Smart displays: the downsides, first

CNET's one listed con is that, left alone, it shows a lot of ads. Wirecutter says Echo Show displays air sponsored posts and ads tied to your purchases and searches, which can be reduced but not removed.

PCMag lists the cluttered interface and 'same exact features and sound quality as the Echo Show 8' as cons. Amazon's summary says some owners don't think it's worth the cost.

Amazon's summary says some owners report it being very glitchy and others say it won't connect to their smart devices at all.

Tom's Guide lists the missing physical privacy shutter as a con; there is only an electronic button. PCMag says the button, app or voice can kill the camera, but a shutter gave extra peace of mind on older models.

PCMag calls the touch screen and Alexa app crowded and confusing, with a shopping option at the top of the Devices tab. Wirecutter says Echo Show displays air sponsored posts and ads that you can reduce but not remove.

Amazon's review summary (shared with the Show 11) says some owners find it very glitchy or say it won't connect to smart devices. PCMag notes a $30 price rise over the 3rd gen, and Tom's Guide wishes the $40 swivel stand were included.

PCMag says it's louder but not better, with limited range and brittle treble. CNET says its speakers and camera are lower quality than other Echos'.

Wirecutter says it needs more setup than any other display it tested and is too large to place where the touchscreen is comfortable; a table stand costs extra ($100 per PCMag). CNET says it needs a lot of space.

Wirecutter found massive pillarboxing on photos that don't match the screen's orientation. PCMag says the rotating screens include shopping and content suggestions you'll want to switch off; CNET finds widgets awkward.

PCMag lists 'pricey' as a con and prefers smaller Echos with better sound; Tom's Guide says its use is more niche than other displays.

PCMag says it is loud but unrefined, with distortion on bass hits and brittle treble, and that an Echo Studio sounds much better for less.

No stand in the box; Amazon's adjustable stand costs $100 (PCMag). PCMag says you'll want to disable most rotating screens unless you like suggestions every five minutes.

PCMag, Tom's Guide and CNET all list the lack of a camera as a con, though Tom's Guide and Wirecutter see it as a privacy plus. A 1-star Walmart review says it can't make hands-free calls.

PCMag says audio is pretty weak next to the Echo Show 8 and distorts a bit on bass hits at full volume, about on par with the Echo Show 5.

CNET says the move to Gemini is ongoing and the big bezel remains. Wirecutter says Gemini has occasional hiccups and Gemini for Home is in early access. Tom's Guide notes it launched in 2021 and air gestures could work better. Low-star Walmart reviews (listing mixes generations) mention dropped settings, unanswered questions and disconnecting smart devices.

CNET lists slow response time. Amazon's summary says owners find it slow, report it freezing on a black unresponsive screen, and are mixed on reliability with some firmware problems.

PCMag lists weak audio and Tom's Guide says its speakers aren't as powerful as the Show 8's. CNET says a hub without entertainment options is a tough sell outside Alexa.

CNET says camera previews only work with Ring devices; Amazon owners say widgets can hardly be customized, report Ring integration issues and say it's not worth the money.

Amazon's review summary says responsiveness and reliability are significant concerns, with owners noting it is slow to respond and frequently crashes, and some say it doesn't hear them well.

PCMag found bass muted and kick drums near distortion, with weak treble. CNET says the sound isn't comparable to bigger Echos. Wirecutter found calls sounded a little worse and its mic picked up less than other Echos.

PCMag calls the 2MP camera soft and grainy and unchanged from the last model. Wirecutter says photos look worse than on Google's screen and are often cropped.