After a couple of years since the first Echo Show 15, Amazon’s highly successful smart speaker with display, the American giant is updating it and launching a larger, 21-inch version. A device that, to date, has no equal on the market and combines the potential of a connected speaker with that of the TV format. In fact, calling this object simply a “speaker” is more reductive than calling the previous 15-inch model that. Whether you place it in the kitchen, bedroom or living room, the idea of the Amazon Echo Show 21 is to go beyond the home hub to manage cameras and thermostats, offering a great all-around multimedia entertainment solution.
What it looks like
Aesthetically, the Show 21 looks like an imposing device, with a design similar to the Echo Show 15 but significantly larger in size. Its 21-inch screen with 1920 x 1080 resolution makes it ideal for viewing videos, movies, cooking tutorials or video calls via contacts who have any of the smart speakers in the group. Despite its generous size, Echo Show 21 can be wall-mounted either horizontally or vertically or placed on a flat surface, with the stand sold separately. Mounting is simple and intuitive, facilitated by the included bracket and a handy guide. Incidentally, the bracket is the same as the Show 15. Those who want to switch from the old to the new will just have to make a quick switch in a matter of seconds.
In addition to the large screen, the Echo Show 21 offers a smooth and responsive user experience thanks to Amazon’s octa-core processor with AZ2 neural engine and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity. Alexa, Amazon’s voice assistant, is at the centre of the experience, allowing you to control smart home devices, access security cameras, make video calls and more. As a smart home hub, Echo Show 21 offers the same functionality as Echo Show 8, including support for Matter, Thread and Zigbee. However, unlike Echo Hub, it does not have a dedicated home automation user interface.
Like a TV, more than a TV
A highlight of Echo Show 21 is its integration with Fire TV, accessible via the remote control included in the box. The Fire TV experience is smooth and intuitive thanks to the large screen, and it includes popular apps such as YouTube and Netflix, as well as Prime Video. The home screen features more customizable widgets, given the panel’s larger size, so you can quickly access calendars, shopping lists, reminders, smart home controls and audio content. There is also a revamped audio widget to manage music and podcasts.
Echo Show 21 includes a 13-megapixel wide-angle camera with automatic framing and 3.3x zoom, ideal for high-quality video calls. Automatic tracking technology keeps the user in the center of the frame. In each case, privacy is preserved from both hardware and software perspectives. For the former, there is a physical button that allows you to close the webcam when you do not want other family members to remotely activate it to monitor the room. Each stream is managed locally without an Amazon login. For audio conversations, at any time, one can ask Alexa to delete questions, resetting the AI’s “memory.” As for audio, Echo Show 21 offers decent sound thanks to two 2-inch woofers and two 0.6-inch tweeters. It can’t compete with dedicated soundbars, but for the end use for which it is intended, it is more than fine.
Is it worth it?
Amazon Echo Show 21 is a versatile smart display that excels as a home hub and digital picture frame because of its large screen, ideal for viewing photos and videos and controlling the smart home. The stereo audio is powerful but not top quality. It’s a substantial upgrade (even in terms of size) for those who want to make a particular room more tech-savvy, harnessing the potential of Alexa support with virtually all brands that produce connected accessories, with the benefit of also being able to handle the Matter protocol, a unique standard for commanding such gadgets.
The price is not for everyone: 439.99 euros, much more than a comparable panel TV. Here, however, we have everything: national streaming channels, apps for movies and TV shows, video calling, home management, games, and more, with the bonus of having everything you need to get started in the package, from the remote control to the mounting plate
