Amazon Echo Hub vs Amazon Echo Show 21

Amazon Echo Hub wins on value: far cheaper, Ethernet-capable and sensor-equipped for wall-mounted control duty. Amazon Echo Show 21 earns a higher owner rating with its huge 21-inch Full HD screen, Fire TV streaming and camera.

Size and mission. The Echo Hub is a compact 8-inch, camera-free control panel for devices, routines and camera feeds. The Show 21 is Amazon's largest smart display, doubling as a TV with Fire TV built in, a family organizer with widgets and a video-calling screen.

Yes, both carry a Zigbee coordinator, Thread border router and Matter bridge, run Alexa with partial Home Assistant support, and lack Google Assistant and HomeKit. The Amazon Echo Hub adds a wired Ethernet option the Show 21 lacks.

Both disappoint audiophiles: the Amazon Echo Hub has admittedly weak speakers since it is a control panel, and Amazon Echo Show 21 owners describe its built-in sound as mediocre for the size, often adding a soundbar for TV duty.

Choose Amazon Echo Hub for an affordable wall panel dedicated to controlling lights, locks, cameras and routines, with Ethernet reliability and no camera pointed at your hallway.

Choose Amazon Echo Show 21 if you want one big screen to run the kitchen or common room: streaming, calendars, lists, camera feeds and Alexa+ on a bright display readable across the room, at a much higher price.