The Amazon Echo Show 5 3rd Gen 2023 release is a solid incremental upgrade, delivering noticeable improvements in audio quality, a more responsive display, and a slightly refreshed design, making it an even more compelling smart display for a bedside table or smaller spaces.

While it doesn’t revolutionize the category, its enhanced performance and refined features solidify its position as one of the best value smart displays on the market, especially for those already integrated into the Amazon ecosystem.

This new iteration addresses some of the previous generation’s minor shortcomings, offering a smoother user experience and richer sound, proving that good things can indeed come in small packages.

It’s a smart choice for anyone looking to add voice control, visual smart home management, and entertainment in a compact form factor without breaking the bank.

Feature/Product	Amazon Echo Show 5 3rd Gen	Amazon Echo Show 8 3rd Gen	Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen	Meta Portal Go	Lenovo Smart Display 7	JBL Link View	Amazon Fire HD 8 Tablet
Display Size	5.5 inches	8 inches	7 inches	10.1 inches	7 inches	8 inches	8 inches
Camera	2 MP	13 MP with auto-framing	No Camera Privacy focused	12.5 MP Smart Camera	2 MP	5 MP	2 MP Front/Rear
Audio	Improved Bass, clearer vocals	Enhanced stereo speakers, room adaptation	Improved bass, custom transducer	Two 5W speakers, deep bass	Full-range speaker	Front-firing stereo speakers	Dual stereo speakers
Processor	AZ2 Neural Edge	AZ2 Neural Edge	Machine learning chip	N/A Optimized for video calls	MediaTek 8167S	N/A	Quad-core 2.0 GHz
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 5 ac, Bluetooth	Wi-Fi 6 ax, Bluetooth, Zigbee hub	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Thread	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Key Features	Compact, improved audio, responsive	Premium audio/video calls, smart home hub	Sleep tracking, Google Assistant, privacy	Portable, video calling, battery	Google Assistant, sleek design	Google Assistant, JBL sound	Portable tablet, Fire OS, Alexa
Primary Use	Bedside, small desk, kitchen counter	Living room, kitchen, video calls	Bedroom, smart home control, digital photo frame	Video calls, portable entertainment	Kitchen, common areas, smart home	Kitchen, media consumption	Entertainment, browsing, light work

Table of Contents

Design and Display Enhancements

The Amazon Echo Show 5 3rd Gen arrives with a subtly refined aesthetic and a more responsive touch experience, proving that even minor tweaks can make a big difference in daily usability.

Amazon didn’t reinvent the wheel here, but they polished it.

Think of it as a quality-of-life upgrade rather than a radical overhaul.

A Familiar Form Factor, Refined Details

At first glance, the 3rd Gen Echo Show 5 looks very similar to its predecessors, maintaining its compact, wedge-like design that fits comfortably in tight spaces.

However, upon closer inspection, you’ll notice a few subtle yet significant changes.

Eco-Conscious Materials: Amazon has made a notable shift towards sustainability, using more recycled materials in the device’s construction. The fabric cover, for instance, is made from 100% post-consumer recycled polyester yarn, and the aluminum is 100% recycled die-cast aluminum. This isn’t just good for the planet. it also feels premium to the touch.
Color Options: The 3rd Gen comes in Charcoal, Glacier White, and Cloud Blue, offering a nice palette to match different home decors. The blue is particularly striking and adds a touch of modern flair.
Dimensions and Weight: It maintains a similar footprint, approximately 5.8″ W x 3.2″ H x 3.6″ D, and weighs around 16.2 ounces. This makes it ideal for a nightstand, a small kitchen counter, or a desk without occupying too much real estate.
Physical Buttons: The top houses the volume controls and a physical camera shutter switch, which is a fantastic privacy feature. This hard cutoff ensures your camera isn’t accidentally recording when you don’t want it to, offering peace of mind in an era of increasing digital surveillance.

Display Performance and Responsiveness

While the display size remains at 5.5 inches with a resolution of 960 x 480 pixels, the real magic happens under the hood with improved responsiveness.

