Smart displays look a bit like tablets, but it’s worth noting that they’re usually fixed into their stands and run off mains power – these aren’t portable devices with their own batteries. The notable exceptions are the Facebook Portal Go, which has its own battery, and the Lenovo Smart Tab P10, a tablet that ships with a dock that turns it into an Alexa smart display.
Having a screen unlocks the potential to use a smart display not only for finding out the weather or checking your calendar, but also using the screen as a digital photo frame.
This is why apart from the individual specs of each display, you really need to choose between Alexa and Google Assistant. We can’t outright tell you which to go for as it will come down to things like whether you have other devices in that ecosystem and if the other smart home devices you have, or are planning to buy, are compatible with that system.
Best Smart Displays 2022
Full YouTube support Google Photos
Subscription required for some features
The 10 inch screen is larger and more useful than the smaller Nest Hub, and the built-in camera is far more useful than simply making video calls. It can recognise different people, be used as a security camera and supports gestures for playback.
Audio hasn’t been skimped on: it’s excellent, making the Hub Max a great smart display even if you love to listen to music. The JBL Link View has even better sound but we prefer the Max as an all-round device.
Screen always faces you Good sound quality
Expensive YouTube access only via web browser
The motorised display may sound a bit gimmicky but it should be useful in larger rooms or kitchens where you’d otherwise have to turn the screen manually to see it.
You can also use its ability to rotate to keep an eye on your room when you’re away, swiping the screen of your phone to turn the camera remotely.
Other than that, the experience is much like its predecessors and the smaller-screened versions. We’d be open to an even larger screen, but as long as you’re not trying to replace a TV with the Echo Show, it’s big enough.
Use like a security camera Camera keeps you in the frame
No Zigbee hub
Plus, this second-generation model has a 13Mp camera which has plenty of resolution for digital zoom. This is used in video calls to keep you in the middle of the frame even if you move around the room – just like the Facebook Portal and latest iPad Pro. It’s not as versatile as the 360° Echo Show 10, but it’s a good compromise.
Sleep monitoring Great value
Subscription required for some features No camera
Using Google’s Soli radar (there’s no camera watching you sleep) the Nest Hub 2 can monitor your movement and breathing in bed and give you a sleep quality report. The only downside? It’s a free trial until 2022, but Google says it may start charging a subscription free for sleep tracking from then.
Otherwise you’re getting a familiar 7in smart display, with the usual Google Assistant support, bolstered by an extra mic and improved audio.
It’s affordable and the compact, stylish design will ensure it fits almost anywhere in your home – though remember that there’s no camera so you can’t use it for video calls.
Portable design Great camera Multiple video chat apps
Facebook Assistant limited Heavy
Second, it’s portable. The 10in display means it’s still a little bulky and heavy, but this is an option if you want to have one smart display that you can use in both the kitchen or the bedroom – or just carry around with you once you start a video call. And with a 5-15 hour battery life it lasts a while too.
It’s less powerful elsewhere, with few apps and a limited smart assistant – though you can add in Alexa for proper smart home controls, albeit lacking a couple of the features you’ll find on a proper Echo device.
Big 15in display Wall-mountable Facial recognition
1080p resolution low for the size Middling 5Mp cameral Limited audio
It’s big enough to suit the wall though, and uses the big screen to display chunky widgets and big photos. Facial recognition tech – dubbed Visual ID – lets it recognise faces and display custom info relevant to the person in front of it.
We wish it was a bit higher resolution – at this size 1080p begins to look soft – and the audio and camera could both be improved. But if you want a larger smart display that can double as a photo frame on your wall, this is the one.
Can be used like a security camera
Mediocre sound
Sound quality isn’t as good as the Echo 4, or the Echo Show 8, which is the only real drawback. This latest second-gen model has a higher-resolution camera (which isn’t as good as the 8’s) and can also be used a kind of security camera as you can view the camera feed remotely.
Essentially, it’s a good choice if you have a tight budget but want an Echo with a screen and don’t need music to sound amazing.
Google Assistant Inexpensive
No Bluetooth speaker support Tiny screen
The only real downside is the lack of Bluetooth speaker support but everything else about this does exactly what you want it to.
Most importantly, the affordable price means it’s easy to justify buying a smart display instead of a smart speaker such as the Google Home or Echo 4. We’ve seen it on sale for half price quite regularly, making it a real bargain.
Note that there’s also the Lenovo Smart Clock Essential, a cheaper follow-up that has a much more limited display with a stronger focus on being a clock.
10in Android tablet Works like an Echo Show
Good sound Good for Netflix
Without the dock the P10 would be fairly unremarkable, so it’s really only worth buying if the idea of a tablet that doubles as an Echo Show really speaks to you, or if you know you’ll make use of the dock’s built-in speaker, rather than simply connecting it up to another sound system anyway.
Tech Advisor’s Deputy Editor, Dom covers everything that runs on electricity, from phones and laptops to wearables, audio, gaming, smart home, and streaming - plus he’s a regular fixture on the Tech Advisor YouTube channel.
