Amazon Echo Show and Lenovo Smart Display are smart — columns and home centers with touch screens. They can display information and provide additional control options that complement voice interaction ( Alexa for Echo Show and Google Assistant for Lenovo).
There are many similarities between them, but there are also differences. To find out which one is right for you, let’s compare some of their features.
The Amazon Echo Show in the following comparison is the 2nd generation model.
Best Product Design
Amazon Echo Show
The second generation Echo Show has an improved design over the previous model. 10 inch LED / LCD the screen covers the entire front, while the back has a fabric cover that gives it a warmer feel compared to the previous cool plastic look. Echo Show is available in charcoal gray or white.
What we like
-
The fabric-covered back contains the speaker system and doubles as a stand.
-
The Camera, Microphones, Volume Control, and Speaker/Camera Mute buttons are located on the top bezel.
-
The Kensington Lock slot is for physical security.
What we don’t like
-
There are no physical video or audio outputs to connect to a large screen monitor or TV, powered external speaker, or audio system.
Lenovo Smart Display
Lenovo Smart Display has a unique style. There is a speaker on the left at the front, and an 8-inch or 10-inch LED/LCD touchscreen covers the rest of the front. The back has a curved design to allow vertical portrait positioning when making video calls.
What we like
-
The stylish design is especially suitable for the kitchen or office.
-
The back provides a platform for horizontal (landscape) or vertical (portrait) positioning.
-
The bamboo color on the back of the 10-model is especially pleasing.
What we don’t like
-
The vertical (portrait) position only works for video calls.
-
As with the Echo Show, there are no physical video or audio outputs.
Our Choice: Both – each as a visually pleasing design, the choice here depends on personal taste.
Best Voice Interaction
Amazon Echo Show
The Amazon Echo Show provides the same voice interaction as other Echo and Alexa-enabled voice control devices. Answers are quick and short when needed. For example, when a command is given to turn the lights on and off, Alexa responds with a simple OK.
What we like
-
Alexa voice assistant responds quickly.
-
The echo show will respond to whispers, but will also respond to whispers if activated Whisper Mode .
What we don’t like
-
There are more language context errors than with Lenovo Smart Display.
Lenovo Smart Display
The Lenovo Smart Display parses and executes commands very well, but it’s slower than the Echo Show as it doesn’t respond until the text version of your voice commands is «typed» on the screen.
Also, while Echo Show may respond to a command with a simple «OK», Lenovo provides more detailed explanations. For example, when asked to turn off the lights, Lenovo will say something like: «Hue White 1 (2,3, etc.) lamp turn off» is off.
What we like
-
The text version of voice questions and commands is displayed on the screen before being executed.
-
Additional questions are sometimes displayed at the bottom of the screen.
-
You can complete two consecutive tasks, such as «Turn on the light in the living room and turn on the Roku TV.»
What we don’t like
-
The voice assistant is slower to respond than the echo show due to the time it takes to display the text version of a question or command on the screen.
Our choice: Amazon Echo Show — fast response and whisper mode is a great feature.
Best Screen
Amazon Echo Show
2nd echo show gets screen size increase from 7 to 10 inches and resolution up to 720p . However, that’s not all.
What we like
-
The 10-inch screen is visible from a distance.
-
Manual and automatic brightness adjustment (adjustable depending on the ambient light) using the touch screen.
-
The touch screen response is similar to a tablet.
What we don’t like
-
The 720p screen resolution is lower than Lenovo’s 10″ screen, but the same as Lenovo’s 8″ screen.
-
The screen is not as bright or colorful and has a less effective viewing angle than the Lenovo.
-
The screen shows glare from the reflection of light in the room.
Lenovo Smart Display
Lenovo Smart Display is available with an 8-inch 720p screen or a 10-inch 1080p resolution . Bright screen, vibrant colors and better out-of-angle viewing than the Echo Show by using IPS technology .
What we like
-
Two screen sizes.
-
Manual and automatic brightness adjustment via touch screen or voice command.
-
The touch screen response is like an echo show.
What we don’t like
-
The screen has the same glare issues as the Echo Show.
Our choice: Lenovo Smart Display
Best speakers and audio performance
Amazon Echo Show
Echo Show is equipped with a stereo sound system that combines 10W per channel amplifier with two speakers and one passive radiator for amplifying low frequencies. Dolby Audio Processing also contributes to a more complete listening to music.
What we like
-
Outdoor speakers provide wide stereo sound.
-
Bass, mid, and treble controls are accessible via the touch screen settings menu (not available by voice)
-
Overall sound quality is better than Lenovo.
What we don’t like
-
Alexa’s voice is often louder than the music playback level. You may have had to turn up the music volume and then turn it down for Alexa voice responses.
