Which Amazon Device Should You Buy? Echo Show vs Echo Hub vs Echo Buds Compared
Amazon's Echo ecosystem offers three distinct products at different price points: the Echo Show 11 (£219.99) for smart home control with a display, the Echo Hub (£179.99) as a connectivity hub without a screen, and Echo Buds 2nd Gen (£119.99) for wireless audio. Your choice depends on whether you need a visual interface, connectivity-only capability, or portable listening.
Why Amazon?
Amazon launched Echo in 2014 and has since become the dominant player in smart home devices. The company specialises in voice-controlled Alexa integration across a sprawling ecosystem—refrigerators, security cameras, lighting, thermostats, and more can all be controlled through a single Amazon device. What sets Amazon apart is scale: Alexa has the broadest third-party device compatibility of any smart home platform, with over 550 million compatible devices available. Amazon also owns the entire supply chain, meaning faster updates, consistent pricing, and tighter integration between hardware and software.
Top Picks
Amazon Echo Show 11 Smart Home Assistant — £219.99
Best for households that want a central smart home control hub with visual feedback. The 11-inch display (1920 x 1200 resolution) makes it the largest Echo Show, ideal for kitchens or living rooms where you can see weather, calendars, security camera feeds, or video calls simultaneously. It includes WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Zigbee, Sidewalk, and Bluetooth connectivity, meaning it can control most Alexa-compatible devices without additional hardware. The speaker quality is strong enough for casual music listening.
Amazon Echo Hub Smart Home Hub — £179.99
Best for users who already have an Alexa device elsewhere and need connectivity without a display. The Echo Hub (£179.99) is purely a connectivity hub—no screen, no speaker. It provides Zigbee, Sidewalk, and Bluetooth connectivity, plus USB power delivery, making it useful for powering cameras or sensors. Use this if you want to extend your smart home network into a room where a display isn't necessary, or if you're upgrading an Echo Dot and want better hub performance.
Echo Buds (2nd Gen) True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds — £119.99
Best for on-the-go Alexa access and wireless listening. At £119.99, these are Amazon's cheapest entry point into the Echo range. The 2nd-generation Buds offer 6-hour battery life (24 hours with the charging case), active noise cancellation, and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity. They integrate Alexa voice control, so you can check weather, control smart home devices, or take calls without pulling your phone out. Sound quality is adequate for podcasts and casual music—not audiophile-grade, but clear.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Price | Best For | Standout Feature | |---------|-------|----------|------------------| | Echo Show 11 | £219.99 | Central smart home control | 11-inch display (1920 x 1200) + full connectivity | | Echo Hub | £179.99 | Connectivity without display | USB power delivery + Zigbee/Sidewalk only | | Echo Buds 2nd Gen | £119.99 | Portable Alexa access | 6-hour battery + active noise cancellation |
What to Look For
- Connectivity requirements: If you own Zigbee or Sidewalk devices (Philips Hue, Ring doorbells, certain outdoor lights), you need either the Echo Show 11 or Echo Hub. The Echo Buds only offer Bluetooth, limiting what they can control directly.
- Display utility: Ask yourself if you'll check weather, calendars, or security feeds visually. If yes, the 11-inch screen on the Echo Show 11 is worth the extra £40; if no, the Echo Hub saves money and space.
- Power delivery: The Echo Hub includes USB-C power output (up to 15W) for charging or powering accessories. Neither the Echo Show 11 nor Echo Buds offer this.
- Portability vs. stationery: Echo Buds are the only mobile option. Show 11 and Hub are designed for fixed installation.
The Bottom Line
Buy the Echo Show 11 (£219.99) if you want a single device to control and monitor your smart home from a central location like your kitchen. If you only need connectivity without a display and already have another Alexa device, the Echo Hub (£179.99) is the cost-effective alternative. For portable Alexa access and wireless listening, the Echo Buds 2nd Gen (£119.99) is the entry point—though they're less useful for smart home control alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Echo Show 11 worth £219.99?
Yes, if you use smart home devices regularly or want a centralised control hub. The 11-inch display (1920 x 1200) is significantly larger than smaller Echo Shows, making it practical for kitchens and living rooms. At £219.99, it's comparable to buying a small tablet with integrated Alexa; the value depends on your existing device ecosystem. If you don't own Zigbee or Sidewalk devices yet, the display alone justifies the cost for weather, video calls, and security feeds.
What's the difference between Echo Hub and Echo Show 11?
The Echo Hub (£179.99) is a connectivity hub only—no screen, no speaker. The Echo Show 11 (£219.99) includes an 11-inch display, speaker, and the same connectivity features. Choose the Hub if you need to extend your smart home network into a room where you won't look at a screen; choose the Show 11 if you want visual feedback and control from one central location.
Can Echo Buds control your smart home?
Yes, but only devices connected via Bluetooth. Echo Buds can't directly control Zigbee devices (like Philips Hue lights) or Sidewalk devices because they lack those connectivity radios. They're best for voice commands to Amazon services, playing music, or taking calls while mobile. For full smart home control on-the-go, you'd need a device with Zigbee and Sidewalk—only the Echo Show 11 or Echo Hub offer this.
Which Amazon Echo product is the cheapest?
The Echo Buds 2nd Gen at £119.99 are the cheapest option. However, they're earbuds, not a hub—if you need smart home control as your main goal, the Echo Hub at £179.99 is the most affordable stationary hub device.
