Amazon Echo (4th Gen) vs Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) comparison

Updated June 2026

Data from Amazon.

2026 verdict

The Amazon Echo (4th Gen) is the stronger voice assistant here, earning a higher owner rating, adding a temperature sensor, and offering fuller smart home hub support with a Zigbee coordinator and Thread border router that the Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) does not include. The Echo Show 5 fights back on things the sphere lacks: a compact 5.5-inch touchscreen, a camera, and a longer one-year warranty against the Echo's 90 days, plus a lower price that makes it an easy bedside display. Both are Alexa-only, both add motion sensing and a Matter bridge, and both keep the assistant in the cloud. Pick the 4th Gen Echo for a better-rated speaker that also runs Zigbee and Thread, and the Echo Show 5 if you want an affordable small screen for the nightstand.

Winner

Amazon

Amazon Echo (4th Gen)

$99.99

Buy on Amazon USA Buy on Amazon Canada

Amazon

Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen)

$89.99

Buy on Amazon USA

Feature	Amazon Echo (4th Gen)	Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen)	Winner
Price	$99.99	$89.99	Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen)
Rating	4.7	4.2	Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
Warranty	90 days	1 year	Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen)
Hub	Zigbee Coordinator, Thread Border Router, Matter Bridge	Matter Bridge	Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
Screen	NO	YES	Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen)
Sensors	Motion, Temperature	Motion	Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
Connectivity	2.4 GHz WiFi, 5 GHz WiFi, Bluetooth	2.4 GHz WiFi, 5 GHz WiFi, Bluetooth	Tie
Integrations	Alexa, Home Assistant	Alexa, Home Assistant	Tie
Alerts	Glass breaking, Smoke/CO alarm	Glass breaking, Smoke/CO alarm	Tie
Voice Match	YES	YES	Tie

Winner

Amazon

Amazon Echo (4th Gen)

$99.99

Buy on Amazon USA Buy on Amazon Canada

+ Rating: 4.7
+ Hub: Zigbee Coordinator, Thread Border Router, Matter Bridge
+ Sensors: Motion, Temperature
- Price: $99.99 vs $89.99
- Warranty: 90 days vs 1 year

Amazon

Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen)

$89.99

Buy on Amazon USA

+ Price: $89.99
+ Warranty: 1 year
+ Screen: YES
- Rating: 4.2 vs 4.7
- Hub: Matter Bridge vs Zigbee Coordinator, Thread Border Router, Matter Bridge

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better overall: Amazon Echo (4th Gen) or Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen)?

The Amazon Echo (4th Gen) is better overall, with a higher owner rating, an added temperature sensor, and full Zigbee/Thread hub support. The Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) is the pick if you want a screen and camera on a smaller budget.

What is the biggest difference between the Echo (4th Gen) and the Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen)?

Hub capability and display. The Amazon Echo (4th Gen) is a full Zigbee coordinator and Thread border router but has no screen, while the Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) adds a 5.5-inch touchscreen and camera but only bridges Matter and cannot control Zigbee or Thread directly.

Does the Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) work as a Zigbee or Thread hub?

No. The Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) works only as a Matter bridge and is not a Zigbee coordinator or Thread border router, so it needs a separate hub for those protocols. The Echo (4th Gen) handles all three.

Which one has a longer warranty and a screen?

The Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) has a one-year warranty plus a 5.5-inch touchscreen and camera, while the Echo (4th Gen) has a 90-day warranty and no display, relying on voice and the Alexa app.

Who should buy the Amazon Echo (4th Gen)?

Buy the Echo (4th Gen) if you want a highly rated speaker that also runs your Zigbee, Thread, and Matter devices and you do not need a screen.

Who should buy the Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen)?

Buy the Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) if you want an affordable small touchscreen and camera for a nightstand or kitchen counter, plus a longer one-year warranty.

More Voice Assistants