The Amazon Echo Show 8 isn’t the kind of device that tries to impress you in the first few minutes. Instead, it slowly grows on you and becomes part of your daily routine rather than attracting attention. After spending time with it in different rooms, the Echo Show 8 comes across as a smart display that is really useful in Indian homes, especially for users who value voice convenience more than polish. That said, living with it also brings up some rough edges that keep it from being completely refined for its price. Here’s my full review.

Design and display: Comfortable size, fixed viewing angle

One of the biggest features of the Echo Show 8 is its size. It sits just right, not so small that it feels confining and not so big that it feels intrusive. Amazon has increased the display size to 8.7 inches while reducing the bulky bezels seen in the previous generation, giving the device a cleaner and more modern look. The screen resolution is 1340 x 800 pixels, which is still firmly in HD territory. Although it doesn’t provide sharpness comparable to a tablet or smartphone, it works well for casual video watching, recipes, podcasts, and video calls.

The display itself is vibrant, clear and bright enough to be visible from a few meters away unless you’re trying to read fine text. Auto-brightness also works reliably, with the screen dimming almost instantly when the lights in the room are turned off.

However, the display is completely fixed to its base. There’s no option to tilt or adjust the viewing angle. This became noticeable during use in the kitchen, where the screen felt slightly tilted downwards. I often had to place the Echo Show 8 on a stool to get a more comfortable viewing angle while cooking. A tilt mechanism would improve usability, although it would likely lead to a higher price. Amazon has other Echo devices with screens that rotate around, so if that’s what you’re looking for, you get that option — just not on this particular model.

Build and controls: Clean look, but some basics are missing

The Echo Show 8’s screen looks just as thin as the Echo Show 10’s and appears almost separate from the base. At the back is a slightly rectangular circular body wrapped in fabric, which retains the familiar Echo design language. At the back, there is only a single power port. On the right side of the screen, you’ll find the volume rocker and a button to disable the microphone.

Some omissions can be seen here, especially at this price. There’s no power button, no option to set a password on the device, and no physical privacy shutter for the camera. While the camera can be turned off using voice commands, the Alexa app, or a hardware button, a physical shutter provides peace of mind. This is especially notable since the third-generation Echo Show 8 included one. Additionally, I felt the need for a password lock system on the device as children could inadvertently change the settings, which could render remote video calling features like Drop In completely useless. One needs to enable permission for remote calling on the device, so that parents can check up on their kids at home when they are away.

Performance and UI: Quick voice responses, uneven touch experience

Powered by Amazon’s AZ3 Pro chip, the Echo Show 8 feels responsive when it comes to voice commands. Alexa answers most questions quickly, sometimes even before you finish speaking. Asking about the weather, AQI in Noida, top news headlines of the day, or travel ideas outside India works smoothly and reliably. But it still struggles with some Indian names and song titles. During testing, it failed to recognize requests like playing Ranveer Allahabadia’s podcast on YouTube. Similarly, when asked to play the song Gehra Hua, Alexa started playing Gerua. These moments aren’t deal-breakers, but they can be a bit irritating if you rely heavily on voice commands for localized content search.

Furthermore, tactile contact is also not always that fluid. While navigating the interface, especially when opening YouTube or scrolling through menus, I noticed stuttering for a while. The pull-down settings menu can be slow at times, and on a few occasions, the camera didn’t respond immediately when I tried to turn it on. These issues aren’t frequent, but they come up often enough to remind you that the software still needs some improvement.

Audio quality: Strong bass, best suited for vocals and podcasts

Audio is one area where the Echo Show 8 pleasantly surprises. The bass output is strong and impressive for a device of this size, making podcasts particularly enjoyable. Spoken content sounds rich and full, giving podcasts a slightly cinematic, stereo-like feel that works especially well while cooking or relaxing.

Music performance largely depends on the type of track. Vocal-driven songs like Saffron or Perfect sound warm and clear, which is in line with the Echo Show 8’s strengths. More layered tracks like Jai Ho, Malang, or the chorus-heavy sections of Bohemian Rhapsody start to feel a bit crowded, with instruments and backing vocals blending together rather than being clearly separated. Lossless streaming adds some smoothness and clarity, but it can’t completely prevent this crowding-out effect. Overall, the Echo Show 8 delivers pleasing, room-filling sound for everyday listening, but it’s not built for dense, high-energy mixes. Since this is not a standalone speaker, people are advised to keep their expectations in check. For most Indians, this smart speaker can provide a satisfactory listening experience.

YouTube and Apps: Works, but within Amazon’s limits

If YouTube is a major part of your daily entertainment, the Echo Show 8 comes with a few compromises. There is no dedicated YouTube app or YouTube Music app support. Instead, Alexa opens YouTube in a web browser. Although it works reliably once a video is selected, it’s not as intuitive as using a native app. Alexa opens YouTube immediately when asked, but playback usually requires a manual tap or typing for some content if Alexa isn’t able to find it.

There is also no way to download apps onto the device. The experience remains tightly locked into Amazon’s ecosystem, meaning Prime customers will benefit the most. From streaming content to receiving Prime delivery notifications, the Echo Show 8 is clearly designed to serve Amazon users first.

I used the Echo Show 8 in both the bedroom and the kitchen

For Indian families, the kitchen is where the Echo Show 8 really shines. Cooking while watching a chicken recipe on YouTube and pausing the video using voice commands makes a noticeable difference. It’s really convenient to not touch your phone with dirty hands. This use case is especially attractive to moms who enjoy experimenting with new recipes from YouTube.

Even with take-out meals, watching a podcast or some music videos while you cook adds an extra layer of entertainment that makes everyday tasks more enjoyable. However, I thought those who do yoga or work out in the morning might want to consider purchasing the larger 11-inch Amazon Echo Show device to get better views and more value.

In the bedroom, the Echo Show 8 works best as a clock, reminder assistant for my medications, music player, and podcast companion. Alexa handles random queries with ease, whether it’s checking the weather, AQI, or getting the daily news. Controlling smart bulbs and door cameras mostly works reliably.

Camera, Drop In and Live View: useful in specific scenarios

The Echo Show 8 has a 13MP front camera for video calls, although I rarely used it, as phone calls remain more convenient and offer better quality. The camera becomes more interesting when combined with features like Live View and Drop In.

Live View allows you to remotely check what’s happening in the room via the Alexa app. Although it’s not a replacement for a dedicated security camera, it can be useful for a quick check on kids or pets. But, it doesn’t stay on for long, so the Drop In feature is something I found more practical, allowing quick communication without waiting for the call to be accepted. This can be especially useful when parents want to check up on their children.

Amazon Echo Show 8 review Verdict: Should you buy it?

At Rs 23,999, the Amazon Echo Show 8 offers a familiar and largely trustworthy Alexa experience that fits well into Indian homes. The strong bass, clear vocals for podcasts, responsive voice controls and really useful hands-free features make it convenient for daily use, especially in the kitchen.

At the same time, the price also shows its limitations. UI stutters, occasional software inconsistencies, browser-based YouTube, absence of a physical camera shutter, no password lock, and limited app support keep it from feeling completely premium.

The Echo Show 8 is best suited for users who value voice convenience over polish and are already invested in Amazon’s ecosystem. It doesn’t try to be perfect but for everyday support and casual entertainment, it still manages to find its place in the home.