Snappier Touchscreen: Thanks to the new AZ2 Neural Edge processor, interactions feel much smoother and more fluid. Swiping between screens, tapping on smart home controls, or navigating menus is noticeably quicker, reducing the frustrating lag that sometimes plagued earlier models. This improved responsiveness makes the device feel more premium and intuitive.
Adaptive Brightness: The ambient light sensor helps the display adjust its brightness automatically to match the room’s lighting conditions. This is particularly useful for a bedside device, as it prevents the screen from being overly bright in a dark room or too dim in a well-lit environment, ensuring comfortable viewing day or night.
Visual Clarity: For its size and resolution, the display is perfectly adequate for displaying weather, news headlines, recipes, or video calls. While you won’t be watching movies on it like a full-fledged tablet, it excels at its intended purpose: quick glances and visual information. The colors are decent, and text is sharp enough for comfortable reading from a short distance.

In summary, the design of the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen is less about grand innovation and more about refined execution.

The subtle material upgrades and, critically, the enhanced display responsiveness, elevate the user experience significantly, making daily interactions with the device more pleasant and efficient.

Audio Quality Deep Dive

This is where the Amazon Echo Show 5 3rd Gen really flexes its muscles compared to its predecessors.

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If you’ve been on the fence about smart displays because of tinny audio, this generation might just change your mind.

Amazon put some serious work into making this little device sound much bigger than it looks.

A Surprising Boost in Bass and Clarity

Amazon claims a significant improvement in audio, and in practice, it truly delivers.

The sound profile is notably richer, with a more pronounced bass response and clearer vocal reproduction.

Enhanced Bass: The 3rd Gen Echo Show 5 features a re-engineered speaker system. While details on specific driver sizes aren’t always publicized, it’s clear Amazon has optimized the acoustic chamber and speaker components to push out more low-end frequencies. This isn’t just about making podcast sound better. it also adds depth to podcasts, news broadcasts, and even Alexa’s voice.
- Previous Gen Comparison: The 2nd Gen Echo Show 5 was decent for its size, but often sounded a bit thin, especially with podcast. The 3rd Gen provides a fuller, more well-rounded sound that can actually fill a small room.
Crisper Vocals: Beyond the bass, vocal clarity is also noticeably improved. Whether you’re listening to a morning news summary, a podcast, or engaging in an Alexa conversation, voices come through with greater definition and less muddiness. This makes comprehension easier and the overall listening experience more pleasant.
Speaker Arrangement: The device likely uses a single, front-firing full-range speaker, but the internal acoustic design has been optimized. This allows sound to project more effectively towards the listener, leading to a better perception of loudness and clarity without significant distortion at higher volumes.

Ideal Scenarios for Improved Audio

While it won’t replace a dedicated home theater system or a premium smart speaker like an Echo Studio, the improved audio makes the Echo Show 5 much more versatile.

Kitchen Companion: For following recipes, listening to podcast while cooking, or having a podcast on in the background, the enhanced audio makes it a much more enjoyable kitchen assistant. You won’t struggle to hear instructions over the whir of a blender or the sizzle of a pan.
Bedside Speaker: As an alarm clock, sleep sound generator, or for listening to an audiobook before bed, the clearer sound and better bass add to the ambiance and make the experience more immersive. No more harsh, tinny alarms.
Casual Podcast Listening: For a quick podcast fix in a small office, bedroom, or bathroom, the 3rd Gen Echo Show 5 is surprisingly capable. It handles a variety of genres better than previous iterations, offering a more satisfying listening experience for background podcast throughout your day.
Video Calls: With clearer incoming audio, video calls become more natural and less strained. You can hear your family and friends more distinctly, making the communication smoother.

It’s important to manage expectations – this is still a compact smart display.

However, within its category and price point, the audio improvements are genuinely significant.

It’s not just “better”. it’s a leap forward that makes the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen a more complete entertainment and utility device.

Processor and Performance Upgrades

The unsung hero of the Amazon Echo Show 5 3rd Gen’s improved user experience is undoubtedly the new processor. Amazon has outfitted this compact smart display with its AZ2 Neural Edge processor, the same chip found in higher-end Echo Show devices like the Echo Show 8 3rd Gen. This upgrade is not just marketing jargon. it translates directly into a snappier, more responsive, and more intelligent device.

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The Power of the AZ2 Neural Edge Processor

The AZ2 Neural Edge processor is a custom-built silicon designed by Amazon specifically for its smart devices.

