Smart displays are getting smaller, more affordable, and more functional. The Amazon Echo Spot has stood as our favorite bedside companion for over a year thanks to its petite size and price tag compared with the full-size Echo Show. And now Amazon offers another small-screen alternative in the form of the $89.99 Echo Show 5, a 5.5-inch model that lacks the booming stereo speakers of the 10-inch, $229.99 original, but offers a terrific selection of Alexa voice assistant and touch-screen features for $40 less than the Echo Spot. Its versatility and value easily earn it our Editors' Choice for small-screen smart displays.Design The Echo Show 5 looks like a tinier version of the original model. It's dominated by a touch screen, with angled fabric sides that tilt the screen slightly upward. You can get it with a black frame and dark gray fabric sides, or with a white frame and light gray fabric sides. No matter the color, it measures 3.3 by 5.8 by 3.2 inches (HWD), with a 5.5-inch, 96...

The Amazon Echo Show 5 is an affordable little smart display that brings Alexa voice commands to your desk, shelf, or nightstand.

Affordable; Powerful voice assistant features; Useful touch-screen controls with web browser

Mediocre sound quality; Music streamed over Bluetooth is filled with artifacts

The Echo Show experience is getting better all the time and this is a great entry point. Sure, there are some compromises, but it's value for money and great competition against Google's equivalent Nest product.

Enough size/volume for most rooms; Screen features are continuously improving; Ring doorbell integration; Great value;

No YouTube; Many Alexa Skills need further optimisation; Echo Show 8 better option for music;

Smart displays are getting smaller, more affordable, and more functional. The Amazon Echo Spot has stood as our favorite bedside companion for over a year thanks to its petite size and price tag compared with the full-size Echo Show. And now Amazon offers another small-screen alternative in the form of the $89.99 Echo Show 5, a 5.5-inch model that lacks the booming stereo speakers of the 10-inch, $229.99 original, but offers a terrific selection of Alexa voice assistant and touch-screen features for $40 less than the Echo Spot. Its versatility and value easily earn it our Editors' Choice for small-screen smart displays.Design The Echo Show 5 looks like a tinier version of the original model. It's dominated by a touch screen, with angled fabric sides that tilt the screen slightly upward. You can get it with a black frame and dark gray fabric sides, or with a white frame and light gray fabric sides. No matter the color, it measures 3.3 by 5.8 by 3.2 inches (HWD), with a 5.5-inch, 96...

The Amazon Echo Show 5 is an affordable little smart display that brings Alexa voice commands to your desk, shelf, or nightstand.

Affordable; Powerful voice assistant features; Useful touch-screen controls with web browser

Mediocre sound quality; Music streamed over Bluetooth is filled with artifacts

Despite its name, the Amazon Echo Show 5 ($50) is the third generation of Alexa-enabled devices to pack a screen. Designed for desktops, bedside night stands, kitchens, side tables, and shelves, it’s the most compact Echo Show yet, with a 5.5-inch screen, integrated HD camera, and a number of feature enhancements. If you need something larger, there’s always the Amazon Echo Show 8 and Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) for consideration, but just know that a successor was recently announced. We won’t blame you if your head is spinning, especially given how Amazon rapidly developed its smart displays. Amazon, Google, and partners are all experimenting with designs, features, and price points to find the sweet spot that will drive users to scatter these devices around the home. That begs the question of whether the Echo Show 5 has a place within the pack. Google’s Nest Hub ($90) and Lenovo Smart Display 7 ($100) are two of its closest rivals, offering similar features in compact sizes. In con...

Compact size fits anywhere; Attractive design; Versatile features; Enhanced privacy controls; Entry-level price;

Sluggish smart home touchscreen control; Alexa calling isn’t easy enough yet; No Google Photos or YouTube;

Works brilliantly as a bedside clock; Great price; Full set of Echo Show features;

Very similar to last year’s model;

Sub-£100 price tag; Plays video; Surprisingly loud; Works brilliantly as an alarm clock ; Visual element improves many Alexa skills;

Resolution isn’t great ; Won’t do your music library justice; Alexa can be temperamental ;

It wasn't that long ago that the idea of a voice-controlled smart alarm clock was little more than science fiction. Now, the smart alarm clock is not only a real thing, but there are multiple smart alarm clocks to choose from.

Compact design; Bright; colorful touchscreen; Loud; full-sounding speaker; Convenient alarm functions; Ability to block the camera with physical shutter

Limited video capabilities; No support for any Google services; Not as cute as Echo Spot

When Amazon introduced the second-gen Echo Show display last year, it was a huge upgrade over the original, with a built-in browser, better sound and more video options than before.

The Echo Show 5's sweet price point makes this the best smart display for the bedroom

Decent speakers; Smart home controls on-screen are super handy; Cute and compact design

A bit slow; Doesn't have some of my favourite features from the Nest Hub; Setting reminders is a bit odd