Amazon Echo Show 21 Review

Amazon Echo Show 21: Introduction

• Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Thread, Zigbee, Sidewalk
• Ecosystems: Alexa, it matters

Alexa is bigger than ever, thanks to Amazon taking the covers off a new model for the smart display range… the Echo Show 21.

Launched in late 2024 alongside a second-generation Show 15, the Echo Show 21, as its name suggests, features a 21-inch display and is by far the most substantial Echo Show yet, with almost double the of the viewing area than the Echo Show 15. .

Priced at $399.99 in the US, £399.99 in the UK, the Echo Show 21 isn’t cheap but features improved sound quality with richer audio, twice the bass of the Show 15. original and room adaptation technology.

With built-in smart home hub capabilities, the Show 21 can act as a Matter controller, with Thread edge routing abilities and also Zigbee support, putting it on par with the Echo Hub and the latest Echo Show 8.

I’ve had the Amazon Echo Show 21 taped to my wall for the past few weeks, read on for my full review.

Design and build

• 1080p Full HD display
• Camera with privacy shutter
• Wall or table mount
• Same mounting bracket as Show 15

The Amazon Echo Show 21 is almost identical to the Echo Show 15 (both generations) from a design perspective, although it of course differs in terms of physical dimensions.

The Echo Show 21 measures 540 x 340 x 380mm and feels like an absolute monster when you first take it out of the box.

Designed to be mounted on a wall or placed on a flat surface, either vertically or horizontally, the Show 21 has a black frame, with that 21-inch screen in the middle surrounded by a white bezel.

It has a centrally placed camera on top when in landscape orientation and a privacy slider to turn off the camera lens.

At the top, at least when in landscape orientation, the Echo Show 21 has a volume up and down button, and a microphone off button, which is in addition to the physical camera shutter.

The speakers are located on the back of the device, which adds a bit of punch to the mix. Still, it looks good when mounted on the wall and doesn’t stick out too much.

The good news, if you’re upgrading from the older Echo Show 15 to the larger model, is that the mounting bracket that comes in the box is exactly the same one you used before.

That makes upgrading a piece of cake, but if it’s your first wall-mounted big screen Show, don’t worry as mounting is as simple as screwing in four screws and placing the Show on top using the back panel.

It also includes a handy guide in the box, so there’s no need to take out your tape measure or spirit level.

The Echo Show 21 has a 21-inch display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. That means the new Echo Show 15 has a slightly better PPI count, but the 21’s screen is perfectly fine and that extra 80% of real estate makes a big difference.

You can see the screen clearly from across the room and the Show 21 is an ideal kitchen companion, as you can easily follow recipes and watch videos from just a few meters away.

Speaking of watching videos, there’s an Alexa voice remote included in the box, designed to make the Fire TV experience a little more streamlined.

I mounted the Show 21 on the wall, but you can also purchase a countertop mount that makes the Show 21 look like a small TV.

In daily use

• Breakneck performance
• Responsive content on the home screen
• Touch Screen Widgets
• TV fire mode

The Show 21 is powered by Alexa, Amazon’s digital voice assistant, and as such is packed with an absolute plethora of voice- and automation-driven capabilities.

When you connect it for the first time, the on-screen images will guide you to connect the Show 21 and sync it with your Amazon account and the Alexa app.

However, I won’t go into them too much in this review; If you’re looking for specific information on what Alexa can offer, check out some of our comprehensive guides:

However, it goes without saying that Alexa underpins everything related to any Echo speaker, which are devices that prioritize voice despite the presence of a screen.

So you can do things like activate video feeds from smart security cameras with a voice command, answer the doorbell with video, or control smart lights and other smart home devices.

In short, it’s a competent Alexa device that can do anything any other Echo smart speaker can do when it comes to managing your Alexa smart home system.

In fact, when it comes to managing your smart home, it offers the same options as the latest Echo Show 8: namely, it’s a Matter controller that can connect directly with Wi-Fi, Thread, and Zigbee devices.

That’s the same radio connectivity you get with Amazon’s smart home-focused display, Echo Hub, but you don’t get the dedicated smart home user interface.

I understand that the Show 21 is more than a smart home touchpad, but sometimes I’d like the option to use the Echo Hub’s UI, especially since the smart home widgets on the Show 21 still feel a bit clumsy

Like other Echo Shows, you have to tap the screen one more time just for the smart home controls to display. That means you’ll double-tap to turn off a light, for example.

I understand that Amazon wants to sell the Hub as a rival to high-end automation panels from Creston and Control4, but with essentially the same hardware and software on board the new Show 21, allowing a dedicated smart home seems like a no-brainer. Screen UI for users to choose from.

Additional tap issues aside, however, the Show 21 really is a great smart home operator, especially for anyone already firmly into Camp Alexa and looking to make Matter jump.

