Buying Guide
The Best Smart Displays for Video Calls: Picks and Trade-offs
We looked at 4 smart displays for video calls side by side, with the trade-offs that separate them and who each one suits.
By Jamie Cole, Lead Product Researcher
7 min read4 products evaluated
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Only displays with a genuine built-in camera belong in a video call guide, so we deliberately excluded the Google Nest Hub 7 inch here. Despite appearing in our other smart display guides, the Nest Hub's 2nd generation model has no camera at all, an important and easy-to-miss distinction from other Nest Hub generations that do include one.
The four Echo Show models below all include a working camera confirmed for video calling, ranging from a basic 2 megapixel camera on the compact Echo Show 5 up to a 13 megapixel auto-framing camera on the newest Echo Show 15.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Best Motorized Auto-Framing Camera
Amazon Echo Show 10 (newest model), HD smart display with premium sound, motion and Alexa, Charcoal
Buyers wanting a larger screen with motorized tracking for hands-free video calls at a desk
Our take Check price for Amazon Echo Show 10 (newest model), HD smart display with premium sound, motion and Alexa, Charcoal (opens in a new tab)
Best Camera Resolution Overall
Amazon Echo Show 15 (newest model), Full HD 15.6" kitchen hub for home organization, with built-in Fire TV, Designed for Alexa+
Kitchen or shared home organization hubs wanting the newest camera and built-in Fire TV
Our take Check price for Amazon Echo Show 15 (newest model), Full HD 15.6" kitchen hub for home organization, with built-in Fire TV, Designed for Alexa+ (opens in a new tab)
Best Large Screen with an Original Camera
Echo Show 15 with Tilt Stand
Buyers wanting the large Echo Show 15 display usable on a counter or desk via the included tilt stand
Our take Check price for Echo Show 15 with Tilt Stand (opens in a new tab)
Best Compact Camera Pick
Amazon Echo Show 5 (newest model), Smart display, Designed for Alexa+, 2x the bass and clearer sound, Charcoal
Compact desks wanting a small clock, notifications, and casual video call display
Our take Check price for Amazon Echo Show 5 (newest model), Smart display, Designed for Alexa+, 2x the bass and clearer sound, Charcoal (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best Motorized Auto-Framing Camera1 of 4
Amazon Echo Show 10 (newest model), HD smart display with premium sound, motion and Alexa, Charcoal on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
1 inch HD screen with a motorized base that physically rotates to follow you around a room, a distinctive feature none of the other displays in this guide offer.
Best for
- Buyers wanting a larger screen with motorized tracking for hands-free video calls at a desk
Why we like it
Premium front-firing speakers make it a strong pick for background music or video calls at a desk, not just glanceable information.
The motion tracking uses a camera, so buyers with privacy concerns should check the physical camera shutter and motion settings in the Alexa app before relying on it near a desk. It is also the largest 10 inch class display here, taking noticeably more desk space than the Echo Show 5 or Nest Hub.
Premium sound quality for a smart display.
Key dimensions & specs
- 10.1 inch HD display
- Motorized base with motion tracking
- Premium front-firing speakers
- Built-in camera with physical shutter
Pros
- Motorized base actively follows you around a room
- Premium sound quality for a smart display
- Genuine 10 inch class screen size
- Built-in camera with a physical privacy shutter
Cons
- Larger desk footprint than compact models
- Motion tracking relies on an always-available camera
- Price not independently confirmed at publish time, check current listing
Best Camera Resolution Overall2 of 4
Amazon Echo Show 15 (newest model), Full HD 15.6" kitchen hub for home organization, with built-in Fire TV, Designed for Alexa+ on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
3x zoom, a real jump from the 5 megapixel camera on the original model, and it is marketed as a kitchen and home organization hub rather than a desk display.
Best for
- Kitchen or shared home organization hubs wanting the newest camera and built-in Fire TV
Why we like it
Built-in Fire TV support means it can double as a small streaming screen without extra hardware.
6 inches it is too large for most compact desks, better suited to a kitchen counter or shared wall in a home office. Alexa+ support brings more capable conversational features, but confirm current Alexa+ availability and any subscription terms on the listing before assuming it is included free.
Built-in Fire TV, no extra streaming device needed. Both are worth keeping in mind before deciding.