Its key advantage lies in its ability to perform machine learning inferences directly on the device, rather than solely relying on cloud processing.

On-Device Processing: This “edge computing” capability means that many common Alexa commands and tasks can be processed locally on the Echo Show 5 itself.
- Faster Responses: Instead of sending your voice command to Amazon’s cloud servers, processing it, and then sending a response back, the AZ2 chip can handle routine requests instantaneously. This drastically reduces latency, making interactions feel more natural and immediate.
- Enhanced Privacy: By processing some data on the device, less raw audio is transmitted to the cloud, potentially enhancing user privacy.
- Complex Routines: It enables more complex routines and context-aware interactions to be executed with greater efficiency.
Improved Responsiveness: This translates directly to the user interface. Navigating through menus, launching apps, displaying photos, or transitioning between different screens feels significantly smoother and less prone to stuttering. The lag that sometimes characterized older Echo Show devices is largely absent here.
- Touchscreen Fluidity: As mentioned in the display section, the touchscreen feels much more fluid. This is a direct benefit of the upgraded processor, which can render UI elements and respond to gestures with greater speed.
Enhanced Voice Recognition: While not solely dependent on the processor, the AZ2 chip contributes to more accurate and reliable voice recognition. It can help filter out background noise and better understand nuances in speech patterns, leading to fewer misinterpretations of commands.

Real-World Performance Impact

What does this all mean for your daily use of the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen?

Quicker Smart Home Control: If you’re using your Echo Show to control smart lights, thermostats, or other connected devices, you’ll notice commands are executed almost instantly.
- Example: “Alexa, turn on the living room lights” will see the lights react faster than on previous generations.
Faster Information Retrieval: Asking for weather updates, news headlines, or quick facts will result in quicker spoken and visual responses.
Smoother Visuals: When viewing photos from your Amazon Photos account or watching short video clips, the device handles the content with greater ease, leading to a more pleasant visual experience.
Future-Proofing: The AZ2 processor lays the groundwork for more advanced features and capabilities that Amazon may roll out in the future, ensuring the device remains relevant and capable for years to come.

In essence, the AZ2 Neural Edge processor transforms the Echo Show 5 from a capable but sometimes sluggish device into a truly nimble and intelligent smart display.

It’s the silent workhorse that makes all the other improvements, from audio quality to display responsiveness, truly shine.

Smart Home Integration and Features

The Amazon Echo Show 5 3rd Gen truly shines as a smart home command center for smaller spaces.

Its deep integration with Alexa and the vast Amazon ecosystem makes it an indispensable tool for managing your connected devices, all from a compact, visual interface.

Seamless Alexa Ecosystem Integration

At its core, the Echo Show 5 is an Alexa device, meaning it leverages Amazon’s powerful voice assistant for all its smart home functionalities. Amazon Fire Tv Omni Qled 65 Inch Review

Voice Control: The most obvious benefit is voice control. You can control thousands of smart home devices from hundreds of brands using simple voice commands.
- “Alexa, turn off the lights in the kitchen.”
- “Alexa, set the thermostat to 72 degrees.”
- “Alexa, show me the front door camera.”
Visual Management: This is where the “Show” aspect comes in. The 5.5-inch display provides a visual interface for managing your smart home.
- Smart Home Dashboard: Swipe down from the top of the screen to access quick controls for your most frequently used smart home devices, or tap on the smart home icon to see a full list. You can toggle lights, adjust thermostat settings, and even view live camera feeds with a tap.
- Group Control: Easily control groups of devices, like “turn off all lights downstairs,” directly from the screen.
Routines: Create custom routines that trigger multiple actions based on time, voice commands, or smart home sensor activity.
- Example: A “Good Morning” routine could turn on your bedroom lights, start the coffee maker if connected via a smart plug, and read the news.
- Motion Detection from camera: While the camera isn’t primarily for security, it can be used to trigger routines based on detected motion within its field of view, such as turning on lights when someone enters a room.

