The Amazon Echo Hub is an 8-inch wall-mountable controller for smart home systems, priced at $179.99.
It provides an interface for managing existing Matter, Thread, and Zigbee devices.
Designed for static installation, it lacks camera hardware and video calling capabilities.
The device integrates with the Alexa ecosystem, though it does not perform standalone device discovery, requiring the Alexa mobile app for setup and initial orchestration of the smart home layout.
Unlike an Echo Show display, which is more suited to video and music, the Echo Hub is built primarily for home control. It doesn't have a camera and doesn't support video calling. It also costs less than the Brilliant Control, a similar remote that sells for $399.
For wall mounting
The Echo Hub has an 8-inch display and a slim design. A wall mount is included in the box, while a compatible tabletop stand is sold separately. It can control compatible smart home devices, including those using Matter, Thread, and Zigbee.
For initial setup, you'll need the Alexa app on your mobile device and a connection to your Amazon account. After that, the Echo Hub can control devices that are already connected to Alexa, but it can't add new ones on its own.
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A sensor activates the screen when someone approaches. It shows the rooms, devices, and controls of the smart home. In our review tests, controlling lights and other devices worked well, and Alexa responded quickly.
Better for home than entertainment
The Echo Hub can play videos, music, and podcasts, but it's not primarily built for entertainment. Its small speakers are fine for listening to Alexa up close, but they don't do music well. For entertainment, the review recommends the Echo Show 8, which costs $149,99.
In testing, the image from a Ring camera didn't always load, and Alexa sometimes asked to identify the room. The review suggests that the image issue may also be due to Ring's systems.
The Echo Hub is best suited for anyone who wants a wall-mounted display to easily control their home devices. If you're mainly interested in music and video, the cheaper Echo Show 8 is, according to reviews, a better choice.
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