Living in a compact apartment, I constantly battled with cluttered countertops and a jumble of voice assistants that never seemed to sync. The latency between my lights, thermostat, and security camera was driving me nuts. I needed a single hub that could *talk* to everything without turning my living room into a tech jungle.
Enter the Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen, 2021) in Deep Sea Blue – a tiny 5.5" smart display with a 2 MP camera and Alexa built‑in. I spent a full week testing it in the MyDomy Lab to see if it could truly be the glue for a small‑space smart home.
Testing Experience
Setup was a breeze. I plugged the device into power, connected it to my 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi, and the Alexa app auto‑detected it within seconds. The on‑screen wizard walked me through enabling the camera, linking my Amazon account, and adding the device to my existing Alexa ecosystem.
During the seven‑day trial I used the Show for three main scenarios:
- Video calls: The 2 MP camera delivered crisp 720p video. Calls to other Echo devices and Zoom via the Alexa skill were lag‑free.
- Home control dashboard: I pinned my smart lights, thermostat, and Ring doorbell widgets. Updating a light’s brightness from the screen was instantaneous, thanks to the local Alexa processing.
- Routines & automation: I built a “Good Night” routine that dimmed lights, locked doors, and turned off the TV. The routine triggered reliably at 10 PM each night.
Performance hiccups: When I tried to control a Matter‑compatible bulb that was still in beta, the Show fell back to cloud control, adding a 2‑second delay. Also, the device lacks a built‑in Zigbee hub, so I had to rely on a separate Echo Plus for Zigbee devices.
Pro tip: Enable “Hands‑Free Video Calling” in Settings → Communications. It lets you start a call with just “Alexa, call Mom” without touching the screen.
Compatibility & Smart Home Performance
The Echo Show 5 shines as an Alexa hub. It works natively with thousands of Alexa‑compatible devices, including Philips Hue, Lutron Caséta, and Ecobee thermostats. While it doesn’t host Zigbee or Thread radios, it can still control those devices through cloud APIs.
For Google Home fans, the Show can act as a bridge via the Alexa‑Google integration skill, but expect a slight latency. Home Assistant users can add the Echo Show as a media player entity, but video‑call functions remain Alexa‑only.
Matter support is still pending; the device will receive an OTA update later this year, which should unlock direct Matter control. Until then, rely on Alexa’s cloud bridge for Matter devices.
Common Mistakes
- Skipping the Wi‑Fi band check: The Show prefers 2.4 GHz for stability. Connecting it to a crowded 5 GHz network caused occasional drops.
- Not enabling “Drop‑In”: Without Drop‑In, I missed out on instant intercom functionality between the Show and my Echo Dot.
- Overloading the home screen: Adding too many widgets slowed the UI. Keep it to 4‑5 essential controls.
- Ignoring camera privacy settings: By default the camera lights up for every call. Turn off the “Camera Indicator” in Settings if you need discretion.
- Forgetting to update firmware: The device receives monthly OTA patches. Missing an update can lock you out of new Matter features.
Final Verdict
After a week of real‑world testing, the Echo Show 5 proves to be a **compact, reliable, and surprisingly capable** hub for small apartments. It doesn’t replace a full‑blown smart hub with Zigbee/Thread radios, but its Alexa ecosystem, video‑call quality, and low price point make it a solid entry point.
If you prioritize a sleek display, hands‑free video calls, and seamless Alexa routines, this device is a win. If you need native Matter or Zigbee support out‑of‑the‑box, you’ll still need an additional hub.
FAQ
- Can I use the Echo Show 5 without an Amazon account? No. Alexa requires an Amazon account for activation and cloud services.
- Does it work with Google Home devices? Indirectly, via the Alexa‑Google integration skill, but expect a slight delay.
- Is the camera always on? The camera only activates during calls or when you manually start a video feed. An LED indicator shows when it’s active.
- Will it support Matter? Yes, Amazon has promised an OTA update later in 2026 to add native Matter support.
- Is it worth buying over the Echo Dot with Clock? If you need a screen for video calls, visual routines, or a small dashboard, the Show 5 offers more value despite the higher price.
