Amazon Echo Show Review 2025: Does Anyone Actually Need This?

If Amazon introducing the Alexa Dot put us a step closer to the smart home future we were teased in that crazy Disney movie, then the Echo Show makes it look more and more like a reality. The 21-inch Echo Show, which came out in 2024, rings in at $400. Compared to the earlier Echo versions, that’s pretty pricey, but after using it for a couple of months, I’ve determined that it just might be worth it. Available in 5-, 8-, 15- and 21-inch versions, the Echo Show is versatile and feature-rich—and it offers tons of components that make it easy to integrate into your daily routine. The four different sizes also make it more accessible by offering different price points—making it easier to find the right option for your home without breaking the bank.

Easy-to-Use Interface That Feels Familiar

The Echo Show is essentially a personal assistant: Just ask what you need and it will be displayed for you or, of course, said aloud. Basically, it easily fits into your kitchen routine while cooking, or into your bedroom while getting ready for the day. I found myself asking for the daily weather report in the mornings, and having Alexa play some music for me while I was getting ready. I also used it as a monitor to play my favorite TV shows while cooking, and I constantly had it start playlists that would help me through my work day.

Personally, I really enjoyed using it in the mornings to help me prepare for the day ahead. I was able to chat with the Echo Show and Alexa like a little assistant, and I found myself asking for the weather, news headlines, calendar events, and adding to my to-do list. Of course, I was also constantly asking for it to play music and set timers and reminders.

Also, it’s hard not to have fun with the new Alexa+ voice options. You can choose from men or women, but you can also choose their demeanor. I found that the friendly version was the one for me—but if you need to feel like a terse manager is breathing down your neck, by all means adjust the tone of voice. It definitely felt more like I was having a conversation with a person as opposed to giving commands to an electronic device.

If you’ve used a Fire TV or any other Amazon device, the Echo Show will immediately feel familiar. The ability to use both a remote and the touchscreen makes navigation simple across the device, and the larger versions even come with several apps preinstalled to get you started. If you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for in the preinstalled options, there's an app store that will help you with just about anything. I downloaded several apps to make it my own, including sports, a few different news outlets and art options. All of this being said, the widgets are where the Echo Show really shines in regard to making the home screen feel bespoke, since they're versatile enough to show you as much or as little information as you want on just about any topic. Need an outfit? Set one of the widgets to give you a full weather breakdown for the day. Need to see where you stand in your fantasy league? Set one up to see the score of your favorite team from last night or get the league’s breakdown.

A Piece of Home Decor With Vibrant Visuals

The design and build is the quality you would expect from any of the Alexa-enabled devices from Amazon. The two larger versions offer a combination of glass and plastic with a metal base that really makes it look more like a picture frame or a TV as opposed to the eyesore you might expect. The smaller devices feel like alarm clocks of the future and feature a built-in base, while the larger versions come with wall mounts and are clearly designed to serve as centerpieces in the home. You could easily picture one replacing a calendar on the kitchen wall—which is useful, since it can also serve as a sous chef by offering recipes and cooking videos.