Amazon
Amazon Echo Show 5 Smart Display Review
Reviewed by Lisa Park · Published · Updated
Explore the Amazon Echo Show 5 in this detailed review. Discover its features, pros, cons, and whether it's the right smart display for you.
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The verdict
The Amazon Echo Show 5 is a compact, feature-rich smart display that excels in sound quality and functionality.
Why we recommend it
Alexa can show you more - Echo Show 5 includes a 5.5” display so you can see news and weather at a glance, make video ca
Small size, bigger sound – Stream your favorite music, shows, podcasts, and more from providers like Amazon Music, Spoti
Keep your home comfortable – Control compatible smart devices like lights and thermostats, even while you're away.
See more with the built-in camera – Check in on your family, pets, and more using the built-in camera. Drop in on your h
See your photos on display – When not in use, set the background to a rotating slideshow of your favorite photos. Invite
Stay connected with video calling – Use the 2 MP camera to call friends and family who have the Alexa app or an Echo dev
Designed to protect your privacy— Amazon is not in the business of selling your personal information to others. Built wi
Designed for sustainability – This device’s fabric is made from 100% post-consumer recycled polyester yarn and aluminum
Pros
- Excellent sound quality with deeper bass
- Versatile smart home control capabilities
- Compact design suitable for various spaces
- User-friendly interface with Alexa integration
- Built-in privacy features for peace of mind
Cons
- 5.5-inch display may be too small for some users
- Mixed experiences with reliability and responsiveness
- Value for money perception varies among customers
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Full review
Overview
The Amazon Echo Show 5 is the latest addition to Amazon's line of smart displays, designed to provide an interactive experience with Alexa. This compact device features a 5.5-inch display that allows users to access a multitude of functions, from checking the weather to making video calls. With a focus on sound quality, the Echo Show 5 promises deeper bass and clearer vocals, making it an appealing option for music lovers and those looking to enhance their smart home experience.
Key Features
One of the standout features of the Echo Show 5 is its 5.5-inch display, which offers a convenient way to view information at a glance. Users can easily check news updates, weather forecasts, and even stream their favorite shows and music from popular services like Amazon Music and Spotify. The sound quality is significantly enhanced, providing 2X the bass compared to previous models, ensuring that music and podcasts are delivered with clarity.
Additionally, the Echo Show 5 allows users to control compatible smart devices, such as lights and thermostats, even when they are not at home. This feature is especially beneficial for those who want to maintain a comfortable living environment or enhance their home security. The built-in camera serves multiple purposes, allowing users to check in on family members or pets, as well as providing video calling capabilities. The privacy-conscious design includes a microphone and camera off button, along with a built-in camera shutter, ensuring users feel secure while using the device.
Who Is It For
The Amazon Echo Show 5 is ideal for anyone looking to integrate a smart display into their home. It is especially beneficial for families who want to stay connected through video calls or those who wish to monitor their home with compatible cameras. Additionally, music enthusiasts will appreciate the improved sound quality and streaming capabilities. However, users who prefer larger displays or are seeking a device for extensive media consumption might find the 5.5-inch screen a bit limiting.
Final Verdict
In conclusion, the Amazon Echo Show 5 is a versatile and feature-rich smart display that offers excellent sound quality and a range of functionalities that enhance everyday life. While it may not suit everyone's preferences, particularly those in need of a larger screen, it remains an outstanding choice for its price point and capabilities, making it a worthwhile addition to any smart home setup.
What buyers say
4.0 · 5 reviews“I love this Alexa device! It is small, sleek, and works perfectly in my home. The quality is excellent, and I love being able to easily monitor things and stay connected. The sound is crisp, setup was simple, and it is very practical for daily use. It is a fantastic smart device for the price; I highly recommend it!”
“I purchased the newest Amazon Echo Show 5 for my home, and it has quickly become one of my favorite smart devices. This technology has truly made my daily life easier, more organized, and more enjoyable. I love being able to use Alexa to manage my schedule, set reminders, check the weather, play music, make calls, and control compatible smart home devices with simple voice commands. The improved sound quality with stronger bass and clearer audio makes listening to music, podcasts, and videos much more pleasant. The smart display is the perfect size for my kitchen and living space, and the screen makes it convenient to see information instead of only hearing it. It has added so much comfort and convenience to my home routine, saving me time and making everyday tasks feel effortless. I highly recommend the Echo Show 5 to anyone looking for a smart device that brings technology, convenience, and enjoyment into their home.”
