If you buy smart speakers or smart displays with digital assistants on the market, you will be faced with many choices. Amazon itself provides several Echo devices that support Alexa, ranging from budget to higher-priced options. Google has a set of Nest products, Apple has HomePod and HomePod Mini, and many third-party smart speakers and displays are equipped with Alexa or Google Assistant.
However, Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd generation) is different from any smart speaker or smart display you find there because it is currently the only product on the market that can follow you. Although the Echo Show 10 may be Amazon’s most innovative smart home device, it still has some shortcomings.Find out if the device is worth the money Android Authority Amazon Echo Show 10 reviews.
What you need to know about Amazon Echo Show 10
Adamya Sharma / Android Authority
- Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd generation): 249.99 USD/239.99 GBP/249.99 EUR/Rupee. 24,999
Echo Show 10 is Amazon’s response to Google Nest Hub Max. This is a smart display and speaker with built-in Amazon Alexa assistant. It is the third generation of the Echo Show 10 series.
You can also take a look: The best Amazon devices you can buy right now
In addition to listening to music, controlling smart home devices, and asking Alexa various questions, you can also stream content from apps such as Amazon Prime Video and Netflix. YouTube can also be accessed from the device, albeit through Amazon’s Silk browser, not the app. Useful is that the video section on the device has a YouTube browser shortcut for easy access. You can even search for videos on YouTube using Alexa voice commands.
In India, where we reviewed the device, these three video streaming services were the only ones offered. However, the device also supports Hulu and some other networks, such as Tubi in the United States.
The biggest attraction of Echo Show 10 is that it can follow you. You can manually tilt the screen up and down and set the display to automatically rotate 360 degrees. Echo Show 10 uses a combination of audio and computer vision to determine your position in the room. When you move or talk to Alexa, the screen will automatically follow you. This also allows the smart display to double as a home security camera.
You can choose to buy the equipment in two colors: charcoal color (as shown in this review) and glacier white.
What’s good?
Amazon Echo Show 10 has a powerful 10.1-inch touch screen display that is bright enough for indoor use. Think of it as a tablet connected to speakers. When you are cooking in the kitchen or walking around in the living room, it is enough to watch videos on YouTube or play your favorite TV shows. The text on the display is also clear and easy to read. Of course, due to the low size and resolution (1,280 x 800), the experience cannot be compared to a TV or monitor, but it will not disappoint. For comparison, a similarly sized Fire HD 10 tablet has a resolution of 1,920 x 1,200. However, Google’s Nest Hub Max also has a 1,280 x 800 screen, so Echo Show 10 is in line with the competition.
The sound is vibrant and the bass is heavy.
The speakers include two one-inch tweeters and a three-inch downward-facing woofer. Together they are loud enough to host family gatherings or small gatherings. The sound is vibrant and heavy bass, you can use the audio settings in the Alexa app to adjust it to your liking. If you are not a serious audiophile and want loud and attractive speakers, then you will like Echo Show 10.
Adamya Sharma / Android Authority
Another important use of Echo Show 10 is as a security camera for your home. The device has a 13MP camera located in the corner of the display. In well-lit conditions, the image quality is quite good, but when night falls, you can’t see anything in the dark. Therefore, if you want to monitor your home after sunset, you must leave a light in the room where the Echo Show 10 is placed.
You can place the Echo Show 10 in the center of the living room and view your house through the Alexa app when you leave. If this is what you want, it won’t really work for discreet surveillance, because every time you start remote surveillance from the Alexa app, the display will show a prompt saying “A family member is looking at your camera “. If you are at the other end and do not want someone to visit you through Echo Show 10, you can physically close the privacy shutter (as shown in the picture above) and avoid unnecessary surveillance.
The biggest attraction of Echo Show 10 is that it can follow you.
In general, the mobile screen is the biggest attraction of Echo Show 10. The device’s settings allow you to set the range of motion, customize it when you do certain activities (such as streaming), and only turn it on when you request it. Alexa follows you, or turn it off completely. I just like to use this device in my kitchen while tracking recipes on YouTube or via Alexa skills. I don’t have to stand in one place, I can move around freely while cooking. I even like to watch and follow exercise videos because I don’t have to worry about exercising in one place to keep the screen visible.
related: Alexa’s best skills and applications
What’s wrong?
Adamya Sharma / Android Authority
Although the screen movement is very convenient, the following actions of Echo Show 10 are a bit slow. If you want the screen to move with you immediately, you will be disappointed. It also does not work 100%. In some cases, the monitor just refuses to follow me, but I can always call out “Alexa” and it will turn its head in my direction. If there are two or more people in the room, the monitor can easily confuse who it should follow. The thick bezel around the display is also highly reflective, which may be distracting if you are in a bright room.
We hope that Amazon can get more streaming partners.
I miss some streaming applications in Echo Show 10. Between Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, I found myself using the iPad more frequently to watch content on other platforms. We hope that Amazon can get more streaming partners, especially because it supports other services on Fire TV devices.
Another limitation of Echo Show 10 is that it can only make and receive video calls through the Alexa app, Skype or other Echo Show devices. In order to test the device, I made several Alexa video calls, which worked well. The image and sound are clear, and there is no network interruption or unnecessary call drops.
During a video call, the motion following technique is useful because I can move around the room while talking to someone. Unfortunately, it does not work in dimly lit environments. When there is insufficient light in the room, the motion follow function will not work. When this happens, the device will display a prompt. In addition, for rotating smart displays, it would be great if the device supports more video calling applications and services. During a video call, slow follow-up is also a problem.
Amazon Echo Show 10 Review: Should I buy it?
Adamya Sharma / Android Authority
Whether Echo Show 10 is suitable for your smart display depends on several factors. If Alexa is your digital assistant of choice, then you have come to the right place. You will also pay a premium of $249.99 for the device, so you should only consider it when you feel the need for a mobile smart display, as this is the device’s biggest appeal.
However, if you decide to spend the money and don’t want to have all the popular streaming applications, then Echo Show 10 is a good choice. This is undoubtedly an eye-catching addition to your living room. If you have children, this is also a fun device because they can play interactive games, sing along with the lyrics displayed on the screen, and so on.
If you want a smart display with Alexa, they won’t be better than Echo Show 10.
All in all, I really like using Echo Show 10 at home. If you want a smart home hub that tries to do everything, this is it. If you think the price is too high, our suggestion is to try to buy the special Echo Show 10.
Alternatively, you can also consider using Google Nest Hub Max (229 USD) Provide more advanced security camera functions, excellent display effects and good sound quality. It is also a bit cheaper than Echo Show 10. If you want to save more money, Echo Show 8 (USD 129) Reduce the rotation display, but provide the same stable audio quality.
Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd generation)
Alexa can show you more by following your 10.1-inch HD screen
Amazon Echo Show 10 is a smart display that can be rotated on its base to follow its user. It also supports home monitoring, streaming media and more.