ConsFirst / Smart displays / Compare
Amazon Echo Show 15 (2024) vs Amazon Echo Show 21
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
Amazon Echo Show 15 (2024) ranks higher (#3 vs #4 of 7).
The biggest complaint about the Amazon Echo Show 15 (2024) is mediocre sound; for the Amazon Echo Show 21 it's pricey for what it does. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Amazon Echo Show 15 (2024) | Amazon Echo Show 21 | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in smart displays | #3 | #4 |
| Price tier | $$$ | $$$ |
| Type | Large wall display | Large wall display |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 11% | 11% |
| Overall score | 3.4 | 3.4 |
| Screen & photos | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Sound | 2.5 | 2.5 |
| Assistant & smart home | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| Privacy & ads | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| Reliability | 3.5 | 3.5 |
Price tiers: $ under $100 · $$ $100–200 · $$$ over $200. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
Amazon Echo Show 15 (2024)
- Mediocre sound
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'.
Source: PCMag review, CNET best smart displays - Awkward setup and placement
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.
- Photo pillarboxing and suggestion clutter
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.
Amazon Echo Show 21
- Pricey for what it does
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.
- Average sound
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.
Source: PCMag review - Stand extra and suggestion clutter
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.
Source: PCMag review
Who should pick which
Pick the Amazon Echo Show 15 (2024) if
A family calendar and photo frame on the wall
Casual TV watching in a kitchen
Households that want a camera shutter
Skip it if: You want good music sound; You'll put it on a counter (stand sold separately); You want the best value (Wirecutter prefers the Show 8)
Pick the Amazon Echo Show 21 if
A small TV plus smart-home hub in the kitchen
The biggest family calendar and photo frame
Checking a room remotely through the camera
Skip it if: You want good sound for the money; You're on a budget; You'll stand it on a counter (stand sold separately)
We don't list prices — they change daily. Paid links.