Key options
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Thread, Zigbee, Sidewalk
- Ecosystems: Alexa, Matter
Amazon historically has a bumper {hardware} launch occasion each September, and this yr was no exception, with the e-retail big taking the covers off of the Third-gen Echo Present 8, amongst a raft of different Alexa-flavored devices.
The most recent mid-sized Echo smart speaker with a display has now landed on Amazon for $149.99 Stateside and £149.99 within the UK.
That is really $20/£30 up on the launch value of the 2nd-gen Present, which went dwell again in 2021, however you’re getting a bit extra bang on your buck with a snappier processor operating the present, additional homescreen options, spatial audio and, whereas we await the Echo Hub to reach, the Present 8 is definitely essentially the most complete smart home controller within the Echo line-up.
That is as a result of it provides Matter and Thread to the combo, alongside Zigbee, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Amazon Sidewalk.
The Echo Present vary is increasing on a regular basis; the Present 10 (Third-gen) and Present 15 are each fairly previous in tech phrases now, however stay the flagship units and price round double of the brand new Present 8.
Should you’re on the lookout for the most affordable ticket to the Present social gathering then the newly launched Third-gen Present 5 is your finest guess; though the Present 8 is way more appropriate for wherever exterior the bed room.
Learn on to seek out out whereas Amazon’s newest 8 stays a lovely proposition.
(Picture credit score: The Ambient)
Design and construct
- Slicker kind issue
- Edge-to-edge glass display
- Similar 8-inch show as 2nd-gen
- Digital camera now centered
There’s quite a lot of similarities between the 2nd and Third-gen Echo Present 8s on the spec sheet however we’re, not less than, handled to a reasonably substantial redesign.
Whereas the 2nd-gen was a strong block of Alexa, the most recent Present 8 takes its cues from the brand new Present 5, providing a a lot curvier and slicker kind issue than on that 2021 mannequin.
It is nonetheless not going to get your friends gasping with pleasure upon first web site; it is a pretty commonplace display and speaker setup – however the brand new edge-to-edge glass entrance does not less than attempt to make us assume that the 8-inch display is best than on the earlier mannequin.
Spolier alert, it isn’t – it is the exact same 1280 x 800 HD panel, but it surely does look improved, set in opposition to the curvier speaker rear part.
Obtainable in charcoal and white, you do have the choice of a further stand, however for my part it seems finest simply flat on a floor.
Up prime you will discover the amount buttons on the proper, the kill mic button on the left and a bodily shutter swap for the 13MP digital camera, which now sits in the midst of the bezel.
Measuring in at 200 x 139 x 106mm, it is really a fraction larger than its predecessor; and it weighs in at simply north of 1kg.
Amazon tells us that it is constructed from 29% recycled supplies, with 99% of the packaging is constructed from wood-fibre-based supplies, from responsibly managed forests or recycled sources. In order that’s a tick, I assume.
(Picture credit score: The Ambient)
Amazon killed the three.5mm audio jack for music output on the earlier Present 8 and there is no return for it right here sadly; they usually’ve additionally executed away with the USB-C charging port, so there is no smartphone charging from the gadget now.
In on a regular basis use
- Quicker processor
- Adaptive Content material on homescreen
- Contact display widgets
Powered by Alexa, Amazon’s voice assistant, the Echo Present 8 is filled with a variety of voice pushed capabilities, which I am not going to dig too deep on right here.
Should you’re on the lookout for particular info as to what Alexa affords you try a few of our key Alexa guides:
In fact, Alexa underpins the whole lot about any Echo speaker, that are voice-first units regardless of the presence of a display.
You possibly can name up video feeds from related cameras with a voice command, reply your video doorbell, and management lights and different smart home units.
(Picture credit score: The Ambient)
Whereas the display and the digital camera stay the identical from the earlier gen, there was an enormous increase in processing energy for the 2023 Echo Present 8, with an octa-core SoC with Amazon’s AZ2 Neural Community Engine operating the, er, Present.
