Echo Dot vs Echo Show – Check Which One Is Best & Why

Amazon Echo Dot & Amazon Echo Show share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the Amazon Echo Show rather than the Amazon Echo Dot. 

Why Do I Recommend The Amazon Echo Show

  • The Amazon Echo Show has a touchscreen display for visual feedback, video playback, and interactive controls, enhancing the multimedia experience compared to the audio-only Echo Dot.
  • Amazon Echo Show features a built-in camera for video calls, monitoring, face-to-face communication, and smart home monitoring capabilities, while the Echo Dot lacks a camera.
  • It supports video streaming from platforms like YouTube, Prime Video, and Netflix for entertainment that isn’t possible on the Echo Dot.
  • The Amazon Echo Show serves as a smart home control hub with a visual dashboard to manage smart devices, compared to the only voice control on the Echo Dot.
  • Amazon Echo Show can display recipes and step-by-step cooking instructions, acting as a visual kitchen assistant, while the Echo Dot only offers audio instructions.
  • The Amazon Echo Show features a clock, weather updates, and news summaries with visual elements to make information easier to understand compared to the audio summaries from the Echo Dot.

Maybe the Amazon Echo Dot price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the Amazon Echo Show. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.

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Side By Side Comparison

FeatureAmazon Echo ShowAmazon Echo Dot
DisplayTouchscreen displayNo display
CameraBuilt-in cameraNo camera
Video CallsSupportedNot supported
Video StreamingSupportedNot supported
Form FactorLarger, screen-based designCompact, small design
Multimedia ExperienceAudio and video-focusedAudio-focused
Visual FeedbackVisual and voiceVoice-only
Smart Home DashboardVisual smart home controlNot available
Clock DisplayDigital clock on screenLED display
Usage ScenariosVideo calls, streaming, smart home hubAudio interactions, music
Cooking AssistantVisual recipe stepsAudio instructions
Photo DisplayActs as a digital photo frameNot supported
PriceHigher costLower cost
Screen SizeVaries by model (8″, 10″, etc.)No screen
Wake Word IndicatorScreen animationLED light ring
PriceCheck Echo Show PriceCheck Echo Dot Price

What Common Both Can Do?

  • Voice Assistant – Alexa: Both devices feature Alexa as their voice assistant, allowing users to interact with them using voice commands to perform a variety of tasks, such as setting timers, getting news updates, and controlling smart home devices.

  • Smart Home Integration: The Echo Dot and Echo Show both support integration with smart home devices, enabling users to control lights, thermostats, cameras, and other smart devices through voice commands.

  • Audio Playback: Both devices are equipped with built-in speakers that support audio playback, making them suitable for playing music, podcasts, audiobooks, and other audio content.

  • Far-Field Voice Recognition: Both devices are designed with far-field voice recognition technology, which allows them to hear and respond to voice commands from across the room, even when music is playing.

  • Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Connectivity: The Echo Dot and Echo Show both support Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, enabling them to connect to the internet and pair with other Bluetooth-enabled devices for streaming audio.

  • Streaming Services Support: Both devices support popular streaming services such as Amazon Music, Spotify, and Apple Music, giving users access to a wide range of music and audio content.

  • Voice Control: Users can control both devices using voice commands to perform various functions, such as controlling playback, adjusting volume, and managing connected smart home devices.

  • Alarms and Reminders: Both devices allow users to set alarms and reminders using voice commands, making them useful for daily scheduling and organization.

  • Skills and Routines: Both the Echo Dot and Echo Show support Alexa Skills and Routines, enabling users to add new functionalities and automate tasks, such as turning on lights or providing a morning briefing.

  • Microphone Array: Both devices feature a built-in microphone array that allows them to pick up voice commands clearly from a distance.

  • Hands-Free Calling: Users can make hands-free calls to other Echo devices, mobile phones, and landlines using both the Echo Dot and Echo Show.

