The Echo Spot and Echo Show 8 are both compelling additions to Amazon’s Echo lineup, offering distinct advantages based on your specific needs. The Echo Spot, with its compact size and circular design, serves as a smart alarm clock ideal for smaller spaces. In contrast, the Echo Show 8 boasts an eight-inch display and a more robust design, making it a versatile entertainment hub. However, the Echo Show 8’s larger footprint comes with a higher price tag. This comparison delves into the key features of both devices to help you make an informed decision.
Pricing and Design
If budget is a primary concern, the Echo Spot’s $80 price tag is significantly more attractive than the Echo Show 8’s $150 cost. Both displays feature aesthetically pleasing designs. The Echo Spot adopts a circular layout, while the Echo Show 8 adheres to a traditional rectangular form factor. While both designs are visually appealing, the Echo Spot’s lower price point gives it an edge in this category.
Display Size and Quality
Display size is a defining difference between the Echo Spot and Echo Show 8. The Echo Spot utilizes a small 2.83-inch display, primarily suitable for navigating menus or checking the time. Conversely, the Echo Show 8 offers an 8-inch display ideal for streaming TV shows or viewing photos. The Echo Show 8 naturally features a higher resolution (1280 x 800) compared to the Echo Spot (320 x 240). While the Echo Spot’s resolution is adequate for its smaller display, the Echo Show 8 delivers a noticeably better and more functional viewing experience.
Features and Smart Home Connectivity
Both devices seamlessly integrate with Alexa, Amazon’s voice assistant. They include built-in microphones, enabling voice commands via Alexa. Furthermore, both devices can sync with other Alexa-enabled devices, allowing for sophisticated automation. Both the Echo Spot and Echo Show 8 support the Matter interoperability standard, ensuring compatibility with a broader range of smart home devices.
However, beyond Alexa compatibility, the two devices diverge significantly. The Echo Show 8 features a 13MP camera for video chats, absent in the Echo Spot. Additionally, the Echo Show 8 utilizes a more powerful audio system with two 2-inch neodymium speakers and a passive bass radiator, producing room-filling sound. In contrast, the Echo Spot relies on a single 1.73-inch front-firing speaker, more suited for smaller spaces. The Echo Show 8’s expanded functionality is a direct result of its larger size, approximately twice the length of the Echo Spot.
Which is Better for Your Smart Home?
For smart display needs, the Echo Show 8 emerges as the superior choice. It offers a larger screen with a higher resolution, a superior audio system, and a built-in webcam. These features make it a versatile companion for living rooms and kitchens, effectively handling a wide range of tasks. While it carries a higher price tag, the Echo Show 8 undoubtedly provides more value.
The Echo Spot caters to a different purpose. Instead of being a universal smart home solution, it excels as a smart alarm clock. Although it can run certain apps and interact with connected Alexa devices, its core function is as a nightstand companion. Its compact size makes it easily adaptable to crowded nightstands, and its touch-sensitive interface for snoozing or adjusting the display makes it a perfect substitute for traditional alarm clocks.
