Amazon Echo Show 15 review: the surprising reasons this BIG smart screen might be worth it

Get Echo Show 15 Canada: amzn.to/3uuM0UU
Get Echo Show 15 USA: amzn.to/34IpDjN
Stands:
Tilt/Swivel Sanus Stand, Canada: amzn.to/3HCiq3l
Tilt only base stand, Canada: amzn.to/3B4x014
Tilt/Swivel Sanus Stand, USA: amzn.to/3GzmEaH
Tilt only base stand, USA: amzn.to/3LhfrzJ
Read more: www.TechGadgetsCanada.com
Follow me on Facebook: / techgadgetscanada
By now I think most of us know what an Echo device is, right? These smart speakers or smart screens have built-in smarts of a digital assistant to play music, answer questions and do conversions, create schedules and appointments, plus offer news, weather, traffic and even jokes and TV shows. So these devices are basically digital butlers that can do it all; so what’s new in Amazon’s Echo Show 15 that we didn’t have before in other Echo devices? I recently got my hands on one to find out.
What’s new in Echo Show 15?
Now Family sized
Beyond the basics noted above, the Echo Show 15 is designed to be a family hub. Made much larger than previous versions, the Show 15 is a big, framed flat screen now that resembles a TV.
Now a TV portal
That leads me to my next key feature: this screen is made for video viewing, whether it’s a Zoom call or video chat or watching Amazon Prime TV, Amazon wants you using and engaging with your Echo Show 15 all the time. While you could watch videos on Show devices previously, this big, high resolution screen (1920 x 1080) is designed for viewing.
Now with Widgets
The new option of widget on the echo show 15 gives you even more options for customization and personalization of your screen. You can choose how many widgets to display on the screen at all times, and in what order they should be configured. Choose from Weather information, two notes, calendar, to-do lists and more. While the list of Widgets is small, it should grow quickly enough.
I added my grocery list, Sticky notes, weather at home and for my favourite getaway city of Palm Springs, plus my Amazon delivery notifications and smart home shortcuts.
Now Vertical or Horizontal use
Unlike pretty much every other Echo Show device, you can actually choose how you want to place the Echo Show 15. Hang it on a wall or use the (add-on) stand, and orient it either vertically or horizontally. Naturally if you’ll be watching a lot of video, vertical isn’t the ideal configuration, but it does fit into slimmer spaces.
Visual ID
Visual ID is a new-ish feature on the Echo Show 15 that’s also becoming backwards compatible on the swivel base Echo Show 10.
Visual ID uses the built-in camera to recognize who’s in front of the device, so it can feature customized content for that person, whether they’re adults or kids.
Getting Visual ID set up is actually pretty easy. I had my own face scanned in moments, and Alexa was able to recognize me and personalize my responses.
New: inferior camera
Speaking of the camera, Amazon has chosen, perhaps oddly, to make the camera in the Echo Show 15 a 5mp front facing camera, where on the Echo Show 10 by comparison it is 13mp. Will you notice the difference? It’s hard to say.
New: inferior Speaker quality: not Amazon’s best work
In another design oddity, Amazon has opted for a smaller speaker in the Show 15. Now, let’s take a step back here for a second for some perspective; putting a speaker in a flat screen and expecting it to sound rich, resonant and booming is just a wrong-headed idea. Based on real estate alone, there’s just no physical way to put a high fidelity speaker into a 1.5-inch deep device. So, we shouldn’t be expecting much from the audio quality… which is good because we ain’t getting it.
The speaker sounds tinny, hollow and flat, particularly as compared to something like the Echo Show 10. It’s fine, and basic for listening to Alexa, but music and even a lot of video isn’t a joy to listen to on this device.
Overall review:
Overall, there are some definitely pros and cons to the Amazon Echo Show 15.
It has all the functionality of Alexa, meaning it’s ultra versatile. I love the newer, larger size; you can see a lot more information and it’s very easy to interact with the device using voice or the touchscreen. I think the design itself is a lot less techy and a lot more homey. I like the option of wall mounting it (though the cord shows) or using the optional stand (but it should really come with the screen).
Downsides?
The speaker isn’t great (get the Echo Show 10 if audio quality is paramount), and the front facing camera is inferior to the previous generation. You do need to find a way to mount it, or purchase the extra stand… otherwise you will just have to lean it somewhere, which is neither safe nor ideal.
Even so, I’m a fan of Echo devices because they’re smart, useful and work extreely well and reliably, so I’m happy to recommend the Echo Show 15 to you if it fits with your smartr home needs.

[@HappyJ]

One big show stopper for me on the Echo Show 15 is since the update for Fire TV, it will no longer connect to my Fire TV Recast. That means no longer can I watch local TV channels or my recorded content from my recast device. When I asked Amazon, this was by design. I don't understand 😕 why they went backward?

[@benjaminlee3669]

I like the big screen display and it is cool that it comes with a consistent internal support with the mediatek processor as well.

[@DV-tc1yr]

I got one for all the bedrooms n love it

[@drpabloulla9875]

Hi Erin, thanks for the great review. Can you connect the Show 15 to speakers or another Echo device for better sound?

[@CanadianBeachcomber]

I completely missed your review last week. Now I am waiting for it to come back in stock.

[@ErinLawrenceTV]

Hopefully soon!

[@fredfountaine]

I watched your review and decided to buy it its a beautiful big screen the widgets are good im glad I bought it thanks to you

[@ErinLawrenceTV]

Great to hear! Thank you!

