Smart displays are at the heart of most smart homes. With the ability to sync with other gadgets to issue commands, provide daily updates or serve as a second screen to watch your favorite shows, smart displays are extremely versatile devices.
The smart display market today is more saturated than ever before, with products from Amazon, Google, Facebook and others vying for your attention. Google has even revealed that the upcoming Pixel Tablet will double as a smart display, and Apple may be throwing its hat into the ring sooner than expected.
It’s clear that there are a lot of options on the market, but it’s not always easy to decide which one is best for your home. If you need help searching, here’s a look at the best smart displays of 2023. Whether you’re working with Google Home, Amazon Alexa, or just want something with Matter support, there’s bound to be something that catches your eye.
Echo Show 15
The best smart display
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Huge 15.6 inch screen
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Widget functionality makes it easy to view tasks, smart home and more at a glance
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Various orientation options
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Changing visual IDs between users
Against
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There is a lack of customization and personalization options
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Software crashes without explanation
Why we chose Echo Show 15:
Many smart displays are a bit small and this can make them difficult to view from across the room, limiting their range. The Echo Show 15 eliminates that concern with the largest smart display yet, a 15.6-inch touchscreen that you can mount on the wall like a picture frame or use with a desktop stand, placing it exactly where you want it. It also solves the problem of the Echo Show 10’s swiveling design that felt clunky or took up too much space in many settings.
Of course, you also get all the Alexa benefits here, including the ability to stream video (Alexa supports streaming apps like Netflix and Hulu), control your smart home, video chat with friends, or watch through devices like the Ring Doorbell. It’s one of the simplest models we’ve seen.
Who it’s for: Anyone who wants the best smart display and is willing to pay for it, especially those who like to watch shows and videos on a smart display that’s part of the kitchen or office. The willingness to use Alexa is also important, but with the Matter platform starting to roll out, compatibility with smart devices isn’t as crucial as it used to be.
Echo Show 15
The best smart display
John Velasco/Digital Trends
Google Nest Hub Max
The best Google Assistant screen
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A brilliant screen, perfect for sharing pictures
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The camera adds a layer of home security
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Automatic framing allows us to see video calls
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A tailor-made experience thanks to Face Match
Against
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Sound quality is poor at higher volumes
Why we chose Google Nest Hub Max:
Of course, the Nest Hub Max has a bigger screen than the original Nest Hub, but it also offers a lot more features and functionality with its brilliant HD display. It has a 6.5-inch megapixel camera with auto-framing so you can make video calls, and the camera will even follow you as you move around the room.
Face-match technology enables a more personalized experience. When the Hub recognizes your face, it can show you content specific to you (video messages, reminders, upcoming calendar events, etc.). Up to six users can save a face-match profile. Nest Hub Max also provides quick gesture control, so you can use hand gestures to control certain functions (like pausing or playing music).
The Hub Max has a built-in Nest Cam. You can use Nest Cam to check on your home while you’re away, although some of the more advanced features require a subscription to Nest Aware.
Who it’s for: For those who want a feature-rich display that serves multiple functions. The Google Nest Hub Max is a versatile device that does it all … though it lacks the wall mount and extra-large screen options of the Echo Show 15.
Google Nest Hub Max
The best Google Assistant screen
John Velasco / Digital trends
Google Nest Hub (2nd generation)
The best display without a camera
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Precise sleep monitoring
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Tons of data about your sleep
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Starting price $100
Against
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Several new features compared to the previous model
Why we chose Nest Hub 2nd generation:
Google’s Nest Hub smart display is one of the few that doesn’t have a camera for video chat, so you can only make voice calls through the device. Just like the original Nest Hub, the Nest Hub 2 doesn’t have a camera, but it does have a 7-inch touchscreen that lets you better interact with Google Assistant. You can view recipes, watch shows, see song lyrics, see devices in your smart home, and more.
The 2nd generation model added the Soli motion detection radar, which allows the Hub to perform a feature called “Sleep Sensing”. This means the Hub can collect sleep data and provide advice on how to sleep better. Our review found this feature to be surprisingly accurate, with a dashboard that displays accurate data on how long it takes to fall asleep, breathing rate information, and how long it takes to get out of bed.
Who it’s for: For those who use Google Assistant and want to see information on a smart screen, but don’t mind if their device doesn’t have a camera. Google Nest Hub is great for looking up recipes in the kitchen or checking your calendar with a voice command, so it’s ideal for the kitchen or as a bedside companion.