  • Multi-Room Audio: Both devices support multi-room audio functionality, allowing users to group multiple Echo devices together to play synchronized music throughout the house.

  • Privacy Controls: Both devices include privacy controls, such as a microphone off button, allowing users to disable voice input when desired.

  • Built-in Speaker: Although the audio quality may differ, both the Echo Dot and Echo Show feature a built-in speaker for playing music, audio content, or Alexa responses.

Common Features

FeatureAmazon Echo ShowAmazon Echo Dot
Voice AssistantAlexaAlexa
Smart Home IntegrationSupportedSupported
Audio PlaybackYesYes
Far-Field Voice RecognitionYesYes
Bluetooth ConnectivityYesYes
Wi-Fi ConnectivityYesYes
Streaming Services SupportYesYes
Voice ControlYesYes
Music ServicesAmazon Music, Spotify, Apple MusicAmazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music
Alarms and RemindersYesYes
Skills and RoutinesYesYes
Microphone ArrayYesYes
Hands-Free CallingYesYes
Multi-Room AudioYesYes
Privacy ControlsYesYes
Built-in SpeakerYesYes
Price Check Echo Show Price Check Echo Dot Price

FAQ

Can I make video calls using both devices?
No, you can only make video calls using the Echo Show, as it has a built-in camera and screen. The Echo Dot only supports audio calls since it does not have a display or camera.

Do both devices use Alexa as a voice assistant?
Yes, both the Echo Dot and the Echo Show use Alexa as their voice assistant, allowing users to control smart home devices, set timers, play music, and ask questions using voice commands.

Are both devices compatible with smart home devices?
Yes, both the Echo Dot and the Echo Show are compatible with various smart home devices. You can use either device to control lights, thermostats, cameras, and other compatible devices using voice commands.

Do both devices have built-in speakers for music playback?
Yes, both the Echo Dot and the Echo Show have built-in speakers for music playback. However, the sound quality may differ, with the Echo Show generally offering better audio performance due to its larger form factor.

Can I connect Bluetooth devices to both the Echo Dot and Echo Show?
Yes, both devices support Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to pair them with other Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as speakers or headphones.

Can I watch videos on both devices?
No, you can only watch videos on the Echo Show because it has a display. The Echo Dot does not support video playback as it is an audio-focused device.

Do both devices support streaming services like Amazon Music and Spotify?
Yes, both the Echo Dot and the Echo Show support popular streaming services such as Amazon Music, Spotify, and Apple Music, allowing you to stream music and audio content on either device.

Are both devices capable of setting alarms and reminders?
Yes, both the Echo Dot and the Echo Show allow users to set alarms and reminders using voice commands, making them useful tools for daily scheduling and organization.

Do both devices offer privacy controls?
Yes, both the Echo Dot and the Echo Show include privacy controls such as a microphone off button, allowing users to disable voice input whenever they choose.

Do both devices support multi-room audio?
Yes, both the Echo Dot and the Echo Show support multi-room audio, allowing you to group multiple Echo devices together to play synchronized music throughout your home.

Can I use both devices as an intercom system within my home?
Yes, both the Echo Dot and the Echo Show support Alexa’s Drop In and Announcements features, allowing you to use them as an intercom system within your home.

Do both devices support Alexa Skills and Routines?
Yes, both devices support Alexa Skills and Routines, enabling users to customize their Alexa experience by adding new functionalities and automating tasks like turning on lights or providing a daily briefing.

Can I display photos on both devices?
No, only the Echo Show supports displaying photos, as it has a screen that can function as a digital photo frame. The Echo Dot does not have a display and cannot show photos.

Are both devices suitable for hands-free calling?
Yes, both the Echo Dot and the Echo Show support hands-free calling, allowing users to make calls to other Echo devices, mobile phones, and landlines using voice commands. However, only the Echo Show supports video calling due to its built-in camera and screen.

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