Best Smart Displays 2026
The best smart displays pick changes with the phone and assistant already in the home, so buy for your ecosystem first and screen size second. Most buyers fit the Echo Show 8, Apple homes fit HomeView, bigger screens fit the Echo Show 11, camera-free buyers fit the Nest Hub, and video calls fit the Nest Hub Max.
A smart display earns its counter spot only if you use it daily — for timers, calls, photos and controlling the house. We compared the best smart displays 2026 offers, from Apple’s first entry to Amazon and Google’s latest.
Key Takeaways
- Ecosystem first: the winner changed with the phone and assistant already in the home — buy for your ecosystem first, screen size second.
- Most buyers: the Echo Show 8 (4th gen, 2025) — an 8.7-inch HD touchscreen, a 13MP auto-framing camera, the AZ3 Pro chip, and a Zigbee, Matter and Thread hub on Wi-Fi 6E; the camera is disabled electronically, with no physical shutter.
- Apple homes: Apple HomeView — a 7-inch square Liquid Retina screen, an A18 chip, a 12MP Center Stage camera, and a Matter controller and Thread border router; setup requires an iPhone.
- Camera-free: the Nest Hub (2nd gen) — a 7-inch screen with no camera at all, Soli-powered Motion Sense and Sleep Sensing, and a hardware mic-off switch.
- Video calls: the Nest Hub Max — a 10-inch HD screen, a 6.5MP camera with a wide 127-degree view and auto-framing, stereo sound, and Face Match for up to 6 people, though it is the oldest design here, from 2019.
In our channel comparison the winner changed with the phone and assistant already in the home. Buy for your ecosystem first, screen size second.
This article contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases — it never changes our picks. #ad
Watch the full comparison:
Quick verdict on the best smart displays 2026
Our pick for most buyers today is the Echo Show 8. Choose Apple HomeView if your home runs on iPhone and HomeKit. The Echo Show 11 wins for a bigger screen, the Nest Hub if you want no camera, and the Nest Hub Max for video calls.
Top 3 Picks
Echo Show 8 (4th gen, 2025) — Best Overall Value. The pick for most buyers today: an 8.7-inch HD touchscreen at 1340 by 800, a 13MP auto-framing camera, the AZ3 Pro chip, and a Zigbee, Matter and Thread hub on Wi-Fi 6E.
Apple HomeView — Best for Apple Homes. Apple’s first smart display: a 7-inch square Liquid Retina screen at 1088 by 1088, an A18 chip, a 12MP Center Stage camera, and a Matter controller and Thread border router.
Echo Show 11 — Best Big Screen. The Show 8 stretched out: a 10.95-inch Full-HD screen at 1920 by 1200, a 13MP centred camera with auto-framing, the AZ3 Pro chip, and the same speaker setup and hub.
Nest Hub (2nd gen, camera-free and sleep) and Nest Hub Max (video calls) remain in the full comparison below.
Apple HomeView — Best for Apple Homes
HomeView is Apple’s first smart display: a 7-inch square Liquid Retina screen at 1088 by 1088, an A18 chip and a 12MP Center Stage camera. It is a Matter controller and Thread border router, with Wi-Fi 6E. Personal content only appears when that person’s phone is nearby and recently unlocked.
- Pros: deep Apple and HomeKit fit, clever personal screens
- Cons: setup requires an iPhone, Siri AI launches in beta, camera features need iCloud+
Echo Show 8 (4th gen, 2025) — Best Overall Value
The Show 8 has an 8.7-inch HD touchscreen at 1340 by 800, a 13MP auto-framing camera and the AZ3 Pro chip. Sound comes from a 2.8-inch woofer plus two full-range drivers, with room adaptation. It is also a Zigbee, Matter and Thread hub on Wi-Fi 6E.
- Pros: strong all-rounder, built-in hub, good sound for the size
- Cons: no physical camera shutter — the camera is disabled electronically
Echo Show 11 — Best Big Screen
The Show 11 is the Show 8 stretched out: a 10.95-inch Full-HD screen at 1920 by 1200, a 13MP centred camera with auto-framing, the AZ3 Pro chip and the same speaker setup. It keeps the Zigbee, Matter and Thread hub and Wi-Fi 6E.
- Pros: easier for recipes, calls and watching at a distance
- Cons: needs more counter space, stand sold separately
Nest Hub (2nd gen) — Best Camera-Free and Sleep
Google’s smaller Hub has a 7-inch screen at 1024 by 600 and no camera at all — that alone will sell it to some buyers. Its Soli sensor powers Motion Sense and Sleep Sensing. You get a full-range speaker, 3 mics with a hardware mic-off switch, and Thread and Matter support.
- Pros: only camera-free pick here, thoughtful sleep tracking, compact
- Cons: smaller, lower-resolution screen, single speaker driver
Nest Hub Max — Best for Video Calls
The Max pairs a 10-inch HD screen at 1280 by 800 with a 6.5MP camera with a wide 127-degree view and auto-framing. Sound is stereo, with two tweeters plus a woofer. Face Match supports up to 6 people, and the camera doubles as a Nest Cam.
- Pros: best call framing and sound here, large screen
- Cons: oldest design here, from 2019, and Nest Cam history needs Nest Aware
What most reviews won’t tell you
Read the fine print. HomeView requires an iPhone for setup, and camera recognition needs iCloud+. Alexa+ is free with Prime and $19.99/mo without it. Nest Hub Sleep Sensing has run as a free preview and may move behind a subscription. The Max needs Nest Aware for video history and familiar-face alerts.
| Display | Best For | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Apple HomeView | Apple homes | 7-inch square Liquid Retina screen, A18 chip, 12MP Center Stage camera, Matter controller and Thread border router, iPhone setup required |
| Echo Show 8 (4th gen, 2025) | Overall value | 8.7-inch HD touchscreen, 13MP auto-framing camera, AZ3 Pro chip, Zigbee, Matter and Thread hub, no physical camera shutter |
| Echo Show 11 | Big screen | 10.95-inch Full-HD screen, 13MP centred camera with auto-framing, AZ3 Pro chip, hub included, stand sold separately |
| Nest Hub (2nd gen) | Camera-free and sleep | 7-inch screen, no camera at all, Soli Motion Sense and Sleep Sensing, hardware mic-off switch |
| Nest Hub Max | Video calls | 10-inch HD screen, 6.5MP camera with 127-degree view and auto-framing, stereo sound, Face Match up to 6 people, oldest design here (2019) |
Our verdict
Buy the Echo Show 8 for the best balance. Wait for HomeView if Apple runs your home, go bigger with the Show 11, stay camera-free with the Nest Hub, and pick the Max for calls.
FAQ
Can I use HomeView without an iPhone?
No. Setup requires an iPhone or iPad, and personal features rely on your phone being nearby.
Which display has no camera?
The Nest Hub (2nd gen). It is the only model here with no camera.
Do I need a subscription?
Basic use works without one, but iCloud+ and Nest Aware cost extra.
