the best smart display changes the way you interact with a voice assistant – it lets you see, as well as hear, broadcast information. Amazon was the first brand to release one of these smart speakers with a built-in display in 2017, with the original echo show featuring a 10.1-inch screen.
Since then, Amazon has expanded the Echo Show lineup with new iterations of the 10.1-inch form factor, the most recent of which is the Echo Show 10.
It also launched several smaller smart displays, such as the Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) and the Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen)). However, it never attempted to launch a larger smart display…until now.
the Echo Show 15 went on sale in late 2021, and unlike previous Echo Show smart displays, the Show 15 is designed to be wall mounted. This can be used as a standalone unit, but requires support which incurs additional cost.
Given that both smart displays are priced the same at $249 / £239.99 / AU$399, is bigger really better? We pitted the Echo Show 15 against the Echo Show 10 to find out, so you can confidently choose the smart display that’s right for you.
Best Amazon Echo Show 15 and Amazon Echo Show 10 deals
Read on to find out how these smart displays compare – or, if you know which Alexa smart speaker and display you want, check out the best prices right now for both products below:
Price
The Amazon Echo Show 15 and Amazon Echo Show 10 will set you back $249 / £239.99 / AU$399 – making them the brand’s most expensive smart displays.
The Echo Show 10 is available worldwide, but while the Echo Show 15 is currently on sale in the US and UK, in Australia it’s still billed as “coming soon”, and Amazon n was unable to confirm the exact date on which it will be. be made available for purchase.
As we’ve already mentioned, while the Echo Show 10 is freestanding, the Echo Show 15 is designed to be wall mounted. An optional stand is available so it can be used on one surface or one side, but is priced at $29.99 / £29.99 / AU$49.99, which makes the Echo Show 15 slightly more expensive if you don’t want it freestanding or if you live outdoors without any walls.
As for rival smart displays, the Google Nest Hub Max, which also has a 10-inch screen, is priced slightly more affordable at $229 / £219 / $349. However, Google doesn’t offer larger smart displays that rival the Echo Show 15.
Design
Screen sizes aren’t the only thing that differs between the Amazon Echo Show 15 and the Echo Show 10 – they’re actually drastically different. The Amazon Echo Show 15 is a rectangular smart display that can be used in portrait or landscape mode.
In a style similar to a picture frame, the Show 15 has a chunky black bezel, while the 15.6-inch 1980 x 1080 display is positioned centrally within a white surround, with the camera lens set within the upper right corner of the screen (if used in Portrait mode).
As already mentioned, the Show 15 is designed to be wall mounted but an optional stand is also available so that it can be placed on a counter for example.
The Show 10, on the other hand, is a standalone smart display, with a cylindrical base wrapped in gray mesh fabric. The 10.1-inch screen, which has a 1280 x 800 resolution, is positioned on top of the base and can be tilted to ensure it’s at the best angle for you to see it no matter where it is placed.
Given the large screen size, it’s no surprise that the Amazon Echo Show 15 also has a larger footprint, measuring 15.8 x 9.9 x 1.4 inches (wxhxd) compared to the Echo Show 10 which, at 9.9 x 9 x 6.7 inches, is more compact.
Both devices are mains powered and when it comes to sound, the Echo Show 10 has two one-inch tweeters and a three-inch woofer, all contained within the cylindrical base.
The Echo Show 15 doesn’t quite have the same audio capability and relies on two 1.6-inch speakers, which sit on the back of the smart display.
The pair also differ when it comes to their built-in cameras. The Echo Show 10 has a 13MP camera that automatically pans and zooms, and the screen also rotates to ensure you’re always in the center of the frame during video calls, even when moving around the room. room.
The Show 15 doesn’t offer the same camera tracking capability – the sensor is sub-grade at 5MP and doesn’t offer the same pan and zoom functionality.
However, both smart displays offer a privacy shutter that cuts power to the microphone, while covering the camera lens for those who want peace of mind that their every move isn’t being monitored.
Characteristics
When it comes to the most basic tasks you’d use a smart display for, the pair are evenly matched.
Alexa is built into both, obviously, and in testing we got the same answers to questions we asked the voice assistant, although the Show 15 has Amazon’s latest processor – dubbed the AZ2 Neural Edge , which can recognize better-meaning voices. This means we found requests retrieved a second or two faster than when using the Echo Show 10.
In testing, the Show 15 also didn’t pick up as many false activations (when Alexa starts listening without you saying the wake word) as the Echo Show 10.
Both smart displays also offer an on-screen visual interpretation of any responses Alexa provides to your queries, as well as the ability to listen to music streaming services including Spotify and Prime Music, or watch Netflix and Prime Video on screen.
However, while the Echo Show 15’s screen has a higher resolution, resulting in a sharper picture than on the Echo Show 10, neither is good enough to replace your TV for entertainment.
The Echo Show 15 is the only one of the two smart displays to offer widgets. These little blocks of information such as upcoming appointments, an update on how long your daily commute is, a TV show you’re watching, or even a to-do list for everyone in the household, can be added to screen so they can be viewed at a glance. There are approximately 12 widgets available at present, although more are expected in the future.
However, we found that you weren’t able to adjust the size of the widgets, which meant that, as they vary in size, some weren’t always immediately visible.
Widgets ensure the Echo Show 15 can act as a family hub – or a digital bulletin board that lets everyone in the house see digital sticky notes, to-do lists, or other information, all in one. a look.
As we mentioned before, the Echo Show 10 is just one of two to have a mobile screen. As you move around the room, it’ll follow you so it’s always in your sight, so whether you’re following a recipe while cooking in the kitchen or keeping in touch with friends and family via video call, l screen will never be out of your sight.
Verdict
When it comes to choosing between the Amazon Echo Show 15 and the Echo Show 10, since both smart displays perform the most basic tasks in the same way and cost the same, it really comes down to how you plan to use it which you should opt for. .
For those who want a smart display that offers the biggest screen possible or can be wall mounted, the Echo Show 15 is the best choice. It’s also the best option for those who want a family hub, providing a way for everyone at home to see important information such as chores for the day, shopping lists, or even reminders about after-school clubs. , parties and other events. .
However, for those who want a standalone smart display for a counter or other surface, or prefer a smaller device, the Echo Show 10 is the one to choose. This smart display is also great if you plan to make a lot of video calls on the device or use it in the kitchen to track recipes, as the rotating screen will ensure it’s always in your line of sight even when you move.
Whichever Amazon smart display you opt for will make your life a little easier, meaning you can see information at a glance rather than relying on sticky notes – let it be. be it reminders, recipes or other information.
