TLDR Review: Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen)
Pros
- •Compact nch screen is perfectly sized for a nightstand and easily visible from across the room.
- •Speaker quality is surprisingly good for its size, delivering clear voices and decent music sound, better than a phone.
- •Responsive touchscreen combined with accurate Alexa voice recognition, even amid background noise.
- •Easy to set up—just plug it in and start using immediately.
- •Builn camera shutter and the ability to physically block the camera provide reassuring privacy controls.
- •Integrates well into daily routines for managing Amazon orders, timers, music, and news without needing a phone.
- •Highly customizable screen settings and useful clock features, especially for nighttime visibility.
- •Functions effectively as a Bluetooth speaker for basic audio needs.
- •Supports helpful features like video calling and “dron,” offering convenience for staying connected.
- •Reliable performance when paired with a stable internet connection.
Cons
- •The nch screen is a bit small for comfortable movie or TV viewing compared to smartphones or larger smart displays.
- •Requires constant power with no battery option; unplugging causes shutdowns and restarts.
- •Uses a proprietary round plug instead of the more modern USB or US charging standards.
- •Alexa skills can be inconsistent and sometimes frustrating due to subscription requests, ads, and mandatory smartphone setup.
- •Lock screen does not allow a static clock display without paying extra; it autcrolls through various information screens.
- •Some features and interface elements can be confusing or overwhelming, particularly for users not familiar with smart technology.
- •Privacy concerns remain despite camera covers and microphone off buttons due to “dron” feature and always-listening nature.
- •Additional elder care features, while useful, often require complex setup and extra subscriptions.
- •Occasional slowness or lag in feature responsiveness.
- •Potential risk of obsolescence as AI assistants and Amazon’s Alexa platform continue to evolve rapidly.
Bottom Line
The Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen, 2021) is a solid, compact smart display ideal for users who want a convenient bedside or kitchen companion with good voice control, decent sound, and a handy screen for quick info. It excels in daily Alexa interactions and integrates smoothly with Amazon services but isn’t suited for heavy media consumption due to its small screen. If you want a more immersive viewing experience or prefer modern charging options, you might want to explore larger Echo Show models or devices with USB-C support. Overall, this model is practical, reliable, and a great entry-level smart display with privacy-conscious features.
How we researched this
About this review: We pulled together findings from professional reviews and hundreds of user reviews, and cross-referenced them with ShopSavvy's pricing data from 1 retailers to give you the short version.
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