Lenovo Smart Display
Lenovo also includes a 10-watt amplifier that provides a suitable volume for listening to music, but there is only one speaker.
What we like
-
Enough volume to listen to music and voice responses.
What we don’t like
-
Since only one speaker outputs sound directly, stereo listening is not possible.
-
No other sound settings or additional sound processing is provided.
Our choice: Amazon Echo Show
Best with Bluetooth
Amazon Echo Show
You can stream audio from the Echo Show to other Alexa-enabled Echo devices and wireless speakers from a variety of brands, including Sonos . Echo Show also provides Bluetooth .
What we like
-
You can stream music to the Echo Show from your smartphone, or send music from the Echo Show to a compatible Bluetooth speaker or headset.
What we don’t like
-
Random pairing issues.
Lenovo Smart Display
You can stream music from Lenovo Smart Display to Google Home and other compatible smart speakers. Bluetooth is also included, but there is a catch.
What we like
-
You can stream music from your smartphone to the Smart Display using Bluetooth.
What we don’t like
-
You cannot stream music from Smart Display to Bluetooth speakers or headset only.
-
Random pairing issues.
Our choice: Amazon Echo Show
Best Streaming Music
Amazon Echo Show
The echo show focuses on Amazon Music, but also includes services such as Pandora iHeart Radio, Spotify , TuneIn and others.
What we like
-
Compatible with Spotify Connect for Spotify premium account users.
-
Song and album titles and cover art can be displayed.
-
Apple Music is supported.
-
You can play another source on another Echo device or on an Alexa-enabled external speaker while listening to the Echo Show or using it for another task.
What we don’t like
-
The Echo Show only displays the musical lyrics of Amazon Music songs.
-
Google Play Music is not supported.
-
YouTube music video access requires Silk or Firefox web browsers.
Lenovo Smart Display
Lenovo provides access to music from Google Play iHeart Radio, Pandora, Spotify, and YouTube music videos.
What we like
-
Compatible with Spotify Connect for free and premium users.
-
Song and album titles are displayed along with the cover art.
-
You can view music selections on the touch screen of some services.
-
While listening to Smart Display, you can play another source on Google Home, another Google Assistant-enabled speaker, or audio system.
-
Direct access to YouTube music videos.
What we don’t like
-
Amazon Music and Apple Music are not supported.
Our choice: both. If you’re an Amazon Prime member, the Echo Show is the best option, and if not, more extensive support for Spotify Connect and the ability to play YouTube music videos more conveniently are pluses for the Lenovo Smart Display.
Best Streaming Video
Amazon Echo Show
Echo Show gives you access to Amazon Prime Video , Hulu CNN and NBC which you can watch on your screen, but can also be used to control other video streaming features.
What we like
-
Selected video streaming services can be viewed directly.
-
Echo Show can control Fire TV devices.
-
Echo Show will allow you to watch live and recorded TV on your screen via Amazon Fire TV Recast (a TV antenna is also required).
What we don’t like
-
No direct access to YouTube. You need to select the YouTube website in the provided Silk or Firefox web browsers.
-
No direct access to Netflix.
Lenovo Smart Display
Smart display lets you view on screen YouTube Facebook Videos, Movies on Google Play and TV, HBO Go/Now and more… but like the Echo Show, it comes with additional video streaming and control options.
What we like
-
Like Echo Show, some video streaming services can be viewed directly.
-
Lenovo can control Chromecast, TVs with Chromecast built-in, and Roku TVs, boxes, and streaming sticks.
What we don’t like
-
Navigating YouTube is best done through the touch screen.
-
There is no direct access or display of Netflix on its screen.
Our choice: Lenovo Smart Display — Direct display of YouTube videos is a big plus.
Best video calling features
Amazon Echo Show
The Echo Show provides a 5-megapixel camera for video calling, which adds more flexibility than non-screen Echo devices. However, you can also make audio-only calls.
What we like
-
Alexa’s Drop-In feature allows you to use the Echo Show as a video intercom with other Echo Shows in the same or different location.
-
You can only make audio calls by asking Alexa to dial any phone number (except emergency numbers like 911).
-
You can take photos and take selfies with the camera.
-
The camera and microphones can be disabled.
What we don’t like
-
Video calls are only supported through the Alexa app (the person you’re calling must have the app).
-
The camera and microphones cannot be disabled separately.
Lenovo Smart Display
The Lenovo Smart Display also has a 5MP camera, and you can make both video and audio calls, just like you can with Google Home or a similar Google-enabled smart speaker.
What we like
-
You can only make audio calls by asking Smart Display to dial any phone number (except 911).
