Should I Buy the Echo Hub or Echo Show 8 for Smart Lights?

For smart lights, I’d lean toward the Echo Hub if your main goal is a dedicated control panel for the home. It’s the better fit when you want quick, at-a-glance access to lights and other smart-home controls.

Choose the Echo Show 8 instead if you want a more general-purpose Alexa device for a counter or nightstand and you also care about things like music, video calls, photos, and a more versatile display.

One important caveat: don’t assume the Echo Show 8 has a built-in Zigbee/Thread hub. Compatibility for directly connecting smart bulbs can vary by exact model and bulb standard, so check whether your lights use Alexa, Zigbee, Thread, or Matter before deciding.