Which Amazon Echo Device Should You Buy? Echo Show 8 vs Show 11 vs Echo Hub
If you're choosing between Amazon's smart display and hub devices, the Echo Show 8 at £179.99 is the most versatile pick for typical homes, balancing screen size, price, and functionality. The Echo Show 11 (£219.99) justifies its premium for larger kitchens or living rooms, whilst the Echo Hub (£179.99) is a dedicated smart home control centre—not a display—for those prioritising device management over entertainment.
Why Amazon?
Amazon has dominated the smart home space since launching Alexa in 2014, building the largest ecosystem of compatible devices. These three products represent different use cases: the Echo Show range combines voice control with touchscreen displays for entertainment, video calls, and recipes; the Echo Hub strips away the screen to focus purely on smart home orchestration. All three feature far-field microphones (capable of hearing commands from across a room) and integrate with Alexa's 100,000+ compatible smart home devices—lights, thermostats, locks, cameras. Amazon's ecosystem depth matters: you can control most third-party smart home brands through a single device.
Top Picks
Amazon Echo Show 8 — £179.99
Best for families wanting a single device for entertainment, video calls, and smart home control in kitchens or bedrooms. The 8-inch HD touchscreen is large enough to watch recipes, weather, or video calls without dominating wall space. Compact design fits standard kitchen worktops or nightstands.
Amazon Echo Show 11 — £219.99
Best for open-plan homes or frequent video callers who want a more immersive experience. The 13.3-inch full-HD display with adaptive brightness makes video calls feel more natural and recipes readable from across a kitchen. Larger speaker system delivers better sound for music or podcasts than the Show 8.
Amazon Echo Hub — £179.99
Best for smart home enthusiasts who already own displays elsewhere and need dedicated control hardware. No screen means it blends invisibly into a hallway, bedroom, or utility room. Focuses exclusively on managing devices, automations, and routines—ideal if you don't want another screen in your home.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Price | Best For | Standout Feature | |---------|-------|----------|------------------| | Echo Show 8 | £179.99 | All-in-one smart home + entertainment | 8-inch HD display, compact | | Echo Show 11 | £219.99 | Large kitchens, frequent video calls | 13.3-inch full-HD adaptive display | | Echo Hub | £179.99 | Smart home control only | No screen, wall-mounted or on shelf |
What to Look For
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Display size vs. viewing distance: Echo Show 8's 8-inch screen works best within 2 metres; Show 11's 13.3-inch display remains readable from across a large kitchen. If you're mounting on a wall more than 3 metres away, the Show 11 is noticeably clearer.
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Smart home device count: All three support Zigbee, Bluetooth, and Amazon Sidewalk for device connectivity. If you're controlling 10+ devices (lights, locks, thermostats), the Hub's dedicated processor handles automations faster than shows with shared processing power.
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Audio quality: Show 8 has a 2-watt speaker; Show 11 has a larger driver for fuller music playback. Hub has no speaker. If you're streaming music regularly, the Show 11 is a meaningful upgrade for £40 more.
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Video calling and recipes: Show 8 and 11 both support Alexa calling and Drop In; both display recipes with hands-free scrolling. The Show 11's larger screen reduces the need to squint at ingredient lists.
The Bottom Line
Buy the Echo Show 8 (£179.99) unless you have a specific reason not to—it handles smart home control, video calls, recipes, and entertainment with a compact footprint. Pick the Show 11 if your kitchen is large or you video call frequently and want a more immersive screen. Choose the Echo Hub (also £179.99) only if you already own another Alexa display and need a dedicated device to manage smart home routines from a less visible location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use Echo Show 8 or 11 without Wi-Fi?
No. All three devices require a 2.4GHz or 5GHz Wi-Fi connection to function. The Hub also supports Zigbee and Bluetooth for wireless device control without internet, but Alexa voice commands and Amazon services still require Wi-Fi.
Is the Echo Hub worth buying if I already own an Echo Show?
Only if you're managing 15+ smart home devices and want faster automation processing, or if you want device control in a room (like a hallway) where a screen isn't wanted. Otherwise, your existing Show handles everything the Hub does.
What's the difference between Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 5?
The Show 8 has a larger 8-inch HD display (versus Show 5's 5.5-inch screen) and a more powerful speaker. The Show 5 costs less (around £89) but is cramped for video calls or following recipes. Show 8 is the better value at £179.99 if you plan to use it daily.
Do these devices work with non-Amazon smart home brands?
Yes. All three integrate with Philips Hue, LIFX, Nest, Ecobee, TP-Link, Tuya, and hundreds of other brands through Alexa. Zigbee and Bluetooth allow direct control of compatible devices without needing internet.