[@telradical9435]

the eco show 15 and the family hub screen decreased and put the alexa lol the family hub just doesn't have the alexa it had to be at 21 inches too lol.

[@eyeonart6865]

I want one for when electric goes out I can hook up to battery

[@HeyCMDR1991YT]

To be honest the speakers are not as bad as you think they are I have the Echo show 15 with the tilt swivel stand it has a built-in EQ feature so i maxed out the treble and bass it is able to produce that movie theater sound experience I use it on my kitchen table I don't use it for video chat because the resolution looks dog crap I do not understand why Amazon went with a 5-megapixel front facing camera it's a massive downgrade it's like what you said I think the front facing camera is just designed for the face ID software and recognize different household family members

[@oliversmith7354]

This is a good one from Amazon and mediatek. Good features

[@darrenprudhom3205]

When it comes to the stand, has anybody considered a $5 easel for a picture or plate? Seems like a great alternative!

[@ErinLawrenceTV]

Good idea!

[@lorenzo52877]

whats with the port on the back next to the powe port?

[@ronm6585]

Thanks Erin.

[@ErinLawrenceTV]

Any time Ron!

[@josephj6521]

Great review! 👍 I didn’t know something like this existed! Good for calendar events, shopping, recipes, calling someone and watching a KZbin review. 😉 You can connect an iPhone wirelessly and use its big screen when you don’t want to use the smaller screen of the phone?

[@ErinLawrenceTV]

Thank you for the compliment Joseph. Glad I was able to share something new with you. You cannot mirror your iPhone screen on this device, but you can use Bluetooth to play your iPhones music to its speaker if you wish.

[@josephj6521]

@@ErinLawrenceTV thank you for the answering my question. Much appreciated and looking forward to your next reviews. 👍

[@marirosado334]

I didn't know it was that huge!

[@markymarkreviews]

Very good review.

[@ErinLawrenceTV]

Thank you very much for the compliment.

[@olheghtt]

Are there no speaker out jacks?

[@PandaBearBoss]

Great review, Erin. Can you comment on how well it works with multiple household members? Does it switch quickly as soon as another person walks in front of the screen? Can each person link to their own calendar and to do list? What about kids, any restrictions?

[@ErinLawrenceTV]

Hi Neil. Yes it works well with different family members. I made a video about this here kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmWai4OKi5eId6M

[@talthan]

wonder what BT speakers you could use to make it sound better

[@JackvanHam]

I had the same thoughts. Also, and additional echo devices in your room can be setup as your audio output. So the fact that this device has a tiny speaker, should not be an issue.

[@samyg123]

Nice review! Do you know if it supports Amazon Recast?

[@ErinLawrenceTV]

I actually don’t even know what Amazon recast is…?😳😒

[@samyg123]

@@ErinLawrenceTV it allows you to stream over the air tv on FireTV devices

[@10OF9OFBORG]

Nice but big! But music seems not an idea tho I guess. It’s good for reviewing information and chats. Thanks for showing. 👍🏻👍🏻☕️☕️

[@ErinLawrenceTV]

Thanks for watching Scott 😊

[@oldmoviesinbwwithsubtitles3501]

Excellent!

[@ErinLawrenceTV]

Many thanks!

[@ljohn4466]

Nice job showing the product. But for $275, that includes tax here in the US btw, it should at least come with a kick stand. So meanwhile, like I do with my iphone and current echo show....we will remain at version #8 on both devices...Thanks for what you do....65 year old Vet

[@ErinLawrenceTV]

Thanks for sharing!

[@anthonym1475]

I got the echo show 15 for $162 after trading in my echo show 5 1st gen. It’s a great device I hung it in my room. It’s like a mini tv now

[@clh9048]

I just recently purchased it on Amazon for $149 and for that price it’s definitely worth it!

[@cfldriven]

I still can't get the show 8 to make video calls, so not looking for another paper weight.

[@Explore531]

they should added speaker jack so you can plugin too speakers

[@bigcodyjack]

dopesn't show how to turn it on , where the controlb buttons are, how to use them, and how to use screen.

[@d.julian8337]

Great content. (But, thts almost a tablet..🤔)Thank you.

[@ErinLawrenceTV]

Yeah, it ain’t small 😁😎

[@dankelley9361]

Nice review! I feel the cons outweigh the pros! Also if you have a smart home the dashboard feature is terrible!

[@ErinLawrenceTV]

Thanks for sharing!

[@ANTHONY-rp3ud]

in my opinion the display looks really bad with the white bezel, it should have full screen like on my phone with the hole punch camera. thanks for the vid Erin!!

[@ErinLawrenceTV]

My pleasure Anthony! Thanks for watching. Interesting to see the different tastes people have…

[@SuperPussyFinger]

It’s meant to look like a matted art frame, not an iPad. What you call a “bezel” is absolutely essential for pulling off the look of a piece of home decor, rather than a tacky tech gadget.

[@v3lin3on]

UI a bit laggy, no?

[@backtothe80s97]

Can you video call with this device ?

[@ErinLawrenceTV]

Yes

[@paulhill1379]

👍👍👍

[@mikeriesco6174]

Can I display my Google Calendar on this, full-screen? Pretty sure it's no, which means I'll pass...

[@myontariowatch]

Smart? I compared both the Alexa and Google side by side for years now. Using multiple search and command sets. Google found and responded better than Alexa on several fronts. This was also tested on multiple generations of each gear. Even the oldest Gen Google performed better. Mind you google is behind on look and screen size now.

[@lonniec7603]

👏👏👏👏👏👏🍿