Best Echo Show 8 Vs Nest Hub: UK Buyer’s Guide 2026
If you’re deciding between the Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen) and the Google Nest Hub (2nd gen), here’s the short version: Echo Show 8 is better for audio, video calls, and Alexa-led homes; Nest Hub is better for Google Photos, sleep sensing, and a calmer bedside setup.
Both are strong smart displays. The right pick depends on your ecosystem, room, and priorities.
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Echo Show 8 vs Nest Hub: Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) | Nest Hub (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Price (UK) | From £89.99 | From £69.99 |
| Screen size | 8 inch | 7 inch |
| Camera | ✅ 13MP with shutter | ❌ No camera |
| Voice assistant | Alexa | Google Assistant |
| Sleep tracking | ❌ | ✅ Built-in |
| Video calls | ✅ Zoom, Ring, Alexa | ✅ Google Meet, Duo |
| Smart home hub | ✅ Zigbee, Thread | ✅ Thread |
| Best for | Video calls, Alexa homes | Bedside, Google homes |
Pricing and design
UK pricing in 2026
- Echo Show 8 (3rd gen): usually £129.99, often discounted to around £89–£109
- Nest Hub (2nd gen): usually £89.99, often discounted to around £59–£79
If budget is your top priority, Nest Hub usually wins on headline price.
Design differences that matter in daily use
The Echo Show 8 has an 8-inch display and built-in camera with a physical shutter. It fits best in kitchens, open-plan living rooms, and family spaces where video calls and glanceable information are useful.
The Nest Hub has a 7-inch floating display and no camera. It blends better in bedrooms and offices where privacy is more important than calling features. If you dislike cameras in private spaces, Nest Hub is the easy choice.
Check today’s UK price:
Display size and quality
Panel size and sharpness
- Echo Show 8: 8-inch, 1280 x 800
- Nest Hub: 7-inch, 1024 x 600
Echo Show 8 gives you a bigger canvas for recipes, camera feeds, weather cards, and media playback. Text is easier to read from across the room. Nest Hub is still clear enough for bedside and desk use but feels tighter for multi-panel smart home views.
Brightness and day/night behaviour
Nest Hub usually handles low-light bedside use more gently and looks less intrusive at night. Echo Show 8 performs better in bright kitchens and daytime family rooms where reflections and ambient light are stronger.
Photo display experience
Nest Hub still has the cleaner Google Photos integration and generally looks more frame-like. Echo Show 8 can display photos well too, but setup and curation typically take more fiddling.
Features and smart home connectivity
Alexa Echo Show 8 vs Google Nest Hub assistant experience
Alexa on Echo Show 8 is stronger for routines, shopping lists, voice commands for mixed-brand devices, and household announcements. It also tends to feel better for quick command chains in larger smart homes.
Google Assistant on Nest Hub often sounds more natural for questions, calendar context, search-style queries, and Google account-heavy households.
Amazon Echo Show 8 vs Google Nest Hub compatibility
Both support a wide range of smart devices, but each is easiest inside its own ecosystem. If your current setup is mostly Amazon smart plugs, Echo speakers, or Alexa routines, Echo Show 8 is the smoother path. If your home already runs Google Home speakers and Google automations, Nest Hub will feel more native.
For broader protocol context, read What is Matter? Smart Home Future Explained.
Audio, media, and entertainment
Echo Show 8 has fuller and louder sound in medium rooms, making it the better one-device music option. Nest Hub is solid for radio, podcasts, alarms, and casual listening, but if sound quality is a buying factor, Echo Show 8 has the edge.
Calls, privacy, and camera choices
Echo Show 8 includes a camera with shutter for video calls and drop-ins. Nest Hub has no camera at all. This is one of the biggest buying split points:
- Want calls and family check-ins: Echo Show 8
- Want a camera-free display: Nest Hub
How to install a Echo Show 8 vs Nest Hub setup
- Place the device where Wi‑Fi signal is stable and clear.
- Connect to your main home network.
- Sign into the correct Amazon or Google account first time.
- Add key devices by room: lights, plugs, thermostat, cameras.
- Create two reliable routines (morning and bedtime) before adding advanced automations.
Most setup issues come from weak Wi‑Fi zones, duplicate device names, or using the wrong account during initial setup.
Which is the better smart display?
Buy Echo Show 8 if you want
- a larger display for kitchen use
- better built-in speakers
- video calling features
- stronger Alexa routine workflows
- a more versatile family display
Buy Nest Hub if you want
- a lower upfront price
- a camera-free bedroom display
- sleep sensing support
- best-in-class Google Photos frame mode
- deeper Google Assistant integration
Final verdict: Echo Show 8 is the better all-round smart display for most UK households. Nest Hub is the better value and privacy-first choice, especially for bedside use.
FAQ
Which echo show 8 vs nest hub works with Alexa and Google Home?
Echo Show 8 is built for Alexa and Nest Hub is built for Google Home. Both can control many third-party devices, but each performs best in its native ecosystem.
How do I install a echo show 8 vs nest hub?
Plug in the device, connect to Wi‑Fi, sign into your Amazon or Google account, then add devices room-by-room in the app. Start with lights and routines for fastest wins.
How much does a echo show 8 vs nest hub cost?
In the UK, Echo Show 8 is usually around £129.99 and Nest Hub around £89.99, with frequent discounts taking both lower.
Is a echo show 8 vs nest hub worth the money?
Yes, if you actually use routines, smart controls, timers, and media daily. It is less worthwhile if you only need a simple Bluetooth speaker.
How do I choose a echo show 8 vs nest hub?
Choose by ecosystem first, room placement second, and privacy preference third. That order avoids most buyer regret.
What are the pros and cons of a echo show 8 vs nest hub?
Echo Show 8 offers better sound and calling but costs more and includes a camera. Nest Hub is cheaper and camera-free but has a smaller display and lighter audio.
What is the difference between echo show 8 vs nest hub models?
Echo Show 8 has a larger 8-inch display and camera; Nest Hub has a smaller 7-inch display and no camera. Their assistants and app ecosystems are also different.
What features should I look for in a echo show 8 vs nest hub?
Look for ecosystem compatibility, display readability, sound quality, privacy controls, and routine reliability with your existing devices.
What is the best echo show 8 vs nest hub?
For most users, Echo Show 8 is the stronger all-rounder. For cheaper, privacy-first bedside use, Nest Hub is often better.
Does a echo show 8 vs nest hub save money on energy bills?
Indirectly, yes. Used with smart plugs and thermostats, automations can reduce wasted heating and standby usage, but savings vary by home and behaviour.
Smart Home UK Team — A team of UK smart home enthusiasts who test, review and compare products to help you make better buying decisions. Independent. Honest. No sponsored placements.