Amazon Echo Show (1st gen. 2017)

Brilliant design ; Large screen is slightly easier to see ; Excellent performance ; Clear, well defined audio

Expensive but the same core specs as the 8-inch version ; No Alexa+ in the UK

A fast processor and smooth combination of audio and visual responses make the Amazon Echo Show 11 a winner, with its large display easy to read. As good as it is, the Echo Show 8 has identical specs and performance, only with a smaller display and...

Great display ; Smart home control at your fingertips ; Excellent audio quality ; Can watch Amazon Prime Video

Relatively expensive ; Poor YouTube access

The Echo Show was a trend setter, but it's since been superseded by the new Amazon Echo Show Gen 2

Useful screen ; Video calling works well ; More intuitive than other Echo devices ; Best-sounding Echo so far

Expensive ; Not the best-looking thing

In many ways, the best Amazon Echo experience.

Alexa takes great advantage of the new touchscreen ; Music sounds great over the new speaker ; Echo Show does everything the original Echo does ; It'll get better over time as developers build skills for the touchscreen

Odd, angular design ; Low-resolution screen

Amazon essentially created a category with the Echo, and the Echo Show marks the first significant re-thinking of what a voice-activated home-hub can be. Ultimately, the screen isn't essential , but it proved to be very useful. And the improved speaker...

Easy to use ; Some Alexa features, like timers and lists, are better with visuals ; Plays videos and gives visual search results ; Lots of potential uses for an assistant with a screen

Skills still need some work ; No privacy shutter

Right now, the Echo Show’s on-screen features aren’t show-stoppers. We can see a lot of potential, though.

Awesome voice recognition ; Visually rich touchscreen ; Competent smart home hub

Speaker still sounds shallow ; Video calling is limited

The Echo Show is more of a fun, ancillary device than a necessity, like the Echo or the Dot. It adds value by combining devices you already have and ones you could buy at a lower price elsewhere – just look at the Amazon Echo Dot, for example. But all...