“In all authenticity I've stayed away from all things Alexa since day one and never wanted it in my home. I'm a tech savvy nerd who saw/noticed that technology was going down the wrong fork in the road a few decades ago and began reversing things "in my control" at my end. I finally caved on Alexa, though skeptical, I enjoy my privacy and right to anonymity, which we little to none left of. True, no matter how many settings I shut off I know what Alexa, Siri and being online itself causes (any WIFI and Bluetooth connection), but I did cave and I'm enjoying these a great deal.Voice recognition is superb, they've obviously done a lot more with Alexa than Apple has done with poor Siri who barely functions anymore. Connection is amazing in my home, I bought 2, one upstairs, one downstairs, then paired them. Setup was super quick - though I don't love having to use the App, again I've reversed things "in my control" for quite a few years which includes no use of any apps other than staples (camera, photos, text, etc.), so I'm not thrilled that I need to use the App, but I use it briefly, do whatever I need to do on it and immediately close it.These little guys are wonderful, sound is fantastic, and that's with one speaker upstairs and one speaker downstairs, you can't even tell that it's setup that way - excellent sound! Volume is wonderful and I've really been enjoying it! I still have a way to go on learning the ins and outs, I find a setting, set it, then forget where I saw it/found it to adjust it, but I'm super new to anything Alexa and the Echo. As much as I love it and I do, I don't know if my direct through the wall home owner loves how loud I have one of my alarms set "KIMBA IT'S TIME TO TAKE A SHOWER - YOU NEED TO GO TO UPS" is set so loud with a repeat 3 times LOL. It cracks me up, but it's amazing!I bought the stands (sold separately) for each and I'm really happy I did. I think this Echo is worth every penny and I'm thrilled that I bought 2 of them - I love that when I run upstairs and downstairs I don't lose the songs I'm listening to. One thing I adore, once I figured it out, is the ability to shut off insights and all things I don't want to see or hear about - I just love the music, the alarms, lists, reminders and weather. It's hilarious, I keep saying (again very new) Hey Alexa, I mean Hey Siri, no I mean Alexa ... and then Siri/on my phone says something like I'm sorry but I think you're looking for a different service haha.Excellent product, excellent quality!”
“Honestly haven't opened it yet. Been so busy. Hopefully my bad luck doesn't get me! Excellent price. I've wanted one for a while too!!! Thanks to Cyber Monday I cannot believe the price I paid! Awesome, fast shipping even during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Let's hope it works great 😊P L E A S E - - - READ MY EXPERIENCE UPDATE AFTER USING IT FOR 2 WKS. The disappointment started hours after plugging it in 2 Saturdays ago (Today is Dec 25th, 2023)**UPDATE DECEMBER 25TH, 2023**MAJOR disappointment.It needs every subscription under the sun to enjoy 99% of it fully. Even "Find my Phone" is a charge! My "Google Bot" does not charge me for that.It glitches a lot. In the 2 weeks it's been plugged in I've had to hard boot it 3 times.AMAZON music sub or forget using it to play music you want. They support so many platforms... Not YouTube Red.I bought the blink system, no pun intended, the cameras echo through the ECHO. 4 camera on sale too and so disappointed.All games want you to pay for a service to use it fully.No tier service plans... Just 25 bucks for this, 4.99 for that, 19.99 for this.. Like make a tier system or something.It does not work friendly through the app or the ECHO itself. There is no way to have it on adaptive lighting and even wake it up and have the screen brighten a bit. Literally, no option for it. Like come on who can see that dark screen.. If you prompt it I should give off light.It's not as friendly in its demeanor as "The Google Bot". No personality. No swearing. I asked it about a serious local news situation that the country is aware of for Vegas since the 6th of Dec, it told me "Not sure what you're asking for" my "Google Bot" gave me a 15 min break down of the first min of the horrible situation at my alma mater to the latest news. Sad.The technology using it to do video calls, garbage. My tech abilities are expert level so no it's no my internet. My call with my mom and my husband both skipping, freezing. On their end and mine. Oh and forget adding all of your contacts.. That's a charge too. Otherwise you get 10 contacts it saves on itself only.I'm so sad. I really was excited for this newer technology since I've had my "Google Bot" for six years.. It does more and knows more than this Echo.The charges are the absolute worst for me. Find my phone? Really? Give me a break.The speaker, not good over 50 to 60% ((60% is the highest you can go without it being tingy. I adjusted the mids, nothing changes... Even the little ask me the animal of the day if you want to keep going it does.. And shows you more animal sounds. But if you want MORE you have to pay for the service... For animal sounds..... Come on.The smooth transition of screen to screen in where it flips through news..... Sadly lagging and skipping.