Amazon Echo Show 5 (newest model) — in-depth review

Overview
The Echo Show 5 (newest model) is Amazon’s compact smart display that aims to squeeze better sound and smarter Alexa functionality into a tiny footprint. It keeps the same 5.5-inch touchscreen size as previous small Show models but upgrades the audio, microphones, and responsiveness so the little bedside or countertop device feels more capable than its size suggests.

Design and build
Physically, the new Show 5 keeps a clean, unobtrusive design: a rounded rectangular display mounted on a soft-touch fabric-backed speaker bar. The 5.5-inch screen is small by tablet standards but excellent for glanceable information — weather, timers, calendar items, commute times, and media controls — and its screen tilt and compact footprint make it ideal for nightstands, small kitchen counters, or an office desk. The build quality feels solid and intentionally non-flashy; Amazon designed this model to blend into the background and act as an always-available assistant.

Display and UI
The 5.5-inch display is sharp enough for headlines, album art, and video calls, though it’s not meant for long-form video watching. Alexa’s visual interface remains the same familiar mix of cards, widgets, and voice-driven controls. Day-to-day interactions are fast: swipe to the camera, pull up smart home controls, or tap a routine. The small screen is a feature, not a bug — it’s meant for quick glances and lightweight interactions rather than extended reading or streaming.

Audio performance
This is where Amazon pushed the most noticeable changes. The newest Show 5 advertises deeper bass and clearer vocals, and in real listening tests that translates to firmer low-end presence and more intelligible mids for speech and podcasts. For a device this size the bass is surprisingly present — it won’t shake a room, but background music, morning news, and spoken-word content are fuller and less tinny than on older Show 5 models. At higher volumes the sound stays reasonably coherent; there’s warmth without becoming muddy. If you want fuller, room-filling audio, a larger Echo or a dedicated speaker will still beat the Show 5, but for a bedside or kitchen unit the sound is a clear step up.

Microphone, voice recognition, and Alexa responsiveness
Amazon also improved the microphone array and the overall responsiveness of Alexa. The Show 5 hears voice commands reliably from across a small room, and routines or timers trigger quickly. The combination of improved microphones and software refinement means the device is less likely to miss you when you call for Alexa from another side of the kitchen. As with other Echo devices, performance will vary with ambient noise levels, but the latest Show 5 is better at distinguishing voice from background sound than earlier small displays.

Camera and privacy
The Show 5 includes a front-facing camera that supports video calling and basic framing for calls or quick selfies. It also includes the hardware privacy shutter so you can physically block the camera when you want privacy. Amazon’s privacy controls — microphone and camera mute buttons and an easy-to-engage shutter — are straightforward, and the device makes it clear when the camera or mic is active. For most buyers using the Show 5 for quick video chats, doorbell camera feeds, and occasional selfies, the camera is perfectly adequate.

Smart home integration and features
As with other Echo devices, the Show 5 functions as an Alexa hub for controlling lights, plugs, thermostats, cameras, and other smart devices. The visual controls are handy: tap to toggle lights, view a camera feed, or run a routine. It also supports the same Alexa skills and media services as other Amazon smart displays — music from major services, podcasts, and limited video streaming — making it a very practical control surface for a smart home without needing a larger display.

Setup and day-to-day use
Setup is simple: plug in, follow the on-screen steps, sign into your Amazon account, and configure basics like Wi-Fi and voice profiles. The device arrives with a polished out-of-box experience and integrates quickly with existing Amazon services. Once configured, the Show 5 is low maintenance: firmware updates happen automatically, and Alexa routines or Quick Commands let you automate morning or evening tasks with a single phrase.

What’s good
The new Echo Show 5 offers a compact display with significantly improved sound for its size, better voice pickup, and the usual deep Alexa feature set. It’s affordable, unobtrusive, and ideal for bedrooms, small kitchens, or home office desks. If you want an inexpensive way to get visual Alexa interactions and noticeably better audio than earlier tiny smart displays, this model does the job well.