Key dimensions & specs
- 15.6 inch Full HD display
- 13 megapixel auto-framing camera, 3.3x zoom
- Built-in Fire TV support
- Designed for Alexa+
Pros
- Significantly upgraded camera over the original Show 15
- Built-in Fire TV, no extra streaming device needed
- Designed for newer Alexa+ conversational features
- Widget-based home screen for family organization
Cons
- Large footprint, not sized for a compact desk
- Confirm current Alexa+ subscription terms before buying
- Highest price among the Echo Show models in this guide
Best Large Screen with an Original Camera3 of 4
Echo Show 15 with Tilt Stand on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
6 inch Echo Show 15 with a tilt stand, which matters because the Show 15 was originally designed as a wall-mounted display and needs the stand to sit upright on a desk or counter at a usable angle.
Best for
- Buyers wanting the large Echo Show 15 display usable on a counter or desk via the included tilt stand
Why we like it
It carries a 5 megapixel camera for video calls and the same widget-based home screen as other Echo Show 15 units.
This is a large display, closer to a small TV than a compact smart display, so it fits a shared kitchen counter or home office wall far better than a small desk. Buyers wanting a desk-sized display should look at the Echo Show 10 or Echo Show 5 instead.
Key dimensions & specs
- 15.6 inch display
- Includes tilt stand for desk or counter placement
- 5 megapixel camera for video calls
- Built-in Fire TV app support
Pros
- Tilt stand makes the wall-oriented Show 15 usable on a desk or counter
- Large screen suits shared kitchen or family room placement
- Built-in camera for video calls
- Widget-based home screen for at-a-glance info
Cons
- Large footprint, not sized for a compact desk
- Older camera resolution than the newest Show 15
- Price not independently confirmed at publish time, check current listing
Best Compact Camera Pick4 of 4
Amazon Echo Show 5 (newest model), Smart display, Designed for Alexa+, 2x the bass and clearer sound, Charcoal on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
5 inches this is the smallest and most desk-appropriate Echo Show in this guide, small enough to sit beside a keyboard without blocking a monitor.
Best for
- Compact desks wanting a small clock, notifications, and casual video call display
Why we like it
It carries a basic camera suitable for casual video calls, plus improved bass and clearer sound over earlier Show 5 generations.
Its small screen limits how much information fits at a glance compared to the 10 or 15 inch models, so treat it as a bedside or compact desk clock-and-notifications display rather than a full home organization hub. The low price makes it an easy add-on even for a secondary desk.
Lowest price among the Echo Show models here. That said, small screen limits at-a-glance information.
Key dimensions & specs
- Approximately 5.5 inch display
- Basic camera for video calls
- Improved bass and sound over earlier generations
- Designed for Alexa+
Pros
- compact, fits beside a keyboard without blocking a monitor
- Lowest price among the Echo Show models here
- Camera included for casual video calls
- Improved audio over earlier Show 5 versions
Cons
- Small screen limits at-a-glance information
- Basic camera resolution versus larger Echo Show models
- Not intended as a primary home organization hub
How We Chose These Smart Displays for Video Calls
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Camera presence verified as a hard requirement
- Confirmed every included model has a genuine, working built-in camera, and excluded the camera-free Nest Hub 7 inch that appears in our other smart display guides.
- Camera resolution and framing features compared directly
- Ranked based on documented camera megapixel count and auto-framing or zoom capability, from a basic 2MP fixed camera up to a 13MP auto-framing model.
- Motion tracking assessed for hands-free calling
- Gave credit to the Echo Show 10's motorized base, which actively follows a caller around a room during a call, a feature none of the fixed-camera models offer.
- Physical privacy controls checked per model
- Verified whether each camera-equipped display includes a physical shutter or hardware mute, relevant to anyone concerned about an always-available lens.
What to Look for in a Smart Display for Video Calls
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Decide whether a built-in camera is a feature or a privacy concern for your desk
Some smart displays include a front-facing camera for casual video calls or as a security-camera-style monitor, while others are explicitly camera-free by design, marketed specifically for privacy-conscious buyers who don't want a camera pointed at their workspace all day.
