Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd gen) review: Alexa on the move

If you are looking for a smart speaker or a smart display with a digital assistant, you will be flooded with options. Amazon itself offers several Alexa-powered Echo devices that range from budget to more expensive options. Google has its Nest products, Apple has the HomePod and HomePod Mini, and there are plenty of third-party smart speakers and displays out there that come with either Alexa or the Google Assistant.

The Amazon Echo Show 10 (3. The Echo Show 10 may be Amazon’s most innovative smart home device, but it still has a few flaws. Find out if it’s worth your money Android authority Amazon Echo Show 10 review.

• Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd generation): $ 249.99 / £ 239.99 / € 249.99 / Rs. 24,999

The Echo Show 10 is Amazon’s answer to the Google Nest Hub Max. It is an intelligent display and speaker with an integrated Alexa assistant from Amazon and is the third generation of the Echo Show 10 line.

See also: The best Amazon devices you can buy right now

Aside from listening to music, controlling your smart home devices, and asking Alexa all sorts of questions, you can also stream content from apps like Amazon Prime Video and Netflix to it. YouTube is also accessible from the device, albeit through Amazon’s Silk browser, not an app. Helpful? There is a YouTube browser shortcut in the video section of the device for easy access. You can even use Alexa voice commands to search for videos on YouTube.

In India, where we tested the device, these three video streaming services were the only ones offered. However, the device also supports Hulu and some other networks like Tubi in the US.

The biggest advantage of the Echo Show 10 is its ability to follow you. You can manually tilt the screen up and down and set the display to rotate 360 ​​degrees automatically. The Echo Show 10 uses a combination of audio and computer vision to determine where you are in a room. When you move or speak to Alexa, the screen will automatically follow you. This means that the smart display can also function as a home security camera.

You have the option of buying the device in two colors: Charcoal (shown in this review) and Glacier White.

The Amazon Echo Show 10 has a punchy 10.1-inch touchscreen display that is bright enough for indoor use. Think of it like a tablet plugged into a speaker. It’s good enough to watch videos on YouTube or stream your favorite TV shows while you cook in the kitchen or move around your living room. The text on the display is also clear and easy to read. Of course, the size and low resolution (1,280 x 800) make the experience nothing like a TV or monitor, but you won’t be disappointed. For comparison: the similarly sized Fire HD 10 tablet has a resolution of 1,920 x 1,200. However, Google’s Nest Hub Max also has a screen with 1,280 x 800 pixels, which means that the Echo Show 10 can keep up with the competition.

The speakers include two 1-inch tweeters and a down-firing 3-inch woofer. Together they are loud enough for a house party or small gathering. The sound is lively and bass-heavy and can be adjusted as desired via the audio settings in the Alexa app. If you’re not a serious audiophile and want speakers that sound loud and attractive, you’ll enjoy the Echo Show 10.

Another great use of the Echo Show 10 is as a security camera for your home. The device has a 13 MP camera that is located in the corner of the display. The picture quality is pretty good in bright light, but when it gets dark you can’t see anything in the dark. So if you want to monitor your home after sunset, you will need to leave the lights on in the room where you will be placing the Echo Show 10.

You can place the Echo Show 10 in the center of your living room and check out your house using the Alexa app when you are out and about. For discreet surveillance, it won’t really work if that’s what you want, as the display will show “A household member is looking at your camera” every time you start remote monitoring via the Alexa app. If you’re on the other end and don’t want anyone to come by through the Echo Show 10, you have the option to physically close the privacy lock (see image above) and avoid unwanted surveillance.

Overall, however, the moving screen is the Echo Show 10’s biggest draw. In the device’s settings, you can set the range of motion, adapt it to specific activities like streaming, and only turn it on when you want Alexa to follow you or do it completely turn off. I just loved having the device in my kitchen while following recipes on YouTube or via an Alexa skill. I didn’t have to stand in one place and I could move around freely while cooking. I even enjoyed watching and following exercise videos because I didn’t have to worry about exercising in a single place to keep an eye on the screen.

Related: The best skills and apps for Alexa

What’s not so good?

As convenient as the screen movement is, the following action on the Echo Show 10 is a little slow. If you expect the screen to move with you right away, you will be disappointed. It doesn’t always work 100% either. There have been cases where the display simply refused to follow me, but I could always call “Alexa” and it would turn its head in my direction. If there are two or more people in the room, the display easily confuses who to follow. The thick bezels around the display are also quite reflective and can be distracting in a brightly lit room.

Some streaming apps are sorely missed on the Echo Show 10. Between Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, I used my iPad more often to watch things on other platforms. We would like Amazon to bring more streaming partners on board, especially since it also supports other services on Fire TV devices.

Another limitation of the Echo Show 10 is that it can only make and receive video calls through the Alexa app, Skype, or any other Echo Show device. To test the device, I made a few Alexa video calls and it worked just fine. The picture and sound were clear and there were no network interruptions or undesired drop-offs.

The motion tracking trick was useful during the video calls as I could move around the room while talking to someone. Unfortunately, it didn’t work in a dimly lit environment. The motion tracking function may not work if there is not enough light in the room and the device will prompt you if this is the case. Also, for a smart display that rotates, it would have been great if the device had supported more video calling apps and services. The slow follow-up was a bit of an issue with video calls as well.

Amazon Echo Show 10 review: should I buy it?

Whether the Echo Show 10 is the smart display for you depends on several factors. If Alexa is your favorite digital assistant then you have come to the right place. You would also be paying a $ 249.99 premium for the device, so only consider it if you think you need a moving smart display as that is the device’s greatest appeal.

However, if you’ve decided to spend that cash and not have all of the popular streaming apps, the Echo Show 10 is a solid buy. It is sure to be an eye catcher in your living room. It’s also a fun device if you have kids as they play interactive games, sing along to the texts that appear on the screen, and more.

All in all, I really enjoyed having the Echo Show 10 at home. If you want a smart home hub that tries to do it all, this could be the one. Our advice would be to buy the Echo Show 10 on sale if you think the price is too high.

Alternatively, consider the Google Nest Hub Max ($ 229), which has advanced security camera features, a great display, and good sound quality. It’s also a little cheaper than the Echo Show 10. If you’re looking to save even more money, the Echo Show 8 ($ 129) omits the rotating display, but delivers equally solid audio quality.