Home / Articles / Amazon Echo Show 11 Review: Best AI Smart Display (2025)

Articles

By · June 5, 2026 · 7 min read

Amazon Echo Show 11 Review: Alexa+ Takes Center Stage

Amazon’s Echo Show 11 is the smart display that finally justifies its existence. At $259.98 with an impressive 4.8 out of 5 stars rating on Amazon, it combines an 11-inch touchscreen, excellent sound quality, and the new conversational Alexa+ AI into a device that’s genuinely useful for the whole family. But is the upgrade from smaller Echo Shows worth the extra cost?

Price & Availability

• Price: $259.98 on Amazon
• Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars
• ASIN: B0FKWLJBKL
• Category: Smart Display

Key Specifications

Spec	Details
Display	11.0″ touchscreen, 1280 x 800 resolution
Speaker	Dual front-firing speakers with passive bass radiator
Camera	13MP wide-angle camera with physical shutter
Processor	Amazon AZ2 Neural Edge processor
AI	Alexa+ (conversational AI)
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Thread, Matter
Smart Home	Built-in Zigbee hub, Matter controller
Dimensions	10.7 x 8.0 x 4.2 inches

Alexa+: The Biggest Upgrade

The Echo Show 11 ships with Alexa+, Amazon’s next-generation conversational AI. It’s a significant leap from standard Alexa — responses are more natural, contextual, and conversational. You can have back-and-forth dialogues instead of single-command interactions. Ask “What’s a good recipe for chicken?” and follow up with “What if I don’t have an oven?” and it maintains context genuinely well.

Alexa+ also powers proactive suggestions — the device might remind you to leave early for an appointment based on traffic, suggest turning on porch lights at sunset, or recommend recipes based on what’s in your calendar. These proactive features are opt-in and can be disabled, but they showcase what an AI-enabled smart home should feel like.

The 11-Inch Screen: Just Right

The 11-inch display is the sweet spot for a kitchen or living room smart display. It’s large enough to read recipes from a few feet away, enjoy video content, and see security camera feeds clearly — but not so large that it dominates a counter. The 1280 x 800 resolution is adequate (not stunning) for this use case, and the touchscreen responds quickly to swipes and taps.

Sound Quality: Punchy for Its Size

The dual front-firing speakers produce surprisingly full, rich sound with real bass presence. Music playback is enjoyable without being clinical, and Alexa’s voice is clear and natural. For casual listening, podcasts, and background music while cooking, these speakers punch well above what you’d expect from a smart display. Audiophiles will still want a dedicated speaker, but for the majority of users, the Echo Show 11 will be the loudest voice in the room.

Video Calls: Actually Pleasant

The 13MP camera with auto-framing (which keeps you centered as you move around) makes video calls on the Echo Show 11 the best we’ve tested on a smart display. The wide-angle lens captures more of the room, and the microphones do an excellent job of picking up voice from across the kitchen. Amazon’s Drop In feature for calling family members is seamless — grandparents love it.

Smart Home Hub: Built-In

The Echo Show 11 includes a built-in Zigbee hub and Matter controller, meaning it can directly connect to and control compatible smart home devices without additional hubs. This is a practical advantage over smart displays that require separate hubs for certain device types.

What We Like (Pros)

• Alexa+ conversational AI — significantly smarter than standard Alexa
• Excellent sound quality — rich, full audio for a smart display
• 11-inch screen — ideal size for kitchens and living rooms
• Built-in smart home hub — Zigbee, Thread, Matter support
• Great video calling — 13MP camera with auto-framing
• Privacy features — physical camera shutter, mic mute button

What We Don’t Like (Cons)

• Screen resolution — 1280 x 800 is adequate but not impressive on an 11-inch display
• Alexa+ requires subscription for full features — some advanced AI features need Alexa+ subscription
• Amazon ecosystem lock-in — best experience requires Prime, Amazon Music, etc.
• Price — $259.98 is premium for a smart display

Echo Show 11 vs. the Competition

Device	Price	Rating	Key Advantage
Echo Show 11	$259.98	4.8★	Largest screen, best sound, Alexa+
Echo Show 8 (2025)	$149.99	4.6★	More compact, cheaper, same core features
Google Nest Hub Max	$229.00	4.5★	Better screen, Google Assistant

Compared to the Echo Show 8, the Show 11 offers a larger screen and better audio for $110 more. If counter space and budget allow, the Show 11 is the better experience.

Who Should Buy the Echo Show 11?

Buy it if: You want the best Amazon smart display for your kitchen or living room with the largest screen, best sound, and the new Alexa+ AI. Great for families who video call grandparents or follow recipes while cooking.

Skip it if: Counter space is limited (get the Echo Show 8) or you’re not in the Amazon ecosystem (consider the Google Nest Hub Max).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Alexa+ included free?
A: Basic Alexa+ features are included with the Echo Show 11. Some advanced AI capabilities require an Alexa+ subscription, but the core conversational improvements work out of the box.

Q: Can I watch Netflix or YouTube on it?
A: You can watch YouTube and some streaming services through the built-in Silk browser or apps. Netflix support is limited — this is primarily a smart home hub, not a streaming device.

Q: Does it work with non-Amazon smart home devices?
A: Yes, via Zigbee, Thread, and Matter support. It works with many third-party smart home devices including Philips Hue, Ecobee, and more.

Q: What’s the difference between Echo Show 11 and Echo Show 8?
A: The Show 11 has a larger screen (11″ vs 8.2″), better speakers, and a more powerful processor. The core Alexa+ experience is the same.

Affiliate Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links. We earn a commission if you purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we stand behind.