Google Nest Hub (2nd generation)
The best display without a camera
John Velasco / Digital trends
Echo Show 5 (2nd generation)
Best budget smart display
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One of the most affordable smart screens
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Compact design that can fit almost anywhere
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Welcome privacy features
Against
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Too small for some purposes
Why we chose Echo Show 5 (2nd generation):
The Echo Show 5 is quite small, with only a 5.5-inch screen. However, the Show 5 has a lot to offer in a small package. It supports the basic functions you can perform with most smart displays — make video calls, control smart home devices, watch videos, and ask your assistant questions. But the Show 5 is a budget display, so it only has a 2-megapixel camera and a single 1.7-inch speaker. It also lacks the built-in Zigbee Hub you’d get with the Echo Show 3. However, you can check on your home using the Show 5’s camera via the Alexa app.
The Show 5 steps up in terms of its privacy features. It has a slider that you can use to physically block the camera. You can also take advantage of newer Alexa Privacy features, like the ability to delete your recordings for the day.
Who it’s for: The Echo Show 5 is ideal for those who want a device with a voice assistant and a display, but don’t want to spend too much money. It’s the ideal entry-level smart display.
Echo Show 5 (2nd generation)
Best budget smart display
image: Meta
Meta portal
The best smart screen for video calling
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Affordable
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AR filters for fun video chats with Meta apps like Messenger and WhatsApp
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Built-in Alexa
Against
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The screen is small for video calls
Why we chose Meta Portal:
Formerly known as Facebook Portal, the revamped Meta Portal is a picture frame-like smart display built to be Facebook-friendly. The 10-inch display includes a smart camera that can track your location as you move, and there’s an easy-to-access augmented reality (AR) library to add effects and filters to your video chats, so it’s ideal for casual video calls with friends.
The portal works with the expected apps like Messenger, WhatsApp, Zoom and more, so you probably won’t have to learn a new video platform. There is also support for common music services such as Spotify, Pandora and Tidal. While the Meta doesn’t have its own voice assistant (yet), Portal thankfully comes with Alexa built-in, so it can do many of the things the Echo Show can.
Who it’s for: For those who frequently use Facebook and related Meta services (especially for flashy video chats) and who like to use Alexa for everything else. It’s also a good and affordable choice for those looking to save money, although you can also buy the 14-inch version if you want to pay more.
Meta portal
The best smart screen for video calling
Frequently asked questions
What is a smart display?
Think of a smart display as a Google Home or Amazon Echo speaker with a display. This allows a voice assistant (Alexa or Google Home, for example) to show you information instead of just speaking it to you.
What is the difference between a smart screen and a tablet?
While tablets and smart displays share some similarities — both have a screen, both play music, and often both have assistants (Siri, Google Assistant, Cortana, etc.) — the two devices have different primary functions.
A tablet is a portable computing device whose primary functions are internet browsing, social media, applications games, e-mail, etc. It is a personal device that is not intended to fill a room with sound. The smart screen usually remains stationary and has large speakers to play music out loud. Its primary functions include things like controlling smart devices and answering questions, as well as streaming video or enabling video chats.
What can a smart screen do?
Your smart display works with a smart assistant (such as Alexa or Google Assistant) to read you the news, play music, play movies and TV, show you a feed from your security camera or video doorbell, show you the morning traffic or weather forecast, help you in the kitchen with conversions and recipes, set reminders and alarms for you and more.
If I have a smart display, do I still need a smart home hub?
Not really. Some older devices that need Zigbee support won’t always work with the smart display, but this isn’t a common problem.
Most modern smart home products work without the need for a hub, so you can control most smart devices with just your smart display (as long as they’re compatible). However, having a smart home hub can make your smart home more efficient.
Sometimes hubs will be required for certain devices, such as certain Philips Hue bulbs or security systems you buy from a professional supplier.
What should I look for when buying a smart display?
Your main preferences will strongly influence which smart display is best for you. The Echo Show 5 and Nest Hub are great products if privacy and reasonable prices are your top priorities. If a bigger screen and superior sound quality are at the top of your preference list, and you can beat the higher price, you should check out the Echo Show 15 or Google Nest Hub Max instead.
Which voice assistant is better: Alexa or Google Assistant?
We don’t have a definitive answer here. Alexa and Google Assistant are often better in different categories. Alexa, for example, is compatible with a wider range of products than Google Assistant. On the other hand, Google Assistant is superior when it comes to overall intelligence and answering questions.
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Categories: GAMING
Source: newstars.edu.vn