--IN CLOSING - - It's nothing of what I expected in speed. It's 6 feet from my modem.... It's not my connection...for the skipping screens. Lagging stories on the news when you ask it what's the story? Video calls... Useless. IT'S NOT even WORTH the sale price I got it for. Not even close.The abilities it has to run your whole house, garage doors, emergency help, smoke, CO, thermostat list us longer than I've ever seen. If I can't even have me tell me what my local university updates are without it faking to even kno about it, who thinks I would roll the dice and pay all these subs and get more electronics to make the long list of things actually work.1 star for technology for 20230 stars for personality, voice choice0 stars for everything having a subscription montky cost.0 stars for ease of use0 stars for quality - freezing, skipping, lagging video play.0 for sound.0 for ease of app use with it0 for BLINK app to use with Alexa3 for looks, esthetic wise2 for functions like making the screen brighter on adaptive lighting when touching it or voice prompting it0 for cost of subs, extra gear.1 for all it can do but at the price of each monthly cost to have them. Too afraid to buy the extras and add a subscription to it too.4 stars for pre set up before even having it sent to me. Through email. Impressed, and that was the last time I was.0 for more free options for even things like voices of Alexa, diff prompt names for Alexa, are all words I'd use every day but Ziggy do I went with that and still certain words I say pick it up and listen.Overall average score for me (above stars) 2 stars all around.Sincerely - - - - -Disappointed in Prime/Amazon/Amazon's Customer Service.***UPDATE: December 31, 2023***Glitches every day. I have to reboot it at least once a day. It gets stuck in broken half screen is black, loops. There is a glitch that happens every day after I do a routine in the afternoon and gets stuck doing this weird clock I don't normally see.I'm calling Customer Service and getting a replacement. If that too is garbage, it's being returned and I want a refund.”
“I have owned an Amazon Echo for years and it has worked exceptionally well. I thought it "died" not too long ago and I ordered the Show 5 as a replacement. It turns out that the Echo was apparently getting a firmware update and needed several attempts to update. I have owned the Echo 5 for a few weeks now and I'm not overly impressed. Response time is slower than my older device, which responds to the same commands immediately. The Echo 5 is slower to respond and I need to say the command several times. The other thing I have noticed: sometimes I will ask my older Echo (which is on the first floor of my house) to play music and the Echo 5 (on the second floor) will actually play it. That can be annoying sometimes. I'm hoping it will improve over time, but at this point, my older Echo is proving to be more reliable and faster than the newer technology.”
Frequently asked questions
Can the Echo Show 5 be used without an Amazon account?+
No, the Echo Show 5 requires an Amazon account to access its full range of features, including Alexa services.
Does the Echo Show 5 support video streaming services?+
Yes, the Echo Show 5 supports various streaming services, including Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and more.
How does the privacy feature work?+
The Echo Show 5 includes a microphone and camera off button, as well as a built-in camera shutter, ensuring your privacy is protected.
Is the sound quality better than previous models?+
Yes, the Echo Show 5 features improved sound quality with 2X the bass compared to earlier versions.
Can I control my smart home devices with the Echo Show 5?+
Absolutely! The Echo Show 5 can control a variety of compatible smart home devices, allowing for seamless integration into your home automation system.
About the reviewer
Lisa Park
Photography Editor
Lisa shoots professionally and reviews camera gear for beginners and enthusiasts alike.
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