Smart speakers and smart displays come compatible with smart devices such as smart TV’s, Security System, Smart Doorbells and Smart Thermostat. To give you the ability to control those smart devices with voice commands through your favourite voice assistant, to control your home without getting out of the couch.
Smart speakers are a great tool for listening to your favorite music, making calls, and messaging hands-free.
However, smart displays excel over Smart speakers with its color touchscreen that gives you the ability to watch videos, make video calls or even use it as a photo frame when it’s not being used.
we ‘ll bring out the best in Amazon, Google, Lenovo.
Amazon
Amazon introduced its Echo Show range to work with its virtual assistant “Alexa”.
1. Echo Show
The original Echo Show was launched mid-2017 and had a 7-inch screen. However, they upgraded it with a 10-inch display in the second iteration.
Although Amazon didn’t offer this one to act instead of a fully-featured tablet, you can enjoy watching music videos and other content in full HD plus being a powerful home automation tool.
The smart display is compatible with Zigbee devices without a third-party hub.
The big smart full HD screen adds a great feature to enjoy music videos, follow the lyrics of your favourite music, and have more clear video calls with Skype. Yet on the downside, you won’t be able to lock the camera and you will find that Alexa is more biased toward Amazon services.
2. Echo Show 5
If you would like to have a smart display that fits a smaller space in your home, then you can get the Echo Show 5. The smart display comes with a 5.5-inch screen with dimensions 5.8 x 3.4 x 2.9 inches.
When it’s time to crank up tunes it won’t disappoint you, for it’s powerful and balanced bass despite its small size.
With this version, you’ll enjoy privacy with the ability to block the camera through the physical shutter. Also, your voice will stream only to the cloud when you say the wake word.
3. Echo Show 8
This screen comes in an 8-inch HD size with overall dimensions 8 x 5.4 x 3.9 inches. Its powerful speakers are supported with 4 mics with 2 neodymium speakers to deliver immersive soundscape.
Through your smart display you can watch video from your security cameras or your Doorbell.
This smart display will help you in your kitchen and display your shopping list.
You won’t be able to enjoy watching Netflix, YouTube or downloading any browser besides the inbuilt one.
4. Echo Spot
This one is considered the smallest smart display out there, it has a 2.5-inch screen so it fits easily into your bedroom, kitchen or dresser. But it’s not suitable for watching a movie.
Unfortunately, this product was discontinued, and few were able to catch one when on shelfs.
The main competitive advantage for this display is its tiny size that can help you manage your automated house hands free.
If you’d like to have a more powerful sound, you’d have to get third-party speakers.
Google Nest
This range is suitable for Google assistant fans.
1. Google Nest Hub
Google Net Hub is a smart 7-inch screen display, its small compact size makes it suitable to be put on a dresser or a nightstand. Google introduced this one as a digital art frame, as you can use it when it’s idle to display your favourite photos.
Has a sensor to adjust the screen brightness according to the surrounding lighting.
Unfortunately it hasn’t a camera, therefore you will enjoy having privacy, yet you won’t get the video call advantage.
The sound quality is not the best, so it’s not that good when it comes to playing music. However, the Nest Hub gives complete control of your connected home.
2. Google Nest Hub Max
With a 10-inch screen you’re able to watch videos and movies. The screen size is suitable for the living room or wherever you want.
Has a powerful control all over the house, and a camera for home security and video calling. The most admirable feature is that the Google Nest Hub Max offers a personalized experience based on the person looking at the screen
If your first priority is music then you should go for Amazon, but if you’re looking for a robust control for the entire house then Google Nest Hub or Google Nest Hub Max are your way to go.
Lenovo
Lenovo’s company choose to support their smart display with Google Assistant
1. Lenovo Smart Display 7
This smart display has a smooth design and display, with the ability to control your smart devices with Google Assistant through Android Things OS.
Promoted with a 5-watt speaker for crispness, natural and balanced audio. It comes with a physical camera shutter and a button to mute the microphone for complete privacy.
2. Lenovo Smart Display 8
The Smart Display 8 has an eye-catching design with a HD smart display to give you great visual while searching music and watching a video or movie
You can display a timer on your smart screen, and your shopping list.
You can manage all your compatible devices hands-free easily using a series of voice commands.
Has a dual mics to recognize your commands in a crowded room.
3. Lenovo Smart Display 10
With a 10-inch screen, you can easily chat with friends and enjoy your video calls on a large screen. However, weak audio is improper in a crowded room.
The size is similar to Echo Show and Google Nest Hub Max, putting them in competition.
The bulky size makes it hard to fit it in your bedroom but decent for the living room shelf.
When it comes to controlling your connected home, this will serve you like a magical genie, all you have to do is say the magic word “Hey, Google” to get started.
4. Lenovo Smart Clock
Lenovo Smart Clock is a 4-inch screen with 4.5 x 3.1 x 3.1 inches dimension. This Clock design makes it suitable to be added wherever you want in your house.
It is supported with Google Assistant, which is more robust in general web-based search. You probably won’t be impressed by the sound; it’s weak for listening to music, unlike Google Nest Hub. you will also suffer from the on-screen limited interaction.