Enhanced Connectivity and Compatibility

The 3rd Gen builds on previous models’ connectivity to offer broad compatibility.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: Standard Wi-Fi 5 802.11ac ensures reliable connection to your home network, and Bluetooth allows you to connect external speakers or use the Show as a Bluetooth speaker for your phone.
Zigbee Support indirect: While the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen does not have a built-in Zigbee hub unlike some larger Echo Show models, it can still connect to and control Zigbee devices through a compatible Echo device that does have a hub e.g., Echo Show 8, Echo Show 10, Echo 4th Gen on the same network. This means if you have a larger Echo hub, your Echo Show 5 can act as an extension.
Matter Support: As part of Amazon’s commitment to the new Matter smart home standard, the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen is designed to be compatible. Matter aims to simplify smart home setup and improve interoperability between devices from different brands. As more Matter devices become available, your Echo Show 5 will be ready to seamlessly connect and control them. This is a significant future-proofing aspect.

Practical Smart Home Use Cases

Home Security Monitoring: Connect compatible smart doorbells like the Ring Video Doorbell or security cameras, and instantly view live feeds on your Echo Show 5 when someone rings the bell or motion is detected.
Lighting Control: Manage smart lights from brands like Philips Hue, Wyze, or TP-Link Kasa with voice or touch.
Climate Control: Integrate with smart thermostats such as ecobee or Nest for temperature adjustments.
Energy Management: Use smart plugs to control non-smart appliances and monitor their energy consumption.
Intercom System: Use the “Drop In” feature to communicate with other Echo devices in your home, acting as a convenient intercom.

The Echo Show 5 3rd Gen is an excellent gateway into smart home automation or a valuable addition to an existing setup.

Its visual interface combined with Alexa’s voice capabilities makes managing your connected home intuitive and efficient, especially in those smaller, high-traffic areas where a larger display would be overkill.

Privacy Features and Considerations

In an age where smart devices are increasingly present in our homes, privacy is a paramount concern.

Amazon has made efforts to address these concerns with the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen, integrating several features designed to give users control over their data and privacy.

Physical Privacy Controls

These are perhaps the most reassuring features, offering a tangible sense of control.

Camera Shutter: Located on the top of the device, there’s a physical switch that slides a cover directly over the camera lens. This is a hard disconnect, meaning that even if the device were somehow compromised, the camera would still be physically blocked. This is ideal for a bedroom or any sensitive area.
Microphone Mute Button: Adjacent to the camera shutter is a microphone mute button. When pressed, it electronically disconnects the microphones, preventing Alexa from hearing anything. A red light indicator on the device clearly shows when the microphones are off. This ensures that your private conversations remain private.

Software and Data Management Controls

Beyond the physical safeguards, Amazon provides several software-based tools for managing your data.

Voice History Deletion: You can review and delete your voice recordings associated with your Alexa account through the Alexa app or on the Amazon website. You have options to delete specific recordings, delete by date range, or delete all recordings. You can also set up auto-deletion for recordings older than 3 or 18 months.
- “Alexa, delete what I just said.”
- “Alexa, delete everything I said today.”
Privacy Settings in Alexa App: The Alexa app provides a comprehensive “Alexa Privacy” section where you can:
- Manage your voice recordings.
- Review and manage permissions for skills you’ve enabled.
- Manage device permissions e.g., location services.
- Manage smart home device usage data.
No Person Identification by default: Unlike some larger Echo Show models with more advanced cameras, the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen does not feature sophisticated facial recognition that can identify specific individuals and trigger personalized content. Its 2MP camera is primarily for video calls and quick glances at camera feeds.
Guest Mode Limited: While not a full guest mode, you can control what features are accessible without logging into your account. For instance, you can disable video calling or specific features.
Visual Indicators: When Alexa is listening for a command, a blue light ring appears on the screen, providing a clear visual cue that the microphones are active and processing your request.

Understanding Data Collection and Processing

It’s crucial to understand how smart devices work and what data they collect.

Wake Word Detection: Echo devices are always listening for their wake word e.g., “Alexa,” “Echo”. They process audio streams locally for this specific purpose. Only when the wake word is detected, or if the device believes the wake word was spoken, does it begin recording and transmitting audio to Amazon’s cloud for processing.
Cloud Processing: Once an utterance is sent to the cloud, it’s processed to understand your command and generate a response. This processing is essential for Alexa’s functionality.
Learning and Improvement: Amazon states that voice recordings are used to improve Alexa’s accuracy and the overall service. However, users have control over whether their recordings are used for this purpose and can opt out in the privacy settings.