I’ve paired Matter devices over Thread and Wi-Fi, as well as Zigbee bulbs directly to the Show 21, and everything works as smoothly and smoothly as you’d want with direct local connections.

A nice feature is that the smart home screen will also allow you to have a live thumbnail view of a security camera or a compatible doorbell like Ring or Blink.

But the Show 21 is much more than a smart home controller. It’s more of a centralized family hub and that’s why I think it’s a device that works so well in the kitchen.

The big new Echo Show comes with an Alexa voice remote for Fire TV, which you can switch to from the regular home screen with widgets.

In fact, the first thing you’re asked to do when setting up the Show 21 is configure your Fire TV’s settings and pair the remote.

I’m happy to report that the Fire TV experience in the new Show 21 is a million miles from the buggy disaster it has been since it was introduced in the first-gen Show 15.

Because of that screen size, you really feel like you’re enjoying a true “TV” experience, rather than just streaming choppy videos on a tablet.

The apps you get will depend on the region you’re in, but the good news is that YouTube is on board, so there’s no need to use the Silk-based browser workaround like you do with programs like Show 5 or 8.

Away from Fire TV and the home screen offers a pretty slick touchscreen experience with customizable widgets that allow easy access to calendars, shopping lists, to-dos, smart home device favorites, and more.

There’s also an updated audio widget for managing music and podcasts, along with the ability to play content on multiple speakers at once.

This content can be further customized if you have Visual ID set up through your Amazon account.

For example, it could show me my calendar schedule if it recognizes me or show some Alexa Kids content to my daughter when she’s nearby.

However, the selection of widgets is still quite limited, and although it has room for nine widgets, with the largest ones taking up three slots, you can only have one of these large ones, which seems silly.

If you only use your Show to display photos and nothing else, you’ll have to go through the rigmarole of turning off the ever-growing list of nonsense that Amazon insists on showing you, through the Home Content settings.

Like other recent Show models, the Show 21 also has Home Monitoring Remote View mode, which lets you monitor your home when you’re not on the Alexa app, essentially turning your smart display into a makeshift smart security camera.

An alert appears on Show 21, letting anyone in the room know they’re on camera. You cannot record or store these videos.

The camera is a 13-megapixel wide-angle camera with auto-framing and a 3.3x zoom is offered, so it’s easy to stay in the frame during video calls, even if you’re not right next to the device.

As with all recent Show models, there’s also auto-tracking technology built in, so during calls, if you’re walking around the room, the camera will zoom in and try to keep up with you.

Performance

Powered by Amazon’s Octa-core SoC with the Amazon AZ2 neural network engine, the Show 21 is remarkably snappy, with hardly any delays in voice or touch prompts.

The screen, although not in the OLED league, really stands out and you’ll easily be able to use the Show 21 as a miniature TV for the bedroom or kitchen.

Streaming is also faster than ever, as the Show 21, along with the new Show 15, are the first Echo devices equipped with Wi-Fi 6E.

The sound is decent, but not amazing. Amazon made a big song and dance about the improved audio capabilities, and while the pair of 2-inch woofers and two 0.6-inch tweeters definitely set the Show 21 apart from its small peers, you’ll soon find some emptiness and a little of distortion when turned high.

So it’s fine for watching videos or casually listening to the radio, but it shouldn’t be the main music speaker in any room. If you want an Alexa display with a speaker capable of that, the Show 10 is your best option.

Speaking of which, you can play music from Amazon Music, Apple Music, and Spotify on the Show 21. If you subscribe to Amazon Music, song lyrics scroll on the screen, so it can also double as a fun karaoke machine .

Noise reduction technology is included, which definitely helps when you’re on a video call, and I found that Alexa heard my instructions much better than on my first-gen Show 15.

Final thoughts

Amazon has pulled off a big coup with the Echo Show 21, combining the flexibility of a smart home hub with the usability of a Fire TV-equipped display.

The large display and seamless integration with Matter, Thread, and Zigbee make it a future-proof option for smart home enthusiasts.

However, it doesn’t quite replace a dedicated music speaker or a high-end smart home panel like the Echo Hub.

But for those willing to invest, the Echo Show 21 is a versatile addition to any home, particularly in communal spaces like kitchens or living rooms.

how we test

When we publish our reviews, you can be sure that they are the result of “living with” long-term testing.

Smart speakers typically live within or even control a smart home ecosystem, or a range of products that supposedly all work in harmony. It is therefore impossible to use a connected speaker for a week and give a verdict.

Because we test smart home kit all day, every day, we know what matters and how a particular smart speaker compares to alternatives you might also be considering.

Our reviews are complete, objective and fair, and of course, we are never paid directly to review a device.

Read our smart speaker review process to learn more.

Frequently asked questions

Amazon Echo Show 21: Specifications