Amazon’s new Echo Show lineup has me doing a double take. For years, Echo smart displays have been useful but never really beautiful.
This time, though, the Echo Show 8 and 11 feel like Amazon is finally treating them as high-end tech worth showing off on your counter.
A Design Overhaul That Actually Matters
Gone are the chunky, tilted slabs we used to call smart displays. Instead, both models now have a floating-screen design that looks way more modern. The display sits higher, while the woven mesh base below hides forward-firing speakers.
From any angle, they just look cleaner, lighter, and honestly… something you’d want in your living room instead of hiding in the kitchen corner.
Amazon’s clearly going for consistency too—the mesh base matches the fabric vibe of the newer Echo speakers, tying the lineup together. And yes, you can pick from Glacier White or Graphite if you want to match your decor.
Displays and Sound That Finally Feel Balanced
The Echo Show 8 packs an 8.7-inch HD screen, while the Show 11 goes nearly full tablet-size with a 10.95-inch Full HD display. In person, they’re bright and sharp, though the glossy finish does mean fingerprints and reflections will show.
Audio has gotten just as much love: two full-range drivers plus a 2.8-inch woofer give these a lot more punch than older Shows. Music, podcasts, and Alexa’s own voice come through fuller, which makes sense now that the speakers fire forward instead of muffled into the back.
Alexa+ Built Right In
This is also the first hardware that ships with Alexa+, Amazon’s next-gen assistant experience. It comes free if you’re a Prime member, or $20/month otherwise. The Echo Shows run on the new VegaOS, which feels cleaner and snappier than past versions, thanks to the upgraded AZ3 Pro chip.
Between widgets, video playback, photo slideshows, and even smart home controls, the whole UI looks like it’s finally catching up with the hardware.
The Premium Price Tag
Here’s the catch: they’re not cheap. The Echo Show 8 starts at $179.99, and the Show 11 will run you $219.99. Both are up for preorder now, shipping November 12, 2025.
That’s a noticeable bump compared to earlier Echo Shows, but honestly, I think Amazon’s positioning these as lifestyle devices now, not just Alexa hubs.
Final Thoughts
Amazon has nailed the redesign here. The new Echo Shows are sleeker, better sounding, and clearly built with Alexa’s AI-future in mind. Yes, the price is higher, but for the first time in years, these feel like more than just Alexa with a screen.
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