Echo Show 5: Smart Home Control Without the Smartphone Overload

I still remember having an actual alarm clock by the side of my bed with bright flashing LED digital numbers and a loud, blaring alarm. There are probably a few of you out there who refuse to use a smartphone as your wake-up solution (power to you), and some of you who have circled back to a conventional alarm clock for similar reasons.

I’m one of those people who has bounced around solutions, from traditional alarm clocks to clocks that simulate a sunrise, and then back to my smartphone, for… reasons. It connects to my air conditioner, and I can check the weather and catch the news… but the undesired stuff, like emails and social media, is also there.

So, when my editor-in-chief asked if I wanted to check out the Amazon Echo Show 5 (third generation),  I was initially unenthused. Then, as I did a bit of research on the Echo Show 5, my interest was piqued. Could it retain that smartphone functionality, connecting me to my home, the news, and the weather without being the full-blown internet in my hand? I’d be cool with that.

You see, I have a lot of smart things in my house; my fridge, dishwasher, AC, TV, speakers, irrigation, CCTV, and lights are all smart (and I’ve just realised it’s more than I thought), but I don’t have anything that unifies them, so they can be accessed or managed under one system, except for my smartphone. Priced at $169, Amazon claims to offer functionality that ties everything together, but will it be able to meet all of my needs? Does it strike the right balance between value, being a smart clock, and not a smartphone?

 

Design and Build Quality

Adorned in a lovely mesh fabric and weighing just under 500 grams, with dimensions measuring 147 mm x 82 mm x 91 mm, the Echo Show 5 feels solid and premium. The glass-edged bezel finishes the design nicely, and a broad rubber foot helps ensure it won’t slip off your bedside table or kitchen bench. Available in Charcoal, Cloud Blue, and White, there are a few inoffensive colours to choose from that should suit your taste.

Personally, I went with the incredibly neutral white as it complements our interior nicely.

In terms of buttons and controls, the Show 5 has three buttons: Volume up/down, mute Alexa (for when you don’t want her hearing you complain about your editor-in-chief), and a mechanical privacy switch to cover the camera.

My only possible gripe with the Echo Show 5’s design is that it uses a conventional 15W power adapter with a “barrel” type connector, not USB-A, or C. This is a bit mystifying, as it would allow more flexibility with how/where it can be used.

Display

The Echo Show 5 has great-sized screen for your bedside table or kitchen bench. It’s also a pretty good size for the other apps it supports, such as your security cameras, photo frame, clock, weather, and recipes. It’s similar in size to your smartphone but isn’t a smartphone, and that’s a good thing.

It can also access selected streaming services, but as my great-grandfather (probably) said, “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.” While you can stream Prime, YouTube, and some other content, the 5-inch display with 960 by 480 pixels isn’t going to be ideal for that purpose. However, it’s more than suitable for catching news updates and the latest financial information. You can also use it to browse the internet, but again, it’s not the best option.

 

Sound Quality

The Echo Show’s sound is good for its size, and while it didn’t compete with my Sonos Roam, it did a solid job of filling my large living space with warm, rich sound and decent bass. There’s plenty of range in terms of volume too. Listening to Angus and Julia Stone’s “Big Jet Plane,” the presentation was detailed enough, with the plucking electric guitar, vocals, and strings portrayed nicely. As you increase the volume, the Echo Show 5 will hit the brakes and limit the bass to avoid distortion.

 

Hardware Performance

Amazon has upgraded the processor to the MediaTek 8169B Processor in an effort to deliver better performance, but I did find the Show 5 a bit laggy at times, especially in scenarios like web browsing and listening to music, which I wouldn’t usually do on a device like this, admittedly.

Amazon has also introduced the AZ2 Neural Edge processor (it handles all the voice recognition and AI processing) with the 3rd generation, which they say improves voice recognition and machine learning performance. While I can’t draw a comparison to previous generations of the Echo Show 5, I can say it did a very good job of understanding what I was asking, and its ability to detect my voice from a distance was impressive. My living space is about 10 metres wide, and the Echo Show 5 could hear me prompt it for a weather update at a conversational sound level with no issue, even with noisy kids running around my living room dancing to the Foo Fighters.

The camera is a bit underwhelming. In 2024, I think Amazon can do better than 2 megapixels on the third generation of its Show 5, but it will do the job fine.

 

Smart Home Functionality and Apps

Amazon Alexa has a pretty extensive list of supported smart home technology, and I was able to get almost all of my devices to work with it. Philips Hue and other Bluetooth/Zigbee lights are supported, as are major home appliances. Take my LG dishwasher and TV, for example—both were easily set up with Alexa, as was my home smart lighting. My home AC system (controlled by AirTouch) is also supported, once you download the “Skill” from Amazon. My Dahua CCTV system isn’t natively supported, but with a bit of research, a third-party app, and some tweaking, it can be made to work with Alexa. The Show 5’s ability to integrate with my Rainbird irrigation system was the feature that delighted me the most. Like other middle-aged men, I have developed an overwhelming urge to take obsessive care of my lawn, and the Echo Show 5 scratches that itch.
In terms of music, The Show 5 also supports Amazon Music (duh), Apple Music (which was a tad fiddly to set up), Spotify, and Tidal.

I do find the app support (or lack of) a bit perplexing though.
For some reason, Amazon limits the available streaming applications, meaning that Netflix and several other major streaming services are currently unavailable. As I said before, streaming isn’t the Echo Show 5’s forte but why not go all in on streaming support? I’m sure Amazon has their reasons.

 

Conclusions

Overall, the Echo Show 5 provides a generous amount of functionality with a decent display that will do an admirable job of tying most of your home’s smart devices together. While it may not completely replace a smartphone, it excels in providing a streamlined experience that focuses on essential tasks—waking you up, giving you quick access to important information, and functioning as a central hub for your smart home.

Despite some minor performance hiccups and limitations in streaming options, the integration with various smart technologies is impressive, especially for those who have invested in multiple smart devices. The design is aesthetically pleasing, making it a welcome addition to any room, and its sound quality is satisfactory for casual listening.

In a world where distractions are ever-present, the Echo Show 5 strikes a commendable balance, allowing users to engage with their smart home without the constant barrage of notifications typical of smartphones. It might not be for everyone, but if you’re looking for an intelligent device that commands your attention without overtaking your life, the Echo Show 5 just might be the perfect companion for your bedside table or kitchen counter. It is available from Amazon for just $169.

DRN wishes to thank Amazon for sending us out an Echo Show 5 to review.