Amazon just made a bold move in the smart home space with its Echo Show 21, the largest Echo device to date, featuring a massive 21-inch display. Retailing at $399.99, this upgraded version of the Echo Show 15 aims to be more than just a smart assistant. With a focus on better visuals, improved audio, and smart home integration, this device is designed to be the centerpiece of your connected home.

What’s new?

1. A bigger, sharper display: The Echo Show 21 boasts a 1080p resolution across its 21-inch screen—ideal for streaming your favorite shows, displaying family photos, or managing your day with widgets.
2. Enhanced sound quality: Amazon has revamped the audio system, including dual 2-inch woofers and 0.6-inch tweeters, offering deeper bass and immersive sound quality. This is a significant improvement over the original Echo Show 15.
3. Advanced video calling: The upgraded camera has double the field of view and 65% more zoom capability, complemented by noise reduction technology. This makes it an excellent choice for video calls or even as a security camera.
4. Smart home integration: Both the Echo Show 21 and the refreshed Echo Show 15 ($299.99) now come with a built-in smart home hub supporting Matter, Zigbee, and Thread protocols. This allows seamless control of compatible smart devices like lights, plugs, and switches—even offline.
5. Fire TV compatibility: With Fire TV functionality built-in, the device doubles as a streaming hub. It even ships with the Alexa Voice Remote, though many users may prefer a dedicated TV for serious binge-watching.
6. Faster connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E ensures smoother and faster streaming, an upgrade that will benefit households with multiple connected devices.

One of the standout features is the ability to customize the screen with widgets. From to-do lists and calendars to music controls, the Echo Show 21 offers a versatile interface. The photo frame mode can display your personal albums or curated artwork, though some critics note that photos with mismatched orientations might look awkward due to large borders.

While the Echo Show 21 is optimized for wall-mounting, Amazon sells a countertop stand separately for $99. This makes it adaptable to different spaces, though its size could be overkill for smaller kitchens or tight spaces.

Amazon’s Echo Show 21 is clearly targeting households looking for a blend of entertainment, smart home control, and day-to-day organization. However, with its premium price and size, it’s a niche choice for those ready to make a statement with their smart home setup.

If you’re content with a slightly smaller screen, the refreshed Echo Show 15 might be a better value at $299.99, as it shares many of the same upgraded features. Both devices are now available for purchase on Amazon.