-
A sliding camera cover provides privacy if desired (you can still use the microphone as it can be muted separately).
What we don’t like
-
Video calls are limited to users of the Google Duo app.
-
You cannot use the camera to take still images or selfies.
Our choice: Lenovo Smart Display The ability to cover the camera and mute the microphones individually gives it a slight edge over the echo show in terms of privacy options.
Best smart home control
Amazon Echo Show
Through Alexa Skills and Zigbee Echo Show can control a host of smart home devices, from light bulbs, thermostats, doorbells, locks, and even select appliances, but that’s not all.
What we like
-
You can control some devices both by voice and using the touch screen.
-
You can set up routines with a single command such as Good Morning. This can initiate several tasks such as turning on the lights, displaying the weather, and playing breaking news.
-
You can display video streams from compatible surveillance and security cameras.
What we don’t like
-
If you don’t know the name of the skill you want to enable, searching through the list of skills can take a long time.
-
It is not possible to directly control Roku devices without an additional app.
Lenovo Smart Display
The Lenovo Smart Display connects to devices that can be controlled with Google Assistant, though fewer than the Echo Show but still small.
What we like
-
Some smart home devices have touch screen and voice control features.
-
With voice commands, you are told which device is being monitored. If you say, «Turn on the light in the bedroom,» the answer might be, «Turn off the light shade 1.»
-
As with Echo Show, you can set up routines to perform a range of tasks with a single command.
-
You can give two consecutive commands, such as «Turn on the light in the living room and set the thermostat.»
-
Can enable and control certain functions of Roku devices directly.
-
Can display video streams from compatible surveillance and security cameras.
What we don’t like
-
Slow command response and task completion.
Our choice: echo show — however, if you already have a Google Home, Chromecast, or Roku device, Lenovo Smart Display is a better fit.
Best Culinary Aid
One of the most common features that attract consumers to buy Echo Show or Lenovo Smart Display, is their use as «cooking assistants».
Amazon Echo Show
Echo Show — Sources of recipes from Food Web and All Recipes. You can view cooking videos or recipes on the screen. After selecting the recipe you want to make, you can use voice or touch prompts to guide you through the ingredient list or cooking procedure.
What we like
-
The food chain and all recipes provide a good selection.
-
The recipe pictures are great.
-
You can work through the ingredients or steps at your own pace.
What we don’t like
-
To access YouTube recipe videos, you need to go through the Silk or Firefox web browsers.
Lenovo Smart Display
The Lenovo Smart Display uses recipes from the Food Network (default), Betty Crocker, Delish, and King Arthur Flour. Just say «OK Google, show me recipes (food)» or include the name of the source as well. You can choose from several options using voice commands or touch screen touches — «show me recipe one» (or two, or three). You can use touch prompts or voice commands to navigate through ingredient lists and prep steps.
What we like
-
Access to multiple sources of recipes and cooking videos, including YouTube.
-
You can repeat the list of ingredients or steps as many times as needed.
What we don’t like
-
The initial selection of recipes is not as large as on the echo show.
Our choice: Lenovo Smart Display While both devices are great helpers in the kitchen, the Lenovo Smart Display’s ability to access recipes and cook YouTube videos more efficiently makes it a better choice.
Best maps and routes
Amazon Echo Show
An echo show can answer a lot of questions and provide a lot of information (weather, news, reminders, shopping lists), but with maps and directions, Amazon has thrown the ball.
What we like
-
Unfit
What we don’t like
-
Echo Show does not display maps. If you ask him to show you a map, he will say «Hmm, I don’t know that» or a similar response.
-
The echo show will show/display how long it will take you to get to the place and its address, but will not send this information to your smartphone.
Lenovo Smart Display
While the Echo Show is weak on directions and maps, the Lenovo Smart Display takes full advantage of access to Google Maps.
What we like
-
Maps and exact directions are displayed on screen upon request.
-
Maps and directions can be sent to your smartphone.
What we don’t like
-
Maps and directions cannot be sent to the printer.
Our choice: Lenovo Smart Display
bottom line
- If you are an Amazon Prime member and/or have other Echo and FireTV devices, the Echo Show is a logical addition. Echo Show not only shows Alexa Skills, but is also compatible with Zigbee smart home devices.
- Compared with Lenovo Smart Display, Echo Show features faster voice response, fuller sound, bi-directional Bluetooth, and more advanced smart home control.
- Lenovo Smart Display works with Google Home and/or Chromecast devices as well as Roku devices via Google Assistant. Lenovo Smart Display also works with all smart home devices that Google Home devices work with.
- Compared to the Echo Show, Lenovo has an improved screen as well as two screen sizes, better video streaming access, flexible audio and video privacy, cooking assistance, and better maps and directions.