🛠️ What Exactly Is the Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen)?

Let’s get one thing out of the way: this isn’t just another Echo with a screen. The Amazon Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) is a compact smart display that fits on your nightstand, kitchen counter, or desk, and acts like your always-ready assistant. It’s got a 5.5-inch screen, enhanced speakers, and of course, Alexa—ready to answer questions, play music, control your smart devices, and show you the weather forecast before you’ve even had coffee.

But what makes this version—the third generation—different from the previous ones?

Let’s dig in.

🎧 Audio: Yes, It Really Does Sound Better

Amazon promised twice the bass in this new Echo Show 5, and to be fair, it delivers.

Is it going to replace your living room speaker? Of course not. But for something this small, it’s shockingly good. Podcasts sound crisp. Music has punch. And voice responses from Alexa are louder and clearer than ever.

A lot of users (myself included) complained about the tinny, whispery audio in previous versions. This new model fixes that with a redesigned speaker that’s genuinely enjoyable for casual listening.

According to Amazon’s official specs, the unit includes a 1.73″ front-firing speaker that was completely revamped for this release. Consumer reviews on CNET and TechRadar echo the same sentiment: this is a noticeable improvement.

🖼️ Design: Still Cute, Still Compact

If you’ve ever seen an Echo Show 5, this one won’t shock you. It’s still got the angled back that gives it a triangular wedge look, a 5.5-inch touchscreen (960×480 resolution), and it comes in Charcoal, Glacier White, and Cloud Blue.

The bezels are a bit smaller than before, giving it a more modern “edge-to-edge” vibe. But honestly, it’s the kind of device you forget is there—until you need it.

It still has a physical camera shutter, volume buttons, and a microphone mute switch, which is a privacy win. And yes, the build uses recycled materials for its fabric and aluminum, part of Amazon’s sustainability effort.

🎥 Camera: Still 2 MP, Still Private

Don’t expect 4K video here. The camera is 2 megapixels, same as before. It’s mainly useful for video calls, Drop In with family, or checking in on a room while you’re away.

But what’s nice is the privacy shutter—a little slider that physically covers the lens. No software gimmicks here. It’s real, and it gives users (especially in bedrooms) peace of mind.

⚙️ Features That Make Sense

This version of the Echo Show 5 is faster, smoother, and more responsive thanks to the new Amazon AZ2 Neural Edge processor. It boots quicker, loads screens faster, and is generally snappier than older models.

What can you do with it?

• Ask Alexa for anything (weather, news, alarms, jokes, traffic).
• View security camera feeds from compatible systems like Ring.
• Control lights, thermostats, locks—you name it.
• Play music from Amazon Music, Spotify, or Apple Music.
• Display rotating clock faces or family photos from Amazon Photos.

Most people use it as a smart alarm clock or kitchen helper, but it can be much more if you’ve got a smart home setup.

🔌 Connectivity and Setup

Setup is painless: just plug it in, follow the prompts, and sign in to Wi-Fi.

The device supports dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, but not Zigbee or Thread, which might matter if you’re building a more complex smart home network. It also works well with Matter, ensuring future compatibility with upcoming smart home devices.