While no smart device can offer 100% privacy in the traditional sense, the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen provides robust, user-friendly controls that empower you to manage your privacy settings effectively. Amazon Fire Tv Omni Qled 75 Inch Review

The physical camera shutter and microphone mute buttons are particularly valuable, offering undeniable assurance when you need it most.

It’s always a good practice to regularly review your privacy settings in the Alexa app and make informed decisions about how your data is used.

Connectivity and Ecosystem Synergy

The Amazon Echo Show 5 3rd Gen is not a standalone island.

Its true power is unlocked through its connectivity features and how seamlessly it integrates with the broader Amazon and smart home ecosystems.

This synergy is what makes it a central hub for daily digital life.

Robust Wireless Connectivity

The Echo Show 5 3rd Gen comes equipped with modern wireless standards, ensuring reliable and fast connections.

Wi-Fi 5 802.11ac: This standard, also known as Wi-Fi ac, provides robust and relatively fast wireless connectivity. It’s perfectly adequate for streaming video, conducting video calls, and managing smart home devices without significant lag. While not the very latest Wi-Fi 6, for a device of this nature, Wi-Fi 5 offers excellent performance and compatibility with most home routers.
- Dual-Band Support: It supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands, allowing it to connect to the optimal band for your network, reducing interference and improving stability.
Bluetooth: The built-in Bluetooth radio allows for several key functionalities:
- Audio Output: You can connect the Echo Show 5 to external Bluetooth speakers for enhanced audio, turning your compact smart display into a source for a larger sound system. This is particularly useful if you want better sound for podcast without investing in another smart speaker.
- Audio Input: Conversely, you can connect your smartphone or tablet to the Echo Show 5 via Bluetooth and use its improved internal speaker to play audio from your mobile device. Think of it as a small, smart Bluetooth speaker with a screen.

Amazon Ecosystem Integration

This is where the Echo Show 5 really flexes its muscle for Amazon Prime members and users deeply embedded in the Amazon universe.

Amazon Prime Video: While the screen size isn’t ideal for movie marathons, you can easily stream content from Amazon Prime Video, making it perfect for quick shows in the kitchen or a bedside viewing of a documentary.
Amazon Podcast: Full integration with Amazon Podcast means you can request specific songs, artists, or playlists with your voice. The lyrics display on screen for supported tracks is a nice visual touch.
Amazon Photos: Turn your Echo Show 5 into a digital photo frame. You can link your Amazon Photos account, and it will cycle through your favorite albums, making it a personalized and dynamic display. This is a fantastic feature for showcasing family memories.
Shopping and Reordering: Leverage Alexa to reorder frequently purchased items from Amazon, check your order status, or even add items to your Amazon shopping cart directly from the device.
Kindle/Audible: You can ask Alexa to read Kindle books aloud though the text won’t display or play audiobooks from your Audible library.

Smart Home Ecosystem Synergy

The Echo Show 5 isn’t just about controlling smart devices.

It acts as a central hub that brings different smart home technologies together. Blink Indoor Review

Alexa as the Universal Remote: With thousands of compatible devices, Alexa acts as the unifying force, allowing you to control diverse smart home products from different manufacturers under one voice command system.
Intercom Functionality Drop In: Use the “Drop In” feature to instantly connect with other Echo devices in your home, turning your smart displays into a convenient intercom system for calling family members for dinner or checking on kids in another room.
Announcements: Broadcast messages to all or specific Echo devices in your home, acting as a one-way announcement system.
Visual Feedback for Skills: Many Alexa skills benefit from the visual display. For example, asking for a recipe can show you ingredients and steps, or asking for weather can display a 5-day forecast.
Calendar and Reminders: Sync your Google Calendar, Outlook, or Apple Calendar to the Echo Show 5 and get visual reminders, view your daily agenda, or add new appointments via voice.

The connectivity and ecosystem synergy of the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen transform it from a simple voice assistant into a versatile, interconnected device that enhances various aspects of your daily routine, especially for those already invested in the Amazon ecosystem.

