Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Smart Home
  3. Products

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Facebook Portal vs. Amazon Echo Show

Michael Bizzaco
Alina Bradford
By and

Choosing between the Facebook Portal and the Amazon Echo Show can be a tough call. With both tablets utilizing Alexa and boasting 10-inch displays, the similarities don’t stop there. Looking closer, though, there are a few key features that set both devices apart. In this side-by-side of the Portal and Show, we weigh in on key criteria like design, sound, displays, and price. Read on to see which of the two smart displays we prefer.

Recommended Videos

Design

Zoom on Portal
Zoom

These two smart displays couldn’t look more different. The Portal looks like a picture frame, which is great if you’ll be using it to display photos. Available in white and black frame options, the Portal measures in at 10.25 inches wide and 7.06 inches tall. The Echo Show looks more like a tablet with a big speaker stuck on the back. Available in sandstone and charcoal backings (black frame on both), the Amazon speaker is 9.7 inches wide and 6.9 inches tall. In terms of overall aesthetic, neither display is particularly attractive, so this one’s a toss-up.

Winner: Tie 

Related

Sound

Echo Show 2nd Gen front and back with call
Image used with permission by copyright holder

When it comes to listening to your favorite tunes, you probably won’t be disappointed with either of these displays. They both offer rich bass and clear sound that carries throughout a room. With the Echo Show, though, music doesn’t sound strained or warped at higher volumes like with the Portal. This is probably due to the Show’s more extensive speaker system which features a passive bass radiator, dual 10-watt two-inch neodymium drivers, and Dolby processing. So, if you’re going to put your smart display in a larger room, or you just like to crank your tunes, then the Show is your best bet.

Winner: Show

Displays

Overall, we really love both screens on these smart displays. They are large, crystal-clear, and display lifelike colors. The Echo has a 10.1-inch HD screen with 1,280 x 800 resolution, while the Portal has a 10.2-inch screen with 1,280 x 800 HD resolution. So, the Portal is slightly bigger but really takes the win with its adaptive display technology. Its screen adjusts to match the light in your room to make anything on the display look more realistic. The screen is so good, in fact, you may feel like you’re looking at a professionally printed photo inside of a picture frame.

Winner: Portal

Camera

Facebook Portal 10-inch 2019 camera
John Velasco / Digital Trends

A good camera is important if you’re going to do video calls with family and friends. You want them to be able to see you clearly, after all. The Echo has a 5MP camera, which isn’t terrible, but it’s nothing compared to what the Portal is packing. The Portal’s camera has more than twice the megapixels, at a whopping 13MP. Plus, it has AR capabilities that allow you to add fun filters to your face when you video chat and you can even tell on-screen stories that incorporate your face and animations.

Winner: Portal

Video calls

Amazon Echo Show 2 Review
Rich Shibley/Digital Trends

While the Portal seems to be coming out on top so far, how each smart display makes video calls will probably be what sways you in one way or the other. The Echo Show allows you to make calls with anyone that has Skype, the Alexa app, an Echo Spot, or Echo Show. The Portal, on the other hand, only lets you connect with people who you are connected with through Facebook and WhatsApp. So, if you’re not a big Facebook or WhatsApp user, this could be a big deal-breaker for you. Even if you’re a die-hard Facebook addict, your favorite people may not be. In terms of flexibility and who you can get in touch with, the Show’s a little easier to work with.

Winner: Show

Price

The Echo Show was originally $230, and we’ve seen some price cuts at Best Buy for as low as $149. With the upcoming release of the third-gen Echo Show, Amazon no longer offers the second-gen model. The Portal retails for $170 as well but is currently on Amazon for $99 for the Mini 8-inch and $129 for the 10-inch. Price cut or not, the Facebook Portal is a better buy.

Winner: Portal

Conclusion

While Facebook Portal won in more categories, which one you buy really comes down to what your needs are. If you’re looking for a smart display that you can rock out with and lets you call the most people, then Show is the best pick. If you want a display that has advanced screen capabilities, a great camera, and a lower price, then Portal is the one for you.

Since both are also powered by Alexa, neither one has the upper hand when it comes to what they can do in terms of controlling the smart home. Although, the Echo Show can act as a hub for various smart home gadgets, allowing you to control certain things, like your connected smart lights, using on-screen controls directly on the Echo Show — and that’s in addition to voice commands with Alexa.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Michael Bizzaco
Michael Bizzaco
Michael Bizzaco has been writing about and working with consumer tech for well over a decade, writing about everything from…
Echo Show 8 vs. Echo Show 10: is the bigger device a better smart display?
The Echo Show 10 on a kitchen counter.

Amazon has an impressive roster of smart displays, but few are as popular as the Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 10. The Echo Show 8 is now on its third generation, offering an HD display and a small footprint that's great for most homes. The Echo Show 10 is also on its third generation -- though it's much larger than its sibling and comes with a few exclusive features.

But is the bigger smart display better? Both products share much of their spec sheets, and it's not immediately evident that the Echo Show 10 does enough to deserve its hefty price. Here's a look at the Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 10 to help you determine which is best for your needs.
Pricing and design

Read more
Echo Show 8 vs. Nest Hub: Does Amazon or Google offer the best smart display?
Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen on table.

Anyone in the market for a reasonably priced smart display has probably stumbled across the Echo Show 8 and Nest Hub. Both clock in at under $150 (often less when on sale) yet provide homes with many of the same features found on premium alternatives like the Nest Hub Max and Echo Show 10.

But is the Echo Show 8 better than the Nest Hub? And what exactly is the difference between these two smart displays? Here's a comprehensive look at both to help you decide which one to bring into your smart home.
Pricing and design

Read more
Nest Hub Max vs. Echo Show 10: which is the better smart display?
The Nest Hub Max on a table.

The world of smart displays is dominated by two companies -- Amazon and Google. Amazon is responsible for the Echo Show 10, while Google is behind the Nest Hub Max. Both offer large screens, access to a massive roster of apps, and the ability to connect (and control) the rest of your smart home. There are a lot of similarities between the two popular displays, but there are a few key differences you should be aware of before adding one to your home.

Here's a closer look at the Echo Show 10 and Nest Hub Max to help you decide which is best.
Pricing and design

Read more