What could be better
The small screen limits what you can do visually: long videos, newspapers, or multitasking on the display aren’t comfortable on 5.5 inches. Audiophiles or people expecting powerful bass will still prefer larger dedicated speakers. Also, if you need a hub with advanced local smart home processing or Matter thread support, those higher-end features live in larger or more expensive Echo devices. Finally, the device’s true value depends on how embedded you are in the Amazon ecosystem; if you don’t use Amazon Music, Prime, or Alexa much, some features will be less compelling.

Price and value
Amazon positions the Echo Show 5 as an entry-level smart display with a price that reflects its size and market positioning. Given the upgraded audio and improved microphones, it represents good value for users who want a capable, compact Alexa display at a modest cost. Pricing often fluctuates with sales and promotions, making it even more attractive at discounted rates.

Who should buy it
Buy the Echo Show 5 if you want an affordable bedside or counter Alexa device with a screen and better-than-expected audio. It’s great for people who use voice timers, video calls, quick video streaming, smart home control, and music or podcast listening in small spaces. Skip it if you need a large display, very powerful speakers, or if you prefer an assistant ecosystem outside of Amazon/Alexa.

Verdict
The newest Echo Show 5 is a smart little upgrade. It doesn’t reinvent the category, but it tightens the core strengths: clearer audio, improved voice pickup, and the convenience of a glanceable display with Alexa always available. For anyone who wants a compact smart display with personality and better sound than previous small models, it’s a solid, affordable pick that makes the most sense as a bedside companion, kitchen helper, or desktop assistant.

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Amazon Fire Max 11 — in-depth review

Amazon’s Fire Max 11 arrives as the company’s biggest, most ambitious Fire tablet: an 11-inch slab that aims to be an all-rounder for streaming, reading, light productivity, and casual gaming. I’ve tested the 64 GB model and spent time with the display, accessories, battery, and day-to-day software to get a sense of what this tablet is good at — and where it still falls short.

First impressions and design

Out of the box the Fire Max 11 feels noticeably more premium than Amazon’s smaller Fire tablets. The frame is clean and simple, with narrow-ish bezels for this class, a matte back that resists fingerprints, and a weight that’s comfortable for long reading or streaming sessions. Build quality is solid and it doesn’t creak, and buttons (power, volume) feel satisfyingly clicky. The overall aesthetic leans utilitarian rather than flashy, which suits its role as a multimedia workhorse.

The display — vivid, big, and easy on the eyes

The headline here is the 11-inch vivid display with a 2000 × 1200 resolution. The screen is bright enough for indoor use, and colors pop more than you’d expect from a Fire tablet. Text is crisp for e-books and webpages, and video playback looks satisfying on this size — movies and TV shows fill the screen without feeling pixelated. Amazon also includes a low-blue-light mode that reduces eye strain during long reading sessions.

Performance — snappy for everyday tasks, not a flagship powerhouse

Under the hood the Fire Max 11 uses an octa-core processor paired with 4 GB of RAM. That combination delivers smooth performance for streaming, web browsing, and most apps from Amazon’s app catalog. App launching and video playback are quick; switching between a few apps is fine, but pushing heavy multitasking or demanding 3D games will expose the tablet’s limitations. For its target audience — casual users who want a big screen for media, web, and light productivity — performance is competent and in many cases pleasantly quick.

Battery life — excellent for a day away from the charger

Amazon claims up to 14 hours of mixed-use battery life, and in real-world use that number is realistic if you’re mostly reading, browsing, or streaming intermittently. Continuous heavy gaming brings the number down, but for general day-to-day use the tablet easily carries you through long flights, workdays, or weekends at a café. That longevity is one of the device’s most practical advantages.