Amazon informs us that this provides 40% extra processing energy to the combo and that is fairly evident as the brand new Present 8 is far snappier when responding, each by way of voice instructions and when scrolling or deciding on on the contact display.
One of many standout options on the newest Alexa smart show is the Adaptive Content material display, which makes use of its proximity sensor to look the place you’re within the room, to current a homescreen based mostly on these areas.
For instance, for those who’re on the opposite aspect of the room, you would possibly see a single climate display with the present situations, however as you get nearer you would possibly get a breakdown of the total week’s climate. Or a recommended music observe will then offer you playback choices as you method the display.
Like so…
This content material might be additional customized in case you have Visible ID arrange by way of your Amazon account. For instance it may present me my calendar schedule if it acknowledges me, or present some Alexa Children content material to my daughter when she’s close by.
Should you simply use your Present to show photographs and nothing else (which requires you turning off the plethora of gumph that Amazon insists on exhibiting you, by way of the Home Content material settings) then Adaptive Content material merely pops up the icons on your chosen Widgets once you method.
Which strikes me on properly to Widgets. In contrast to on the Present 15 or 10, you may’t have them completely on display.
You possibly can choose a most of 4, and then you definitely’ll see icons on your chosen Widgets on the prime once you’re near the display. So it is advisable faucet to see a Widget, which is not precisely arduous labor however is a bit annoying; particularly with smart home controls.
As talked about up prime, because of the inclusion of Thread and Zigbee radios, and the Matter controller performance, the Present 8 is an all singing, all dancing devoted smart home hub.
Guides: Matter smart home / Thread smart home
I’ve paired Matter over Wi-Fi, Matter over Thread and Zigbee bulbs on to my Present 8 and all of it works as seamlessly and as snappily as you’d hope with direct, native connections.
(Picture credit score: The Ambient)
My solely problem is that, if you wish to use the smart home visuals of the Present 8, that are fairly good – favorites, class sorts, shortcuts and so forth – you must faucet the display an additional time simply to get them on present.
So which means you would be tapping twice to show off a light-weight swap, for instance. I am fairly certain that will not be the case with the soon-to-launch Echo Hub, the place you will little question have the ability to customise smart home controls on the principle display.
I get that Amazon needs to promote the Hub as a rival to high-end automation panels from the likes of Creston and Control4, because it goes straight on the wall; however with all of the smart home {hardware} on board the brand new Present 8 it ought to have been a no brainer to permit a devoted smart home display, or not less than a pinnable widget such as you get with the Present 10 or 15.
Further faucet woes apart although, and the Present 8 actually is an excellent smart home operator, particularly for anybody already firmly in Camp Alexa desirous to make that Matter soar.
In addition to the benefit of voice or faucet instructions to regulate smart home units, the Present 8 additionally means that you can use its digital camera as a video-based movement detector to set off Alexa Routines; assume lights switching on once you enter a room and switching off once you’ve been away for a time period.
Like different current Present fashions, the brand new 8 has the Home Monitoring distant view mode by way of the Alexa app, which is useful for checking in your home once you’re away, principally turning your smart show right into a makeshift smart safety digital camera.
An alert pops up on the Present, so anybody within the room will know they’re on digital camera. You possibly can’t report or retailer these movies.
As talked about, the digital camera on the newest Present 8 is within the center and this makes for higher video calling; which is obtainable by way of each Alexa Calling and Skype over Echo (sadly, no Zoom on this mannequin.)
(Picture credit score: The Ambient)
As with the previous-gen, there’s additionally auto monitoring tech inbuilt so throughout calls, for those who’re strolling across the room, the digital camera will zoom in and attempt to sustain with you.
(Picture credit score: The Ambient)
As with all Alexa units, safety shall be a priority for some and you may mute the microphone and shut the digital camera lens with the Present 8, though doing each has an have an effect on on efficiency and options, for apparent causes.
