Should I buy an Echo Show 8 or a cheap Android tablet for recipes?

For recipes specifically, expect the Echo Show 8 to cost about $100–$150 new (often less on sale), while a cheap Android tablet is usually about $80–$180 new depending on screen size, brand, and how decent the display/updates are. If you’re buying used or refurbished, the Echo Show 8 is often about $50–$100, and budget Android tablets are often about $40–$120.

Bottom line: buy the Echo Show 8 if the device will live in the kitchen and its main job is hands-free recipe use. Buy the cheap Android tablet if you want a more general-purpose device for recipes plus browsing, video, email, and apps. Prices change a lot, so check sold/completed listings before buying.

My pick for most recipe-focused kitchens is still the Echo Show 8—it’s usually the better countertop cooking tool. If you want full app freedom and portability, the tablet is the better value.