Cameras, sound, and speakers

The Fire Max 11 comes with front and rear 8 MP cameras capable of 1080p video. They’re perfectly adequate for video calls and quick snaps, but don’t expect the clarity or dynamic range of a premium tablet camera. The speakers are tuned for media: they produce a decent amount of volume and deliver a wider soundstage than smaller Fire tablets thanks to optimized Dolby Atmos support. They won’t replace a dedicated Bluetooth speaker for parties, but they’re more than serviceable for solo watching and casual group viewing.

Storage and expansion

The model I tested is the 64 GB variant. That’s workable for apps, some games, and a moderate media library; Amazon also offers a 128 GB option and microSD expansion (up to 1 TB) for those who want lots of offline videos or a huge book and comic library. If you plan to store many high-quality movies or large games, I recommend opting for the larger storage or a microSD card.

Accessories — stylus and keyboard make it more versatile

One of the defining selling points is Amazon’s ecosystem of accessories: an optional Made for Amazon stylus and a magnetic keyboard case that snaps on for typing. The stylus is precise enough for note taking, scribbling, and light creative work; it’s not positioned as a Pro-level pen, but it’s useful for students and anyone who likes handwritten notes. The keyboard case turns the tablet into a compact productivity setup for email, document editing, and schoolwork. Paired together, these accessories transform the Max 11 from pure consumption device into an all-in-one tablet for study and work.

Software and ecosystem — the biggest tradeoffs

Fire OS is Amazon’s fork of Android and is built to funnel users toward Amazon services: Prime Video, Kindle, and the Amazon Appstore. That makes the tablet terrific if you live inside Amazon’s ecosystem — reading Kindle books, buying through Amazon, and streaming Prime content is seamless. However, Fire OS can feel restrictive compared with stock Android or iPadOS. The Amazon Appstore doesn’t have every Android app, sideloading alternatives takes effort, and Fire OS lacks some of the polish and productivity features you get on flagship tablets. If you want a tablet for pure creativity, professional apps, or a fully open Android experience, this could be a sticking point. For mainstream streaming, reading, browsing, and light work, the tradeoff is acceptable for many buyers.

Gaming and media — good for casual play, great for streaming

The combination of the vivid display, decent speakers, and long battery life make this an enjoyable device for streaming and casual gaming. Cloud streaming and lighter Android games run well; intensive 3D gaming will often require lower settings. If your idea of gaming on a tablet is Angry Birds, Genshin-lite experiences, or streaming console titles via cloud services, the Fire Max 11 performs admirably.

Pros and cons — quick summary

Pros

• Large, sharp 11-inch display that’s great for shows and books.

• Long battery life that supports all-day mixed use.

• Expandable storage and a 64 GB base option that’s affordable.

• Useful stylus and magnetic keyboard accessories turn it into a productivity device.

Cons

• Fire OS can be restrictive compared to stock Android and iPadOS; app availability and advanced productivity features are limited.

• Not a powerhouse for heavy multitasking or high-end tablet gaming; performance is tuned for everyday tasks.

Who should buy the Fire Max 11?

Buy this if you want a large, affordable tablet that excels at reading, watching shows, browsing, and light productivity — especially if you already use Amazon services. The Max 11 is also a great family tablet, a strong travel companion, and a solid choice for students who need an inexpensive device that doubles as a note-taking and typing machine.

Skip it if you need professional-grade apps, a fully open Android experience, or top-tier performance for demanding games and creation tools. In that case, an iPad or a high-end Android tablet will better meet those needs.

Final verdict

The Amazon Fire Max 11 is a thoughtfully evolved Fire tablet: bigger, brighter, and more capable than previous entries. It gives you a lot of tablet for the price — a vivid 11-inch display, day-long battery life, expandable storage, and useful accessories — but it still carries the compromises of Fire OS. For mainstream consumers who prioritize media, reading, and affordable productivity, the Fire Max 11 is an excellent value and one of the best all-in-one tablets Amazon has released. If you want openness and the absolute top performance, there are better (and more expensive) alternatives — but for most people, the Max 11 strikes a smart balance between features and cost.

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