Audio and video high quality
As I’ve stated there is no change within the high quality of the show so watching Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, or Netflix isn’t any totally different than earlier than; it is acceptable at finest. Should you’re considering of utilizing the Present 8 as a main video watching gadget, assume once more – it is actually less than it.
However it’s an honest possibility in a pinch for informal viewing, corresponding to when you’re peeling carrots within the kitchen or folding laundry on the mattress.
There’s nonetheless no native YouTube app, however Amazon has included a shortcut to the online model of YouTube in its Video Home Display, making accessing a bit simpler.
(Picture credit score: The Ambient)
In contrast to the visuals, the audio on the Present 8 have been considerably improved. The twin stereo tweeters at the moment are a pair of 2-inch neodymium stereo audio system with a passive bass radiator.
And the massive information is there’s now spatial audio processing expertise included, for a wider and extra immersive sound expertise, together with a room adaption expertise that senses the acoustics of the house after which fine-tunes playback for optimum sound… which is a bit like what Sonos TruePlay does.
The result’s… fairly good. It is not a HomePod killer or perhaps a rival to the decrease finish Sonos Period 100 but it surely’s a reasonably full sound, a far cry from the tinny Present 5, and an enormous step up from the 2nd-gen Present 8.
It should not be your important front room or eating room speaker however it’s greater than as much as the duty of holding its personal in a bed room, workplace or kitchen.
You possibly can play music from Amazon Music, Apple Music, and Spotify. Should you subscribe to Amazon Music, it scrolls the lyrics of the songs on the show, so can double as a enjoyable karaoke machine too.
(Picture credit score: The Ambient)
There may be additionally a Photographs Version of the Echo Present 8, for $10 extra, that places your loved ones photographs entrance and middle of the homescreen.
That $10 will get you 6 months subscription to an additional 25GB of phot storage, which is able to then be $1.99 month-to-month after that.
Closing ideas
The brand new Echo Present 8 is a good improve albeit with a number of annoying niggles that cease it being good. It has all of the {hardware} wanted to be a one-stop smart home controller, however falls down barely on the UI and it is a disgrace that the display is not just a bit bit crisper.
Minor woes apart although and the brand new Adaptive Content material characteristic works properly, efficiency is vastly improved and the audio high quality is robust sufficient to contemplate the Present 8 as a main speaker in sure areas.
How we take a look at
Once we publish our critiques, you may relaxation assured that they’re the results of âresiding withâ long run assessments.
Smart speaker often dwell inside, and even management, a smart home ecosystem, or a spread of merchandise that â supposedly â all work in concord. Subsequently, itâs not possible to make use of a related speaker for per week and ship a verdict.
As a result of weâre testing smart home equipment all day, on a regular basis, we all know what issues and the way a selected smart speaker compares to options that you may additionally be contemplating.
Our critiques are complete, goal and truthful and, in fact, we’re by no means paid on to assessment a tool.
Learn our assessment course of for smart audio system to be taught extra.
FAQS
Are you able to watch Netflix on the Echo Present 8?
Sure, the Netflix app is underneath the video choices.
Is the Echo Present 8 a Matter controller and Thread border router?
Sure, it is a Matter controller and in addition a Thread border router.
Does the Echo Present 8 have a digital camera?
Sure, there is a digital camera on the entrance that allows you to video name and in addition acts as a safety digital camera too, so you may see a dwell feed of your home. You possibly can shut entry to this digital camera utilizing a bodily shutter.
Amazon Echo Present 8 (2023 mannequin, Third-generation): Specs
Sort | Smart speaker with a show | |
UK RRP | £149.99 | |
US RRP | $149.99 | |
Dimension | 200 x 139 x 106mm | |
Weight | 1034g | |
Launch date | 2023 | |
Ecosystems | Matter, Alexa | |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Thread, Zigbee, Sidewalk |