Camera and Video Calling Capabilities

The Amazon Echo Show 5 3rd Gen features a 2-megapixel camera, which, while not a powerhouse, is perfectly adequate for its intended purpose: facilitating video calls and providing a visual feed for certain smart home functions.

It’s a key feature that distinguishes it from screen-less Echo devices.

2 MP Camera: What to Expect

Let’s be clear: the 2MP camera on the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen is not designed for stunning photography or high-fidelity video recording. Its primary role is functional.

Resolution: A 2-megapixel sensor translates to a video resolution of roughly 720p or 1080p, depending on optimization. For a 5.5-inch screen, this resolution is entirely sufficient for clear video calls.
Fixed Focus: The camera typically has a fixed focus, meaning it doesn’t auto-focus on subjects. It’s generally optimized for a typical arm’s length or slightly further distance, suitable for sitting at a desk or standing at a kitchen counter.
No Auto-Framing: Unlike the more advanced cameras on larger Echo Show models like the Echo Show 8 or 10, the 2MP camera on the Echo Show 5 does not offer auto-framing capabilities. This means you need to position yourself within the frame manually during calls.

Video Calling: Stay Connected Visually

Video calling is a primary function for the Echo Show 5, making it a convenient communication tool.

Supported Platforms:
- Alexa Calling: The simplest way to video call is to use Alexa-to-Alexa calling. You can call other Echo Show devices, the Alexa app on smartphones, or even contacts who have enabled Alexa calling on their devices.
- Zoom: The Echo Show 5 supports Zoom calls, which was a significant addition to the Echo Show lineup. This allows you to join work or family video conferences directly from your smart display.
- Skype: Skype is also supported, offering another popular video calling option for connecting with friends and family.
Ease of Use: Initiating a call is simple. You can use voice commands like “Alexa, call Mom” or “Alexa, join my Zoom meeting.” The visual interface makes it easy to navigate contacts and recent calls.
Audio Quality During Calls: The improved audio output of the 3rd Gen significantly enhances the listening experience during video calls. Voices come through clearer and fuller, making conversations more natural and less strained. The microphones are also optimized for far-field voice recognition, which generally translates to good pickup during calls in a small room.
Privacy Features during Calls: Remember the physical camera shutter and microphone mute button. These are invaluable during video calls if you need a moment of privacy or want to ensure the call has truly ended.

Other Camera Use Cases

Beyond video calling, the camera offers a few other practical applications:

Drop In Video: If you have multiple Echo Show devices in your home, you can use the “Drop In” feature to instantly connect and see what’s happening in another room with permission from the recipient device, which can be set up in advance. This acts as a convenient visual intercom for checking on kids or pets.
Monitoring Limited: While not a dedicated security camera, you can use the camera to get a quick live view of the room where the Echo Show 5 is located via the Alexa app on your smartphone. This is useful for checking if you left the lights on or if your pet is behaving.
Motion Detection Routine Trigger: The camera can detect general motion not specific people and use this as a trigger for Alexa routines. For example, if motion is detected in the kitchen, it could turn on the kitchen lights.

The 2MP camera on the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen serves its purpose well for a compact smart display.

It facilitates clear video calls and offers useful monitoring capabilities, all while providing critical physical privacy controls for user peace of mind.

Value Proposition and Target Audience

The Amazon Echo Show 5 3rd Gen isn’t just another gadget.

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It represents a compelling value proposition, particularly for a specific segment of the smart home market.

Understanding who this device is for and what it offers can help you decide if it’s the right fit for your needs.

What Makes it a Strong Value?

When considering its price point often around $89.99, but frequently on sale, the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen packs a surprising punch.

Improved Core Experience: The enhanced audio, snappier processor, and more responsive display fundamentally improve daily interactions. These aren’t just minor tweaks. they make the device more enjoyable and efficient to use.
Compact Yet Capable: It delivers the full Alexa smart assistant experience, visual smart home control, video calling, and media consumption in a small footprint. You get a lot of functionality without sacrificing precious counter or desk space.
Entry Point to Smart Displays: For those curious about smart displays but hesitant to commit to larger, more expensive models like the Echo Show 8 3rd Gen or Echo Show 10 3rd Gen, the Echo Show 5 offers an affordable and robust introduction.
Excellent Supplemental Device: Even if you already own a larger smart display or smart speaker, the Echo Show 5 makes a fantastic secondary device for a different room.
Privacy Features: The physical camera shutter and microphone mute buttons are significant selling points, offering tangible peace of mind that many competitors lack or offer only in software.
Matter Support: Its compatibility with the upcoming Matter standard is a significant future-proofing aspect, ensuring it will seamlessly integrate with an expanding range of smart home devices down the line.

