Which Amazon Smart Display Should You Buy? Echo Show 8 vs 11 vs Echo Hub

If you're choosing between Amazon's smart display range, the Echo Show 8 at £179.99 is the most versatile pick for most homes—it delivers a usable 8-inch screen, strong Alexa integration, and a mid-range price. The Echo Show 11 (£219.99) makes sense only if you have wall space and want a bigger visual experience. The Echo Hub (£154.99) is strictly a control device without a screen, best for those who already have tablets or prefer voice-only interaction.

Why Amazon?

Amazon entered the smart home market in 2014 with the original Echo speaker, then expanded into displays starting with the Echo Show in 2017. Their advantage isn't innovation—it's ecosystem dominance. Alexa runs on over 100 million devices globally, meaning integrations with third-party smart home brands (Philips Hue, LIFX, TP-Link, Wyze) are far broader than competitors like Google Home or Apple Home. All three products here use 802.11ac WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0, and either Zigbee or Sidewalk protocols for direct device communication without a separate hub. For home control, that redundancy matters—if WiFi drops, Zigbee keeps lights on.

Top Picks

Amazon Echo Show 8 — £179.99

Best for everyday kitchen use and bedside placement. The 8-inch HD touchscreen (1280×800 resolution) is large enough for video calls and recipe display without dominating a countertop. It has the same quad-core processor as the Show 11, built-in 2MP camera for video calls, and dual 2-watt speakers adequate for a room (not a party). Setup takes 3 minutes if you have the Alexa app already installed. The screen turns off on schedule to save power.

Amazon Echo Show 11 — £219.99

Best for living rooms where you'll watch content and make video calls frequently. The 11.6-inch display (2560×1600 resolution) is genuinely better for video calls—you can see facial expressions clearly. If you're mounting it on a wall or placing it on a desk you face regularly, the larger canvas makes notifications, weather, and calendar widgets more readable. The same dual 2-watt speakers mean sound doesn't improve over the Show 8—if you want audio quality, add a separate Bluetooth speaker.

Amazon Echo Hub — £154.99

Best for controlling Zigbee devices without a dedicated hub, and for voice-only users. There's no screen—you control everything via voice, the Alexa app, or compatible smart home apps. It has the same Zigbee radio as both displays, meaning if you own Philips Hue lights or other Zigbee devices, this acts as a local control hub, reducing latency. Smallest physical footprint (feels like a power adapter). Only buy this if you have no use for a display.

Quick Comparison

| Product | Price | Best For | Standout Feature | |---------|-------|----------|------------------| | Echo Show 8 | £179.99 | Kitchens, bedrooms, everyday use | Balanced screen size vs. countertop space | | Echo Show 11 | £219.99 | Living rooms, frequent video calls | 2560×1600 resolution for clarity | | Echo Hub | £154.99 | Voice-only control, Zigbee hub duty | Acts as local smart home hub without screen |

What to Look For

• Screen size and resolution: An 8-inch display works in compact spaces; an 11.6-inch screen is noticeably better for video calls and video playback. Ignore marketing—actual resolution matters: 1280×800 (Show 8) vs. 2560×1600 (Show 11) is a tangible difference when reading text from 2 metres away.
• Local processing vs. cloud: All three use Alexa Voice Processing, but voice commands work offline on local Alexa devices. If your internet drops, basic commands (turn off a light, check weather cached from last update) still function. Check your smart home brand's app to see if it supports local control—Philips Hue and Eve do; cheaper brands usually don't.
• Camera privacy: Echo Show 8 and 11 have built-in cameras for video calls. There's a mechanical shutter on both, but if privacy is critical, the Hub avoids this entirely. Amazon stores call recordings in your account unless you delete them manually.
• WiFi and Zigbee range: All use 802.11ac (faster than 802.11n but not WiFi 6). Zigbee range is roughly 10 metres line-of-sight; if your bedroom is 20 metres from the hub, Zigbee devices there might drop offline. Test before committing.

The Bottom Line

Buy the Echo Show 8 at £179.99 if you want a smart display that looks proportionate in any room and works as your primary Alexa device. It's the best value—the Show 11's larger screen isn't worth £40 extra unless you actively use video calls or wall-mount it. Skip the Echo Hub unless you specifically need a Zigbee control hub or have zero use for a display; both Show models include that functionality anyway.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 11?

The Show 11's screen is 3.6 inches larger (11.6" vs 8") with double the resolution (2560×1600 vs. 1280×800), making text and video noticeably sharper from a distance. Processing power is identical. The Show 11 weighs more and occupies more countertop space. Choose the Show 8 for compact kitchens; the Show 11 if you video call frequently or wall-mount it in a living room.

Do I need the Echo Hub if I already have an Echo Show?

No. Both Show models have built-in Zigbee radios and act as smart home hubs for Zigbee devices. The Hub only makes sense if you want a secondary hub in a distant room (to extend Zigbee range) or if you prefer not to have a display at all. One hub per home is usually sufficient.

Will these work without an Amazon Prime membership?

Yes. All three function as smart home hubs and Alexa devices without Prime. Prime unlocks shopping features and video playback on displays, but controlling lights, asking Alexa questions, and setting routines work fine without it.

How long do these devices last before they feel outdated?

Amazon typically supports Alexa devices with software updates for 4–5 years minimum. The Show 8 and Show 11 were released in 2020–2021, so they'll likely receive updates until 2025–2026. After that, they may still function, but new Alexa skills and integrations might not work. For a device you use daily, expect to replace it every 5–7 years.