You can check in on your security cameras and video doorbells, get recipe advice and make calls. If you have a large family or spend a lot of time in the kitchen or other shared space, a smart speaker with a display is a better choice. All are simple to set up and lay a foundation for getting your other gadgets connected.

If this is your first smart home purchase, you’ll want to opt for the 4th-generation Echo, Echo Dot or Sonos One. The key decision you’ll have to make while shopping for one of the best Alexa speakers is whether you’re looking for a standard, grilled speaker or a speaker with a display. How to pick the best Alexa speaker for you Read our full Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) review. Not to mention, the Kids Edition is a strong sell, providing a stationary Amazon Fire tablet alternative that doesn’t need to be recharged all the time. But if you find yourself smitten with the Echo Show 5’s adorably compact design, and like the idea of being able to ring up loved ones before you go to sleep, the smart display is worth considering.

It also isn’t much of an upgrade compared to the original. However, due to its small size, it looks and feels a bit more like a clock than a full-sized smart display. The Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) is a small smart display you can use to make calls and video chat, browse recipes, watch videos using NBC and Prime Video visual skills, check the feeds from your security camera, dim your lights and more on its 5-inch screen.

Amazon echo dot