This distinction matters directly depending on your actual use case, a camera is useful if you'll use the display for video calls, but it's a real consideration if the display sits on a desk where you'd rather not have an always-on camera present, even one you can physically cover.
Check the listing specifically for camera presence or absence, and check whether a physical camera shutter or cover is included if privacy matters to you.
Match screen size to your actual desk space and how much information you want at a glance
A smaller 5-7 inch display fits easily beside a keyboard without blocking your monitor or eating meaningful desk space, but shows less information at a glance, calendar, weather, and notifications compete for limited screen real estate, while a larger 8-10 inch display shows considerably more at once but demands more desk real estate and can start competing visually with your main monitor.
This matters more the tighter your desk space actually is, and more the more you plan to rely on the display as a genuine information hub versus a simple clock and notification glance.
Check the listed screen size in inches against your actual available desk space, not just the general size category.
Confirm your voice assistant ecosystem before buying, since Alexa and Google Assistant aren't interchangeable
Smart displays are built around one specific voice assistant ecosystem, either Amazon's Alexa or Google Assistant, and each integrates differently with different smart home devices, calendar services, and existing voice assistant hardware, so a display built for the ecosystem you don't already use can mean losing compatibility with smart home devices or routines you've already set up.
This matters directly if you already own other smart home devices or use a specific calendar service regularly, checking ecosystem compatibility before buying avoids a real functionality gap after purchase.
Check which ecosystem, Alexa or Google Assistant, the display uses, and confirm it matches what your other smart home devices and calendar service actually support.
Consider display motorization if the display needs to track you around the desk
A small number of smart displays include a motorized base that automatically rotates or tracks a person's position during a video call, keeping you framed in view even if you move around while working, a useful feature for anyone who moves between multiple monitors or stands up periodically during calls, but an added cost and complexity that's wasted if you sit relatively still.
This matters more for anyone with a multi-monitor setup who shifts position frequently during calls, less for a single fixed desk position.
Check the listing specifically for motorized tracking as a named feature, and weigh its added cost against how much you'd actually benefit from it given your desk setup.
Weigh audio quality if the display will also serve as a music or podcast speaker
Speaker quality varies meaningfully between smart display models even within the same product line, some prioritize a compact footprint at the cost of thinner, tinnier sound, while others include improved bass and clarity as a specific upgrade.
This matters more if you plan to actually use the display as your primary desk speaker for music, podcasts, or calls throughout the day, less if audio is a secondary consideration behind the visual display itself.
Check reviews and the listing specifically for audio quality mentions, not just screen specs, if sound quality is a real factor in your decision.
How to Choose a Smart Display for Video Calls
By Rating Confidence: Highest Rated vs Most Reviewed
- The lower-priced option in this comparison, worth checking its screen size and camera presence against your needs.
- The higher-priced option, worth it if it offers real screen size or feature headroom above the cheaper pick.
Default to Amazon Echo Show 10 unless your specific needs call for the pricier pick.
Check each pick's voice assistant ecosystem against your existing smart home devices and calendar service before buying, not just screen specs.
- A genuine front-facing camera with decent resolution, and motorized tracking if you move around during calls.
- Amazon Echo Show 10 includes a front-facing camera for video calls.
- You want a larger screen, motorized tracking, or better audio, where Amazon Echo Show 5's features give real headroom over the cheaper picks.
- You just need a simple clock and notification glance display, where Amazon Echo Show 10 covers the same job at a lower price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Google Nest Hub have a camera for video calls?
No, the Nest Hub 7 inch 2nd generation has no built-in camera at all, which is why it's excluded from this specific video call guide despite appearing in our other smart display guides.
Which smart display has the best camera for video calls?
The newest Echo Show 15 has the highest resolution camera at 13 megapixels with auto-framing, while the Echo Show 10 adds motorized tracking that follows you around a room.
Can the Echo Show 5's camera handle regular video calls?
Yes, its basic camera handles casual video calls well for its compact size and price, though it has lower resolution than the larger Echo Show models.
Bottom Line
Best overall: Amazon Echo Show 10 (newest model), HD smart display with premium sound, motion and Alexa, Charcoal — best motorized auto-framing camera pick in this roundup. See the full verdicts above for every pick, with pros, cons and who each one suits.
Browse all smart displays for video calls on Amazon — Prime-eligible options with current pricing.