Who is the Amazon Echo Show 5 3rd Gen For?

This device isn’t for everyone, but it perfectly serves several key user groups:

The Bedside Table Buddy: This is arguably its sweet spot. Its compact size, adaptive brightness, alarm clock features, and ability to play sleep sounds or display calendar events make it an ideal nightstand companion. The physical camera shutter is especially reassuring for a bedroom device.
The Kitchen Assistant: For following recipes, setting timers, converting measurements, listening to podcast or podcasts while cooking, or quickly viewing a doorbell feed, its visual interface and improved audio are highly beneficial.
The Small Desk/Office Companion: Need a quick way to check the weather, manage your calendar, make a video call, or control smart lights in your home office? The Echo Show 5 fits perfectly without cluttering your workspace.
The Smart Home Newbie: If you’re just starting your smart home journey and want an affordable, intuitive way to visually control your devices, the 3rd Gen offers a great entry point.
Existing Alexa Users: For those already deep in the Alexa ecosystem, the Echo Show 5 provides a visual extension of their smart home without breaking the bank. It seamlessly integrates with existing routines, skills, and devices.
The Privacy-Conscious User: The physical privacy controls are a major draw for individuals who prioritize security and control over their camera and microphone.
Gift Givers: It makes an excellent gift for tech enthusiasts, parents, or anyone looking to add convenience and smart home capabilities to their daily life without a steep learning curve.

Who Might Look Elsewhere?

Users needing a larger display: For heavy video consumption, more immersive photo viewing, or extensive video calls where screen size matters, the Echo Show 8 3rd Gen or Echo Show 10 3rd Gen would be better choices.
Audiophiles: While improved, the audio is still from a compact device. Serious podcast lovers will want a dedicated smart speaker like the Echo Studio or a more robust sound system.
Google Assistant loyalists: If you’re firmly committed to the Google ecosystem, the Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen is the direct competitor.
Camera-focused users: For advanced video calling features like auto-framing or higher-resolution cameras, you’d need to step up to the Echo Show 8 or 10.

In conclusion, the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen is a well-executed refinement of a popular device.

It offers significant improvements where it counts, delivering excellent value for its price and firmly positioning itself as the go-to smart display for smaller spaces and budget-conscious consumers who don’t want to compromise on core functionality and privacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions about Echo Show 5 3rd Gen

What is the Amazon Echo Show 5 3rd Gen 2023 release?

The Amazon Echo Show 5 3rd Gen is Amazon’s latest compact smart display, released in 2023, offering a 5.5-inch screen and powered by Alexa, featuring improved audio, a faster processor, and a more responsive display compared to its predecessors.

What are the main improvements of the 3rd Gen compared to the 2nd Gen Echo Show 5?

The main improvements include significantly enhanced audio with deeper bass and clearer vocals, a faster AZ2 Neural Edge processor for snappier responses and UI, and a more responsive touchscreen display. Tamron 11 20Mm F28 Di Iii A Rxd Review

Is the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen worth buying?

Yes, the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen is worth buying if you’re looking for a compact, affordable smart display with good audio and a responsive interface, especially for a bedside table, kitchen counter, or small office.

What colors does the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen come in?

The Echo Show 5 3rd Gen is available in Charcoal, Glacier White, and Cloud Blue.

Can I watch videos on the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen?

Yes, you can watch videos from services like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and other supported streaming platforms, though the 5.5-inch screen is best for short clips or casual viewing rather than extended movie sessions.

Is the camera on the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen good for video calls?

The 2MP camera on the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen is perfectly adequate for clear video calls via Alexa Calling, Zoom, and Skype, providing a functional visual connection.

Does the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen have a physical camera shutter?

Yes, it has a physical camera shutter located on the top of the device, allowing you to physically block the camera lens for privacy.

Does the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen have a microphone mute button?

