Amazon · Mainstream cloud hubs
Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen)
Matter · Thread · Zigbee 3.0 · Bluetooth LE · no local API · about $150
cloud requiredcloud required
Protocols
MatterThreadZigbee 3.0Bluetooth LEWi-Fi
4 W
Idle power
$150
List price
~100000
Devices (est.)
Specifications
| Category | Mainstream cloud hubs |
|---|---|
| Protocols | Matter, Thread, Zigbee 3.0, Bluetooth LE, Wi-Fi |
| Cloud dependency | cloud required |
| Local API | no local API |
| Voice assistants | Alexa |
| Open source | closed-source |
| Directly supported devices (est.) | ~100000 |
| Idle power draw | ~4 W |
| Update outlook | actively maintained |
| List price (Amazon.com, Q2/2026) | about $150 |
Best for: Family / casualBest for: Matter / future-proofBest for: Budget under $80
Setup & gotchas
🧵 One of the cheapest ways to get a Thread border router into the house, since it is bundled into the display.
Editorial take
Our hands-on read — the specs above are the sourced facts.
Strengths
- + Full Zigbee, Matter and Thread hub built into an 8-inch display
- + Room-filling spatial audio for the price
- + Cheaper entry point than the Show 10
Trade-offs
- − Cloud-required, nothing runs locally
- − Always-on camera and mic raise privacy questions
- − No local API for third-party dashboards
Related hubs
Frequently asked questions
Does the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) require the cloud?
Yes. The Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) is cloud-required — a vendor account and an internet connection are needed, and routines run through the vendor cloud (no local API).
Which protocols and voice assistants does the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) support?
Protocols: Matter, Thread, Zigbee 3.0, Bluetooth LE, Wi-Fi. Voice: Alexa. It directly supports an estimated 100000 devices/brands.
How much does the Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) cost and how much power does it use?
List price is about $150 (Amazon.com market observation, Q2/2026 — actual prices fluctuate). Idle power draw is roughly 4 W. The hardware and firmware are closed-source.
Source & last checked
- Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) product page: amazon.com/dp/B0BLS3Y632 ↗
- Sources last checked: 2026-07-20 · Prices: Amazon.com market observation, Q2/2026
- Idle-power and device-count figures are vendor-claimed or community-measured estimates. Prices fluctuate. Details without warranty — check the current manufacturer spec sheet before buying.