The Echo Show 5 is a smart speaker with a touchscreen – essentially a tablet-speaker combination with Amazon Alexa built in. You can do things like watch movies, display a calendar, listen to music, and more.
The Amazon Echo Show was first released in 2017, but the smaller, 5.5-inch version known as the Echo Show 5 was only released in 2019.
The latest version of the Amazon Echo Show 5 is the Echo Show 5 3rd Generation, which was released in May 2023 and features a more powerful processor and better speakers. Let’s review the Amazon Echo Show 5.
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Verdict
Our Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
If you’re looking for an affordable smart display that comes with a voice assistant and streaming services, the Echo Show 5 is a great choice. With a 5.5-inch screen and at just $90 from Amazon, the Echo Show 5 will increase your productivity and offers endless entertainment options.
Pros
- The 3rd generation comes with a more powerful processor and 2x more powerful bass speakers than the previous version.
- It supports Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, Spotify, Audible, SiriusXM, and many other streaming services.
- Amazon Alexa is built in.
- It is very affordable.
- It’s great as a bedside assistant.
- The built-in camera allows you to make video calls or watch your front door camera.
- There is a kids’ version with kid-friendly content and parental controls.
Cons
- The screen is a bit small and is surrounded by large bezels.
- Some streaming services require an extra subscription.
- There is no micro SD card slot. All photos must be uploaded to the cloud.
- The resolution is a bit low (960×480).
Echo Show 5 Features
The Amazon Echo Show 5 is more than just a voice assistant, smart speaker, or tablet. It’s an all-in-one device packed with features, despite its relatively small size.
Amazon Alexa
The Echo Show 5 revolves around Amazon Alexa, Amazon’s proprietary voice assistant. Using Alexa, you can control your Echo Show 5 to get weather information, start playing your favorite playlists, launch Netflix, and a lot more.
Whether you want to set alarms, display family photos, or call a family member, you can do it with hands-free voice commands via Amazon Alexa.
For example, you can display your calendar using Amazon Alexa and see which appointments and events you have coming up. Or, you can set alarms to wake you up the next day without even getting out of bed.
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Videos and Movies
The Echo Show 5 allows you to watch streaming services such as Netflix and YouTube. This is possible through Alexa Entertainment, an entertainment system that works on any Amazon device that has Amazon Alexa.
You also have access to Hulu and Amazon Prime Video. As usual, you can launch your favorite shows with Amazon Alexa using voice commands.
However, I will say that the smaller size of the Echo Show 5 makes it a bit less suitable for video playback, as you will need to be seated closer to the screen to get the full experience.
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Music, Radio, Audiobooks, and Podcasts
In addition to visual streaming services, there are many audio streaming services available on the Echo Show 5 through Alexa Entertainment.
For music and radio streaming, you have access to the most popular streaming services: Amazon Music, Apple Music, Pandora, SiriusXM, iHeartRadio, Spotify, etc.
Also, the Echo Show allows each family member to have a separate profile and set a preferred streaming service for each profile. So, if you want to launch iHeartRadio by default when playing, but your girlfriend would like to launch Spotify as her default music streaming app, that’s possible.
Podcasts are available on Spotify, Pandora, Audible, and many other streaming platforms.
In particular, I like how Alexa integrates with Audible to allow for the playback of audiobooks. In fact, you can even start a free trial on Audible using a voice command.
Whether you’re cooking, cleaning, or doing other chores around the house, it’s easy to set a vibe by starting your favorite playlist.
Don’t worry if you have to move from one room to another while cleaning or organizing the house. One of the best things about Echo speakers is that you can set up multiroom audio with compatible Echo speakers around your house, so you can continue listening to that podcast or audiobook without interruption, hands-free.
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Smart Home Systems
The Echo Show 5 can also connect to compatible intelligent home devices, allowing you to automate and control your home’s devices hands free.
For example, you can issue voice commands to Alexa to turn on the lights, adjust the thermostat, lock the door, turn off the fan, and more.
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Home Security
The Echo Show 5 will also improve home security. If you have smart home locks, you can lock the door remotely – without needing to get out of your bed and go downstairs when you are tired.
The Echo Show 5 also has a built-in camera; more on that soon. You can use this camera as a home security cam or nanny cam to check in on your home, pet, or loved ones when you are away.
If you have a compatible smart video doorbell that displays real-time video, you can also use the Echo Show 5 to see who is at the door.
Amazon has now released a new feature as well, called Alexa Emergency Assist, that can help safeguard your home when you are away, even without smart locks or doorbells.
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It requires a separate subscription, but it allows you to connect to emergency assistance services, 24/7, by just telling Alexa to “call for help.”
It will not only connect you to trained agents who can connect you to emergency responders, but it will also provide them with special information, such as medications you are taking or the code to your gated community, so they don’t waste time trying to enter.
Amazon Alexa Emergency Assist even helps you keep your house safe when you are away. For example, it can detect the sound of breaking glass, indicating the presence of an intruder, and alert you so you can call 911.
If it detects that a smoke alarm or carbon monoxide alarm has gone off when you are away, it will alert you as well.
It’s well worth the monthly subscription.
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Camera
As I mentioned earlier, it comes with a built-in camera.
The camera is great for live video calls; the Echo Show is truly a multipurpose device. Not only that, but you can see several video feeds at once.
For example, you can chat with your parents on video call while watching a view of the front door through your video doorbell as you await the pizza delivery guy.
For privacy reasons, there is a shutter that you can use to close the camera and prevent people from spying on you.
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Photo Display
A really cool feature of the Amazon Echo Show 5 is the ability to turn it into a digital photo frame when not in use. Upload your pictures to the cloud and create a rotating slideshow.
You can even invite family members or other relatives and friends to contribute so they can upload pictures from their own devices.
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Design and Aesthetics
I wouldn’t say the Echo Show 5 is the most beautiful device. In particular, I feel like its bezels are a bit too wide for my liking.
However, it does well considering it is a small device with so much packed in.
It’s eco-friendly as well, as it is made of recycled aluminum and polyester yarn.
It comes in three colors: charcoal, cloud blue, and glacier white. I like the cloud blue color, which actually has a white bezel surrounding the screen.
It comes with an optional, adjustable stand. I recommend buying the stand, as it will greatly improve your experience.
You can also get it with an optional video doorbell.
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Eco Show 5 Kids
It’s worth mentioning that there is a version designed for children. It comes with streaming services such as Disney, Amazon Kids+, Amazon Math, and National Geographic, making it a perfect device for both entertainment and education.
A one-year subscription of Amazon Kids+ is included for free, allowing your children to access songs, audiobooks, morning routines, and more.
The Echo Show 5 Kids 3rd Generation also comes with built-in parental controls, which allow you to set time limits and filter explicit lyrics.
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Pricing
The Echo Show 5 3rd Generation costs $89.99, making it incredibly affordable. Add-ons and subscriptions cost extra, and always check the product page for updated pricing information.
Meanwhile, the Kids’ version costs $99.99.
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Conclusion
The Echo Show 5 is well worth the price. Although it’s a bit small, it’s also very cheap, and it comes with everything you will need.
You can watch your home remotely through the video camera, stream your favorite Netflix shows, watch YouTube, listen to audiobooks and music, check the weather, and a lot more.
There is even a version designed for kids, complete with educational content for children and parental controls.
