Amazon Echo Pop vs Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen)

The Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) is better overall, thanks to an 8-inch touchscreen, a camera, spatial audio, and a full Zigbee/Thread/Matter hub. The Amazon Echo Pop is the value alternative, cheaper and higher-rated, for buyers who only need a speaker.

The Echo Show 8 is a full smart display with a camera and a built-in Zigbee coordinator and Thread border router, while the Echo Pop is a small screen-free speaker with no camera and only a Matter bridge for smart home control.

Yes. The Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) includes a Zigbee coordinator and Thread border router alongside Matter, so it runs those devices directly. The Echo Pop only bridges Matter and cannot control Zigbee or Thread hardware itself.

No. Both are Alexa-only, with no Google Home, Apple HomeKit, or Samsung SmartThings support and only partial Home Assistant integration.

Buy the Echo Show 8 if you want a mid-size touchscreen with a camera and spatial audio that also serves as a Zigbee/Thread/Matter smart home hub for the kitchen or living room.

Buy the Amazon Echo Pop if you want an inexpensive, compact, well-rated Alexa speaker for a bedroom or second room and have no need for a screen, camera, or full hub.