A smart display lets you keep up with the game while working on your hobbies. Amazon
Prices
Smart displays are naturally more expensive than smart speakers, but they still come at a variety of prices. Smaller displayers and speaker systems typically cost around $100. Larger, better versions are around $150. Big displays with very good sound tend to land around $200 to $250. And gigantic models like certain Echo Shows can go even higher. Find the speaker that works within your budget.
Screen size
Displays on these devices typically range from around 7 inches to 10 inches, plus Echo Shows that go to 15 inches and beyond for more TV-like displays, often mounted on walls. The 6- to 7-inch displays we like best are close at hand, like at a desk or bedside. Walk a few steps away, and you can no longer see most of the details on them. The 10-inch style models like the Echo Show 10 and Nest Hub Max are better in larger rooms -- we can walk several steps away and still get enough detail to watch videos, etc.
Cameras and privacy
Cameras allow for video chats. If you don't video chat with a smart display, you don't need to worry about it, although you may want to make sure the camera has a physical shutter. If you do want to video chat, look for models that have reliable cameras and the right privacy features for use (that physical shutter is again an important addition).
Voice assistants and smart home compatibility
We have options on this list that offer both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa as the voice assistant available to help with questions and smart home controls. It is important to pick the smart display that best matches what you already use. If you have an Echo device already in your home, then going with an Echo Show will seamlessly integrate into your home. But if you have a Google Home device, then you'll want a Google Assistant display. We've found Google is a bit better at searches and general questions (imagine that) while Alexa is better at quick commands, smart home controls and parsing home-related information. Siri, if Apple ever produces a smart display, is great at contextual info and providing helpful details like when asking about the weather, but doesn't read answers off the internet as well.
Smart displays can do things your phone or speaker can't: Here are our favorite options. Google Nest
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