(Echo Show, Google Nest Hub, and More!)
A smart display enhances your smart home experience by combining voice assistants with a touchscreen, making it easier to control devices, stream videos, view security cameras, and get visual updates. Whether you’re an Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple Home user, the best smart displays offer seamless home automation, entertainment, and convenience.
We researched and tested the best smart displays based on display quality, smart assistant functionality, speaker performance, and smart home integration to bring you the top picks for 2025.
π Best Overall Smart Display: Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen)
Best for Alexa users who want premium sound & a rotating screen
π° Price: $$$$ | πΊ Screen Size: 10.1β | π€ Assistant: Alexa | π Speakers: 2.1 System
Why We Picked It
β 10.1-inch HD touchscreen rotates to follow you.
β Powerful 2.1 speakers with deep bass for great audio.
β Works as a home security camera with remote access.
β Controls smart home devices with Alexa voice & touchscreen.
β Supports video calls with auto-framing & Zoom integration.
Flaws but Not Dealbreakers
β Expensive compared to smaller models.
β Takes up more counter space due to its rotating base.
π Best for: Alexa users who want a premium smart display with excellent speakers, home security features, and video call capabilities.
π° Best Budget Smart Display: Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen)
Best for affordability & compact smart home control
π° Price: $$ | πΊ Screen Size: 5.5β | π€ Assistant: Alexa | π Speakers: Single Speaker
Why We Picked It
β Compact size perfect for nightstands & small spaces.
β Affordable but still offers Alexa voice control.
β Works as a smart alarm clock with sunrise alarms.
β Camera shutter for privacy during video calls.
β Great for basic smart home control & weather updates.
Flaws but Not Dealbreakers
β Small screen isn’t ideal for videos or detailed smart home controls.
β Sound quality is decent but lacks deep bass.
π Best for: Users who want a budget-friendly Alexa smart display for bedside use, alarms, and basic smart home control.
πΊ Best Smart Display for Google Home: Google Nest Hub Max
Best for Google Assistant users needing a large screen & smart home hub
π° Price: $$$$ | πΊ Screen Size: 10β | π€ Assistant: Google Assistant | π Speakers: Stereo
Why We Picked It
β 10-inch HD touchscreen with ambient EQ auto-adjustment.
β Nest Cam built-in for home security & video calls.
β Powerful stereo speakers for music & video streaming.
β Google Assistant integration with voice & visual responses.
β Works seamlessly with YouTube, Google Photos, & Chromecast.
Flaws but Not Dealbreakers
β No physical camera shutter for privacy.
β More expensive than the standard Nest Hub.
π Best for: Google Assistant users looking for a high-quality smart display with great sound, video calls, and home security features.
πΆ Best Smart Display for Music: Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen)
Best for high-quality audio & balanced features
π° Price: $$$ | πΊ Screen Size: 8β | π€ Assistant: Alexa | π Speakers: Dual Speakers
Why We Picked It
β 8-inch HD touchscreen with adaptive color.
β Dual speakers provide rich, room-filling sound.
β Supports Alexa routines & smart home automation.
β Works with Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and YouTube.
β Auto-framing for video calls & privacy shutter.
Flaws but Not Dealbreakers
β Not as powerful as Echo Show 10 for video calls & security.
β No rotating screen like the Echo Show 10.
π Best for: Alexa users who want a mid-sized smart display with great sound and entertainment features.
π Best Compact Google Smart Display: Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen)
Best for Google Assistant users who prefer a compact display
π° Price: $$ | πΊ Screen Size: 7β | π€ Assistant: Google Assistant | π Speakers: Single Speaker
Why We Picked It
β 7-inch touchscreen with sleep tracking & gesture controls.
β Compact size perfect for bedrooms & desks.
β Google Assistant provides visual & voice responses.
β Works with Google Photos for a digital photo frame.
β No cameraβideal for privacy-conscious users.
Flaws but Not Dealbreakers
β No built-in camera for video calls.
β Sound quality is decent but lacks bass.
π Best for: Google Home users who want a compact, privacy-friendly smart display with sleep tracking.
π Best Smart Display with Battery: Lenovo Smart Display 7
Best for portability & moving around the house
π° Price: $$$ | πΊ Screen Size: 7β | π€ Assistant: Google Assistant | π Speakers: Stereo
Why We Picked It
β Built-in battery for wireless use.
β 7-inch HD touchscreen with good brightness.
β Google Assistant for voice & visual responses.
β Decent stereo speakers for music & videos.
β Great for use in different rooms without needing power cords.
Flaws but Not Dealbreakers
β Shorter battery life (around 4-6 hours per charge).
β Not as powerful as Nest Hub Max for home automation.
π Best for: Users who want a smart display with a battery for portable use around the house.
π The Bottom Line: Which Smart Display is Best for You?
Smart Display | Best For | Pros | Cons | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
Amazon Echo Show 10 | Best Overall | Rotating screen, premium sound, home security features | Expensive, takes up space | $$$$ |
Amazon Echo Show 5 | Best Budget | Compact, affordable, good for nightstands | Small screen, basic speakers | $$ |
Google Nest Hub Max | Best for Google Home | Large HD screen, Nest Cam, great audio | No camera shutter, pricey | $$$$ |
Amazon Echo Show 8 | Best for Music | Dual speakers, great for video calls | No rotating screen | $$$ |
Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) | Best Compact Google Display | Sleep tracking, Google Photos integration | No camera, average sound | $$ |
Lenovo Smart Display 7 | Best Portable Display | Built-in battery, Google Assistant | Short battery life | $$$ |
π οΈ How to Choose the Best Smart Display for You
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For the best all-around Alexa experience: β Amazon Echo Show 10
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For an affordable, compact Alexa display: β Amazon Echo Show 5
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For the best Google Assistant display: β Google Nest Hub Max
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For a balance of sound, size, and Alexa features: β Amazon Echo Show 8
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For a compact, privacy-friendly Google display: β Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen)
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For a battery-powered, portable option: β Lenovo Smart Display 7
Final Verdict: Are Smart Displays Worth It?
β Yes! A smart display enhances home automation, video calls, entertainment, and security.
β Choosing between Alexa and Google Assistant depends on your ecosystem preference.
β Premium models offer better sound, video, and security features.
β¨ Which smart display do you love? Let us know in the comments! πΊπ€π‘