or calendar.
Stylish Design: The Lenovo Smart Display has a modern and clean design, available in both a white and gray color scheme. The back of the display features a fabric-covered stand, making it a stylish addition to any room.
Built-in Google Duo Support: The Lenovo Smart Display supports Google Duo, a popular video calling service, and allows for high-quality video calls, even on a smaller screen.
Good Sound Quality: The Lenovo Smart Display features a pair of front-facing speakers that deliver surprisingly good audio quality, making it suitable for listening to music or watching videos.
Cons:
Lack of Amazon Integration: If you’re heavily invested in Amazon’s ecosystem (e.g., Echo devices, Prime Video), the Lenovo Smart Display may feel slightly limited compared to the Echo Show 8.
Screen Size May Be a Drawback for Some Users: While the 8-inch screen is suitable for most tasks, it may not be ideal for users who want to watch a lot of video content or enjoy larger, more immersive displays.
Google Assistant May Lack Some Skills of Alexa: Although Google Assistant is powerful, it may not have the same range of skills or compatibility with certain devices as Amazon’s Alexa. If you’re using a wide range of Amazon-compatible smart devices, the Echo Show 8 might be a better choice.
Conclusion
So, which smart display should you choose? Here’s a quick summary:
If you’re an Amazon user and want a display with Alexa, the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) is the clear winner. Its sharp 8-inch display, robust privacy features, and excellent integration with Alexa make it a top choice for Amazon ecosystem enthusiasts.
If you’re invested in the Google ecosystem, the Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen offers superior integration with Google services, a sleek design, and the innovative sleep sensing feature. However, it lacks a camera and a larger screen, which may be limiting for some users.
The Lenovo Smart Display 8 strikes a balance between design, functionality, and sound quality. It offers a good display and Google Assistant integration but may not have as many features as the Echo Show 8.
If you found this comparison helpful, be sure to check out the links below to get the best deals on these devices through my Amazon affiliate links. Each purchase helps support the channel, so thank you for your suppor
- Echo Show 8 3rd Gen: https://amzn.to/3O5tDym
2. Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen: https://amzn.to/4hR4pl9
3. Lenovo Smart Display 8: https://amzn.to/3USJZy5
