Google Nest Hub – $100

The second-generation Google Nest Hub, featuring a compact 7-inch display, excels as a versatile option for users who prefer a camera-free experience. Notable features include a sunrise alarm for a more gradual wake-up and basic sleep tracking capabilities, though accuracy may vary. Its gesture control functionality further enhances user interaction.

Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen, 2023) – $90

This compact device features a 5.5-inch screen, designed ideally for bedside or desk use. While not suitable for larger spaces like kitchens or living rooms, its affordability and size make it a practical option for close-range use.

Echo Hub – $180

Primarily a smart home control unit rather than a traditional smart display, the Echo Hub focuses on home automation with built-in Alexa functionality. This model lacks a camera and advanced speaker capabilities, providing a simplified user interface without the clutter of additional features.

Digital calendars, designed to display family schedules on a single screen, present a different solution compared to smart displays. Products like the Skylight Calendar and the Hearth Display cater to families, but often require membership subscriptions for additional functionalities.

While these devices can foster better organization, they may also necessitate user commitment from the whole family to effectively integrate scheduling into daily routines. For many, traditional shared calendars such as Google Calendar may suffice.

Smart displays serve as central control hubs for smart home devices, providing functionalities from recipe assistance to video calling. However, their longevity and relevance are uncertain, especially given some market shifts, such as the discontinuation of Meta’s Portals.

Despite Amazon’s ongoing development of smart displays, including models that follow the brand’s Alexa voice assistant framework, there are concerns surrounding software updates for third-party Google displays, which may be phased out.

Apple has yet to release a dedicated smart display but has introduced features like StandBy Mode in iOS for iPhones. This functionality allows customization of clock faces and photo displays while charging, though it does not fully replicate smart display capabilities.

Amazon plans to introduce Alexa+, an upgraded version of its voice assistant designed for more complex tasks and enhanced personalization, leveraging generative AI technology. It is important to note that this new version will require voice recordings to be processed by Amazon, with privacy configurations becoming more limited over time.

Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen, 2021) – $250

This device features a swiveling screen mounted on a large speaker. While the sound quality is excellent, the dynamic movement can be cumbersome in smaller spaces.

Echo Show 15 – $280

With its sizable 15.6-inch display, the Show 15 allows for customizable widgets. However, it struggles to effectively balance its roles between a smart display and television, failing to deliver fully on either function.

Third-Party Google Displays

Many third-party Google smart displays are no longer receiving updates, limiting their potential longevity and diminishing their appeal in the marketplace.