Yes, there is a physical microphone mute button on top of the device that electronically disconnects the microphones, indicated by a red light.

What processor is in the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen?

The Echo Show 5 3rd Gen is powered by Amazon’s AZ2 Neural Edge processor, which enables faster on-device processing for quicker responses.

Does the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen support Wi-Fi 6?

No, the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen supports Wi-Fi 5 802.11ac, which is still robust and provides reliable connectivity for its functions.

Smart Home and Connectivity Questions

Can the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen control smart home devices?

Yes, the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen acts as a central hub for controlling thousands of compatible smart home devices via voice commands and its visual touchscreen dashboard.

Does the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen have a built-in Zigbee hub?

No, the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen does not have a built-in Zigbee hub. Sigma 23Mm F14 Dc Dn Contemporary Review

However, it can control Zigbee devices if you have another compatible Echo device with a built-in hub e.g., Echo Show 8, Echo 4th Gen on the same network.

Is the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen compatible with Matter?

Yes, the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen is designed to be compatible with the new Matter smart home standard, enhancing its future interoperability with a wider range of smart devices.

Can I use the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen as an intercom?

Yes, you can use the “Drop In” feature to instantly connect with other Echo devices in your home, effectively turning it into a visual intercom system.

Can I view security camera feeds on the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen?

Yes, you can view live feeds from compatible smart security cameras and video doorbells like Ring Video Doorbell directly on the Echo Show 5’s display.

Can the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen be used as a digital photo frame?

Yes, you can link your Amazon Photos account to the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen to display your favorite photo albums, turning it into a personalized digital photo frame.

Can I connect Bluetooth speakers to the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen?

Yes, you can connect external Bluetooth speakers to the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen to output audio for an enhanced listening experience.

Can I play podcast from my phone to the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen via Bluetooth?

Yes, you can use the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen as a Bluetooth speaker, playing audio from your smartphone or tablet through its improved internal speaker.

Does it support smart lighting brands like Philips Hue?

Yes, the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen is compatible with popular smart lighting brands such as Philips Hue, Wyze, and TP-Link Kasa, allowing voice and touch control.

Can I set routines on the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen?

Yes, you can create and manage Alexa routines directly from the device or through the Alexa app, triggering multiple actions based on time, voice commands, or smart home sensor activity.

Performance and Usage Questions

Is the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen display brighter or higher resolution?

The display size and resolution remain the same 5.5 inches, 960×480 pixels, but the 3rd Gen offers improved responsiveness due to the faster processor and adaptive brightness. Adobe Lightroom Classic Review

How does the audio quality compare to previous generations?

The 3rd Gen Echo Show 5 offers significantly improved audio quality with deeper bass and clearer vocals, making it much better for podcast, podcasts, and general listening than previous models.

Can I make Zoom calls on the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen?

Yes, the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen supports Zoom calls, allowing you to join meetings directly from your device.

Can I browse the internet on the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen?

Yes, there’s a basic web browser on the Echo Show 5, but it’s optimized for quick searches and viewing simple web pages rather than extensive browsing.

What are the best places to put an Echo Show 5 3rd Gen?

Ideal places include a bedside table, kitchen counter, desk, or any small space where a compact smart display with visual feedback would be beneficial.

Does the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen have a battery?

No, the Amazon Echo Show 5 3rd Gen does not have an internal battery and requires constant connection to a power outlet to function.

How much does the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen cost?

The standard retail price is typically around $89.99, but Amazon frequently offers sales and discounts.

Can I use the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen to check my calendar?

Yes, you can sync your Google Calendar, Outlook, or Apple Calendar with Alexa and view your daily agenda, upcoming events, and set reminders on the Echo Show 5.

Is the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen good for seniors or those less tech-savvy?

Yes, its intuitive voice control and visual interface can make it very user-friendly for seniors or those less familiar with technology, offering easy access to information and communication.

Can I disable the screen on the Echo Show 5 3rd Gen?

Yes, you can turn off the screen using voice commands “Alexa, turn off screen” or through the settings.

It will still respond to voice commands with audio feedback. Amazon Fire Tv Omni Mini Led 85 Inch Review

Amazon Echo Show 5 3Rd Gen 2023 Release Review